"I didn't know what else to do, Iona," Rolfe replied, tilting his head as if she was asking a stupid question. He was watching his mate and he was going to do that for the rest of his life or till he got married to her, whichever came first or last, or whatever. His thoughts were jumbled and her scent was making him lusty. Basically, he didn't know what to do without her. His life had literally changed overnight. 

"We just met a few days back Rolfe and you are pinning your hopes on me. Marriage is something I just don't see at the moment." 

He grinned at her. He leaned forward and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Last night when she had just brushed her lips against his, he knew he was ruined forever. There would be no one else now. He inhaled her scent as he kissed her forehead. "You are the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life," he said. "Come, join me for breakfast. I have baked various breads for you and a dish which you would love." Saying that he left. 

Iona was shocked to notice that she missed his presence and the room looked dull without him. She shook her head. If she grew close to him, then she would have to forego her newly acquired freedom. She had to talk. But what? He was her mate. 'Mine', her wolf growled. She shoved the thought down. 

She got up to wash herself and untangle her hair. She hated that she didn't have a spare dress to change, but was happy to note that he had left one of the dresses from the demonesses of his unit. Though they were large, she changed into fresh clothes all the time thinking that he also placed her undergarments… a thought which made her feel pretty awkward. She went to check herself in a small round mirror that barely acted like a mirror. She braided her damp hair neatly and ran her hair over them again and again to style. Feeling not a little bit satisfied as to how she appeared, she slipped her boots on and then rushed to the kitchen… only to return back, stand in front of the mirror and pinch her cheeks. She tried a few expressions to see which one suited her the most. She thought she looked pretty, but in front of that walking hulk, who was handsome as hell, she was nothing. And he was her mate. 

She rushed to the kitchen and when she rounded the stony stairs to enter, she found him waiting for her at the small table. There was a shine in his eyes when he saw her. He was alone and she wondered where the rest were.

"I took the liberty of making this dish for you," he said and uncovered a steamy hot, stir fry vegetable, sauteed in butter. Where the hell did they get the butter from? Her stomach grumbled. She sat down beside him and he served her a large portion. As usual the dish was great. 

"Ah, I see I am missing a lot of things!" a female voice from the stairs came. 

Iona turned to look. "Ara!" The woman looked lovely. The way she was looking at Rolfe, a flare of jealousy stabbed Iona's heart and surprised her. Why was she being jealous when all she wanted was freedom? 

"How are you, Iona?" asked Ara as she came up to them with a grin. "I see that you are loving our prince's dishes. Let me tell you that he is an excellent cook and you might get addicted to his dishes." She came to stand by his side and picked up a slice of turnip as she placed a hand on his shoulder. 

Yes, jealousy was creating a menace inside her. How dare she stand beside him? Iona ended up smiling with a clenched jaw. She wanted to throw Ara out of the window or perhaps in the oven that was still very hot. 

"If you have had your breakfast, come with me. I want to show you something," said Rolfe and that was enough for Iona to immediately stand up. 

He held her hands and they walked out of the kitchen, through the stony pathways, columned corridors and out of the fortress. As the sun fell on his beautiful face, Iona couldn't help thinking how intoxicating his bronze complexion was. She shook her head to reason that perhaps she was overthinking. But the demon was gorgeous and she was sure that he must have had so many girls vying for him. She pushed that thought aside, too painful for her wolf. She had to keep her emotions under check because if she got too excited, she might end up shifting. So, she dragged her gaze away from him to admire the forest they were walking through. "How did you know about the fortress?" she asked. "It looks very old." 

He smiled and she was sure that her cheeks turned pink. She chided herself for the effect Rolfe was having on her but her wolf loved it. To her mortification, she purred. 

"The fortress was used by my ancestors long back. It was built over five hundred years ago, and it was kept hidden in this wilderness for all that time after its inhabitants left it. I think it had very strong spells around it." He broke an overhead branch from the tree and swung it lightly. "However, a few days back, one of my men saw it on his usual patrol. He came to inform me about it. Since I knew that the fortress was charmed, I had to get my people here for their safety. Now we can conduct operations covertly in Galahar." 

"But if the forest was hidden, how did it suddenly come into view? I am sure that spells have faded." 

He cut several pine branches that fell in her way. "The spells are still there. The fortress made itself appear for the goddess of the Lore, for the deity, Anastasia." 

"Oh my god!" said Iona and stopped. 

"Yes," Rolfe replied. "The entire Lore will yield to her, make itself adjust for her. Even, I was surprised that this fortress showed up, I realized why it appeared when I saw Princess Anastasia." He steered her onto a slope. 

A shaky breath left her lips. "Interesting!" 

As they walked through the path, she answered an unanswered question, something that she had to clear up. "I want to go back to Draoidh because I want to discover my own life." 

"Why Iona?" he asked. "You can stay here with me. I can take you to Draoidh whenever you want. It's not that I can't go, but for now I want to focus on my kingdom's welfare and I can do that with you next to me." That confession stunned him. And he was afraid that if she left, she might get interested in a lover. Damn it! "Unless you want to fall in love with someone." His whole body became tense as his muscles bulged with anger. 

That confession even stunned Iona. "I don't think I will ever fall in love with anyone." He had ruined her for life. And she wanted to kiss him… badly.. She purred again. 

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