Flanked by a lush mountain at the back and on the sides, the palace overlooked an assortment of several hamlets that dotted the landscape. Made from white marble stone, the palace was huge and majestic. Gardens were full of flowering fragrances. Every nook and cranny was a sheer delight in them. Numerous birds of various hues had made nests in the trees. A brook that emerged from the mountains ran in the far end of the gardens. It encircled the entire palace with its azure waters and fed Niaris. Though it looked beautiful with its gurgling water around the various gemstones, Ileus knew a branch ran beneath the ground level too where it went to the dungeons, into the torture chambers. 

Inside the palace, every room was carpeted. Tall gold vases sat in the corners with green plants or vines laden with flowers. As they walked through numerous arches, balustrades and landings, the queen said, "We came to know about your arrival yesterday. Haldir had come here and made arrangements."

This information made Ileus appreciate Haldir's proactive thoughts. The elf had charted out his plan well in advance. But why didn't he tell him his plans? 

Ilyana continued, "He had come to meet Theodir and told him of his plans." 

"Thank you Queen Ilyana for all that you are doing," he said in a grateful voice. 

"Oh no!" she said. "This is the least we can do for Haldir…" her voice trailed off. She rubbed her neck in the front as her skin flushed. "He rarely asks us for any favors." 

Ileus understood Ilyana's emotions. She would perhaps always feel guilty of ditching Haldir and marrying Theodir. However, this wasn't the case with Theodir. He was proud and happy to have 'acquired' the love of his life. 

"Have you met Inyanga?" asked Ileus hoping to reduce the pang of guilt she felt every time she talked about Haldir. 

She nodded as a sweet smile came to her lips. "I have... on multiple occasions. We have to call them to Evindal whenever there is a royal ceremony or Theodir needs advice with politics or trade. She is a sweet and wise woman… Inyanga… I like the way they are together… so intimate." She said as if she missed that kind of love, that kind of closeness. 

Ileus stopped and so did she. He held her hand. "Queen Ilyana, Haldir is a very happy man. Inyanga is his mate. You should stop feeling guilty about it." He was trying to explain to her what a mate meant.

Ilyana gulped and exhaled heavily. 

"I think whatever happened, happened for a cause. Haldir found his mate and Theodir found his love. And everything is fair in love and war. Theodir did what he had to, to get you and I am amazed that the king hardly repents his actions."

Her lips curled up. Even after so many years, she couldn't help feeling awkward. She gave a humorless chuckle. "Well over the years I have come to love him a lot, but—" 

"And that's all you need to do," Ileus cut her off. "Because if you don't, it won't be Haldir's life that would suffer, it would be Theodir's." 

Ilyana bit her lip and looked away as she fought a lump in her throat. She nodded and they started walking. After a long silence she said, "Take rest Ileus. Theodir wants to have dinner with you. We will meet for dinner." And it was barely midafternoon.

Ileus bowed and Ilyana walked away after pointing towards his bedchamber. 

His bedchamber was like a dream. Just like his own, its windows were open and he could see the rolling hills that were inundated with lilacs and daffodils. The cool soft breeze rolled in, making periwinkle curtains flutter softly. A large creamy white round bed with red cushioned headrest was right in the center of the room. Pillows and soft blankets were neatly spread.

It had almost been an hour since Ileus was in the palace. He had scrubbed well and taken a long bath with the help of the servants assigned to him. Once he was dressed, he wandered around in the garden for the next one hour, revisiting and admiring it, but the need to go to Anastasia only became urgent with every passing minute. He had asked the servant if he would escort him back to Anastasia, but he had refused saying, "I am afraid, Your Majesty, but according to our customs, it is not allowed."

Ileus frowned, narrowed his eyes and dismissed the servant at once out of anger. And now, he was roaming in the garden, feeling as if he would die if he didn't see her… craved to touch her… be with her… the urgency was pressing in his heart like a heavy boulder. Not able to resist it any longer, he walked back to his chamber and snapped his fingers to go back to his mate, but he fumed when the magic didn't work. Most of the other realms restricted the magic of the visitors. This was common knowledge, yet Ileus was furious. He paced his room for the next one hour, and now his want grew to a level where he raked his fingers through his hair to the point that they looked messy and he thought he would turn lunatic. Things were unbearable. He was sure that she needed him as much as he needed her. She must be craving him. How could he not be with her and appease her needs? "Anastasia, I am coming! For you!" 

He sneaked out. He had to see her. On an impulse he snapped his fingers and disguised as a servant. "Thank god," he grated. At least this magic still worked. Ileus was seen darting out of the palace. When he reached the square, his chest was heaving with anticipation. He hid behind a hut and sniffed Anastasia. Once he located her, he snapped his fingers and turned into a wolf pup because he knew that he would be warded away from her the moment they recognized him. Proudly, the black wolf pup trotted inside the hut but what he saw there was unexpected. 

The pup froze. 

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