Lin had called two of his most devoted subordinates in the border adjacent to the desert. The technique was an unique feature of the fox tribe. The wolves were faster but they too heavy to master the technique of apparition.The foxes had developed many other techniques over the years after the war between the tribes, though many didn't know them. Not even in their own tribe. The secret technique of communication through thought was also one of those.
"Did you bring what I asked you? " Lin asked the two.
"Yes of course" They handed over a tiny pouch which Lin immediately hid under his shoes.
"Be on alert. Send the troops if I send the signal only. Don't rush no matter what you hear or contacts you. Only act on my signal. Understood? " Lin asked.
"Yes my Lord. " The two replied in unison and then disappeared in thin air.
Lin too came back to his room instantly and found Mia still fast asleep.
Roe on the other hand was really disturbed after seeing the conservation between the three figures. Though she could identify the people, she knew they weren't from her tribe nor they any good. Her inquisitive senses immediately led her to the conspiracy theory. She back to the inn and immediately checked on Boshu , Lin and Mia first. Boshu was busy a large supply of meat and wine in the kitchen while Lin was reading a book as he over his sleeping wife. Roe did check them out of her suspicion list but something kept her otherwise. She finally decided to confide in Xie who was in his room cleaning his .
"What if it's Roe? Xie asked, annoyed.
"I need to tell you something important" Roe came inside as she locked the door behind.
She explained everything she saw. The annoyed Xie became totally attentive.
"I knew they were no good. It must be the foxes. They have been using all the forgotten one after the other secretly. Anyways, don't worry about Roe. I have already called the troops. We are not letting any of them go. I am sure these three have something to do the curse. Specifically the wife, Mia. She wasn't a fox. Neither did she feel like a human.
There is something amiss about their story. Moreover we don't even know the full story. I them here to get it out of them. "
Roe looked at him with eyes wide open " You did what? Are you going to arrest our guests? Are out of your mind? Things have just settled down. Like you said, we don't know the full story.
How can you arrest a Royal from the foxes just like that. That too with a honey trap . It's so . We just collaborated to get rid of the curse. Call the troops off. The world needs a little . This would lead to fresh tensions. "
"But you saw those suspicious figures. Something is coming. We need the upper hand Roe. "
Xie argued.
"Brother, we need to know the full story before jumping to conclusions. I will take their . Let's take them to our palace. Keep them as guests. Father will know how to get truth out without inciting violence. " Roe put in. Xie knew she meant every word when she brother at the start. It was her way of showing him gratitude before she received a grace.
He had no other option but to agree.
"Alright.Lets take them to the palace, but I won't keep the troops at bay. They will be on standby for my signal. '' Xie bargained.
"I don't know. I just hope it doesn't make things more complicated. But keep it as low as . " Roe went out banging the door open.
Boshu barged in at the exact same instance and the two toppled over one another.
"Ooouuu... Watch out you moron bird. " Roe yelled as she pushed Boshu away from over her.
"I am extremely sorry, " Boshu apologized as he stood up, all flushed in the face. Though it was accident, he had grabbed Roe's hips as he fell over her. He had even cushioned her head his hands. Roe pushed him again with double the force and went away running leaving
Boshu behind apologizing in the air.
Mia was having a very disturbing dream. It was making her sweat head to toe. With a sudden she opened her eyes, only to find Lin fast asleep beside her. She immediately reached out check if he was breathing. Lin opened his eyes and caught her hand in the act.
"I was just fixing the blanket" Mia pretended, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Did I complain?" Lin said, holding her hands firm and tight. He glared straight at her and fixed hair that was falling in her eyes. "Mia" He slowly whispered in her ears "Did you have a bad ? "
Mia slowly nodded.
"Was it about me? " He continued whispering in her ears as he blew on her shoulder.
Mia shuddered as a series of heat waves ran across her face and spine. She could barely to keep standing. Lin immediately ceased the opportunity and pulled her on his lap. Mia that moment felt as helpless as a deer trapped in the tiger's jaws. Her body could simply not .
"Mia, you know you can just tell me" He whispered once again as Mia looked up this time. "Mia,
I know there is something that you are hiding from me, but you know you don't need to do it . Whatever it is, just tell me. You know I will be your support. "
"That's exactly the reason why I can't tell you " Mia thought but instead of saying anything, she wrapped herself around him, hiding the tears about to fill her eyes, on his chest.
******
Southern waters
The time was very chaotic in the Southern waters. The entire place was being turned upside .The next male that was supposed to mate with the queen had already attained adulthood.
It had grown nice and strong in the waters beyond the Southern sea. It had returned just like its on the appointed day. Never was there any delay.
