Gabriella checked Emmy's pulse again and again. Seeing her actions, all the four men inside the room were getting worried. Finally, after a long five minutes, Gabriella stood up and shook her head at her master, Elder Miandrake.
"Both master and disciple here, can you open your mouth and say something instead of nodding your heads?"
It was Elder Rotrigues who had, at last, lost all ounce of patience left in him. This was his brother's only daughter, the surviving mark of his bloodline. If something happens to Emmy, he cannot forgive himself ever. So he lashed out without even thinking that the other two elders also considered Emmy as the precious daughter of their brother.
Elder Miandrake raised his eyebrows and stood there without answering Rotrigues whereas it was Gabriella who answered the crowd patiently.
" Emmy's body vitals are all normal. The poison which she drank had no effect on her meridians also. Her condition is as if she has taken medicine instead of poison."
Without caring about the respected Elders, Alex hugged Emmy tightly in his embrace. Emmy who was listening to Gabriella's analysis carefully found it hard to breathe suddenly but after hearing his racing heartbeats, she understood that Alex had hugged her so as to comfort himself.
Emmy snuggled closer to him and whispered over his ears softly, " Hey, I am really okay, however, I guess this idea also failed."
When Alex freed Emmy from his embrace, there was no one apart from them inside the room. All the others had left to give space for the couple. Alex fed Emmy a cup of warm water. Watching her drinking the water calmly but with a tinge of sadness in her eyes, Alex felt helpless.
" Emmy, please don't try to pry open your memories forcefully. I think it is remaining hidden for some particular reasons. Whatever happens in our life, happens for a reason, isn't it? Let the time take its own course. In the time being, let us prepare ourselves for the worst. We both are physically not strong enough to face such evil dark powers, so we shall use this time to strengthen our bodies to fight our unknown enemies. "
Emmy stared at Alex, she could see the earnest feeling in his eyes. This man supported her decisions and slowly gave her the confidence to revive herself. Emmy kept the empty cup aside and stood up.
" Alex, what you said is correct, we have to prepare ourselves because before the enemy attacks, we have to strike first. Our enemies are still in the dark whereas we are out, right in front of them, not knowing when we will receive a fatal attack but I have a feeling somewhere something is going wrong."
The couple had decided to move forward to strengthen their powers and skills whereas the Elders along with Gabriella were talking about Emmy's body condition in the garden area outside the quarters.
" Astonishing, I have never thought that the Alvish herbs can be made into medicines, Gabriella, we need to research this."
Before Gabriella could accept the offer, a clear rejection was heard and the voice's owner was none other than the cunning Rasber, who was now Gabriella's lover.
" Sorry, master Miandrake, Gabriella won't be partaking in any kinds of dangerous experiments anymore. Please allow her a few months of rest as well as leave from your place."
Gabriella stood up once she saw the man entering the garden area, her stiff face had now a sweet smile hanging over her lips and eyes were full of love. Surprisingly, Rasber also had the same expression on his face. As the petite figure rushed into his arms, he held her safely in his grip.
" Hey, why are you running around? Don't scare him, okay!"
Gabriella blushed and hid her face in the crook of his neck. Leaning on his body, she remembered that his body had become toned with constant exercises and the pack of muscles were clearly visible when he removed the shirt.
While Gabriella was thinking about her lover's exquisite body, the three elders were scrutinising the young man before them. The lad who from his childhood was devoted to the Salian snake, suddenly changed for a woman. No Chance!
Rasber knew what was in the minds of these three fellows of the great dark clan but he remained neutral because it was Elder Miandrake who had saved his beloved's life once.
" Why does my disciple need rest? Are you planning to put her on a house arrest or what?"
Upon the elder Miandraker breaking the silence, Gabriella stepped back from Rasber's embrace. She looked at Rasber and then at her master, if she had to choose one amongst them, she wouldn't be able to think of such a situation.
Sensing the change in her body language, Rasber smiled warmly and said, " Dear, go and check on your patient for once, then we will go home. I will talk with your master."
Soon she nodded her head and headed to the quarters while Rasber walked closer to the elders.
" Apologising for my intrusion to your quarters all of a sudden, but now as Gabriella is already carrying my child, my heart doesn't rest easy when she is out of my sight. Also, I wanted to meet her master to ask for the permis..."
Before Rasber could finish his words, a cup of hot tea flew towards him which he dodged effortlessly.
" You imbecile, how could you impregnate my disciple? Do you think that as she has no relative left you can do what you wish with her? Today let me kill you once in for all. You wretched fellow, how dare you to torture my poor disciple?"
Rasber knew that Elder Miandrake would get much angry after knowing that he had made Gabriella pregnant before marriage and he couldn't help controlling himself as she had given heavy doses of aphrodisiacs.
Before the master attacked, Rasber confidently knelt down and said, " I wish to marry your disciple as soon as possible, I know, here on the land of the dark clan, I might be not trusted but I wish to stay here where my woman is and it is the promise which I have given her for this life."
" You wish to marry her and stay here lifelong?"
"Yes"
" But why? How can I believe a man who could easily throw away years of commitment just for a woman who he had met a few months ago?"
Rasber sneered. Look who was stating the facts, it was their idea for trapping him and now when he wants to be here wholeheartedly, these three oldies were creating problems.
" It was your people who trapped me and left me with Gabriella but I took the gamble of love and here, your disciple has successfully captured my heart. I cannot live without her and it is the same for her too. I have severed all the ties with the Salian clan and wish to remain here with her in this lifetime."
" Capricious!!"
Elder Lathodore finally stood up and walked towards the kneeling youth. In his eyes, there was one kind of a pain lingering but it vanished as Rasber met those eyes.
" Young man, we will give away our disciple as your wife only in one condition. When she leaves you, you have to give away your life here."
A simple but tricky condition but Rasber was happy mode as he knew that he wouldn't ever let his woman leave him at any cost.
" I promise to fulfil this condition till I breathe my last breath."
Lathodore smiled at the young man and turned to look at his brother who had a face as black as a bottom of a pot. Sensing Lathodore's eyes on him, Miandrake calmed down and he also agreed under Lathodore's pressure.
" Well, in that case, go do the necessary things, tonight I shall officialise your marriage. Rotrigues, ask your disciples to prepare a banquet for this young couple."
As Elder Lathodore made the announcement, sounds of clapping were heard from behind. Gabriella along with Emmy and Alex stood in front of the quarters.
"Even if you have severed ties from the Salian clan, you are one of us. So, we will make the required arrangements. As you have chosen this path, let me tell you one thing, you won't be alone on this journey. I will be there with you as your friend but if you walk away from this side, be assured I will also be the one to take your life."
Alex patted Rasber's shoulders. The two men who always fought with each other, today stood harmoniously. Rasber had a thousand thoughts going through his mind. Why didn't he understand the right things before? Why did he dumbly obey Victor to do all such heinous things to Alex?
Gabriella smiled as only she knew the answer to his disturbing thoughts.
" Don't count me in your side for this marriage, please"
This sudden comment made all others froze as they never expected such a turn of events even before the arrangements started.