Ileus: The Dark Prince

Anastasia resumed tapping the table. "So you want a deal with us," she remarked, "—knowing fully well that it is your son who needs help." She leaned forward. "And knowing fully well that we are running out of time." She let out a low growl which would have surprised her in a normal situation, but nothing was normal here. "What if we actually run out of time? Do you think I will spare you?" Her threat was so cold and dangerous that Siora flinched. 

"Well, you have to vow to Lore that you will let me live," Siora repeated. "And you better make the decision as soon as possible." She paused to turn her face to the windows on her left. The rustle of wind was sharp against the wood. It reminded them of the time. It was passing fast. 

Without giving it a thought, Anastasia said, "I vow—"

"Wait!" Iona interrupted. 

Anastasia whipped her head towards her in utter confusion. Why was she interrupting such a fantastic deal? Even if Siora lived, at least Rolfe would be saved. 

"What is your hidden intention here?" asked Iona to Siora. "Why do I feel that there is something you are hiding and that your deal is not complete?"

Siora's eyes became wide for a fraction of a second, which could have gone unnoticed, but Iona saw it. Siora held her chin high and a smile tugged her lips up. "I will let you know that once the fae princess agrees to my first condition." 

"Damn it!" Iona said, pounding her fist on the table. "What if you back out?" 

"She won't," said Anastasia in a gravelly voice. Then she stared at Siora and said aloud, "I vow to the Lore that as long as you keep Rolfe safe and healthy, I will keep you alive." Her vow had too many meanings behind it, but the main thing it conveyed was that if Siora, even for once, betrayed Rolfe in a way that it affected him physically, Anastasia would make sure that she dies. 

Shock trickled through Iona as her spine went rigid. "What have you done, Anastasia?" she said in a low voice, goosebumps lining her skin.

"I did what was important," she replied in a way that her intention shouldn't be questioned. "Now state your other deal!" she said impatiently. 

Siora chuckled, the sound as cold as the gale that was hitting the window on the outside. "Well, then, thank you so much." This was the part where she had to get Kaizan in. Because now her deal was about to get bigger. "I know that you will let me live, Anastasia, but it is not necessary that you are going to let me live in the palace. For all I know, you will just throw me out of Galahar! And I am used to life that is 

"State your purpose quickly!" Anastasia growled. 

Siora gave a tight nod, "Next, I would like to make a bargain about how I will live. I have something which is very dear to you. I hold that thing very closely, in a place you can never come to know about. So, you better be careful in answering to my bargain for it may cost the life of—"

"Life of whom, Siora?" a voice boomed from behind. "Whose life are you bargaining with, Siora?" The darkness in his voice echoed in the room. "Or should I say that your game is over?"

Siora swiveled her head in that direction and her eyes became wide with shock. Fear surged inside her at serpentine speed. It was so real that she stopped breathing. Standing on the entrance was Ileus flanked by fae soldiers. He was looking disheveled, his hair a complete mess and blood spluttered over tunic and slacks. His arms had bulged in obvious fury. 

She narrowed her eyes at the way he addressed her. "If I were you, I would have been very careful in speaking for your next words would be counted as an insult," he hissed. She pushed her fear down, which got replaced with fury. "No one had ever spoken with me like that and you too can't!" she growled. Her horns started straightening. She stood up and bared her fangs as if in a warning. "Don't forget that my magic still works in this realm and that I have soldiers who are standing out for my protection." Her temper was seething in her blood and she dug her nails in her palm to not attack him. 

Ileus walked towards her followed by the fae soldiers. Ileus moved to the side and right in between the fae soldiers was Kaizan, all bloodied up with one eye swollen. His body was so black and blue that his original complexion was like a blotch. Blood trickled from his mouth, while some caked around his temple. His wrists were covered with blood where flesh was exposed to the bones. Same was with his ankles. He was walking with a limp. He lifted his right eye, which was still not wounded, but had red streaks running inside, to look at Siora. Through all the pain that he was experiencing, he smirked at her. 

Siora's blood froze like the ice tipped gale on the outside. Her breath caught as panic and dread sparked at the realization that her bargain fell even before she was about to make it. Her face became white as blood drained. She exhaled raggedly. She was least prepared for this moment and hadn't seen that the tables would turn. What happened in between her leaving the cave and reaching the fortress? Her shaky gaze went to Ileus and she gulped. How did he rescue Kaizan? Immediately she drew the power of her magic out. It rippled against Ileus' magic and crashed. 

"Kaizan!" Anastasia shouted. She sprang fron her place and rushed to him. She cupped his cheeks in her hands. Her gaze darted to his pulpy face and she asked, "Who did that? Where were you? Oh my god!" Shock flooded her body. "Please tell me you are okay," she whimpered and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders. 

He winced but chuckled faintly. 

Ileus sat on the chair. He stared at Siora with his piercing gaze and said, "Whose life are you bargaining with?" She opened her mouth but he cut her off saying, "The soldiers that you are boasting of—they all are dead." He picked up his boots and placed them on the table. "Giera is dead too." 

When he mentioned Giera's name, Siora's wits left her. Her lips trembled and she said, "Anastasia has vowed to the Lore that she would keep me alive." 

"Take him to the healer at once!" Anastasia ordered the faes. She walked back to the table and stood right in front of Siora. "And seize her!" Suddenly she hated the vow she made. 

Siora threw her magic out, but she found herself trapped in solid air. She looked at Anastasia with shock and found that her eyes had turned violet with speckles of silver in them. 

"Take her to Rolfe's room!" Anastasia ordered. The faes held her by her upper arms and pulled her to Rolfe's room as Anastasia and Iona followed them. Anastasia had taken her dagger out and gave it to Iona. "Do the honors," she said in a low voice.