Ileus: The Dark Prince

As Anastasia walked down the corridors to the meeting room, her fingers became cold due to anxiety. Adrianna had asked her to stay in the palace because she didn't want to tell her people or the council about her presence, but now—? Now she had asked her to attend the meeting in which the kings and queens of various kingdoms would be present. 

"What if someone tries to attack her, Ileus?" she asked as they entered a hall that had numerous cushioned chairs lined on the side. 

The black cape that he wore for the meeting over his black leather pants and white shirt that had gold cuffs and gold buttons, rippled behind him. "Once the kings and queens enter the meeting, Mother is going to create a spell around the room which is so powerful that no one would be able to break it. If anyone tries to attack, they would be immobilized by the spell. Now, arrested movement isn't a problem, but after they would be immobilized, within ten minutes, they would stop breathing."

Anastasia gasped. "That is… cruel." 

"That is the only way to stop magic from the powerful lords of the Lore."

She glanced at the small stream that was running beside the garden they had just entered. The blue blossoms that she had seen near the bedroom of Adrianna and Dmitri were growing liberally here. They fluttered in the chilly gusts that rustled her dress. "Aed Ruad would be there, and that bastard is high on my hit list!" Her nostrils flared. Her wings rustled. 

Five royal guards, who walked around them with spears as they walked to the meeting chamber, were awed by this tiny movement of her wings. Three of them were permanently assigned to them for round the day protection. Everyday the night guard would bring an offering consisting of pearls, coins and petals, which he used to strangely find in the garden just outside the east wings of the palace, where they lived. At first he was shocked as to who was giving away the offerings, but as if on an instinct, he brought them to Anastasia and offered her with a bow. Later he started adding to the offerings before presenting them to Anastasia. And he didn't know why, but he found it extremely satisfying to do that ritual. It was like offering to a deity… 

"You have to control your temper Anastasia," said Ileus. "We don't want things to turn south. If Aed Ruad is killed, rest assured, chaos would take place in Vilinski. Who knows what Etaya would do?"

Suddenly the guard muttered, addressing Anastasia, "Let me know if I can be of some help, Your Highness." 

They stopped and Ileus stared at him with his golden eyes that had burned with anger. The guard seemed unfazed and looked feral, as if he could lay his life for his wife. That was new. He wanted to feel jealous but he didn't because he sensed that the guard was holding Anastasia at the level of a goddess. The change in him was at the basic level. It was… religious. Ileus pursed his lips and they resumed walking. Was his wife influencing them in some way or was it natural? He had never seen her interacting with them. That guard only brought her offerings. "From tomorrow you will change your guard," said Ileus in order to validate his theory. "You will be coming during the afternoon." 

"Yes, Your Highness," said the guard but reluctantly. 

They reached the meeting venue. The antechamber right before the meeting chamber was abuzz with activity. Some royals were pacing while some were seated. Ileus saw Lazarus who was sitting with a cold visage along with his wife Emma. Brantley hadn't come but he had sent his General. 

As soon as Ileus entered the antechamber, everyone rose and bowed to them. All eyes were on Anastasia. Her nervousness was palpable, but she tried her best to mask it. This was the time she realized that these kings and queens would be the allies in the war that she open against Aed Ruad. And this was the purpose of calling them. A faint smile of appreciation spread on her lips thinking about her mother-in-law's strategy. Before showing her to her own people and the council members, Adrianna presented her to such high profile people. It was a show of power. 

Ileus held Anastasia's hand and walked up to where Lazarus was. Anastasia gasped at seeing the vampire. He was so pale and had skin like marble. His wife was an epitome of beauty as if sculpted from marble. She was tall and voluptuous. "Lazarus," said Ileus and gave the vampire a formal handshake. He bowed to Emma. "It seems resurrection is doing wonders to you," Ileus quipped. 

Lazarus glanced at Anastasia. "You look like you mother," he said in a voice that tasted like it was lingering from the past. 

"You knew her?" Anastasia asked, as surprise grew in her body and she went stiff. How would a vampire know her and that too one who had just resurrected after a gap of five hundred years? Ileus had already mentioned about him last night as he was introducing the names of the kings and queens. 

The vampire gave a fond smile. "Yes I did. She was a wonderful woman." 

Intrigued as hell and again with a thousand questions to ask, Anastasia opened her mouth but she snapped it shut the next moment when the guards announced the arrival of Adrianna and Dmitri. 

Everyone bowed to the king and queen of Draoidh. As Adrianna walked towards the meeting room, she had already scanned all the members with her sweeping gaze. Little did they know that not only had she swept through their minds, she had also cast the binding spell on all of them. 

The meeting chamber was round. A large oak table sat in the middle with sixteen chairs around it that were cushioned and looked exquisite. The fire in the hearth burned, warming the room's interiors. Though they could cast a magic spell, the actual fire looked… stylish. Ileus laughed on the inside at his mother's womanly nature. The plush red carpet was so thick that their feet were buried in its softness. All around the walls there were various paintings and other decorative items. A large chandelier hung from the ceiling. Not a single weapon was seen. 

Their gaze met—golden eyes into equally golden, fiery ones and she gave him a smile. Adrianna's eyes fell on Anastasia who was gazing at the chamber and she said, "Come and sit on my right, Anastasia." 

Perplexed, she hesitated, but when Ileus nudged her, she walked to sit beside Adrianna only after bowing to her and Dmitri. Ileus sat right next to her. Every other royal took his or her place around the table. One chair that was at the opposite end of the table, remained vacant. 

Silence prevailed in the air as anticipation rose. After about ten minutes, the guards announced, "Your Royal Highness." They opened the door for him to enter. 

Anastasia gripped Ileus' hand. However, her eyes widened with shock when she saw Etaya entering. Where was Aed Ruad? She looked behind Etaya, but the man wasn't there.