n

n

nHe got up from his place and shouted.

"What do you mean that a witch has killed the King of Serpents? How is that even possible? And how did she gain entry in the Northern Mountains?

" Niiya asked. He looked at Adrianna and then continued,

"Was it that someone gave her access?

"

nAdrianna didn't move. She didn't return his stare. At this point, her stomach roiled inside. With the way Niiya was pressurizing the members for an investigation, it wasn't going to end well.

nAll eyes were on Adrianna now. This was sensational information. She had to answer it. There were two options: either she told the truth or she gave a vague answer. If the truth came out, it was highly likely that Dmitri would be asked to step down and she would be debarred from entering the Council forever.

nSo Adrianna chose option two. She pushed her chair back and stood. Even though Dmitri berated her mentally she knew she had to answer.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have no idea how the witch gained access to the Northern Mountains. This is new to me because gaining entry into this place is not easy. I would like to question the guardians of the Northern Mountains about this severe lack in security on their part. This kind of lack in security poses risk to all the members of this Council. As you all know that there are four Wizard Kingdoms, I will have to make a thorough investigation on who this witch was and how did she murder the King of Serpents. Allow me some time. I will let you know in the next meeting.

"

nHer speech was so convincing that all of them agreed with her. They now blamed Niiya for the lack of security. Niiya simply glared at Adrianna. She had smartly gotten out of the situation.

nAmidst a unanimous consent, Adrianna sat down. Dmitri had a smile on his face. Now the entire focus was back on Niiya.

nThe birds' representative said,

"In my opinion let us first continue with the ceremony of appointing the Head of the Council. He can carry investigations later.

"

nOnce again there was consensus. The members were asked to go to the next hall for dining and then they were supposed to come back to the same place.

nDmitri was appointed as the Head of the Council in the ceremony, which mainly consisted of vows that he had to take and the blood bonds that had to be made mandatorily. It lasted the entire day. Dmitri was made to sit in a small room where each member came and created the bond. His left palm was soaked in blood and there were now lots of gashes on his forearm. He was extremely tired with so much blood flowing out. But the staff knew how to take care of it. They would make him drink potions in between, which healed him and made him ready for the next bond. Eventually the ceremony ended.

nNiiya left the meeting and went back to the Human Realm almost immediately after creating the bond.

nMembers had started to leave one by one. In the end only Adrianna and Dmitri were left. The moon was out.

n��Congratulations darling,

" Adrianna said with a victorious smile. She held his bruised hand and brushed it lightly with her fingers. A flurry of small sparks of white light covered it. They floated around the skin. It soothed him.

n

"Let's go back Adri.

"

n

"Yes,

" she replied.

nEverything was on track. Nothing could go wrong now. With Dmitri as the Council's Head, he would know about every activity that took place in all the realms unless it wasn't under the shades. Ileus' future was protected.

nThat night, they came back and slept peacefully with their child.

nAdrianna knew that she had to talk to Niiya and explain to him the reason behind why she did all that. She hoped that he would understand.

nThe next morning when she woke up, she found that Dmitri wasn't there. She heard Ileus' giggles from the outside. It was time to go back to her kingdom and rule in peace.

nShe got ready and packed her things. When she went outside she saw that Dmitri and Ed were both playing with Ileus. She chuckled.

"Grandfather, why don't you come with us for a few days.

"

nEd got up from there. He had a huge grin on his face.

"Adri, I can't tell you how happy I am for you. I am so proud of you. You managed so well all your life. You never went astray, which was my only fear.

" He held her hands and kissed them.

"My little Adri has grown up nicely and my heart fills with pride. I think I can say that I raised you well. One day I will tell this to the world.

"

nAdrianna hugged her Grandfather, the only person who was close to her when her family mistreated her.

nEd stroked her hair.

"I would love to come but not now. There are few things that I have to take care of. In fact I have to go and meet Howard. Isidorus and I have a game of chess that needs to be completed. He cannot bear that he had lost the last time and so he has challenged me again.

"

nAdrianna smiled.

"Are you happy here Grandfather?

" she asked.

n

"I am, my dear. I feel a purpose in my life over here,

" he replied.

nAdrianna looked up at him.

"Okay,

" she nodded.

"Isidorus is looking for a long holiday. Maybe he is going to join you soon.

"

nEd laughed.

"That old bastard.

"

n

"I love you Grandfather,

" she said with affection.

n

"I love you too, Adri,

" he replied with a smile on his wrinkly face.

nDmitri and Ileus were waiting outside along with Haldir when they came out. Adrianna had to talk to Haldir also about his final decision. She bade goodbye to Ed and Jun and they walked into the portal created by Haldir.

nThey stepped right into the main hall of the palace. Dmitri took Ileus inside their bedroom. Adrianna was left there with Haldir.

n

"What are your plans?

" she asked.

"Do you want to go back to your realm? Because the offer you received is great and I won't stop you for my selfish reasons.

"

nHaldir said,

"My Queen, my plans are just the usual. I will stay here as the Military General of your Wizard Kingdom till I die or as long as you will allow me. I do not wish to muddle up this situation I am in. I wish to get married to Inyanga by the end of this year and I hope you would give me a week's vacation after my marriage.

"

nAdrianna was stunned. At first her mouth fell. She looked at him without blinking and then she said,

"Haldir I am honored to have you as my Military General.

"

nHaldir bowed. When he looked up he asked,

"What about my vacation after marriage?

"

nShe roared with laughter and said,

"Granted.

"

nA rare smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you My Queen.

"

n

"What about your family and the Third Prince with whom your lover is now married to?

" she asked.

nHaldir shrugged.

"My family is going to be sad but they will understand my decision. As for the Third Prince, who is bothered? I don't even think of my lover and I have no reasons to stay near her. In fact the further, the better. I don't want her to target Inyanga in any way.

"

n