Chapter 402 - Caleb

Not being able to leave the fortress, Rolfe and Iona grew closer. He would prepare exclusive dishes for her and in a week's time, she grew curvier and healthy. Everything suited her—the environment, the ambience, the fun and her mate. The fae and demon soldiers became close and the fortress became a hub of chatter. Chaos descended everywhere, with people rushing in and out of the halls or kitchen or rooms. Though they were all soldiers, some had taken up the duty of being cooks for the love of it. Most people helped around because they wanted to and not because they were forced. The faes, however, wanted to serve their princess at all times and the demons wanted to serve their prince. 

In the mornings, Rolfe would come with Iona to the kitchen to prepare food for her. After her initial jealousy, Iona understood that Anastasia was only looking to combat her loneliness without Ileus. In order to cheer her up, she would go to her room and they would chat for hours. It was one of these days when Iona said, "I have suddenly got this tattoo on my spine. This was never there." 

Anastasia creased her brows and said, "Let me see."

When Iona bared her back, Anastasia's eyes became wide. "This tattoo—when did it appear on your back?" 

"The day you plunged the sword in me Rolfe found me on the banks of the frozen lake and said that it was already on my back." She wore her tunic back. "This was not there initially." 

Anastasia bit her lip as the mystery confounded her. "I had traveled back in time a few months back and I landed in Zor'gan. Queen Og'drath had asked her maids to put this tattoo on me." She narrated the whole incident to her. "When I returned back, this tattoo remained with me. And now frankly I am quite shocked to see it on you." 

Iona exhaled a heavy breath. "It is very confusing and I hope it goes away…" 

"It should," said Anastasia with a smile. A heavy knock on the door pounded. "Who is there?" asked Anastasia. 

"Prince Ileus is here," came Ara's voice. 

Anastasia's eyes gleamed. She sprang up and snapped her fingers to lift the spell from the fortress. Immediately, she heard the loud clang of the portcullis being lifted up. 

"Careful Anastasia!" Iona chided her. 

Anastasia giggled. A pale pink blush came on her cheeks. Her otherwise calm and somewhat gloomy expression disappeared and her face radiated with a glow. She held Iona's hand and said, "Come!" She dragged her to the main hall, where she found Ileus along with General Yion and a man who resembled Ileus in several ways. He had long black hair that dropped in curls till his neck. His stubble was almost two days old. He had a small bruise just over his left brow and his eyes were red. 

Caleb. 

She ignored everyone and rushed to her husband who had opened his arms for her. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her, he picked her up and kissed her everywhere on her face. "I missed you!" he breathed. 

"I missed you too!" she said in between kisses. 

This time Kaizan didn't say a word and watched them with a barely suppressed smile. 

Ileus pressed his forehead against her and stayed in that position for a while, smelling her, savoring her. He slid her down his body and turned to look at his cousin. "This is Caleb," he said. There was so much tension in the air that if someone threw a burning ember, flames would erupt. 

Caleb was pretty furious but he couldn't help ogling Anastasia. He had only heard about faes and now—ever since he had entered the fortress, he had looked at many faes. And Anastasia—well, she was the prettiest of them all. Perhaps the most beautiful blonde he had ever seen. Umm… not as pretty as his Elize. 

Caleb dipped his head in acknowledgement. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said in a low voice. 

Anastasia immediately knew that something was wrong. She too said a sweet hello. "Would you like to take a bath?" she asked because this man was reeking of alcohol. 

He nodded and a fae soldier took him to his room. As soon as he left, Ileus sat on a chair and rubbed his hands on his face. "It was very difficult to get him! We had to keep Elize in Arawn's safety before coming here." He looked at Rolfe and said, "Caleb is here only for a fortnight at the most. Do you think all the work can be done in that much time?" 

"I will try my best," Rolfe replied. He had learned fae language in the last week and was able to converse roughly. "I am going to gear up all my men for it!" 

"Good," Ileus replied. 

Excited and charged up, Rolfe motioned his General to follow him to the courtyard. He took Iona with him. Ileus went to his room for he had to catch up with his wife and then come back to talk to Rolfe. When they were alone in the room, Ileus picked up his wife, shackled her wings and then gave her a searing kiss. "Gods, I missed you!" he said. She giggled and he placed her on the fur pelt. "Everything was fine here?" 

"It was!" she nodded. "Rolfe and Iona have grown closer and I am so happy to see that Iona is willing to accept him as her husband. He hasn't popped the question yet, but I think he is going to do it soon!" 

"Really?" Ileus jerked his head back. 

"Yes! They have fallen in love." 

His lips kicked up. He took his boots out and then his clothes. He walked to the bathtub in the chamber and soaked his skin water and rested his head back on the edge. She also walked up to him and sat on the edge. "You need a good head bath!" 

"Hmm," he hummed as she began pouring water on his hair. "Caleb is really in a bad mood, Anastasia. Elize is still not happy with him, and I can see that each day he is growing antsy." 

She scrubbed his head with the soap. "I don't know what is not clicking between them, but I hope that it all settles down soon."

"I hope so too, darling," he said as he closed his eyes and succumbed to his wife's ministrations. "Elize turned into a vampire against her will and she sometimes chooses to go without blood just to punish herself. Caleb can't watch it. He has got himself into drinking and I hate to see such a lovely couple hating each other." 

"That's sad…" 

"Hmm… I wish there was a way they could come back together."

Anastasia rinsed his head and then helped him to take a bath. Obviously, the bath turned into something carnal as Ileus spent the next hour pleasuring his wife. When he was thoroughly satisfied, he was pushed to go to meet Rolfe… by his wife. 

Rolfe was in the courtyard, already discussing forming teams. "We will begin this at the crack of dawn!"