THE DEMON WOLF AND HIS MATE

Chapter 6

Nyles scowled and in a disbelieving voice said

“Milady, you must jesting!” she looked at Anastasia's calm expressions. She smacked her head.

“This plan of yours is impossible! Who knows if Iona is even alive? There is one in a million chance that she is alive. It's absolutely ridiculous to even think about her.”

Anastasia put her plate on the bench of the carriage and took Nyles' hand in hers

“Don't be scared Nyles. Even if there's one in a million chance to find Iona, I will take it. Raul will send his forces to find me, but he can never kill me. And do you know why?” there was a small frown on her forehead.

“Because according to the laws of Vilinski, he has to marry me to be the king. There is no way he can harm me, and there is no way I will let him harm you. so relax.”

Nyles removed her hand from Anastasia and burst out

“Relax! Do you know the kind of power that man wields? He is a Fae prince for God's sake. He is a Fae Prince for Gods sake! My family and I are going to be called as Fallen forever. They will ruin us.” she put her head in her hands and shook it.

“You are making a big mistake and as your guardian, I will not let you do it. So I'm going to find the next exit portal that will take us back to the Fae kingdom of Vilinski and you are going to go back with me.” Nyles said.

“No Nyles! That will not happen.” Anastasia said in a determined voice very calmy. She looked out of the carriage window. The mist around them was thicker than before. It was like a cloud of milk floating around them and somewhere outside that cloud were the portals Nyles was talking about. She could feel the intensity of the energy of the portals when she was near them. It was like a call to her homeland, as if they wanted to take back what truly belonged to them.

“Are you even hearing yourself?!” Nyles said in an exasperated tone.

“We all know that Raul had destroyed the wizard kingdom and leveled all witch covens. Everyone in Vilinski says it, they know it. Draoidh was destroyed long ago. Its King and Queen disappeared and its prince?–he has turned to the dark side, he's known throughout Lorea as the demon wolf. We keep hearing how corrupt and ruthless that man is. He is like a pirate of Lorea who only plunders establishments. He is a paid assassin responsible for bloodshed and misery everywhere he has gone. He is nothing but evil that even Hades fears him. He's always lurking in the shadows. Not a single person in Vilinski knows where he is or what he looks like. They say he is the demon capable of destroying the underworld...a man who is dangerous beyond words. And now you want to go to his parents? Don't you see his twisted this is?” Nyles said helplessly.

Anastasia shuddered inwardly. She had heard all about that man. The demon wolf who had an insatiable taste for blood and death. They also said he had connections to the human world–a place her people have been forbidden to go because it was a place where they were worshipped–humans worshipped Faes whom they call Fairy. Offerings were given to them by these humans and the Faes thrive on this offerings. The people of her kingdom was highly protected, for they were the highest species in the Lorea Empire. Faes were also not allowed to step out of Vilinski for fear that the demon wolf was lurking around. And also because of most of them, no all of them, fear that they will become Fallen once they leave Vilinski. Only Raul and Raina, and some of their close confidantes left the kingdom under strict supervision of the royals. Anastasia took a deep breath, wondering if she had taken the right decision..

She knew that Raul had massacred the people of Draoidh kingdom after they had a waged a war against Vilinski some eight years back.

Nyles continued...

“And how do you think a queen who had abandoned her throne, who doesn't have a kingdom, whose people hardly remain, is going to help you? Where will you find her? Milady, they are like apparitions, they don't exist. And I am scared that in our pursuit of something impossible, we would fall into the hands of the demon wolf of Lorea.” she breathed..

“So no, I am going to make sure that we go back.” saying that Nyles slumped back on the bench and closed her eyes. After a moment of silence, she opened her eyes and found Anastasia looking at the small fire that was burning on the outside. She took her hands and opened her palms. Placing a green pill in it, she said

“Here, have this.”

Anastasia looked at her with a start.

Nyles smiled and said

“I always carry extra with me, for you.”

Anastasia chuckled. Nyles went outside, muttering that she was extremely hungry and no one took care of her.

Anastasia opened the door of the carriage and stepped out, and sucked in clean, fresh misty air. She surveyed the area around her. The trees were veiled with thick mist, their trunks almost sable with wetness that had cracked and gnarled the bark. As her eyes traveled further on, the trees became silhouette against a blanket of white. Everything was blurred, the forest around them yawned. Only the small hearth of a crackling fire, five men and two women around her broke the view of swirling white.

“White meadow.” she murmured and rubbed her arms. It was very cold.

“Belated happy birthday.” his lilting voice startled her.

She turned to her heel and found him towering over her. Her cheeks pinked.

“Thank you.” she said with a faint smile. It was the first time someone had acknowledged her nineteenth birthday. Three days back, she was supposed to be married to Raul. Instead she's standing in front of a werewolf, and an inhumanly handsome one at that. From the corner of her eye she found Starlight and Darla watching them.

“How are you doing?” he asked with a guarded expression.

There was a dull ache still in her back, but she was much better. She was surprised at the speed she had healed.

“I am better.” she replied.

“Thanks for all you're doing for me.” she added.

“I don't know how I can ever repay you...”