Ileus: The Dark Prince

In the gardens of the manor, his men were easily outnumbered by the men of the Whiteclaw pack. Even though their real attendance was thin in the marriage, Kaizan knew that there were many stationed in hidden posts. And with such little numbers it was a guaranteed fact that in case a fight ensued, it would be bloody, but last for a less time. 

The Whiteclaw pack pursued his unison with zeal and King Dmitri had accepted it with equal enthusiasm. Kaizan wasn't the happiest man on the earth when Ileus had come with this news. He had protested and he resented the agreement between the two packs without his consent. He used to joke about the royalty for marrying because of making political alliances. However, none that he knew married to make political alliances. Instead, all found their mates. So why shouldn't he? But it was an order from the king and as his Second in Command, he had to follow the order. 

After delaying it for two weeks and continuous reminders from Ileus, he had finally come to the Whiteclaw pack. And that night he met with the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. She was crying for being forced into marrying against her choice and Kaizan couldn't think of another person who shared his state of mind. He felt so trapped in this alliance that he must have thought of a thousand ways to escape it. When he met the girl in the hollow of the tree, he gave her a dagger and asked her to run away because that was what he wanted to do and he just couldn't. His acrimonious response to her was a reaction to his state. He had given her the option to fight with her and make him bleed him to death. And why was it that he felt attracted to her? The dagger he presented to her was a token of freedom. Was she carrying it with her? Now Kaizan was married to her—daughter of his worst enemy. 

There were lines of worry on her forehead. She caught his glance and tension brewed in the air. The air thickened like a simmering broth. There was an awkward silence that stretched between them. 

As the night fell, the floor of the forest darkened rapidly. He could hear the creaks of the wagon wheels. Owl hooted in the distance as some animal let out a low growl. Rustles of night creatures hunting both sides of the dirt road accompanied the clop of horse hooves. Olivia's eyes were closed. She began to sag in her saddle. She started to lean towards the side where Kaizan was. She could have fallen off the horse had Kaizan not come to her side. He made his horse walk next to hers and held her lightly. "Wake up, Olivia," he said. But she didn't. She continued to sleep. He called her again, a little sharply this time, "Olivia!

She opened her eyes with a jerk and in a dazed voice said, "Good morning!" 

Kaizan poked his tongue in his cheek. The girl looked very fragile. Last night she looked like a feral cat who could fight with him, but now she looked like a little lamb. He made room for her by sliding back in his saddle. Then he grabbed her waist, lifted her from the saddle and made her sit right in front of her. She gasped with amazement at the ease with which the entire action took place. He said, "Since you are not going to sleep in the carriage, you might as well stay on my horse. I don't want you to fall off." 

For a long time, Olivia was stunned as she froze. She had heard that Kaizan was the most merciless warrior in the army of Silver Vales. He had been commanding the packs of the region with an iron hand. She was scared of him that he might just kill her and throw her away like trash. Who would say anything to him? He could simply go back to his kingdom and declare that she was dead and marry anyone he felt like. The treaty would remain in place, but at least she would be out of the scene. He would be free to marry a woman of his choice. The thought made fear skitter down her spine. 

"You don't have to be afraid of me," came a deep, throaty voice. "And if you want, you can rest on me as we ride." 

She remained stiff not believing his word. Shameless. How could a dangerous man like him be trusted? But then he prevented her fall from the horse. Maybe he pitied her… 

When she didn't move, Kaizan didn't say anything after that. He just let her sit as stiffly as she wanted. At least she wouldn't fall off the horse. Her horse was taken by one of his men and he fell into a single line. 

Olivia was too tired after riding on the horse for so long. She would doze off and then jerk awake, again doze off and then jerk awake, but finally she just drifted off, unable to fight her sleep. Soon she was nestled into the cove of his arms. 

The General held his wife against him. He opened the front button of his fur lined cloak and wrapped her in it and then buttoned it again. She became warmer and he leaned against her warm body. He looked at her marble white skin when the soft moonlight fell on her skin. Her golden hair was soft and silky. She was resting against his chest and now he could see her features, read them at his own sweet time. He wrapped his arms tightly around her. 

Olivia wasn't forthcoming during the wedding, but last night when he had met her and they didn't know each other, she sounded unique. He enjoyed her company and he loved the closeness especially when he pressed himself against her. He had thought that if he married this woman, it would be a wonderful start. With these thoughts he pulled her closer to him.. Suddenly, he stiffened in his saddle. One of the men at the back shouted, "Swords!"