The Alpha's Temptation

The next morning Eltanin sent his spies to all the harbors of the Jade Sea. However, other than sending his spies to the Cetus Monastery, he sent the General of one of the districts in his kingdom that was nearest to Cetus with a message that he wanted to visit the High Priest. The General had to check the availability of Menkar.

Prince Ileus and Anastasia returned from the Eslam Forest. While Ileus looked like he had refreshed, Anastasia looked tired. In the morning, during breakfast, she was in a sullen mood. She said, "We will be leaving for Draoidh today. I believe there isn't much to be done here." She glared at her husband who had this smug smile on his face. She just wanted to smother it all.

Eltanin knew that they had been here for a long time and that Anastasia really wanted to go and be with her children.

"However, we will come back, if the need arises," Ileus added.

Anastasia broke an asparagus with vengeance and gritted her teeth. "Yes, Ileus can come back. I won't be able to make it. I have been out for a very long time!"

Ileus lowered his eyes to the coriander soup in front of him as if that was the focus of his life. He picked up the spoon and started having it, avoiding Anastasia's glares. They were having a great time in the hunting lodge of Eltanin. There was not a moment when he spared his wife. They were alone and what could be better.

"I understand," Eltanin said. "You've been away from Draoidh for far too long and I can't thank you enough for it."

Ileus coughed. "Like I said, we can come whenever you require our help."

Eltanin was... full of gratitude. The prince and princess were too generous. "How can I repay you for your generosity, Prince Ileus?"

Ileus chuckled. "It's simple. We can visit more of your lodges. They are an excellent getaway. In fact, I was thinking if it is okay with you if my friends and relatives can also use them."

"Absolutely!" Eltanin replied. "Anytime!"

Anastasia sighed. Ileus and his band of louche men!

---

The spies had combed all the harbors of the Jade Sea. There was no trace of products that had come from the Jade Sea. The old products that were still there consisted of pearls and corals and they were being sold at exorbitant prices. As far as herb traders were concerned, not a single herb trader had herbs from the Jade Sea.

After a gap of three days, the spies reported that no herbs from the Jade Sea were found. Only one trader on Bikr Harbor dealt in very special ones and sold it at outrageous price, but even his stock was over. The interesting thing that they reported was that a group of a few servants were staying in an inn near the Bikr Harbor.

And Eltanin wasn't prepared for that. Why would they be present in the Bikr Harbor? He asked his spies to keep an eye on them.

His General returned from the Cetus with a message that Menkar wasn't available. He had gone on a five kingdom visit and would be back in two weeks.

They were all sitting in the library when the General's message was delivered. Tania's eyes became wide as she read the letter from the General. "See, I told you!" she said in a gleeful voice, happy that her theory was coming true.

Everyone other than Tania was dead quiet. Taiyi was in a very serious mood. She said, "If I connect the dots, then most likely Menkar is now in the Jade Sea." She sounded extremely worried. "Our worst fears are coming true."

Eltanin shuddered. He turned his gaze to Tania. She was pretty intelligent for her age.

"So what do we do now?" Alrakis said, his shoulder muscles tense.

Taiyi got up from the couch and began pacing the library. She would stop in the middle and then resume pacing. Too many thoughts came across her mind. The foremost was that Menkar could be anywhere in the vastness of the Jade Sea. But-- a thought struck her. "Menkar must be making his way to Murel!" she said.

"Not necessarily, Taiyi," Alrakis countered. "He wouldn't be foolish enough to do so! Especially now that King Izo has stopped the trade with Araniea. I am sure that he must have connected the events by now."

"But he doesn't have an option. Alrakis!" Taiyi rasped. "He will turn into a merman. Rather if I am correct, he must have already turned into one by now. And if he has to keep his appearance intact, he has to have that herb." She came back to sit on the couch. "I am extremely sure that he is right now traveling to Murel."

Eltanin's brows knitted. "Even if his chance of traveling to Murel is remote, we must have those passages guarded."

"Exactly!" Taiyi said. "I will be going back to Stourin today."

"But Taiyi, you have just come here!" Alrakis protested.

Taiyi let out a sigh. "I will come back as soon as I catch that criminal!"

Alrakis frowned and pouted. "Then I am also coming with you."

"But father!" Eltanin protested immediately. "How can you leave me?"

Taiyi, Alrakis and Tania snapped their heads to stare at Eltanin.

"Are you serious?" Alrakis growled. "You are the king of Draka and you want me to babysit you?"

"What? I am not asking you to babysit me. I want you to stay here because--" Eltanin searched for some excuse to make his father stay back. "Because I have to send you to meet Menkar when he comes back."

Alrakis was... shocked. He felt like flicking his son's head. "Did you fall over your head somewhere recently, because I am sure my wife gave birth to an intelligent son?"

"Eltanin," Taiyi said. "Gather your troops. Take Tania to the spirit of Draka. Ladon should meet her after she is declared your queen. We are heading for something really big. Send messages to the kingdoms who are your allies for meetings. Let's not waste time."

"But father?"