Call Of The Dark

Over the years, some of the cabins that the guards used for some rest while changing duties had turned into places of relaxation. They would gather, have fun, talk about things, information and messages were exchanged and then they went about their ways.

This cabin was also one such place. Men and women would talk to each other and drink wine. However, those who were on guard or those who had to go for their duties were strictly prohibited from drinking. If they were found in an inebriated state, they were punished severely.

When their gazes met, the mate bond which he felt with her became a thousand times stronger. His breath became ragged and cold sweat broke on his temple because all he wanted was to take her away from here and sink himself so deeply inside her that he wouldn't know where he began or where she ended.

He couldn't believe that he was getting repulsed by Rina. He didn't like her hand on his as he stared at Emma like a predator. "Mine!" he growled so low and so dangerously that even he was surprised by himself.

She was giggling when she came inside. He hated the fact that she was so happy while he spent his whole day thinking of ways to teach her a lesson. He opened his legs wider for Rina to stroke him so that she was affected by it. He would show her that he didn't need her body to be satiated. He could pick up anyone and that anyone would be more than obliged to service him.

However, Lazarus seethed with rage when he saw that Magnus and Yul came behind her. Were they with her all this while he was working on his plan? Jealousy flared like burning lava. They looked like they had eyes only for her.

Emma was looking… gorgeous. With a bouquet of flowers in her hand and roses inserted across her braid that fell over her shoulder to her right bosom, she was simple the most stunning woman he had ever seen. And she was his. And she had curled her hand across that of Yul. Wait. What? If Lazarus was burning with jealousy, his expressions darkened to the point of murdering Magnus and Yul.

He had planned and plotted for the entire day and came up with a way of making her feel miserable but why was it that he was feeling miserable instead?

"Hmph!" Emma jerked her neck sharply and pulled Yul along with her to sit on a vacant couch. She could feel Lazarus's eyes boring in her back. "Come, let's sit here, Yul," she said to him softly, ignoring Lazarus.

Both Yul and Magnus were… jolted. They were so shocked to see Lazarus in the cabin and that too with the most sought-after royal concubine, Rina, who never ever was spare for them. Cold sweat broke on their temples because they both were aware that Emma was his mate. It was different that he had brought her for Maeve and that he treated her like scum.

They both sat with Emma in stunned silence, hoping that Lazarus didn't react and that Rina did her job nicely. However, when did things go as desired?

"Do you know it is my eighteenth birthday?" she said to them with a huge smile. "And today I haven't received any gift."

"You should have said that to us before, Emma," Magnus said. "I would have bought you the finest necklace of Wilyra."

"And I would have taken you out to the best viewpoint in our kingdom," Yul added.

She giggled again as she glanced at Lazarus who was now throwing daggers at the men. "Now that you know, you can give me my gifts." She was particularly interested in Yul's gift. If he took her to the best viewpoint in the kingdom, she was going to escape from there.

Lazarus's jaws clenched. How dare his brother and his friend offer gifts to his mate? They were inviting his wrath like nothing.

"You know, I have a better idea!" Yul slapped the table with excitement. "Why don't we go to the market tomorrow and buy you a gift? I will buy anything that you will place your hand on."

Possessiveness blasted like a volcano in his chest. Lazarus grabbed Rina's hand and shoved it aside. "M'lord?" she said in a low voice, wondering if she had done something wrong.

He bared his fangs to scare her off. She whimpered in response as she winced. "I am sorry…"

"That would be wonderful!" Emma said as she clasped her hands. Then suddenly her lips downturned. "But I can't go…" she took a deep sigh. "The palace walls are sealed with magic…"

"Oh, that's a pity," Magnus said and narrowed his eyes. "But I have a fae friend who can help."

The next moment Lazarus jumped out of his chair. Rina was thrown across the floor. She shrieked as others stood up and scurried out. He strode to their table. He glared at Magnus and Yul. His lips peeled back to show his fangs, he hissed, "You dare to remove Maeve's magic without my consent?"

Magnus and Yul jerked their heads back as Emma rolled her eyes. "It's Emma's birthday today, brother," Magnus remarked. "She deserves a gift. Don't you think so?"

Lazarus's gaze slid to her. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her up. He couldn't let her sit here even for a second more. "You want a gift?" When she craned her neck up to look at him, her eyes rounded at the corners and emotions crashed inside him like waves against a rocky cliff.

Not caring as to what others thought, he grabbed her waist and traced her to his room. She was still dangling by her waist against his body, his arm wrapped around her tightly and his chest heaving. "Then you got me as your gift. Happy birthday."

He couldn't even last an evening. He had to get rid of her from his system and the only way was to accept her offer.