Every muscle in Siora's body tensed when she heard Iona's name. She couldn't breathe. Now was the time. Now was the time to fix her life. The magic in her body thrummed. The magic in her body was burning hotter. All that had pooled inside, it was rising slowly… like a viper with raw and potent poison… ready to strike. Her body trembled, and her lips quivered. The magic was rippling in waves inside her. If she lashed it out now, all would be undone. 

Her shoulders drew back and a knot formed in her stomach. She closed her eyes to control her magic. But it was so heavily lashing inside. What could she do? Siora released a little magic in herself. It coiled and pooled into her core like a mass of coiled and dormant snakes. Siora took a deep breath. Now was the time. She moved. 

"Ionaaaa! My child!" Ookashi got up to receive her. She held Iona and then looked at Rolfe who was standing right behind her. "You look so lovely!" she exclaimed as tears stung her eyes. "And your husband is so beautiful! Just perfect for you." She pressed her mouth with her hands not able to control the sob that was about to come out. Ookashi had seen Iona eight years back and she was meeting her now after such a long time. The little girl had grown beautifully. "You will have to come with me to the living room." 

Iona hugged Ookashi. "I missed you too, Aunt," she whispered as she clung onto her. 

Ookashi stroked her back. "And I missed you, child." The women wiped their tears as everyone in the room became quiet seeing the emotional reunion. When they separated, Ookashi said, "Come here with me. I have to give you something!" Iona giggled and allowed Ookashi to tug her back to the living room. Rolfe also walked behind them. He loved Ookashi instantly. She called him beautiful. 

Siora halted her steps. She cursed Ookashi for meddling with her plans. But then she had to calm down, because everything depended on her patience, on the fact that she was controlling her magic, on the perfect timing. So, Siora waited… 

Ookashi took Iona inside the living room. She opened a drawer and then took out a small red velvet box. She handed it to Iona and said, "Open it. It is especially for you, child." 

Iona didn't want to take the gift but knew that if she didn't, Ookashi would feel small. So she took the velvet box and clicked it open. Inside there was a thick gold necklace which had rubies in the form of water droplets attached in a line. Each ruby was flanked by tiny diamonds that enhanced the whole look. "Oh my!" Iona gasped. "Auntie! This is so beautiful!" 

Ookashi loved her reaction. "Then wear it." 

Siora was getting anxious as hell. Her breathing had become ragged and all she wanted was to get out of her place. She had been standing there for a long time. And this stupid Ookashi was delaying it all. Gods, she would strike her first. If Ookashi didn't get her target back in five minutes, she would be on the top of her list of murders. Her hands were itching. Suddenly, as if not able to control anymore, a wisp of magic escaped from her finger. It was like steam that escaped from a hot cup of tea. "Shit!" she murmured and clenched her hands tightly. 

Rolfe helped Iona to remove her current necklace and then made her wear the new one. 

"Gods, you look so lovely!" Ookashi said. "It suits your dress perfectly." She stroked Iona's cheeks. "I wasn't there for your wedding and I can imagine it must have been a grand affair. The only reason for this party is you, Iona. I really wanted to see you." 

Iona giggled and she hugged Ookashi again. "Thank you so much! It is indeed lovely. And I love you!" She had a plethora of such necklaces in her palace, but she rarely wore them. Her maids would urge her to wear something around her neck because she was the queen and it suited her position. But Iona was Iona. She did what she wanted to. Often when she strolled in the village even with the guards around her, she would wear breeches and a tunic. She would go around helping them and many times would come back covered with mud and grease and paint and everything else. Rolfe loved her for all this and more. And he loved the way she made Ookashi feel special. 

"Your dress is so pretty. I know Paige got it made for you," said Ookashi. Iona was wearing a pearl pink silk blouse with brocade on cuffs, paired with a long matching silk skirt that had white pearls in a rose pattern. And after she had heard about it from her daughter, Ookashi went to get this necklace for her. In the jeweler's shop she met someone who advised her about it. "Come, let us have dinner, Iona," she said and then held her hand to go towards the banquet hall. "So tell me, how is it to be pregnant?" 

Siora's eyes were wide with shock. Iona was pregnant? That meant that she was going to produce an heir for Galahar? That meant that if Iona produced the heir for Galahar, she would no longer be able to claim her position as the queen. She bit her lip so hard that she drew blood. The little werewolf was fast. She had not only married her son, but she had thought so many steps ahead? She was going to give him an heir. Siora's crave to kill Iona rose higher. Bitch! She had to extinguish that little child in her body. She didn't care whether it was her grandchild or not. Everything was fair in the battles for the kingdom. And she would do anything. 

Ookashi walked with Iona and Rolfe back to the table, where she made her sit next to her, asking Paige to sit on the next chair. "Did you like the dress?" Paige asked. 

"Yes, dear," Ookashi said. "I think you should open up a boutique in Silver Vales and Draoidh. You design good dresses." 

Paige's chin went high with pride. "Do you know what she was wearing for the party?" 

Ookashi shook her head as the servant poured wine in her glass. Some had lined up the walls on the side. She noticed that Ileus didn't allow Anastasia to drink wine. Rolfe and Aidan followed the suit and then from the corner of her eye, she saw Haldir picking up the wine glass in front of his wife and gulping it down. She smiled. 

"She was wearing that old crone—her mother-in-law's gown!" Paige giggled. 

"Paige!" Ookashi chided her, after glancing at Rolfe. He didn't like the joke. 

"Oh, I am sorry!" Paige apologized immediately. She picked up the glass of wine in front of her and sipped from it, embarrassed as hell. Iona gripped her thigh, assuring her that it didn't matter. 

Now was the time. Now was the time and Siora had to strike. From the slit of the curtain, she could see Iona sitting right in front of her. She pulled the drape aside. 

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