Ileus: The Dark Prince

"The guards. They bring it in the morning every day for me."

"Did you notice any change in their behavior?" asked the Shaman.

"Yes, they have kind of become very protective about me, and honestly it creeps me." 

He laughed a little and said, "Child, better get used to it. This is going to become a regular feature." 

"That is embarrassing," she said and bit her lip. 

Ileus held her hand and she could see how his chest swelled with pride. 

"What you said partially covers my question," said Anastasia. "Can you elaborate on blood-calling business?" She sounded just like any other teenage girl making everyone in the room smile. "I mean they people worship the moon goddess all the time!" 

"Deities are worshipped by men and women and at the same time, they are hated. And don't challenge the beliefs of those who worship Selene. I mean she is the deity of the werewolves. But you—you are new. You are still to establish yourself as a deity. It is not going to be a smooth ride. Deities are not unheard of, but a living deity in the Lore? That's unexpected, unbelievable and shocking." 

Anastasia's hand went to her throat and she started brushing it lightly with her fingers, as anxiety pricked the back of her throat.

"So, by offering you the food, the devotees advance to a spiritual level. The moment you eat their offerings, your blood starts summoning them. The main reason is that each one of them has a bloodline that originates from yours, but yours— yours is a pure bloodline that comes from being the direct descendants of the gods who ruled Vilinski." 

Surprise flickered through her again and she felt that she was constantly in a state of surprise over the last few hours. "I don't know what to say," she breathed. She picked her hand in the air and waved in front of her. "It's an amazing thought that I am the direct descendent of the gods." 

The Shaman knew that she was still having doubts. "Do you see how your mood affects the weather?" 

Her eyes popped out. So, even he noticed? "Did— did you notice?" she asked in a disbelieving tone. 

"Of course, Anastasia," he replied and grinned. "Only a fool wouldn't notice it. Whenever your mood darkens, the weather turns grim." 

She shook her head and laughed. "I was thinking about it. My father's moods also affect the fae kingdom. I was hoping that I didn't have the same traits. But apparently…" she waved at the skies above. "It's out of my control." 

"On the contrary, it is something in your control," said the Shaman. 

"Ah, it is a good feeling!" she replied. Back in Vilinski, she remembered how her father's mood played a major role in the kingdom's weather. It was always snowing. She sighed. "But back in Vilinski, nothing of the sort ever showed up." 

"That's because your magic was suppressed, Anastasia," Ileus said with anger that scorched his insides and he let out a heavy exhale. "They gave you poison. They wanted to kill you." 

"Maybe…" she replied with anguish in her voice. 

The Shaman turned to Ileus and said, "Your mother probably came to know of Anastasia's traits early. That's why she insisted that she stay in the temple." 

A cool wave of surprise hit her and she froze in her place. "The queen did this because—" 

"It was part of her strategy Anastasia," said the Shaman. "She had caught this thing about you after seeing your guards and took her chance. She already knew about our ritual in the temple and so she made sure that you attended the ritual with us."

"Did you know of her plans beforehand?" asked Anastasia and then shot a look at Ileus. He was looking just as bewildered. 

A smile played on the Shaman's lips. "Yes, she discussed these plans with me two days back after the incident at Draven's dining place. And she discussed them only with me." 

Tension crept in Anastasia's mind as she felt unhappy for not knowing what the queen did. Her emotions were a mixture of reluctance and acceptance. 

"Anastasia, the queen didn't want to divulge her plans to anyone. And this was just a theory she wanted to test. The best part is that it worked and it worked pretty well. As far as the rumor is concerned, it is spreading like fire in the jungle and people are becoming weary of our prince. That's why she has asked me to open the gates of the temple for the entire day. Let the devotees come. This is the only way to counter the hatred. She is turning your haters into your followers." 

"Oh my god!" Anastasia rasped. Her mother-in-law's brilliant scheme was working in her favor. She nodded as a smile crept on her lips. She chuckled. "How should I help you in this?" she asked about the risk of sounding selfish. Though she also realized that in the games of kingdoms, anything that can work to their advantage would be exploited. 

"There is going to be a lot of tension in the coming two days. You should stay hidden in this room and not come out. However, you have to come in the evening to join us for dinner. That's all." 

"But I would like to talk to the people and remove their doubts," said Anastasia. 

"No!" the Shaman almost squealed. "Don't interact with them for now. You don't know who is your hater and who is your admirer! We have asked the royal palace to send in more protection. Soon the soldiers will be deployed around the temple." 

Anastasia sagged, tension returning. "Okay…" 

They all returned to her bedroom as the Shaman and the High Priestess remained back. 

"I feel like an elephant without work, Ileus," she retorted. "I don't want to be put high on a pedestal and just watch people battling amongst themselves." 

"That's something you have to do," said Kaizan.

"Yes, patience is the key for the next two days," Darla added. Then she added, "I am going outside to be with Haldir and Aidan." 

"I will also join you," said Kaizan. 

When the two left, Anastasia sank in her mattress. She crossed her legs and sat on it. "Ileus, this is so complicated."

"Yes, sweetheart," he replied as he sat beside her. "It is too complicated. Now do you realize why Aed Ruad and Etaya were poisoning you?"

Anastasia narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. "Because they didn't want my magic to develop?"

"That's just a part of it. They poisoned you because after his marriage with you, he would have completely crushed you with the poison. He would have married you—a useless royal fae with no magic and then ruled Vilinski. As for the Vilinskians, your ascension to the throne meant that their goddess has been crowned, which is the rule. However, what they didn't know was what would happen after you became the queen." 

Gods. She stared at him with wide eyes.

"Having ancient blood in your body means that you are very powerful and strong. If you magic developed, you would have easily defeated or killed them and taken the throne back. That's why they gave you poison little by little, so that you lived but your magic was suppressed. They even shackled your wings and kept you in house arrest," he said.