Ileus: The Dark Prince

Cora understood the relationship between Adrianna and Ed very well. She knew that Ed was laughing at her, mocking her reasoning. She blurted, "When Lila was here, there was absolutely no complaint. Things were under control so nicely. Not only that did you see how soft Lila was. It was her soft demeanor that won the hearts of the prisoners and the guards. That's why everyone was happy with her." She turned her gaze to Adrianna and smirked, "We are going to see how Tadgh will handle the wizard prison, let alone the werewolves' prison." 

Adrianna's golden hued eyes flickered and orange as Cora's words sent a jolt of scorching chock through her. Anger hummed in her chest and she exploded, "Are you so blind Cora that you can't see things around you or are you so old that you are unable to comprehend situations? Didn't you see what Lila did? During her tenure so many political prisoners went missing? Do you know what she was doing with them? She was feeding them to the dark witch in order for her to sacrifice them to the dark forces. The main reason why she volunteered to be the keeper of the prisons was that she had to give Iona a continuous source of sacrifices, and what would be better than the prisoners who were already condemned by the society, by their families and by the kingdom. Lila took full advantage of the situation. She was one of those who made sure that Iona continued to stay as the dark witch. Otherwise with lack of sacrifices, it is impossible to stay in a state like hers." 

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She stared at Cora and took a deep breath in order to calm herself. "I am aghast at your words, and as the Luna of the Blue Moon pack and queen of Silver Vales, I can send you to prison for supporting a woman like Lila and picking on my daughter-in-law!" Adrianna exhaled a heavy breath as everyone stared at her with wide eyes and fear. She could actually do that and no one would question her.

Dmitri placed his hand on the small of her back and stroked it. 'Adri, please calm down,' he communicated mentally. 'I am sorry for the way my mother has spoken. Please Adri calm down…' 

Adrianna lowered her head and closed her eyes. If it hadn't been for Dmitri, she would have gone madder. 

"How dare you, Adrianna?" Cora said as a warning. "Don't forget that I was the one who made your husband the Alpha of the Blue Moon pack and then I was the one who helped in expanding his empire!" She glared at her daughter-in-law as if she would eat her alive. "If Iona is like that then it is because both you and Dmitri failed to protect her. Had you been a little more vigilant that day, no one would have dared to abduct her! After that for a full eight years, you couldn't find her but your son came back with the fae princess, with the woman because of whom the girl was kidnapped!" 

Anastasia's body shook with rage that seeped to her bones. Furious she catered to the wilderness that was growing inside her. "Ileus had sieved the entire Lore to find Iona. After I married him, he went to Zmjia to find her on a clue I gave him, even though he risked his life and even though when he reached there, he came empty handed with a Mozia who became a victim of necromancer magic. Yes, I agree that Iona was kidnapped by Aed Ruad and Maple, but how am I supposed to be blamed and it is preposterous to blame the king and the queen. It was a series of misfortunate incidents that led to Iona's kidnapping. But you shouldn't forget that in the process my parents were captured and thrown in celestial prison. I— I was—" Anastasia choked on her words. 

"And do you know why Adrianna and Dmitri were going to Vilinski?" said Cora. "They were going to attend your birthday." 

Ileus clenched his fists until his knuckles were white. Shadows peeled off him and he looked at Cora with flinty eyes. Everyone at the table was now in a sour mood. 

Anastasia gasped at Cora's rudeness. The old crane's behavior was beyond rough. She was acerbic to the level of being impertinent and inconsiderate. Tears stung her eyes and she got up from her chair without eating a morsel. Tremors of shock and frustration surged through her and she just walked out of the dining room. There was only one woman in the family who didn't like her and her level of dislike was equal to thousands of people.

"Gods, Mother," said Dmitri. "You are so uncivil and ill-tempered."

"I would like to leave," said Adrianna in a gruff voice. "I am done!" She looked at Cora and cautioned, "If you don't like Anastasia, then I don't care. Deal with it!" Saying that she turned to her grandfather. "Let's carry this meeting in Draoidh, grandfather. It was a bad idea to call you here. And Father," she looked at Pierre, "It would be a pleasure if you join us." She didn't invite Cora, which was a strong message that Cora wasn't welcome in her kingdom for a long time now. 

Ileus got up and followed his wife. "Anastasia!" He called her when he saw her walking towards the gardens. Her wings rustled with tension and fury and he became scared that she would take to a flight in this darkness. "Sweetheart!" he ran to her and holding her hand pulled her in his embrace. 

Anastasia let her emotions out. "It's not my fault," she said as tears rolled out of her eyes. "I didn't want Iona to become like that."

"Hush." He stroked her back. "Grandmother was just too enamored by Lila. You said that Iona had cast a spell in grandmother's spell. I think these are the aftereffects of the spell. Maybe she is struggling to break it all and come out. Give her time darling." 

Anastasia pressed her face in his chest as tears wet his shirt. "I told you it was a bad idea to come here for dinner." 

"I know, and we won't come to see her unless you want it, okay? Nothing is more important than your happiness." He cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her tears. "Don't cry. It unsettles me. I hate to see your tears and if you won't stop crying, I will also start crying." 

"What?" Anastasia chuckled. Her husband managed to make her laugh even in this tense situation. "I want to go back home." 

Ileus smiled and kissed her lips. "It's the first time you called Draoidh your home and that's a lovely step forward." She threw her arms around his chest and hugged him tight. "Mother is also going back. No one wants to stay here after what grandmother did. Let's have good dinner at Eynsworth and forget about her." 

Anastasia nodded. "I love you," she murmured. 

"No, I love you more than you," he countered as he wiped her tears with his sleeve and held her hand to walk. 

"That's a thing I would like to challenge." Anastasia giggled. 

"How?" he asked as his expressions turned lascivious and mind went to the gutters.