Ileus: The Dark Prince

While others laughed, Anastasia gasped. She squeezed his hand tightly and looked at him as he walked with her that fall evening, leaves crunching and so doing barrel rolls in the cool wind. He looked surreal. 

The shadows had thickened and the purple night sky edged with pink and orange as the sun slowly moved below the horizon and light drained from the sky. The leaves were various shades of yellow, orange and red.  The sides of the cobbled street were carpeted with yellow leaves. The air was thick with the sweet smell of overripe apples and oranges on the ground beneath trees. Anastasia took in a lungful of crisp air thanking the deities that Ileus was her mate and that because of him she was inhaling her freedom. "I love you, sweetheart," she murmured and he pressed a kiss at the back of her hand. 

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"There's a lot more," Kaizan continued as others only laughed at the anecdotes. Some girls hastily bowed when they all rounded a corner. They looked at Ileus with wide eyes that were filled with awe, infatuation and fear. They giggled away at a joke one of them made about riding him. Anastasia gave them a dark look.

When they were further down the cobbled street, and came across a secluded spot from where one could only hear the sound of water running in the creek. There was just one small pub with a few rustic wooden benches around tables crafted out of logs. Ileus tugged her close and made sure that she sat right next to him. Kaizan ordered food and beer and special local brew that was specific to Silver Vales. "This one is made from a variety of fruits and is very strong. It is only for us and don't you dare to drink," warned Kaizan. 

"Anastasia won't drink," said Ileus. Surprise flickered through her. The last time she was drunk, he had to handle her and chided her that she wouldn't be allowed to drink more. She didn't realize that Ileus paid attention to all her behaviors. He was learning her slowly. She had this urge to hug him and cuddle him like she cuddled with Seashell but restrained herself. Though she knew that Ileus wouldn't mind if she did that, she was not sure what would be the repercussions of the action. The vokudlak was a louche in these matters. 

"That's just too controlling!" said Paige. "Why can't she have a drink?" She challenged Ileus. 

Ileus arched his eyebrow as he narrowed his eyes at her. "Paige, my wife is a fae and she is only eighteen. In the human realm, the legal age for drinking is twenty-one. So yeah, she will not drink," he growled. 

"Humans have less tolerance than us!" Paige countered. "Stop parenting her!" 

The owner of the alfresco bar lit the lights, which now dimly lit throwing shadows over their faces. Anastasia smiled at Paige who had a petite face and petite features but she had tried her best to garb it under heavy makeup, which mainly comprised of thick black kohl around her eyes and dark maroon shade of lip color. Her straight raven colored hair was tied in a tight ponytail over her head tightly. "Thank you, Paige," she said. "I agree with you." 

A waiter had brought a tray of beer mugs, beer bottles and the brew. He bowed to Ileus and then placed them on the table. He glanced at Anastasia and at first his eyes popped out but then Ileus' aura became so dark that he left immediately saying, "The food will arrive shortly."

When he left, Ileus said, "Paige, watch it, else I will report it to Uncle Nate and Ookashi." 

"You think my parents are going to stop me?" she retorted in a sassy way and snapped her neck. She poured beer for Anastasia and said, "Have it, girl!" 

Ileus glared at Paige… helplessly. 

"I wanted to ask you a question," said Anastasia in a sheepish tone. 

"Ah! I just can't wait to hear it," said Kaizan and took a large gulp of the brew. 

Anastasia glowered at him. 

"Of course, love," said Ileus and picked up his brew. 

"Do I look like a regular vokudlak?" 

Ileus downed almost half his mug and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "You look like what you are and stop feeling uncomfortable because I love you." He cupped her cheek with one palm. "Don't be coy and appropriate all the time." 

She giggled and took a sip of her beer. "I haven't had the opportunity to be sociable in Vilinski, so I do feel I am awkward in the presence of people." 

Ileus had downed his entire mug by then. He poured more brew for himself. "No baby," he said. "You are just right the way you are." He smiled and pressed a kiss on her forehead and pressed his erection against her belly. Then he picked up his mug and drank the whole brew in one shot. 

"Woah!" said Kaizan. "Take it easy Al!" 

Darla giggled at them and suddenly she found herself in Aidan's lap. "What—" her mouth was sealed with his kiss. 

Anastasia's lips tugged up seeing them. They looked so cute together. 

By the time Ileus had gulped the third glass, he had pulled Anastasia in his lap and was staring at her. "You are the most beautiful woman in the world," he said in a slurry voice. He took her hand and placed it on his shaft. "Here, feel me baby. I am all yours." 

"Gods, Ileus!" Anastasia blushed to the roots of her hair. 

"Give him something to eat, dammit!" said Kaizan. 

Anastasia picked up freshly roasted vegetables mixed with boneless chicken and shoved it in his mouth. "Eat it!" she ordered. 

"Ah my love!" Ileus said loudly. "I can die for you!" He started chewing the food. 

"Great, first have your food," she rolled her eyes. When she gave him the second spoon, he had picked up the fourth mug of brew and was gulping it down. 

Anastasia was aghast at his capacity. Ileus wiped his mouth. His eyes were hooded. She shook her head and made him eat more. Eventually, he took his shirt off. 

It wasn't until the sun had completely gone down the horizon that they all walked to the place where the creek pooled into a small lake. Anastasia saw that there were many young couples out there. Ileus knelt down and took out her boots. 

As she walked over the soft damp grass, she felt invigorated. The group walked closer. Sounds of drum beats, laughter and loud chats filled the air. In the background there were tents, the fabric of which was rippling in the cool fall breeze. In front of them were soft rugs and a small fire was lit. Couples sat huddled together as others danced over the drum beats. Anastasia was seeing this kind of free environment for the first time. The warmth and happiness that flooded the air was absorbed by her and manifested in excitement. 

Kaizan, Aidan and Darla broke away and walked to a group of people whom they met with fervor. Some of that group's girls were dancing around the fire. Kaizan went to join them. He took his shirt off as a girl came and joined him. 

Paige darted towards them and joined Kaizan and the girl in the dance.