The one to take over the mer-throne, the next mer-queen was being decked. She was being and groomed. Not that she needed to. Her features were too perfect to be real.
Nobody at that point of time had any hint that she would be deserting them for good.
This was the story of the previous mer-queen who had abandoned her own kingdom.The of mating for the mer-queen was kept a secret even from the common mer-people.
Only the ones close to the queen or the next queen in line, got to learn about it. Ever since
Crystal knew what she was up for she felt sorry for both herself and the creature destined to be mate. She had still agreed to do the job as she felt responsible for maintaining the lineage of people. She even went to the bridal chamber and got ready for the occasion. Soon after she ready, her mate was ushered in by the others. The two of them were left in the room, as the went to get ready for the occasion. Crystal looked the creature up from head to toe. He a well built man with strong features. But it was a shy creature. Probably because it had up alone. It was cloaked to be invisible to everyone except the mer-people, his solitude be explained. Crystal started talking to it. It politely replied. They slowly talked about this that about life. The creature seemed amused. It responded with the enthusiasm of a child.
He seemed to have a very strong opinion about the outside world even though he could hardly his words. As they talked, Crystal slowly found herself getting attached to him. The that he would eventually be sacrificed bore heavy on her chest. She just could not bring to let him die, not like this. She went ahead and closed the entrance to their room. Then got rid of all her decorations and got him ready as well. Crystal knew very well that a female was unable to survive long, away from its ocean, but she needed to take that risk if wanted to protect the one in front of her. She thought that a queen should value all lives as . How was it fair to sacrifice one in exchange for another. She put a spell on the creature make it forget about its obligation. It made him forget its origin and purpose of existence. She him along as she swam as fast as she could , out of the Southern waters. She left the in some far away lake and herself went to hide in the east. She knew that her people never be able to track her in the wolves' land. And without her, her mate too would be of use. They would leave him alone too.
She climbed the nearest cliff and fell on the ground exhausted. It was her first time out of the . And the hike was quite a long one as well. When she opened her eyes she found a very face staring over her. She immediately sprang up.
"Who are you? " She asked.
"Well that's not the problem here. " He said pointing at her feet which were bleeding profusely. It the first time ever that she walked and that too so long. She had felt immense pain but she 't know how bad it was.
"How bad is it? " She asked innocently, "would it not grow back? "
The man was a bit puzzled by her question but said, " It just needs a little nursing, that's all. "
He picked her up in his lap and took her to a nearby camp. The guards in attendance made way. He didn't stop though. He kept carrying her till they came inside the camp. He yelled for the doctor in attendance.
The entire camp was quite intimidated by her arrival.
After a few moments the doctor kept looking at Crystal. He kept checking and rechecking her .
"Did you say you were a human? " The doctor asked.
"Yeah, " Crystal lied.
"You have very strange anatomy for a human though. Anyway, apply this paste on your feet for week and take these medicines thrice everyday. " The doctor prescribed it.
"Don't worry, I will see to that. " the man reassured the doctor as he left and accompanied him .
Crystal looked around. The camp looked like it was a military base. There was ammunition, war , shields and all. Though she had never seen anything like that in the mer-world, she read about them. Crystal was an avid reader. Hence, though it was her first time outside the , it didn't appear that strange.
The handsome man soon returned inside which brought Crystal back from her thoughts.
"Forgive me, " he excused himself as Crystal got a bit unsettled at his entrance.
"It's your tent," Crystal laughed, " And why do you even apologise.I was a little startled, that's all.
"
The man kept staring at her. "You have a very lovely smile. " he complimented her. " Oh, by the , I forgot to mention, I am the Wolf king of the east. These are my territories that you are in.
What made you come this way?Actually, we are in the middle of a military expedition. We in this area tonight because we had been tipped off to some disturbances here, by the . You know they never let us sleep. Always in the search of some weak spot, those brats. "
Crystal looked as he spoke. She felt a strange sensation as she admired his masculinity.
Interaction with the male wasn't something very common in her place. Maybe because there 't any to interact with to begin with, apart from the Queen's mate. That too, till it was on the altar on its due date.Crystal signed as the vicious image, blocked the rush of hormones to her brain.
"What happened? Is anything the matter? Am I disturbing you? " He asked.
"No, no. Nothing. I just remembered my dysfunctional family. That's all. " She answered.
"Did you run away because of some family dispute? You shouldn't have come this way though.
It's really dangerous out here. You are lucky that I found you. " He smiled.
Crystal nodded in agreement with a "hmmm" , and smiled back at him.