Anastasia couldn't help and she laughed out loud. Guarhal was… brutal. Last time when she had met Lilette, she thought that the two had bonded, but her snide remark was so out of the blue that it hurt her on the inside. However, Guarhal's comment lightened her mood. She just couldn't help laughing even though she did feel a little guilty on the inside that it was her cousin who was at the other end of the joke.
Lilette's blood drained from her face. Her head became dizzy. "How is this possible?" she squealed. "You— you just met him, and I— I have known him for a long time. Almost two years now. I know he likes me!" She stuttered. "Have you given him a love potion or you have cast a spell on him? You bloody witch!"
Aghast at her outburst, on an impulse Anastasia slapped her across her face. "Stay in your limits, Lilette," she snarled.
Lilette's mouth fell to the floor. She held her cheek as sharp pain burned it.
Anastasia's chest was heaving with anger. "Don't you dare to speak with me like this. If Ileus liked you, he would have been sleeping in your room and not mine! Can't you get that in your dense head?"
Tears stung in her eyes as bitter realization dawned upon her. She shook her head. "You have definitely cast a spell on him!" she said and backed away from her. "You are a bloody witch! I know that. Wait till I tell the village council about you. And wait till they arrest you and conduct a trial. You will be burnt at stake!"
Anastasia felt heaviness in her limbs as she stared at her. "Are you insane?"
But Lilette stomped out of the room, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Guarhal looked at Anastasia and offered an apology, "I am so sorry. What is wrong with that kid? The last she saw Ileus was when she was just fourteen. She is too young!" Then he sat on the chair and added, "You are also too young!" He appeared too puzzled at the matters of the heart.
With a knot in her stomach, Anastasia walked to the bed and sat down. She curled her hand with which she had slapped Lilette. How could she lose control? Why was Lilette so rude? Her life was so messed up, and she needed a respite.
Minutes later, Ileus walked in with a frown. "I met Lilette on the way. She was uttering nonsense about you being a witch!" he said as he pointed back with his thumb. His eyes went to Anastasia who was sitting on the edge of the bed looking visibly shaky. "What is going on?" he said and hurried to her. He knelt in front of her.
Anastasia didn't say anything and cupped his face. "Nothing important," she said in a jittery voice.
But Guarhal interjected, "Lilette just accused Anastasia of being a witch. She said that Anastasia has cast a spell on you and that she was going to the village council to inform them about her so that they could arrest her and conduct a trial!"
"How dare she?" Ileus growled with a hard edge in his voice. His lips curled and his fangs lengthened. Shadows appeared for a moment around him in wisps of black smoke. "I think she has a death wish!" He was about to get up but Anastasia stopped him.
"No! Just drop it. As such we are leaving Óraid, so it doesn't matter."
"But—" Ileus snapped.
She stopped him with a kiss on his forehead. "You can't keep killing everyone who insults me. It is not required. I know how to take care of myself."
"Anastasia…" he said. "I know that the journey we have set upon is not rosy, but I do hope that such incidents don't leave you bitter towards me. I love you too much to lose you…" He rested his head in her lap.
"I know Al," she said lovingly, as she stroked his soft raven hair. "And these incidents are too small for me, so don't bother." Her anger dissipated slowly.
He kissed her lap. "I am flattered by your confidence in me." He was so worried that she might fight with him.
She chuckled. "But I do need to ask, how did you meet Lilette for the first time that she is so strongly attracted to you?"
Ileus' head jerked up and his eyes became wide with… fear.
Guarhal who was a mute spectator until now and was rolling his eyes at this display of affection, couldn't stop laughing. "That's a good question, Ileus. You should answer." Saying that he got up. "I am going to pack too!" He walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.
Over the next half-an-hour, Ileus continued to dodge Anastasia's volley of questions about his previous relationships until a heavy knock pounded on their door. Relieved, he said, "Come in!" rather loudly.
Kaizan stepped in with a serious expression. "We are ready to leave."
Ileus nodded. He picked up the sack on his shoulder and looked at Anastasia. Extending his hand to her he said, "Shall we?"
She nodded nervously. She didn't know what all awaited her at Yelgra, but she knew one thing—she was going to tell everything about Iona to Ileus. She took his hand and he gripped it hard. Instantaneously, she found herself surrounded by smoke. Next moment she was standing in the familiar place—in front of the forests of Óraid. Anastasia saw that everyone else was present over there. Her gaze went to Darla, who looked sullen.
Haldir gestured his hand for them to walk in the forest. They all reached a clearing where Seashell was waiting.
With one last look at Anastasia, Haldir lifted his hands up in the air and threw them in front. Strong gusts of wind surrounded them as trees started swaying. Leaves and twigs broke from them and whirled in a circle. The circle was small but as more flora and fauna added to it, it started growing and soon it was almost the height of Anastasia.
"Go!" he barked. Golden, fiery symbols appeared on the portal's periphery, which traveled in and out of the swirling leaves.
Ileus pulled Anastasia with him and said, "First you."
She stepped in the portal followed by Ileus and Seashell. As soon as they stepped out of the portal, it closed. She spun around and remarked, "What about the rest of them?"
Ileus was as stunned as she was. The scenery in front of them was gorgeous. He became speechless for what Haldir had done to them.
When Ileus didn't reply, Anastasia followed the direction of his gaze and was as surprised as he was. They had stepped into a beautiful place where it was bright and sunny. Cool breeze fluttered their hair and caressed their skin.
"Yelgra is beautiful!" Anastasia breathed out.
He chuckled. "This isn't Yelgra." That sly elf. "Haldir always meant to send me here." He exhaled sharply. "This is Evindal, Yonder of the Elves."
Anastasia's mouth fell. "What?"
As Seashell treaded to stand next to Anastasia, they looked down at the vast expanse of the green meadows and rolling hills in front of them.
"The rest are going to Yelgra!"
