Enya tapped her fingers on the armrest of her icy throne.

Adrianna looked around the entire court. Unlike hers, which bustled with activity whenever she held it, there was not a soul to be seen. Only the five of them and Enya. Adrianna suppressed her urge to ask Enya about it, but she remembered that Enya was different from the rest, so she chose to remain quiet.

​​

"That isn't a very good deal, Adrianna," replied Enya.

Adrianna held her head high and replied confidently, "That's just a bargain."

Enya became stiff. With an air of hostility, she narrowed her eyes. Everyone became quiet fearing her disposition. Mihr mentally chided Adrianna for speaking too fast. He wondered if they would survive the wrath of the ice queen. She was pretty temperamental.

Enya cocked her head and looked at Haldir. "What about you Haldir? What can you offer?" Haldir was a prized possession she could keep.

Haldir knew of her intentions very well. Part of Enya's strategy to help Adrianna was to keep Haldir in her kingdom. He raised his hand up and said, "Can you see the scar in the middle of the palm?" Enya's gaze shifted to his palm and her face contorted. The scar in his palm glowed reddish-orange.

"I am bonded with an oath to Adrianna. I will be of no use to your kingdom because if I leave her side, I will cease to exist. I am bound to serve my queen for the rest of my life," he replied confidently.

Enya's nostrils flared. How could she not detect Haldir's magic bond with Adrianna? Her eyes became red with anger. She got up from her throne and walked to him, her white gown trailing behind her. Taking his palm in her hands, she glared at the scar, which glowed faintly now. Then she went to Adrianna and held her hand. There was no scar there but a similar patterned line glowed in her hand.

Adrianna smiled and got up from her place. "Enya, I have already told you what I could give to you. Only my saying those words to you locks me in a promise with you. That's a code of conduct between the rulers of the wizard kingdoms." She looked at Haldir. "He is the last thing you would need in your kingdom now."

Enya gathered her white gown in hands and walked out of the room. Before leaving she said, "Be my guest for lunch."

As soon as she left, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "What do we do now?" asked Mihr feeling stupid sitting in a room with no one attending them. His attention was diverted by two boys who walked in the room once Enya left. They looked so alike that he was stunned for a moment.

"Please come this way," requested one of them.

They stood and followed the boys. They walked through the icy corridors of the castle to reach the dining place. A large table that could have seated sixteen people was decorated with beautiful flowers and aroma candles. Meat, fish, herb infused dishes, various fruits and beverages stocked up in front of them. It was a give-in that a queen would have such a lavish lunch, but what was striking was the fact that every person who stood there to attend them looked the same, just like the ones who guided them.

The Mozias and Mihr were stunned. They sat down looking at them with wide eyes.

Once Adrianna and Haldir were seated, Enya came. She had changed into white leathers. The crown was missing. They had lunch in silence and then at the end of it, she said, "I am ready for the adventure." She washed her hands and cracked her knuckles.

Adrianna bowed her head slightly in appreciation. "We have to find Shang Kui," she said.

Enya rotated her neck. "I know where you can find him. He is a kind wizard. After seeing how his people were treated at the hands of the humans, he decided to build his own village. All his loyal people live in that village."

"In that case please guide us," said Adrianna.

---

Pryce was sleeping beside him. Niiya tucked her naked body in the blanket. He propped up the pillows and turned to look at her. He traced his hands from her face to the inside of the blanket, to her breasts. Softly, he squeezed them and traced his fingers to her hips.

It was funny the way he connected with her after all that she had done to Adrianna. But at the moment he didn't feel any grudge towards her.

She looked so cute and vulnerable as she slept beside him that he bent and kissed her. All his anxieties had taken a backseat and he his heart relaxed. He cherished every moment of this feeling. Slipping back inside the blanket, he held her waist and brought her closer to him. He closed his eyes and slumbered. There was nothing he wanted to think of.

Niiya stayed with Pryce until the evening. When he went back to his home, he went to meet his father in the study. Dr. Tanaka was not in a good mood because Niiya had missed the meeting with the military. "Where the hell were you all this while?" shouted Dr. Tanaka the moment he saw him opening the door. "How can you skip an important meeting like that? These people mean serious business and they are here at our request, yet you dare to not even meet them?" Dr. Tanaka stood from his place, his face and neck becoming red.

Niiya took a deep breath. "I was in a meeting with Isidorus, Dmitri and Pierre."

"What?" Dr. Tanaka fumed. "Are you mad? Do you realize what you are doing?" Dr. Tanaka looked at him in disbelief. His stupidity would cause friction not only with the military but a person as powerful as Ziu.

"Father, you have to listen to me," said Niiya calmly. He sat down on the chair opposite him.