The Alpha's Temptation

“That is a question only Menkar can answer,” Ileus replied as he got up from his chair. “And I would seriously suggest that you revisit the time when you rejected Kinshra. If you like I can take you back in time.” Ileus was a time traveler. “But it is risky.”

Biham had heard that Ileus was a time traveler. The idea of going back in time exhilarated him. Thinking of revisiting Kinshra was such a beautiful thought that he almost trembled from head to toe. He could now relate to the fact as to how Eltanin and Lusitania felt for each other. He rubbed his hands at the thought of getting them married in his kingdom, but then his joy was marred by the looming threat of Menkar.

“I would like to go back in time, Prince Ileus,” said Biham. “If you can help me, that would be wonderful. There are too many questions that I want an answer to. I really don’t know why Sirrah accused Kinshra of black magic when there was no black magic in the kingdom. Why was I led to believe–” he shook his head. “Why did I so firmly believe that she was practicing it?”

Ileus pursed his lips tightly. “Then I have to think of a way to go about it, King Biham. You have to give me time.”

Biham nodded, feeling excited about it. “At the same time, would it be possible for me to take Lusitania to Vilinski?” he asked again. “Even if you don’t want me to go, or the faes have problems with me visiting Vilinski, I do hope that they accept Lusitania. The girl hasn’t done anything…” his throat choked with emotions. “She is naïve.”

“I understand,” Ileus said. “However, again I need time for that. Taking Lusitania to Vilinski unannounced will have its own perils. The way to Vilinski is full of danger. Sgiáth Bio that surrounds the fae kingdom is not a road that one would want to venture. You can get lost for life or lose your sanity.”

“I will wait for the good news, Prince Ileus,” Biham replied, understanding the risk. _{when do you plan on sending Lusitania back to Draka?” Rolfe asked impatiently.}

“In a week’s time or maybe three or four days. I know that the king of Draka is eager to take her back.” Biham’s only problem was what would he tell his people about the two? He would never tell them that they were mates. Suddenly, he realized how important Lusitania was to Eltanin. And now he understood why Eltanin kept her hidden from the eye of the public. It was okay for them to think that he was flirting with the princess of Pegasii. That was something that the royals always did.

Rolfe looked at Ileus. “In that case, we can go home! Lusitania will need my help in translating Yunabi later.” He wanted to go back to his wife because he missed her dearly.

“Yes, of course!” Ileus supported him quickly because he too wanted to go back to Anastasia. He was getting edgy now. “In fact, let us go now.” He walked to the door to open it.

“Wouldn’t you like to sleep for the night?” Biham asked. “You must be very tired.” His gaze flitted from him to Rolfe and back.

Rolfe waved his hand in the air. “Nah! We are fine. I need to leave as soon as possible. I have some important work in Galahar. If Ileus wants to stay back, I am okay.”

Ileus grunted. “No, I also have very important work back at Draoidh.” Then he added shamelessly, “My wife wants me.” He didn’t say that he wanted her more than she wanted him.

Biham flushed red for Ileus. He stuttered, “Ye– yes of course!”

Ileus and Rolfe walked out of his library and he followed them. They reached the garden behind the library where Rolfe flung his hands forward in a hurry and created a portal. Ileus gave him the coordinates. Rolfe chanted the coordinates. Symbols formed and they aligned themselves in the four corners of the portal. A blue streak shimmered out of each of them and met in the center. It pulsated and rippled back to the inner line of the portal.

Ileus looked at Biham and bowed to him before stepping in the portal. He said, “I may come in a week with Rolfe and hopefully with news from the faes.” It took a long time to pass information to the fae land.

Rolfe too bowed to King Biham. “We will be back in a week’s time. Please make sure that Lusitania is in Draka by then. I won’t be able to find more time after this.”

Biham bowed to him. “I will make sure, King Rolfe.” Mesmerized, he watched Rolfe stepping into the portal. The portal collapsed on its own as soon as the two crossed it, disappearing into the darkness of the night. Biham’s felt a little sad when the two left, but his lips curled up thinking of all that was going to happen next. _​

One: His daughter would go to Vilinski.

Two: He was going to send his spies to keep an eye on every movement of Menkar.

Three: He was going to steal the soul stone from Menkar as soon as possible. Then he is going to kill him.

Four: He would announce that Eltanin was to wed with his daughter, Lusitania.

Five: Defeat Felis.

But amongst all this he had a real problem who was in his kingdom. Lerna. How was Felis going to deal with it? Or rather how would Rigel deal with it? With a rough exhale, he left for his bedchamber. He needed a good sleep.

Next morning when Biham was sitting at the dining table, waiting for Lusitania, he saw that she walked in along with Eltanin. And Eltanin was looking a thousand shades better than what he was two days back. There was a healthy glow on his face and he couldn’t stop glancing at Lusitania every now and then. As for Lusitania, she was looking lovely in her pale blue silk gown that matched the color of her eyes. They both sat together on his right.

Rigel followed them soon after, looking… haggard. He came to sit on Biham’s left. He had dark circles beneath his eyes.

“Where is Lerna?” Tania asked. She was hoping that he would get her with him.

Rigel sucked in a sharp breath. “She won’t come out… You have to send her food in her room.” In the morning, after he had waited for her for so long to open the door, she hadn’t. He had asked her from outside whether she would accompany him for breakfast and she had refused.

“Why?” Tania asked.

Eltanin placed his hand over her thigh as if to calm her. “Lerna is new to this place. I think she is too afraid to come out. We have to give her time…” He had thought about Lerna last night. He couldn’t help but feel miserable about her. At such a young age she was subjected to so much mental torture despite being a princess that it made him sad. He had this natural protective instinct about her.

Tania tilted her head and said to Rigel, “Is it okay if I go and coax her into coming out? She is cooped up in her room and what good would that be?”

A crease formed on Rigel’s forehead. “You can try, but she didn’t open the door for me, so don’t be sad if she doesn’t open for you.”

“I will take care, Prince Rigel,” said Tania. “Please don’t worry.”

“First eat something,” Biham growled. He was angry as to why fate brought Lerna, sister of Felis, to be Rigel’s mate. And they were all in his kingdom. How long would it take Nyxers to know about her whereabouts?

Tania glanced at her father nervously. Over the past days, he had become extremely protective about her. “Can I please go and talk to Lerna first?” she requested sweetly.

Biham became silent at her request. Morava wasn’t so considerate. He had known about her charades all the time, yet he didn’t say much because her mother, Sirrah encouraged her at every turn. He couldn’t say no to Tania. “You may,” he breathed. His younger daughter had quite a hold on him, he realized. And this was just the beginning of their relationship. As Tania got up, Biham almost pitied Eltanin. The strongest wolf of Araniea was helpless in front of this little girl.