The healer came in the next ten minutes. However, Pierre had become conscious by then. He simply gave him a glass of green liquid and left after checking.

"Father you should rest now," said Dmitri. "Don't go out anywhere. I will ask others to help me."

​​

Pierre propped up on the bed with the help of Cora. He looked at Dmitri and said in a low voice, "I don't know what happened to me there. It was as if suddenly my body was possessed by someone else."

Isidorus cringed. He narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?" This was dark magic. Wizards who practiced dark magic were expelled from the kingdom or imprisoned.

"I heard someone whispering inside me," Pierre answered hoping that he sounded normal. He looked at Cora who was listening to him with wide eyes.

"Pierre, you need more rest," she said, keeping her hand on her chest.

Pierre lowered his head. He knew he sounded insane.

"What did you hear, Pierre?" insisted Isidorus.

He shook his head and then said slowly, "The voice said 'Leave me'…" Once again his eyes shifted to Cora. He immediately added, "I think you are right Cora. I need rest."

Isidorus stared at Pierre. After a short pause he looked at Dmitri and said, "Who chose that meeting point, the herbalist shop?"

"Gary," replied Dmitri twisting his lips. "He is my father's old contact in the town."

"Don't go there again," said Isidorus. He walked out of the bedroom after giving the warning.

Dmitri followed him. "Don't go where? To the shop or to the town?" Everything was too complicated at the moment.

"Issue a warning to all the werewolves not to leave their territories." Isidorus said. He walked to the main door of the hall and created a portal. As the snow of the portal swirled quietly, he turned and added, "In fact ask them not to leave their packs. They should prepare themselves for any untoward incident. But ask them to stay low profile."

Dmitri brows furrowed. He didn't ask any questions. "Okay." He nodded.

Isidorus left and the portal closed. He walked right into his palace.

---

Niiya's breathing was ragged and gasping. He felt that the strength had left his legs. He didn't want to get up from the chair.

Pryce walked in front of him and sank on her knees not caring about the slightly wet grass that would dirty her knees. She removed Niiya's hands from his face and cupped his cheeks. With her thumb she wiped his tears and looked into his red eyes. Niiya's breathing was hitched. "Would you like to tell me what happened?" she asked softly.

Niiya bit his lip as he stared at her. How could he say anything to her? She didn't know anything. Ziu was like a splinter under his skin. Emotions swirled inside him, the agony of the burden shook his body as each emotion cruised through his frame. There was fire, shame and anger boiling in his gut. The emptiness filled his heart as the emotions brewed over and over. "What do I do Pryce?" he said, feeling weak.

Pryce stood from there and held his hand. She tugged it a little and Niiya got up from his place. "Let's go inside," she whispered.

All Niiya needed at this time was reassurance, and so he followed her to wherever she took him—across the grass, through the flowery archway, on the porch and then up the stairs into her room.

Inside, soft music was playing from a device on a table that was set near the window. A large oval mirror with a wooden frame, hung on the wall right in front of the bed. A dressing table that sported her makeup was placed there. Her room was extremely tidy—not a thing was out of place. Towards the headboard of the bed there were framed pictures of family and friends. Pink sheets on the bed matched the curtains that were softly blowing in the breeze.

He stared at her all the while not wanting to think anything else. He wanted someone to guide him, to take him out of his mess, to be with him…

Pryce made him sit on the soft mattress of her bed and gently removed his shoes. "Why don't you rest for a while?" She got up and brushed away the long strands of his hair from his forehead. They were so straight that they fell again. Niiya looked deep in her eyes. "I will go and get hot coffee for you." She turned to walk but Niiya had tugged her towards him. She stumbled towards him and kept her hands on his shoulders to balance herself. Her hair fell in front covering Niiya's face from the sides.

Niiya held her hands and pulled her closer to him. His eyes shifted to her cherry lips. He kissed them softly. Pryce blinked as her heartbeat raced. Niiya wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. The next moment she was beneath him. He stared at her. His hands were on the side of her face. He traced the blush that formed on her cheek and then kissed her again. He took his hands to her soft hair and watched them tumble around her face like a halo as he released them. His hand moved down her cheekbones to her lips. He licked them slightly asking her permission to enter her mouth. Pryce opened her lips. He entered his tongue and moaned. He explored every nook and corner. Pryce moved with him in a waltz of love. They fitted in the natural rhythm.

He pulled out her dress and removed his shirt. He took her legs over his shoulders and slowly kissed her toes upwards, he started making his way down – to her legs, and then slightly higher.

Pryce arched her back in anticipation. Niiya's hands reached her there. Her head rolled back against the pillow and the first moan escaped, as his lips sealed her entrance between the thighs.

Niiya got up to remove his jeans. Once again he went up and their tongues entwined in a kiss. He squeezed her breasts. And then before she knew, he was inside her. Her breathing became heavier with every thrust. She turned her face in the pillow and moaned.

"Look at me," he demanded as he moved above her.

Pryce looked at him. Her eyes heavy with the pleasure her body was experiencing. He thrust into her again and she moaned. And those moans were his undoing. He pushed inside harder and harder.

This seemed to be the beginning.