n

n

nHand in hand, the royal couple reached the ground where festivities were taking place. It was a new day and Bianca felt it was a new beginning. She had a thousand questions to ask—about the prophecy of course. And she loved the way Brantley was showing her new ways to pleasure her everyday, every night. In the morning after he had slumped over her, he was still thrusting softly inside her.

nFoot tapping music rising from drums filled the air along with the one, which played in the background. Bianca was in a mood to dance and twirl and just let down her hair. Holly had made her wear a peach wrap dress with one shoulder. The dress had very ting gold sequins on the hem and on the neckline, which extended from the top of the shoulder to the arm. It complemented her complexion and did nothing to hide the hickeys on her neck.

"Wear them proudly, Your Highness,

" she had said when she made her wear a flower wreath in her hair, which she had gathered in curls around her shoulders. Bianca had blushed but she did wear them proudly. The dress pooled just above her knees.

nAnd Brantley was as usual looking regal, like a monarch. He was wearing black slacks and a white shirt with gold-rimmed collar and gold embroidered hems. In the morning she when she had twirled her hand in his hair, she saw a small streak of green. He didn't give her the time to ask about and she forgot to ask because of his sizzling kiss.

nAs soon as they reached the grounds, women urged Brantley to join them for a group dance. He had to go reluctantly because a large crowd had formed and they were all eagerly looking for his participation.

nThe head cook gave her an ear-to-ear grin. He picked up a plate, filled it with fresh pineapple cake, apple pies and sweet oat bread and offered it to her. She took it with a smile and he said,

"Your Highness, thanks for getting rid of scum in the palace. It was long overdue.

"

nShe chuckled.

n

"This is just the beginning, my queen. There is more, which you have to identify.

"

nShe gave him a surprised look.

"Who all? Let me know.

"

nHe pursed his lips.

"I don't think I should do that, Your Highness. I would not want to jeopardize anyone's job. It would be downright derogatory. However, if you find someone and need me, I will be there. It is high time we restore what Aztec was—free of corruption and full of life!

"

n

"Do you mean that Brantley had failed you in both ways?

" she asked as if giving him a warning not to overstep his boundaries.

n

"The king had been nothing but very nice to his subjects. He was so occupied with running the place so that his people weren't affected by the issues of land and weather, that he didn't have the time to look into corruption that took place here and there. And it shouldn't be a surprise, Your Highness. I am sure with your keen eyes, you will be able to uncover things.

" He bowed and took his leave saying,

"Enjoy your meal.

"

nBianca was left chewing her bottom lip in anxiety. She looked in his direction with wide eyes. Why was he so cryptic?

"Ugh!

" she cried and then focused on eating food.

"Divine!

" she said as her eyes became heavy-lidded. Her gaze went to her husband who was dancing with those women. He was right in the center of a dance chain. His hands were curled around the women on either side who were giggling at him. Brantley was giving them reserved smiles and at the same time he was stealing a glance at her wondering if she would get mad at him. When he saw her giving him those dirty looks, he tried to come out of the dance only to be trapped further inside a circle.

n

"Bia!

"

nShe whipped her head in her mother's direction.

"Mommy!

" She said and hugged her.

"Try this apple pie.

"

nDawn picked up some and her brows shot in the air.

"Nice!

" she exclaimed.

"I think I am going to steal your cook!

"

n

"Do that Mom. Then I will come to Bainsburgh with you forever!

"

nThe two laughed. Bianca gave her plate to a servant in waiting. She curled a hand around her mother's waist and they walked further on.

"I wish Daddy was here,

" she said.

"And I wonder where Darius is. I think he isn't going to leave even a single moment to have full fun!

" He hadn't showed up since yesterday night.

n

"I wish so too, Bia. I don't know what is taking Daryn so long. He has gone for almost five days now and I am worried. In fact I plan to go to Ixoviya with Quetz from here.

" She sounded too worried.

n

"Mom, don't worry so much. I am sure he is fine,

" she said in order to allay her fears, but on the inside even she was worried.

nDawn took a deep breath and then exhaled it.

"There are so many projects that are unfinished at the Silver House…

" Her voice trailed off.

nBianca rested her head on her mothers shoulder as they walked. A moment later she asked,

"Mum, yesterday I came to know about Gayle…

"

nDawn stopped in her tracks as her body froze. She gulped and looked at Bianca.

nBianca straightened and looked in her eyes.

"What did Sedora do to you?

"

nDawn looked away from her and a muscle ticked in her jaw.

n

"Please tell me mom. There are so many pieces of the puzzle that I want to put together. I know that I was kidnapped by Kar'den when I was seven.

"

nHer body became tight with tension. She clasped her hands in front and walked away from her daughter. The memory was too painful.

n

"Mummy!

" Bianca rushed to her.

"I need to know!

"

n

"It's not a good story to tell, baby. You are here sound and safe, and that is all I wish for,

" she said hesitatingly in a hoarse voice.

n

"No mom, I won't let you go unless you tell me things I need to know!

"

nThough Dawn denied telling her, she couldn't stand continuous coaxing of her daughter. Eventually she relented. She told about how Sedora had planned to kill her while she was pregnant and how Brantley and Ileus had helped her throughout. She defeated Sedora's plans in the end but she disappeared along with Gayle.

"We tried to find Gayle everywhere, but we couldn't. When you were kidnapped, we thought that you were in the human realm. So when we came to know that you were in Zor'gan, we couldn't believe that you were taken by Kar'den.

" Her hands fisted into tight balls.

n

"It seems Brantley found out about your location before we could and took action immediately. He risked his life to save you. And Gayle died...

" Dawn looked up at the clouds with pain in her heart, and she opened her fists with a sigh.

"While rescuing you, Brantley got an axe, which cracked open his skull, but the man's instincts were primal. He let his body freeze because of the blood loss around you all the way back to Ixoviya. He loves you madly…

"

nDawn turned to look at Bianca, who was resisting an urge to cry. A thick lump formed in her throat.

"And yet he chose to suppress my memories…

"

n