n

n

nAdrianna took Dmitri to every part of her memory that was related to her encounter with Yanga.

nWhen Dmitri came out of Adrianna's cell, he found himself lying on the bed. She was sitting next to him and stroking his hair gently. His eyes went to her face. Her facial muscles were tight and she was biting her lower lip. Her eyebrows were still wet with all the tears she had shed. He raised his hand to her face and whispered,

"Sorry darling. I didn't know that you single-handedly saved us all from such a huge calamity.

" He caressed her cheek with his fingers as she leaned into his palm. Dmitri got up and hugged her. He was so mad at her moments ago and now he was thanking all the wolf spirits that she was safe. His fear of losing her returned. In times like these only the two of them were together.

"What do we do now Adri? What do we do?

"

nShe exhaled a long breath. Her mind was all muddled up. In an hour or the inn would be thronged with a number of visitors—the representatives of other realms whom they had invited to have a talk with. They had to collect themselves for meeting them. Absence of the King of Serpents would be noted in the Council. How would they even cover it?

nDmitri closed his eyes. He knew that if the Council came to know about it, they will definitely penalize and will hold a trial. It is possible that they would expel the Werewolf Realm and Wizard Kingdom from the membership. That would create numerous issues. They won't be allowed to interact with humans or any other realm people. He removed himself from her.

"Adri, stay quiet about it. Do not speak a word,

" okay?

" he said.

nBiting her lip again, which was red and swollen, she nodded.

nHe pressed his thumb on her chin and forced her to take out the lower lip. He caressed it and said with a smile,

"If you like I can bite that for you.

"

nShe smiled and lowered her eyes.

n

"Don't mention your encounter with Yanga. If need be, we will tell it to them but we will say that it was self-defense,

" he advised her.

n

"Okay,

" she rasped.

n

"In the meantime, wash your face, shove that memory at the back of your mind and dress up. More people will be coming soon and we need to negotiate. Just think of this like any other day.

"

n

"What if the King of Serpents comes back to life? I am assuming that he is dead. What if he is just unconscious?

" Adrianna listed her concerns.

n

"If he comes back to life, do you think he would come out of that worm-cave and seek you? No! He would rather start masticating the mountain. He would rush into it. And if that happens, everyone will come to know about his nefarious activity,

" said Dmitri tucking a strand of hair behind her ears.

nShe squinted her eyes as she stared at him.

"That would be dangerous Dmitri.

" Her mind raced at all the possibilities. Her mood plunged.

"What do we do?

"

n

"Right now we can't do anything Adri. So stay put. Do not talk about it to anyone. Behave normally,

" he insisted.

n

"Okay.

"

n

"Good. Now go and take a bath. I am sure Ileus must be looking for his mom.

"

nAdrianna nodded and went to take a bath. When she came out, she noticed that Dmitri wasn't there. She changed into a light green A-line dress with a white minx fur coat and same material boots. She had tied her hair in a bun. Giving herself one last look in the mirror, she went out to fetch Ileus. When she reached Ed's room, she found him so cranky that Ed was having a hard time.

n

"Sorry Grandfather,

" she said as she took Ileus from him.

n

"It's okay Adri. I hope you are feeling better,

" he said looking at her intently.

n

"Yes I am,

" she croaked and took Ileus out of the room. Ileus slept as soon as his stomach was full. She placed him on the bed and covered him with a soft blanket. When she was about to leave him, Jun came inside. Without saying anything, she padded near the bed and sat on the ground.

"I am here,

" she communicated mentally.

"You can go and meet others.

"

nAdrianna's eyes were wide with surprise, not because she was there for Ileus, but because she knew that Adrianna was here to meet people.

n

"You forget Adrianna – I am a magical beast of this land,

" Jun answered her unspoken question.

"I know everything that is going on here.

"

nAdrianna pursed her lips.

n

"And I would be more than honored if Ileus accepts me as his wand,

" she added.

nAdrianna's skin tingled. She smiled at her lovingly. The beast was ready to sacrifice herself for her son.

"Thank you,

" she said.

nJun turned her head away and rested on the ground.

nAdrianna left.

nThe inn was abuzz with mild activity. Adrianna observed that Dmitri was sitting with people who had huge hairy bodies. The bear-shifters. She joined them.

nOver the next few hours they met with representatives from five more realms.

nThe people she had met with were still divided. Two were of the opinion that Niiya should be given a second chance but three agreed with her. Although they all expected a position in the newly formed Council's structure. She didn't promise that she would do that. Instead she said that the positions should be given on a rotation basis.

nHowever, those for whom she was waiting for weren't there. They were supposed to carry a lot of weight and many of its people were Council's Heads previously—the Elves. And that is where Haldir had gone - to meet his people in the Elf Kingdom.

nThat day Haldir came in the evening but representatives from his kingdom didn't accompany him. He reported it to his Queen. Dmitri and Adrianna were in their room when he knocked.

n

"Come in,

" Adrianna said. She was tired of meeting people the entire day and had come to take rest when she heard the knock. She had waited for the elves. None of them arrived, which marred her hopes.

nSo when Haldir walked in, she was excited.

nHaldir bowed to her.

"My Queen.

" Then he continued,

"I tried to convince them. They listened to me but they didn't say anything. They have reserved their comments. And I am afraid—

" he paused. He turned his face away from her.

n

"What are you afraid of Haldir?

" she asked with a frown.

nHaldir took a deep breath.

"You see I had left the Elf Kingdom on my own volition because the woman I loved rejected me to marry the one who was in power. I was shattered mentally couldn't take it. I came to the Wizard Kingdom and the ruler at that time gave me refuge. It has been more than five hundred years since. When I went back, my family was ecstatic. They welcomed me with open arms and have asked me to come back. However, I can't,

" he stopped and looked away as if a pain had choked his throat. He gulped down. His Adam's apple bobbed.

"I have a blood bond with you and am tied to Ileus and Inyanga. When I explained that to my family, they said that the blood bond can be broken and that I can bring Inyanga to my realm because she is my mate.

"

nAdrianna was aghast. Her face became ashen. Was he going to do that?

n