Anastasia blushed because she was fully aware that last night he was naked beneath her and he still was. She was wearing his shirt. "I promise," she said softly.

"Come to me," he said and tugged her towards him to embrace her. Not happy with that little contact, he pulled her up. Raking his fingers in her hair, he looked up at the ceiling. Her thighs rubbed his shaft and within no time his erection swelled. "It has its own mind," he made an excuse when she squirmed.

A knock pounded on the door.

"Come in!" he rumbled. Anastasia tried to get up but he pulled her in his lap as he propped up against the pillows. The blanket was dangerously low on his waist.

"Gods! This is improper!" she said in a breathy voice.

"Yes, I know, but I don't care." He said shamelessly and began to caress her hair.

The door opened and Kaizan came in. "Good morning." he said and then stopped. "Ah! My eyes hurt. Shouldn't you have some restrain?" he said in a flat voice.

Anastasia blushed to the root of her hair. Ileus had gripped her waist with both his arms as his muscle bulged.

"When will you come downstairs to break your fast?" he asked, as he picked up a blueberry from yesterday's food tray.

"Why?" Ileus frowned.

"There is someone from Draoidh to see you."

Ileus' gaze bore into him as doubt mixed with surprise flashed through his eyes. "Who all are there, Kaizan?"

Anastasia's interest peaked as she stared at Kaizan for more information. Why was he being so cryptic? She tilted her head and wondered who must have come. She found herself waiting to meet them, and her lips parted with anticipation. Finally she was going to meet the wizard Queen Adrianna.

"Haldir and General Murtagh."

"When did they arrive?" Ileus asked. He would have smelled them easily, but because of rain, their smell must have subdued.

"They arrived half-an-hour back and they seem to be in some sort of urgency," said Kaizan as he crossed his hands across his chest. "So whatever you have to say to them, be careful. I am not worried about Haldir."

Ileus nodded once. "We will be there in a few minutes."

"I suggest that Anastasia not go there," said Kaizan.

"She will go there," said Ileus.

Kaizan pursed his lips and then turned away to leave. He closed the door gently behind him.

"What is going on, Ileus?" she asked, not able to put the pieces together.

He caressed her cheeks with his knuckles and said, "Nothing to worry about. I- we have to meet them." He cupped her face and kissed her lips. Then he pressed his forehead to hers and said, "I love you!"

It was for the first time Ileus had confessed his love to her. She was overwhelmed with emotions. "Bonjeum ja leve, vokudlak," she said in a breathless voice. I love you, werewolf.

He cupped her neck in that possessive way and poured his passion in the kiss he pressed on her mouth. He grazed her lips with his fangs and she cried. She pushed herself in his chest, as if wanting to merge with him. When he pulled away from her, he looked intensely with his golden eyes. "I need to take you, but not now!" She was still too weak for him.

Additionally he had a pressing matter to attend to. Why would Haldir come and that too with Murtagh?

Ileus took all his time to get dressed and help Anastasia to wear his slacks and a shirt. She had braided her hair and pulled the braid over her shoulders across her chest. "Who is Haldir?" she asked, as they were getting ready.

"Haldir is an elf. He is the General of the Army at Draoidh. When I was in my mother's womb, she made a blood bond with him to protect me." He tied a waist belt to her slacks.

She gasped in surprise. "An elf?" Why was he sounding uncomfortable then?

"Yes," he nodded as he focused on the belt. Her wait was... tiny and it ended in such voluptuous hips. He spanked her lightly as soon as he tied it. "Here you go," he said and then took both his hands down to cup her hips in that possessive way.

"And Murtagh?"

His eyes met hers and she could feel knots forming in her stomach as Ileus's uneasiness began to grow. "He is also a General of the Army ay Draoidh, but he specially looks after Silver Vales. He is a vokudlak."

He took her hand and together they started towards the dining hall. As soon as they entered, Anastasia saw a group of men standing in the room. A beautiful man with flawless features and pointy ears was standing in the middle. He had long white hair till his waist, half of which were tied behind in a bun and the remaining fell over his shoulders. With a chiseled chin that could cut a glass and high cheekbones, the man was handsome beyond words. He was even better looking than Ileus. Anastasia swallowed a gasp of surprise. Without him having to tell her, she knew that this was Haldir. Elves were ancestors of faes and incredibly beautiful. His gray eyes met her blue ones briefly.

Right next to him was a man with broad shoulders, brutal face and arms that bulged from his cloak. She found him staring at her with... interest.

Haldir walked to Ileus. When he reached Ileus, he opened his arms revealing his black tunic and black breeches with a golden hem from beneath the grey cloak that was slightly wet because of rains. Anastasia noticed that there was a gold chain that ran from his pocket to his shoulder. He came close to Ileus and gave him a bear hug.

"Ileus, I have been waiting for you!" he said, embracing him tightly. Ileus returned the hug with a wide smile.

"How are you, Haldir?" he asked, patting his shoulder.

General Murtagh walked up to him and after pressing his fist on his chest, said, "Prince Ileus."

"Murtagh." Ileus nodded once.