Ileus tightened his hands around her. "I won't allow anyone to touch you, Anastasia, so stop spouting nonsense!"

And that little scolding quieted her. He carried her in silence.

As he walked, he recalled how satisfied he was when he killed the burly scar-face. He mutilated his hands for touching her, for thinking of-

---

Sitting across from him in a small private corner in the alehouse that was near the inn, Ileus poured a glass of water for her and passed it to her.

In the cold of the night, the alehouse was warm and tightly packed. A warm fire was burning in the corner where most of the people had gathered. The place looked warm and festive where one could have fun in this cold and harsh weather. There was an abundance of food, drinks and entertainment, making it a perfect place to gather after a hard day's labor. Glasses chinked as the barmaids twirled their skirts around men with trays of cheap ale. Aroma of heavily spiced foods wafted in the air. Amidst the chitter chatter of the people, Anastasia noticed two tables near the right of the fireplace where people were gambling with cards. Light skirts seemed to stand around those tables, eyeing men who had most money to lose.

A barmaid came and placed meat pie and freshly roasted fowl in front of them along with beer and ale in earthenware pitchers. She smiled at them and then went to the other tables.

"Why did you choose the alehouse?" he asked.

"So that if you try to do anything, the whole village comes to know of your shenanigans!"

He poked his tongue in his cheek.

"Where are Kaizan and the lion?"

"They are running through the perimeter of Óraid to see if there's a threat. You glowed like a star!"

Anastasia lowered her head and sipped water. She couldn't control herself. She said, "Tell me what you want to, as quickly as possible."

"I-"

"Start from the day you came to Vilinski. Why did you come there?"

He exhaled heavily. He scanned the room and then shook his head. Just so that no one hears their conversation, he waved his hand. A thick wall of air surrounded them to act as a sound barrier. Now they couldn't hear what others were chattering, and no one could hear them.

He started. "My younger sister, Iona, has been missing for eight years. My parents had gone to visit Vilinski but on their way to the kingdom, Iona was kidnapped by Aed Ruad and Maple. She was only ten at that time. I can't imagine her plight. I shudder when I think about what she must be going through at this time." He rubbed a hand on his face.

"As soon as they kidnapped her, they took her to Vilinski and then attacked your father and mother. Aed Ruad executed his plan very cleverly. Knowing full well that once my parents reached Vilinski, he wouldn't be able to seize the throne, because of the combined power of your parents and mine, he kidnapped Iona on the way, so that my parents were completely thrown off. And they were. They became frantic as they searched for her, while Aed Ruad and Maple carried out their vicious plan to topple your father." He took a deep breath and placed his hand on his chest as if feeling suffocated. "I wasn't there to help my parents that time because I was training as a warrior in the elf realm." He looked past her as if remembering something.

Anastasia settled back in her seat, her eyes fixed on him. Her breathing became ragged. Iona was his sister. "Oh my god!" she rasped. She had seen her in a sack that day. "So you wanted to kidnap me? And how did you know that it was Aed Ruad who kidnapped Iona? It could be anyone."

He looked back at her and said, "Anastasia, my parents have very powerful contacts across the Lore. We soon came to know that he was the one behind it and trust me when I say that we have searched everywhere, but we can't find Iona." Ileus gulped down a glass of water. He pointed at her, and added, "You were my last option. I had heard from my people that Aed Ruad wanted to marry you and acquire the throne. Once he became the king of Vilinski, he would achieve the sole purpose of his life and then whatever little hope we had to find my sister, Iona, would be gone. I had to thwart his plans and the only way to do that was to abduct you or snatch you away from him."

She knew it, and it killed her on the inside.

"But once I came near you, once I saw what Maple did with you, what Aed Ruad wanted to do, I lost my nerves. I hated them with all my heart for what they did to you. I was this close to killing Aed Ruad but I knew that the moment I would do that, I would be killed and then you would be left unprotected. I would never be able to find Iona. On the inside I wanted you to escape that place with me. I needed to keep you secure and safe and with... me."

She gazed at him for a long time before asking, "Why Ileus?"

"I am not sure." He raked fingers through his hair. "I just have this strong instinct that wants to protect you and protect you crazily. At the moment I don't care what the world is going to think about me, but as long as you are with me, as long as I know that you are safe and with me, I am going to act the way I did."

Anastasia felt heat rising to her cheeks. She blinked her eyes and touched her throat, lightly brushing it with her fingers. But why was she surprised? She was also feeling the same for him. Crazed, wanton...