Taming the Rogue King

Fears

Ira

She stood next to Remus, lost in thoughts about all the things that she had seen and heard since she first arrived on board.

"This is Athena. She was built to destroy and protect. Never thought I would be running away using her to take flight!" Remus said in a voice dipped in sadness and regret.

"Then why are you?" Ira raised her eyebrows as she turned to look at him. He continued to gaze at the invisible, dark horizon.

"For my clan. I know Romulus and his ruthless army. He would have killed all the men and old women and taken the young women and girls as slaves. My messenger also carried the news that he was going to wipe out the humans who had supported me and my clan. He has a warlock on his side. By running away, I thwarted his attack on the people who saved me. I have paid back my debt to my saviours by this act of cowardice." He grunted.

"It is not cowardice to choose your battles wisely. Your action just saved a hell lot of people and wolves!" Ira remarked.

"What good did it do? My clan is going to perish in these waters if you don't help us. Till this morning, you did not even know that you were a witch! How are you going to help?"

Ira agreed with him. It was better to be silent, so she turned around, held her arms around her and continued to stare at the darkness, breathing slowly, urging her mind to calm down.

It is strange how flexible our minds can be. Until the previous day, she believed she was a mere mortal, a human, and she had accepted it. Had she?

And now she had not only realised that she was an etheral witch, but the weight of saving an ancient clan fell onto her shoulders.

Wouldn’t her failure mean no Liam when she got back to her own world in the future? Was she ready to live a life without Liam?

She wasn’t sure.

It was sad that she wasn’t sure. She was attracted to him. His betrayal was painful, but she was unsure if it was because of their mate bond or because she genuinely loved him?

Oh, God! His rugged looks! I could die for him! Who wouldn’t? The way he drags his hand through his hair in frustration! His arrogance is so frustrating and yet so alluring! That fragrance of sage hits the right pleasure spots in my brain to cause delicious tingling in my sweet spot. Yes, his fragrance is out of this world and his artistic fingers were incredible as they expertly massaged me from within, getting me undone in a matter of a few minutes.

She sighed! These thoughts weren’t helping.

Sh*t! Deep sh*t! I can't marry someone only because he gives incredible orgasms and obviously not because he smells mouth watering! So why the pain when he declared his engagement? The stupid bimbo was so full of herself!

But why did it hurt me physically? Is it my ego? Am I holding on to him for the mate bond? Do I really want him to love me only because of some stupid bond that none of us can control? Ridiculous! Utterly preposterous!

We have met so late in our lives! He must have been with so many women. He must be in love with Monike. He has been able to fight the mate bond! It shows his commitment to Monike! How could he otherwise deny himself the pleasure of being with me? If I feel the illogical attraction, he must be feeling it too! Maybe I could move on after he got married. I am a strong woman! I won't crumble for some arrogant dumbass!

A similar jolt of pain shot through her chest, and a waft of Liam’s fragrance tormented her nostrils. Alarmed, she looked around at her open surroundings. She was out on the deck, yet felt as if invisible walls were closing on her. She was suffocating, gasping for breath.

Liam’s loud shouts of anger pierced her ears painfully, ringing through her eardrums and shooting pain through her brain. As if a black hole started opening up in her head.

It was too painful, too intense, more than any migraine she had ever witnessed. Her heart raced. No breath. She couldn’t move and she saw half naked Monike snaking around Liam. Her exposed b*obs pressed against his bare chest. He had a new tattoo. Monike ran her nails on the tattoo trying to seduce Liam.

A burning pain ran across her own chest, just above her left b*ob.

YES! She hated the b***h. She needed to be with Liam. He was hers! Only hers. She may not love him, but she owned him.

Anger made her desperate and agony clouded her thoughts. She saw Liam push Monike away from him. Someone was calling out her name... Too loud! Too painful!

Her laboured breathing stopped, and she blacked out.

She came around in the cabin where she had slept the previous night. She had seen the strangest dream and collapsed by its effect. Did I bring it on to myself by thinking constantly about Liam? Her thoughts went back to what she was thinking and what she saw. Was it really a dream? She knew nothing anymore.

That half n*ked b***h trying to seduce Liam. The thought brought back inexplicable anger, which she pushed aside. She did not have the right to be angry at Liam or Monike. Never had Liam ever said that he wanted to be with her.

Yes, he had kissed her and touched her, but it was all because of the lust, driven by the mate bond.

“Amica Mea! Expergiscimini es?” A handsome man with eyes as blue as the ocean and blonde curls reaching up to his shoulders sat next to her. His forehead was wrinkled in worry and concerned eyes asked her a question in Latin, “My love. Are you awake?”

