Ileus: The Dark Prince

Arel took in a deep breath when Iona translated it back to him. He said, "The problem is that if Edyrm comes to know that Iona is Rolfe's mate, he would try to kill her because killing her would mean destroying Rolfe, which in turn would eliminate the chances of his succession." 

When Iona translated it for the others to listen, Ileus held the armrest of his chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He had just got his sister back, she has just shifted for the first time and she is again in danger? Not acceptable. He would never let that happen. "Why don't you come with us to Draoidh? Prince Rolfe is going to be safe over there. And once we develop a strategy on how to deal with King Edyrm, we are going to come back." 

When Rolfe heard that, he shook his head. "I will never leave my home and flee from here, no matter what the king does. My people want me. Everything I have done, I have done for my people, for my kingdom. If I leave then who is going to save them from the wrath of the king?" He sounded angry and frustrated. "I will stay here till my last breath!" 

A horrible coldness spread in Iona's chest. Her mind reeled at the thought that Rolfe was willing to sacrifice himself rather than leaving the place. She opened her mouth and a shaky breath left her. She translated it back to Ileus, who opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. After a long moment of unease, Ileus said, "Then is there a way we can help you?" 

Arel said, "The first thing I would suggest doing is to form a political alliance, and the simplest way to do that is to marry your sister, Iona, with my prince. Once the marriage seals, we can talk more." 

"No!" Iona retorted in her language, as a chill skittered down her spine. "I am not marrying him. I just met him four days back. There is no way that I can marry someone who I just met!" Even if he was her mate. "I have just tasted my freedom and I don't want to get into a marriage." She rubbed the back of her neck. "No. No, I can't marry him for any reason." Realizing that Rolfe was looking at her dumbfounded, she thought he might take it personally, so she lowered her tone and added, "It has nothing to do with you. It's just that I don't want to marry. I will help you in your endeavors, but marriage? Hell no!" She got on her feet as everyone became quiet. A tense silence spread in the air. She looked at Ileus and said, "I refuse to be a pawn for political alliances." She pointed at Rolfe. "Even he doesn't know me that well. Why would he marry me? Please don't bully him into marrying me and please don't bully me into marrying him." 

Rolfe, who wasn't understanding a word she said, was feeling frustrated as hell because of her retort. Did Ileus say something against her? But whatever it was, it did seem that she protested against the marriage. He looked at Arel and scowled. What was the necessity of bringing up the subject of marriage? 

Iona continued, "They say that I am a royal mate and that I am needed to foster alliances. But what is going to happen once the prince will achieve his purpose?" 

Rolfe got up from his chair and in an even voice said, "Iona, can we talk? You don't have to marry me. But trust me I can't think of anyone who would know how to handle you." 

"You think only you can handle me?" she asked with narrowed eyes. 

He wanted to take her in his arms and soothe her anxieties. "Little one, you are not here to win my approval. You have full freedom to find out who is going to be the best for you, which is me." He hadn't even started his A-game in seducing her. 

Iona's mouth fell to the floor. The man was shameless. She heard Arel's low whistle and she blushed like a thousand suns. 

"So, can I talk to you?" he asked again. Gods, she was so pretty. He hadn't tried enough for her and he regretted it. He would never let her leave him. 

Ileus raised his brow as Anastasia giggled. "You better be careful with my sister, Rolfe," he said. "I understand her emotions very well and agree with her." 

Rolfe shrugged, for he didn't know what he spoke, yet he communicated that you are the one who has to be careful. 

"Okay…" she replied. 

"Great!" Rolfe said with a charming smile that melted Iona's heart. But first he needed to cook vegetable stew for her. He has heard that a way to a man's heart was through his stomach. "Let me do something for my woman."

"I am not your woman!" Iona snapped. 

"Not yet, dear. Not yet," he replied smugly. "But soon." By tomorrow morning or maybe by tomorrow evening. He shuddered on the inside and gave himself a week. The girl was a tough nut to crack. 

Rolfe led her to the courtyard and then to the kitchen. Iona was surprised at how quickly the kitchen was set up. Bubbling pots on the hearth, hot clay ovens were already up. People were either stirring contents, chopping meat and vegetables or just talking. It was nice to notice that the kitchen had been cleaned and the fae and demon soldiers were merrily prattling. They were using signs to understand each other.

"Why are we here?" she asked, inhaling the divine smell. 

"To make the stew for you." 

They all fell silent, all stopping at work, when Rolfe strode down the steps into the kitchen. The demon prince addressed one of his men and said, "I want all of you out of here." 

All the demons exited the kitchen immediately without a word and as if understanding the urgency of the matter, the faes exited too. 

Rolfe turned to her and then said, "Would you like to sit?" He prowled closer to her. She was standing next to a counter and he placed both his hands beside her. Her lips parted and she craned her head to look at his face and those pine colored eyes. All her senses fled. She sputtered something she didn't understand. All of a sudden two strong hands held her by the waist and made her sit on the counter. Rolfe gave her a big smile and said, "You sit here while I make the vegetable stew for you." 

"But Ileus was supposed to—" 

"He can make it another day," he cut her off. He didn't like her speaking the name of any other man. 

Rolfe grabbed a knife and picked up some vegetables. He assorted them near her and started chopping them with ease. Iona was speechless. How could a prince be so good at chopping vegetables? She watched him adding the vegetables in the pot of water that was hanging over the fire. And once he did that, Rolfe washed his hands and came to her.. With his hands braced on either side of Iona, he said, "I didn't know that you like vegetables over meat."