The Alpha's Temptation

Chapter 204 Kinshra Wants Her Back

Biham was... happy. He wasn't expecting Princess Anastasia to come to Araniea, let alone to his kingdom. When he heard that Anastasia wanted to meet his daughter, he was ecstatic. "Of course," Biham exclaimed. "She would be so happy to meet you." Finally, he was seeing light at the end of the tunnel. "But at present she has gone back to the Draka Kingdom along with King Eltanin. I will send a message to her to come here as soon as possible!"

As soon as Anastasia walked in the palace, all the servants and guards stared fixedly at her. The fae was ethereal. Surely, Princess Lusitania's features were more like that of a fae.

"There is no need to send the message, King Biham," said Ileus. "We would rather go over there." From the corner of his eyes he saw Prince Rigel who was standing at the end of the throne hall. Rigel bowed to him. Ileus saw that Princess Lerna was also standing with him and she too bowed to him. When Ileus reached them, they greeted like old friends. "You are still here?" Ileus said as the two held each other's forearms. Ileus glanced at Lerna who was blinking at his wife. Well, that was a normal reaction from others who looked at his wife for the first time, but every time his chest swelled with pride.

Rigel's face flushed. "I had sent a message to my father about Lerna, but I have yet to receive his reply..." he paused. "However, I am planning on going to the Draka Kingdom tomorrow, but even there it isn't safe for her..." his voice trailed off. He turned his face to see his mate and wrapped his arm around her shoulders to bring her closer to him.

Lerna's face pinkened at this public display of affection, but she didn't resist. In a matter of a few days, she had started savoring Rigel's closeness, his scent and his warmth. It was as if she didn't stay close to him, she would feel lost.

Anastasia extended her hands towards Lerna with a smile. "Come, let's talk."

A smile beamed upon her face. No woman had been so kind and friendly with her other than Lusitania. Mesmerized by the fae princess, Lerna grabbed her hands.
"I heard about the adventure Ileus and the others went on to rescue you," Anastasia said, chuckling. "I hope you are not missing your old home."

"No!" Lerna protested immediately. "I mean-- I am not missing my home... I am rather glad that I am here. With Rigel."

Anastasia grinned. "I am sure."

Biham led them all to the dining hall where the dinner was laid for them. As they had dinner, Biham kept the talks to bare minimum and that too limited to state affairs. Even though he was calm on the outside, he was pretty anxious to know what Ileus had to say.

It was after dinner that Biham invited them all to the meeting chamber. Ileus sealed the chamber with his magic so that no sound traveled out.

pa???-?0???,cm "What is the news, Prince Ileus?" asked Biham, his gaze darting between Anastasia and Ileus. "I am eager to listen. Has King Ian allowed us an audience? Can we go to Vilinski? Will they accept Lusitania?"

Ileus jerked his head back. "Wait. Wait," he said with a chuckle. King Biham's excitement and anxiety was radiating off him. Ileus looked at Anastasia and nodded.

She started, "I had sent a message to my father regarding Lusitania and the situation over here. I received the reply in the morning. He said that Kinshra was one of the girls who was part of the group that traveled to Araniea when the faes were strengthening their ties with various other realms. Kinshra was the daughter of one of the royal fae families of Vilinski. There are seven kingdoms that fall under the empire of Vilinski, and she belongs to one of those families. Her father is a fae Lord." Anastasia tilted her head and looked at Biham with disdain. "You shouldn't have rejected her."

Biham lowered his head as fresh misery surged through him. The back of his throat burned with emotions, and he couldn't speak a word.

"Anyway!" Anastasia continued. "Father investigated your case. When you rejected Kinshra, she was pregnant with your child. When you rejected her, she sent a message to her father that she wanted to come back. However, her father was mad. Mad that you had rejected her, rejected the revered mate bond after making her pregnant. He did not allow her to return as a punishment."
His eyes became misty with unshed tears. Kinshra was punished by her father because of him.

"Her life was in danger and she had to hide for a long time in order to give birth to your child. Her father had clearly mentioned that he wouldn't let the baby enter Vilinski. However, she could. Obviously, Kinshra didn't want to go back. However, she was under constant threat from your wife who wanted to kill her and your legal heir."

Biham's mouth fell to the floor at the information. Rage and repulsion for Sirrah warred inside him. He curled his fists tightly until his knuckles were white.

Anastasia said, "Kinshra's father sent his spies to Araniea to spy on his daughter. He ordered them to bring her back the moment she birthed her child. So as soon as she gave birth to Lusitania, Kinshra was taken back to Vilinski. After that they closed all the portals that led to Vilinski from Araniea out of spite."

Biham looked at Anastasia incredulously. "B-- but Kinshra is... dead." That's what he heard. That's what he believed. He had tried to find her everywhere, but she was nowhere to be found.

Anastasia chuckled. "No, Kinshra is very much alive and with her family in Vilinski."

A wild wave of shock splashed through him. Kinshra was alive? And all this time he grieved her? This meant that he had a chance to see her again! Biham jumped on his feet and clutched the ends of the table so hard that it cracked.

"There's one more thing," Anastasia added.

"What?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.

"It seems that Kinshra was able to leave that little bit of energy of the portal behind her in the stable after she was taken back by her people. I think she hoped that one day her daughter would come back and discover the portal and use it to come back. It seems Lusitania was able to discover the portal because of her natural instincts. When she stirred the energy, the effects were felt by Kinshra." Anastasia picked her dress lightly to cross her legs. "They know that Kinshra's child is alive. And Kinshra wants her back."

Biham froze.