Dmitri looked away from Adrianna as his eyes became hazy. "Other than removing the baby…" He lowered his face and sauntered to the balcony to avoid Adrianna's hateful gaze.

Adrianna didn't speak a word. She was expecting his answer but didn't want him to say a word. She picked her shawl from the bed and exited the room. She went outside to the gardens. The sun was setting in the horizon and the sky was washed in the hues of orange and purple. The garden mirrored the colors of the sky. It was as if the sky had gifted its magic, showing the fauna in its humble brilliance. The buttercups were golden, the grass was every shade of a meadow, and the trees lined the perfect lanes. In the center there was a pond where fish were playing hide and seek with the immersed rocks.

​​

Adrianna walked over the bridge that crossed the middle of the pond and looked down at the fish carp. All around the pond were the flowers, a riot of colors, weed free. She stared at the fish wondering about their peaceful life.

You have to sacrifice someone who is dear to you.

The thought was gnawing her soul. The question was to what lengths would she go to understand her child.

Her gaze shifted to her bedroom's balcony where she found Dmitri staring beyond the horizon. She knew he was scared – scared the kind of child they had conceived. She knew even he wanted answers.

She brought her hand to her stomach and lightly stroked it. "Let's find a solution for you Ileus… I need to know about you… Either you come again to meet me or I go to find out about you…"

She crossed the bridge and walked further to the edge of the garden from where she saw the third level. It was covered with a few stray clouds. She crossed her arms across her chest and stood there for a long time before going back to her room.

There she found Dmitri lying on the bed with his eyes covered with his hand. His full lips were slightly parted and his sun-kissed cheeks were shining – with tears.

Adrianna walked to him and removed his hand from there. He looked at her. "I don't want to part with our baby…" he whispered.

She bent down and kissed his tears. "Then let's find out about him," she said.

He nodded.

Lightly, she kissed his lips. Dmitri held her nape and pressed his lips against her. His mouth crashed into his. Soon, he removed her clothes and their bare skin was suffusing heat into each other. She gripped his face and kissed away the constant tears that were coming out.

His hands found her waist and raised her legs on his shoulders. He handed over her set Adrianna on fire. She moaned and he hardened. Bending down he licked her and she gasped. "I want you."

She wanted every inch of her husband. She wanted to release her anxieties. She wanted their souls to merge. With his ministrations, she went over the edge again and again.

He got up and pushed at her entrance. Stilling inside her, he said, "Say it."

I knew what he meant.

"I love you," I said.

He pushed further in her, faster and deeper. "Again."

"I love you," I gasped.

He pulled out and then slammed again. Dmitri came with a loud groan as release splintered through Adrianna's body.

When they lied beside each other, they kissed and kissed.

"I love you, Adri…" he said once his nerves calmed.

"Tomorrow morning we are going to see the Elder. Come with me."

"Yes… but who will you sacrifice Adri…?"

Adrianna took a deep breath. "I don't want to think about it…"

"Hmm…"

The two of them slept. Adrianna woke up in the middle of the night with horrible dreams of war and gore and blood. Unknown people, Faes, elves, werewolves, wizards – all with blood-splattered faces were haunting her.

"Sleep darling," Dmitri held her and gently helped her to lie on bed. He stroked her hair until she slept.

Next day in the morning, Adrianna left along with Dmitri and Isidorus to visit her Grandfather.

Isidorus had created the portal and they all stepped right in front of Ed's inn. Some voices were coming from inside.

When they stepped in, they saw three wizards having breakfast on a small table while Ed was preparing food for them. The fresh smell of meat with a mix of herbs wafted through the inn.

Mun was sleeping as usual. The wizards got up to greet their queen. They were shocked at her presence.

As soon as Mun sensed Adrianna, he opened his eyes and rushed to her side. He snuggled into her and complained like a lover, "Long time Adrianna. Where had you been?" He looked at Dmitri with jealousy.

Adrianna cuddled him and chuckled. "Busy!"

"I see you want to visit Elder," he replied.

"Hmm."

Dmitri didn't like the private conversation between his mate and Mun. He interrupted. "Adrianna, we need to greet your Grandfather too!"

Ed laughed. "Adri! I have cooked some great rabbit meat. Sit, I am getting it soon."

Adrianna saw her Grandfather and instead of sitting, she ran to hug him. "Grandfather, I hate to see you cooking."

He laughed at her and hugged her back. "How is my child today?"

He held her back as she lowered her head. He frowned and asked, "Elder?"

She pursed her lips. Her Grandfather could read her thoughts. She had lowered her mental shields for him.

The wizards who were having breakfast were asked to leave. As soon as they left, Ed said, "Mountains of Tibris aren't easy. They are a difficult place."

They all sat around the table. Ed served them with the meat. None of them spoke and ate in silence.

"I can take you there, Adrianna," said Mun breaking the quiet.

She patted his head. "I know you can."

"I will come with you." Ed smiled. "This baby is too important for all of us and I would happily sacrifice myself for him."

Adrianna's blood drowned from her face. She became pale, her lips became dry and her voice was shaky. "Grandfather, I-"

"You don't have to say a word," replied Ed with confidence. "Let us go! What are we waiting for?"

Isidorus narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure Ed?"

"Yes!"

Adrianna closed her eyes and Dmitri held her hand. 'Since when did they become so cruel,' he thought.

As soon as all stepped out of the inn, Isidorus created a portal and they walked in it to find themselves on foothills of the Mountains of Tibris. Steep slopes greeted them ahead.

The winds howled as the dark gray clouds surrounded them. There was snow as far as one could see. Not a shred of vegetation, not a semblance of life – it was eerie. The snow-clad mountains arose from the ground as if they wanted to reach the sky. There was a narrow meandering way that climbed the Tibris.

"Adrianna, hop on me," urged Mun.

She sat on Mun and they all started walking. Adrianna cast a spell of her magic and gathering whatever warmth she could from the surroundings, she created heat around all of them.

Isidorus took Ed and Dmitri on his broom.

"We will reach the entrance in an hour," informed Mun.