Ileus: The Dark Prince

Siora sprang out of her bed as restlessness cruised through her. Her fear that she would no longer be able to hold her side of the bargain went a notch high. She was so tired of the mayhem that took place in the throne room a few hours back and she wanted to rest, but she couldn't lay on her bed nor could she close her eyes because she felt that time was running against her. 

She got out of her bed and paced the floor. It was cold beneath her feet, but she liked it because her thoughts were riled up. She wondered how much resistance her older sons would put up against the guards to extract their blood. If she didn't give her blood to Rolfe, then chances were that he would die. And if Rolfe died, Anastasia would surely take over the kingdom of Galahar. 

Siora pursed her lips in a thin line at the thought. This was the worst thought that came to her mind and she shuddered. Her husband had connived with Etaya for so long. They were in this deal for over a decade. Edyrm was the one who gave her the idea of marrying Seraph.. Though Etaya was reluctant earlier, the idea took roots in her mind and she ran away with Seraph at a young age. And now… now the whole scheme was crumbling in front of her—all because that fae princess. She punched her fist in her palm. She wanted to get back to Anastasia for thrusting her in this condition. Until yesterday she was the undisputed queen of Galahar and today… today she was hiding for her life while back there an eighteen year old girl was about to claim the title of Galahar's queen. How dare she? Angered at the thought, Siora picked up an ewer from the table and threw it against the wall. It shattered into hundreds of pieces.

Siora had seen the mark on Iona's neck when Edyrm had pulled down her collar. At that time, Siora was standing high in the balcony that was protected with spells to make it invisible. Yes, she watched how her husband reacted to all of it, she watched how Anastasia and Caleb controlled him and reduced him to his feral form. But she didn't become a part of it to save Edyrm. Why would she? In the end too, the bastard picked up Ara'a head like a dedicated lover and held it close to his body. No, she couldn't lower her dignity. All she needed at that time was to secure her future and Kaizan seemed to be the best key to her imminent success. When she saw her older sons being taken to the prison, she didn't want the same treatment because she knew that once she was thrown in the dungeons, she would never make it out. 

The mark she had seen on Iona's neck worried her. This meant that Iona was Rolfe's mate. She had heard from Edyrm earlier about it, but didn't believe it because mates were so rare in the Lore that it was impossible. Her marriage was also a marriage of convenience. She was the daughter of the highest nobility in the kingdom of Galahar. 

If Rolfe had mated with Iona, then the mate bond must have snapped and it also translated into the fact that Rolfe was the legal king of Galahar. The rules said that and no one could challenge his authority. Iona proved to be his success. He would ascend the throne without any resistance. As such the people of Galahar loved him. 

But another thought came in her mind—what if Rolfe died? What if Iona is pregnant with his child? If Rolfe died, then Iona would not be allowed to follow her mate to death until she gave birth to her baby. Anastasia would not allow it. The fae princess was too strong. She was a deity. And if Iona gave birth to the child, then the child would be the undisputed heir of the throne. 

Siora let out a spew of curses. "I have to stop her! I have to kill the child!" She put her hands on her hips and looked at the ceiling exasperated. "I will be damned if I give the reign of Galahar in the hands of Rolfe or Iona or their child." She paced up and down her room again and then she made a decision. She called her messenger, Giera. 

--- 

The royal healer had gone to the dungeons to meet the brothers. He knew that extracting blood from them wouldn't be easy, but his beloved prince was in so much pain that he couldn't see it. He took the risk to go and get it. 

The guards nodded when they saw him. Everyone in the kingdom was aware of Rolfe's situation and they wanted to help. 

Even though there had been no ceremony of his ascension, Rolfe was universally the choice of his people. 

The guards escorted the healer to the dungeon where the two brothers were held. They were shackled by heavy chains that had magic sizzling all around them. 

"Who has cast these spells?" asked the healer. It was impossible to hold the brothers because they had inherent magic just like their father, though not as strong. 

"The fae princess Anastasia," said the guard as he opened the door of the dungeon. 

"When did she have the chance to come and see them here?" asked the healer, shocked at the guard's words. 

"Oh, she was here for all the rebels. The loyalists of the royal family have been taken into custody, and she came here especially for the brothers," the guard replied. 

The healer chuckled. Anastasia was an intelligent woman. And only she was able to put the brothers into the dungeons and chains otherwise they would have easily escaped and been a threat to Rolfe. 

"You have come to collect my blood," the older brother growled. He spat on the healer's feet. "And you think I will give it to you without resistance? I hate that bastard. My father did right with him. He needed to be punished severely for joining our enemies. We tolerated his annoying presence because he was too weak, because he was working for the kingdom in some way, but he—" the brother heaved. "But the scoundrel allied with the most notorious enemies of the demons. And you want me to give blood to that traitor? Never!" He yanked the chains on his wrists, but white lights sizzled on them making them tighter. His hands and legs were sprawled on the wall with chains pulling him in every direction. 

The healer laughed. "Then you should look at the situation you are in." He took his knife out, walked to the brother and sliced his forearm. The brother snarled. As he collected the blood in the vials, he laughed and said, "See how easy it is." He closed the lids and said, "I will be back for more." Putting the vials safely inside his pockets, the healer nodded at the guards who escorted him out of the dungeons. Happy that now his prince would be saved, he mounted his horse and galloped to the prince. 

The night was thick and hard with fog swirling in the fields. The bog hadn't gone and the path was slippery. Suddenly his horse tripped.