Smoke rose from the walls of the fortress. It was as if the highest stones of the wall had evaporated into thick swirls of smoke that rose up in the skies to reach the clouds. 

"Don't worry about me," Anastasia said softly. "I am going to hold till you are back. Take Yion with you. He is going to fly and you will cross the wilderness of Tibris in less than five days. And once you reach the border of Tibris, you will be able to create a portal and reach Ireland." 

A blanket of concern spread around Ileus. "I will remain worried about both of you," he said, touching her tummy. He didn't know that the feeling of becoming a father would be so overwhelming. What he was dreading back in the palace was the most foolish thing he did. Anastasia was more than welcoming to the news. Though she was averse to the idea of having babies for at least two years after marriage, when she conceived, she didn't complain even once. In fact, she treasured her baby. And Ileus—he was ever so thankful. 

"Till you come back, no one will be allowed to enter or get out of this fortress," she said very calmly in a cold voice. "And I am sure that Prince Rolfe will understand." She rose on her toes and placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. "I am going to take care of myself. The fae soldiers outnumber the demon soldiers. Moreover, they wouldn't risk complicating this alliance because of Iona. They all know that she is Rolfe's mate." She held his hand and started walking indoors for the cool wind was chilly on her skin. "I know I might be sounding selfish, but I would like to see Edyrm going down. He helped Etaya. I want revenge."

Ileus stopped. He should have felt shocked, but he didn't. Instead, he felt very much in tandem with his wife's feelings. He swallowed his saliva down and pulled her closer to his chest. He leaned to whisper in her ear, "And revenge shall be taken." He pressed a kiss on her pointy ears, which twitched. 

---

The next morning when Iona woke up, she found Rolfe sleeping next to her with his face towards her. Last night he had again pleasured her and she was beginning to wonder if she could leave him. He was making her addicted to sexual pleasures, which she was sure no one would be able to do other than him. He was like sex God! 

She tried to brush the cowlick on his forehead, but those raven black hair again fell back. She giggled and he stirred open his intense green eyes. Gods, he looked so sexy with his sleepy look. "Come here," he said and pulled her over his chest. As she curled lazily on him, he took his hands beneath her tunic and stroked her spine. "You are going to make me useless like this, Iona…" he murmured. She was making lazy circles in the black curls of his chest. 

She giggled again and that sound was so lovely that he sighed. Iona had comforted him on so many levels that he wanted to give in to her, wanted to loosen up, unwind, for a few days. A knock pounded on the door and his reverie was broken. "Who is there?" he growled. 

"M'lord!" Ara's heavy voice came from the other side. "There is an urgent problem!" 

Iona slid off him and he got up and pulled the tunic over him. He opened the door to see a very panicky Ara. She was breathless. "We are unable to get out of the fortress!" she said. 

A crease formed in between his brows. "What do you mean? Why?" 

She shrugged. "I don't know. Today when the cook was going out to fetch rations, the gates wouldn't open." 

"That's strange," he said and walked past her through the passageway. He heard commotion in the courtyard where a few demons including the cook had gathered. 

"M'lord," the cook said in a breathless voice. "The gates aren't opening and none of us can go out! And look at the walls of the fortress!" 

He walked to the portcullis and used his brute strength to yank them out from the place but the gates rattled and refused to budge. 

"You can't remove them," a soft voice came from behind. He looked back in surprise to find Anastasia standing there. 

"Why?" he asked. 

Her lips tugged up. "Ileus and Yion have gone to get Caleb to help you with your venture. And I am going to hold all of you captive until they return." She emphasized on the words 'your venture'. "That's the bargain you have to accept." 

His jaws clenched and he narrowed his eyes. Iona, General Arel and Ara came to stand beside him. "When will he return?" asked Rolfe, not liking this imprisonment. Tension charged the air. Anastasia's wings susurrated.

"Hopefully in five days. That is if Caleb agrees. If not, it might take longer." 

"You mean that for five days we are going to be held in this fortress against our will? That is insane! Where are going to get the rations from? My people need to walk out in the jungle. They keep a constant watch on the king's men. You are practically thrusting us into the hands of the king's men. Do you want to get us killed?" Rolfe seethed with knuckles white as they fisted. 

"The king's men are searching for us everywhere!" Ara supported her prince. "We will be like sitting ducks over here. If the king attacks, we won't be able to run also. Have you forgotten or you don't know that when you are outnumbered, you run for your life, not fight against your enemy?" She lashed at Anastasia. 

Anastasia poked her tongue in her cheek. She tilted her head. Her eyes flickered a violet with silver. "Yesterday night before Ileus left, along with Kaizan, General Arel stored all the rations for the week." 

Surprise flickered through Rolfe in a cold wave and he looked at Arel. "Why didn't you tell it to me earlier?" 

"This happened in the wee hours of dawn, m'lord. I didn't want to disturb anyone," Arel replied calmly. 

Iona blushed to the roots of her hair. 

"As for the king's men searching the fortress," Anastasia continued. "No one can see the fortress from outside. It is invisible." 

"But that's—" Ara said. 

Rolfe's eyes shot to the walls and now he understood why tendrils of thick smoke rose from them. His tension vanished. Quickly, he cut off Ara and said, "Thank you, Princess Anastasia. I don't know how I will repay you for this generosity." He didn't waste time in trying to understand the reason behind Anastasia's decision. The fact that she was doing so much for his people was more than enough. 

"I will let you know when the right time comes, Prince Rolfe. For now, enjoy your time," she replied softly. She glanced at Iona who was still blushing. "I would love to eat a dish made by you, Rolfe," she said and then walked away from there. As she walked, the demons parted way for her and bowe. 

Rolfe chuckled. "Your sister-in-law is awesome!" 

Iona's jealousy flared.

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