“Who are you? Where is Diana? I am not your love!” Ira spat. Terror bubbled inside her. Had she again created a new portal and reached yet another time period?

The man’s face crushed in sadness, and he nodded.

Within minutes, Diana was next to her.

“What happened? You collapsed next to Remus. You had a seizure, and you were ….” She stopped as if she suddenly realised something. “Ennius, please leave us alone.”

The man’s face contorted in displeasure, but he stood up and continued in Latin. “As you say, Luna. But please let her know what I said.”

Diana nodded and Ennius left.

“What's going on? Who is Ennius? Why is he calling me his love?” Ira got up a little too quickly and felt a wave of dizziness in her head.

“Lie down, please. Ennius is our Beta. When Remus called for help as you fell, he was the first to respond. He saw you and fell in love with you. He wants you to know that you can stay back and be his consort.”

Diana said slowly, with all the seriousness.

“What the f*ck is he talking about? Why are you looking like this? You too want me to stay back?” Ira blurted out with dread rising at the bottom of her gut. This was motivation enough for her to return to her times, even if it meant that she had to see Liam getting married to someone else.

“No. I know you have to save my clan and that is what I am going to do. But you live in different times. Here, men don’t take no for an answer. You know what happened to my Sabine sisters. They were r*ped and f*rced to marry their r*pists. Some were taken as slaves for breeding. These aren’t woman friendly days. I will keep Ennius away from you for as long as I can, but Remus will help me only if he is sure that you are working on your portals to save his clan.” Diana said in a soft voice.

“I am not sure if I like your Remus. He seems to be as much of a jackass as Romulus!” Ira said angrily. She was still reeling from her fainting and now some dumbo pumped up greek god looking guy wanted to claim her.

Diana’s face fell. “He is. But I love him.” Ira stared at her with mouth agape. Flustered, Diana continued. “I am sorry. Let’s get back to work. You would be staying here and working with me in the meditation room. Ennius doesn’t want any other unmated wolf around you and with me you would be safe from even Ennius. No man or wolf is allowed here. Only me and my serving maids. While you are here Ophelia would help you around. We don’t have much time. You were out almost the whole night and a whole day.”

Ira jolted and got up with a start What the f*ck! One more day gone! “Lets get to work then.” She jumped off the bed, ready to get going. The sooner this was over, the faster she would be out of here.

Her tummy rumbled with hunger, but she ignored it. The ship was running low on food and the children needed it. She would manage.

“Those are noble thoughts, but empty bellies haven’t won wars.” Diana pointed to a tray kept next to Ira, which Ira hadn’t noticed before. “Have a bite and then let’s go.”

Ira obliged.

As they walked towards the meditation room Diana asked, “What were you seeing when you collapsed? I felt you slip away from me. And you were shouting out Liam’s name and saying 'mine' continuously as if staking a claim over him.”

“I saw him with Monike,” Ira stated matter of factly unwilling to elaborate further.

“Mmmm. You were slipping away in person and in essence. I was scared that you would leave us and go back to your time.” Diana stated as she turned to the left at the end of the corridor.

“Really? Oh wow. I might be able to create the portal again!”

“Yes. I told you so!” Diana said and opened a door to a dark room. She chuckled. “It drove Ennius mad as you shouted Liam’s name while he held you in his arms.”

“What??? Why did he hold me in his arms?” Ira fumed.

“Because he carried you downstairs,” Diana said with a straight face. She was trying hard to control her laughter.

“The first day Remus saw me, I had levitated! Why didn’t you use the same magic again?” Ira questioned seething in anger. How could they allow someone to touch her like this?

“That was Remus. He is a Lycan. So he has special powers. He can levitate objects, expands matter, is the fastest and has the most developed sense of smell and sound. He heals quicker than most wolves and has healing powers. He is intuitive and can camouflage himself in any surroundings. So yes, he was the one who levitated you.

For his power to work, he needs to be physically close by. He couldn’t leave his deck, so you had to be carried. I was still in the meditation room at that time creating this.” Diana picked up the black diamond ring from the pedestal and asked Ira to try it out.

The moment Ira wore it, she felt a jolt of energy similar to what she felt when she was with the books only a hundred times more in intensity.

Her body trembled with the boost of energy and she pulled the ring off her finger.

“I can’t! It is too strong.” She exclaimed and extended her hand to return the ring to Diana, but Diana stopped her.

“A ring is only as powerful as the witch it is meant for. I know this is meant for you. The power that you feel is your own. Accede and conquer it!”

Ira lifted her hand holding the ring by her fingers and stared at it.

*****