Watching Tymir from the cage, the two neotides were growling. Tymir was a little scared to release them and so he decided to give them tons of warning before releasing. "If you don't behave, then you are going to be dead even before you realize. Brantley is a strong king with magic. Ever since Bianca has arrived, his magic has become even stronger. The kingdom is doing well and this weather is going to prevail for the next one thousand years at least. I don't want you both to do anything that would attract attention. So stay in the shadows until it is time to attack. And do not attack the king, else he will shred you into pieces." He pointed at their faces. "Stop growling and remove that scowl from the face, otherwise I won't free you!"

Tymir was desperate to leave them and let them go after Bianca. He had come to know that Lazarus had brought two neotides with him as his blood slaves who were like maniacs. Nothing could be better than throwing two neotides as ferocious as these at the queen, who herself was a half neotide. That would teach her a lesson!

Jason charged at him inside the cage. He held the bars in his hands and bared his fangs. "Let us out, now!" he growled.

Azura looked at him with his red eyes with murderous energy. "Just let us come out and I promise that we will eliminate the bitch who hates you!" He was staring at him as if he would kill Tymir like now!

Though scared as hell by these two, Tymir held his chin high. In a shaky voice he said, "Not until the two of you start behaving and shed that madness around you. And don't say it as if you are doing a favor to me. I know that you will try to escape once you kill her, and I am not bothered about that. But you better tone down if you want to get out and enjoy killing her. Heck, if you like you can rut against as many women as you like!" Saying that he walked out of the dungeon where they were kept. He heard low menacing growls behind him. Not a single guard stopped him because he was a senior staff in the palace.

He smirked thinking how he would trap the queen. His plan was ready. He would corner her from all the sides. Two days later, he would carry out the next step of the plan. Rubbing his hands in excitement, Tymir walked out of the place.

---

The idea of a cooking contest was a blast. No one could think that people of Aztec would bring about so much food only to show their skills. Every tent where the contest was held for different categories was buzzing with activity. People were eager for the judges and their queen to taste the food they had made. The place was overflowing with it and for the next two days there was absolutely no dearth of food, because the community shared the food with each other so that it didn't go for a waste.

Darius had arrived on the second day. His eyes were wide with excitement he felt when he saw the festivities going on at Samobian. He was so excited at one time that he shifted much to the amusement of the people around him. Eventually Brantley had to pick him up and bring back a wolf who was swishing his tail madly. Bianca had to scold him to shift back and then scold more for him to behave. Finally when he shifted, Brantley ended up laughing at his cute brother-in-law.

"When will mummy and daddy come?" asked Bianca as she gave him leaf tea.

"By Skadi, you are such a bore!" said Darius. "I want to go back!"

"You can go back only if you will stay in control!"

Darius scowled. "I will!" he said dryly. He was sure he wouldn't be able to. There were too many good looking, skimpily clothed women out there. He looked at the waterfall from his chamber.

"So?" Bianca asked, crossing her arms on her chest.

"What?"

"When is mummy and daddy coming?"

"I hope they come by tomorrow, but most like daddy wouldn't be able to come. Uncle Caleb has called him. There is something really urgent, which he can't handle on his own."

"Daddy has gone to Ixoviya?" Bianca was surprised. Daryn visited about once in a year along with the family to Ixoviya, but he rarely went alone. He was extremely busy with the Silver House.

"Yep!" Darius kept the teacup on the coffee table.

"And why is mummy coming late?" She asked with a frown.

Darius sighed. "Uncle Cole and Aunt Cecilia have had a major fight over the shares of Starfish Refineries. Even since Uncle David has died, Aunt Cecilia wants to grab Aunt Rose's shares too saying that Rose isn't capable of managing things. But Cole got the whiff of it and he is doing everything in his power to prevent it. So…" He shrugged. "Mom is busy with the family drama."

"Argh!" Bianca gritted her teeth. "I really wanted mom to come here. I hope she comes for only a day, if possible!"

"Hmm!" Darius got up from his place. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to go back!" His eyes glinted with excitement. It was already night and he couldn't imagine what all must be going on. "I need to eat, drink and be merry!"

Bianca threw her hands up in the air and said, "Fineeee!" She looked at Brantley with an exasperated look and he laughed at the siblings.

He walked to her, pinched her cheek and said, "Love you sweetheart." While kissing her passionately, much to Darius's annoyance, he created the portal out of the air. And Darius just leapt in it to avoid getting blisters in his eyes from so much display of affection. The couple followed him.

The crowd on the hills and meadows had swelled as the sun sank and stars dazzled the moonless night. Many bonfires burned all across and people danced to the music that was playing in the sky. It was as if the angels had descended for them to play the music, whereas in fact it was Brantley's magic. He knew all the favorite music of his wife and only that was playing. Darius joined a group that was pouring wine and then started dancing with the women out there.

Brantley and Bianca just walked up to the tent where the vampire king was.

Lazarus was sitting on the bed, watching the festivities from a distance.

"Would you like to join them, my Lord?" asked Emma.

He closed his eyes and savored the smell of his wife's blood. He looked at her salaciously and said, "Only after I am well fed."

With a seductive smile, Emma collected her hair from the right side of her neck and dropped them on her left shoulder, exposing the place where her pulse throbbed strongly. "Then you must feed, my Lord."

That was all the invitation he needed. Lazarus was beside Emma the next moment, standing behind her. He yanked her neck to the other side with one hand and locked her on waist with the other, and then pierced his fangs in her flesh. As soon as the first drop of blood touched his tongue, he growled and became hard as hell.

Brantley wiped Bianca's sweat from forehead when she watched them. "Let's come later," he whispered.

Lazarus gave her a chilling look when he saw her staring at them. Flushed, she turned to her heels and scurried away.