With a glow on her face, Adrianna said, "You all know the purpose of the event today. My son, Ileus Volkov, has chosen his mate. The prophecy has come true and this is what the fates wanted. Who are we to play with fate? Anastasia, the fae princess of Vilinski, is going to be my son's wife." A loud applause stopped her from speaking for a moment. She looked at the audience, appreciative of their acceptance, with her warm golden eyes. When the sound of claps faded, she continued, "The wedding will take place the day after tomorrow." 

While the crowd clapped again, the whoops and cheers mainly came from Ileus' friends from somewhere on the back. Anastasia heard the cork of the bottles opening and for once she couldn't believe that finally she was getting officially married to her mate. Her eyes stung with tears when and her breath lodged in her throat as she looked at the audience who had erupted into a kind of festivity. Her wings rustled as a shiver of disbelief cruised through her body. Her heart thundered and blood pounded in her ears. She had come a long way along with her mate. 

Suddenly, she was whirled and Ileus' lips crashed on hers. A tear rolled out of her eye as she gave herself to the man who had changed her life for the good. Silently she thanked all the fae gods for the blessings they had bestowed upon her, her parents whom she knew would be happy of her choice, and her parents-in-law who were always there, who had given Ileus to her. She moaned in his mouth and when he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers. "I love you, Anastasia," he said, his voice a deep rumble. 

"I love you, too." There were no other words she wanted to add to it. 

They were made to sit on the two cushioned chairs on the podium but Ileus was too excited. He made his parents sit on the chairs and walked to his friends along with Anastasia. Before Anastasia stepped down, she found Seashell sitting beside Adrianna and he was watching her intently. Ileus had mentioned that his mother could communicate with the animals, and she wondered if they were talking. The guests kept their distance from the lion and none dared to come on the podium. Was that a part of Adrianna's plan? 

"Many congratulations to you!" said Circe as she walked up to them. "We are indeed blessed to have you amongst us." 

If Ileus was agitated, he showed wonderful composure. Anastasia's blood pounded in her ears. She managed a smile and said, "Thank you." 

Circe shook her head lightly and said, "I don't know why but my mind has wandered to Iona. I hope she was also here. Through the times we all seem to have come to agree with the fates that Iona is no longer a part of our kingdom. Such a sweet little child she was…" she sighed as sadness flickered through her face. But she immediately regained her chirpy look. "Your wedding to the crown prince is only going to be the new beginning for Draoidh." She raised her glass. "I wish you all the best." 

"Thank you," Anastasia replied. Ileus dipped his chin in courtesy and they left her side. They walked right up to where his friends were waiting for him. They all opened the cork of wine bottles and whooped and cheered them once again. 

"Where is Kaizan?'' asked Anastasia amidst the whole fun. She was shocked that he had disappeared so soon. 

"I don't know!" said Darla. She was settled against Aidan who had grabbed her waist and was looking content. His hand was beneath her cropped shirt. He smelled her hair. Darla looked up at him and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. The man settled with a satisfactory look in his eyes. 

Anastasia quickly scanned the garden and found that even Tamara was missing. Adrenalin trickled through her flood in the form of fear and heightened her senses. Panic gripped her heart. She tugged Ileus' sleeve and said in a low voice, "I want to go and find Kaizan." 

Ileus drew his brows tight. As if reading her thoughts, he nodded and asked Darla to accompany her. Aidan left Darla reluctantly and proposed to go with them, but Anastasia refused. If too many left the party, it would raise unnecessary suspicions. With Darla she had an excuse to go to the bathroom. As soon as she was out of the garden, the royal guards surrounded her. 

"Can you smell him?" asked Anastasia. 

"Yes, I can. I can smell him and right now he is in the west wing of the palace," said Darla. "And I can also smell Tamara in the west wing!"

"Fuck!" Anastasia let out a curse. They quickened their pace. 

The West wing was a large place with numerous guest rooms. There were a smaller number of guards. They walked through a breezeway that connected the garden with the main hall and then rounded a corner to ascend the stairs that led to the first floor. "The first floor has larger rooms," Darla informed. 

A thousand questions came across Anastasia's mind about Kaizan and Tamara. A burst of fear pierced her chest when she remembered what Lilette had said to her about Kaizan's treachery, but she douse the flames of fear with her confidence. As for Darla, the cool wind that caressed her bare skin on the waist only sparked her rage. "They are somewhere here," said Darla, as she sniffed the air. 

Anastasia could scarcely breathe as she moved nearer and nearer to them, past the rooms, past a group of giggling maids… They walked at lightning speed. All too quickly, Darla came to a stop before rounding off a corner. She pressed her finger to her lips and asked all of them to stop. Anastasia came to stop beside her. She peeked over the corner and shock jolted her. She gasped seeing what was in front of her with disbelief in her eyes. 

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