"I am sorry," whispered Adrianna as she hugged Fleur. "I am sorry that it ended like this…"

"I am sorry too…" said Fleur in a flat, depressed voice.

​​

Adrianna felt her shoulder getting wet with a fresh onslaught of tears. She stroked Fleur's hair and the two of them sat together for a long time.

Fleur's mental shields were down and so it was easy for Adrianna to know what all transpired between Isidorus and her.

More because of the fact as to how she took a decision in handling the situation with Rhys, Isidorus acted on the orders of the King of the Wizard Kingdom.

Since Fleur hadn't opted out but was removed from the position of Adrianna's personal head of the security, there was no way that her curse would work.

As the first born of her parents, she was pledged to be the ruler's personal security guard, but there was nothing that mentioned what would happen if the kingdom removed her on their volition. Had she chosen to give up her position, the curse would have come into effect.

Even though she ceased to be with Adrianna, she still remained a witch. She was still an immortal.

"You get to remain a witch," said Adrianna in a low tone.

Fleur got up from her shoulder and pursed her lips. "Yes, but what an undignified way to live."

"You will forget it in time…" Adrianna assured her. "Plus you can always help Liam with his work."

"Liam…"

"Yes, you should look forward to spending the lifetime with Liam."

Fleur stared at Adrianna and then narrowed her eyes slightly as if doubting her intentions. "Did you? Did you and Dmitri-?"

Adrianna shrugged and asked, "What?"

Fleur shook her head. How could she doubt her queen? "Nothing…."

Adrianna held her face in her hands and said, "I would suggest that you leave the Wizard Kingdom as soon as possible and go to Liam. It would be a good change of mind."

"I don't think I can even forgive Dmitri for what he did to me…"

"Whatever he did was right and I don't doubt him at all." Adrianna replied confidently not wanting to hear about her husband.

Fleur bit her lip and nodded. "I want to go to Liam…"

"You should." They sat there together without speaking for some more time and then Adrianna left. She was sure that this was a momentary depression. As soon as Fleur would be with Liam her tensions would get over soon.

---

Meanwhile in the Serpent Kingdom, Ziu was anxiously waiting for his brother, Rhys but he hadn't returned. It had been more than a day and Rhys hadn't given him the report. Earlier he had thought that he would enter Rhys's cell and see what all happened but even though he had sent the feelers, there was no response. He came to his father's kingdom and was surprised to hear that Rhys hadn't come back.

This situation put him under all the more anxiety because Adrianna and Dmitri were already there in the Wizard Kingdom and they looked as if nothing happened. He had tried to get into the cell of all the wizards who had gone with Adrianna but their memories were coming clean. It was as if they all had rather gone on a beautiful, pleasant journey – kind of a break from their duties.

Only Rhys could give him the best report and he was missing. Did Adrianna kill him? He couldn't even discuss it with anyone, which frustrated him even more.

He had gone to the Serpent Kingdom to find Rhys twice but to no avail.

---

When Adrianna returned, she found that Dmitri wasn't there in the Royal Palace. The servants informed her that he had gone to the markets.

Fifteen minutes later Adrianna joined him. When she appeared through the vortex beside him, he smiled. "You don't like to stay without me? Huh?"

"I have come to see the starry kingdom and not because I was missing you."

"Ah!" he replied. "But I was missing you," he said as he intertwined his fingers around hers.

She chuckled and leaned her head on his shoulders. They walked together like that in the midst of three layers of security around them. Since it was late in the afternoon, the warmth of the sun was mitigating the cool breeze blowing across.

Suddenly, the ground rumbled. The security around them immediately surrounded them and lifted them slightly in the air. Adrianna's eyes became wide and her eyebrows raised when she looked up at the new person shielding her with his wand.

He bowed to her, "I am Haldir, your new personal security head."

She had never seen that elf in the training grounds of Mozia. Her skin lined with goose bumps when her eyes fell of the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. With long white hair, pointy ears and full lips, he was standing taller than her husband at seven feet.

"I was in charge of training the Mozia. However, now I have accepted my position. The information was sent to me yesterday," he replied looking straight in her eyes.

She clasped Dmitri's hand tightly but there was no response. With a gaped mouth, she somehow willed to shift her gaze to her husband and saw him staring at the elf intently. This was either good or very bad.

For a moment she started fearing the outcome.

Just don't come to conclusions, okay? This man is handsome, no doubt, but unfortunately I cannot fall in love with him or get attracted to him. She communicated through her bond.

Dmitri gulped. Yes, he is devilishly good looking…

Adrianna's eyes popped out at her husband's reaction.

So you don't have any problem with him being my security head.

Dmitri shook his head. No… Besides, you are no match for him.

The ground beneath them rumbled once again.

"You should go and sit in the Royal Carriage now," suggested Haldir.

The mesmerized Royal Couple quietly went and sat in the carriage.