Avice stared at Lazarus as her anticipation rose. Something inside her said that he was going to take her back. That hope brought a flicker of happiness inside her but she stifled it. She always wanted to get rid of Emma ever since Drogo had married her. Her real mother had left him and they had presumed that she was dead. Emma had become a thorn in her heart, a pain in her neck and totally insufferable. All the while she brought up Emma, it was with loathe.
Suddenly, she saw Magnus getting up and going to Emma's room. She heard a swish of air and then everything became quiet inside. It was odd but she looked at Lazarus and goaded him, "What were you saying Lord Lazarus?" She started picking up the plates and keeping them aside to wash them later on.
"I--"
"Just a moment, Lord Lazarus," Avice interrupted him politely. "Before you plan to leave Emma here, you have to know that Drogo is the rebellion leader of the vassals. After seeing Emma back in the village, I am sure that other rebels would go against him. She might be thrown into the prison or other rebels may... kill her. It would be better that you take her with you." All the while she said that, she cleaned the area.
Lazarus was not shocked by Avice's behavior. He knew that she hated him, but her true colors were coming out today. He smiled and then kissed Emma's temple. "Of course, I will take her back. But after I take her back, I will marry her. By the end of this week, Emma will be my wife."
"Wh--what?" Avice as stupefied. "Your wife?" she squeaked. "Emma will become the queen of Wilyra?" Her blood thrummed with excitement. She would become the mother of the queen of Wilyra. Suddenly, she realized that she had spoken so much against Emma. She had to change herself and that too immediately. "Oh my God! Emmmaaaa!" she squealed. "You will become the queen!" Avice couldn't imagine how rich they would become. After all, Lazarus was the eldest son of King Viktor and the heir to the throne. Her limbs started shaking with excitement and ecstasy. "I am so sorry. I-- I--"
All at once, from the corner of her vision, she saw Magnus entering the room. He looked at Lazarus and nodded tightly. Olya went to him, giving a disgusted look at Avice.
Avice ignored the two of them. "Emmmaaa!" she squealed again and rushed towards her to embrace her, but before she could even reach her, Lazarus pulled Emma in his tight embrace and traced her away.
"Emma!" Stunned as to what just happened, Avice called Emma. "Emma!" She snapped her head towards Magnus and found him scowling at her. He too caught hold of Olya and traced away. Avice was stumped. She didn't know what was happening. Emma was right there in front of her and then she just... vanished. She sank to the floor as too many things came to her mind.
Drogo came home at that point. "Avice! Avice!" he called her as he shook her by shoulders. "What is wrong?"
Avice looked at him and in a very low, shaky voice said, "Emma and Lord Lazarus were here. They are going to marry..."
Drogo raised an eyebrow. "Have you been drinking, woman?" he asked.
"No!" she grated. "They were here!"
"Go, get some sleep!" he said and then went inside his room.
Avice lost it even before it started and all because of her foolishness. She smacked her head and started wailing and cursing herself. She had to make up to Emma somehow.
---
Lazarus and Magnus reached Yul's bedchamber along with the girls.
"Are they still searching for Emma?" Lazarus asked as he held Emma to stabilize her.
"They are!" Yul replied, angrily. "Anton has gone mad!"
"Then what are we going to do?" Magnus said as he released Olya from his hold. Olya wasn't as affected with tracing as Emma was because she was a vampire.
"The time for the ritual is near," Yul said. "We are going to have to present a woman to King Viktor who is as strong as Emma or stronger."
Lazarus went to the bar as Emma walked to the bathroom. He poured wine for himself and said, "How is Gladys doing?"
"She has spilled way too many secrets about Maeve. Apparently, Maeve had promised her half the kingdom," Yul scoffed.
"Stupid female," Lazarus dug. "I thought Gladys was smarter than this."
"The Shaman has called upon Emma and Maeve in an hour. What are we going to do, Lazarus?" Yul asked, feeling antsy.
Lazarus gazed at Magnus. "Take Olya and Emma to your bedchamber. Emma will stay with both of you."
"And you?" Magnus asked.
"I have something to do," he said in an unruffled voice. "No one will come out of the bedchambers until tomorrow morning or until I come to see them. Is that clear?"
"Yes!" Magnus said, feeling protective of Emma.
Lazarus instructed Yul, "When I ask you, you get Emma for the ritual."
"What the hell!' Yul protested. "That would be risky!"
"Just get her when I instruct you. You will be staying with me at the ritual."
Yul didn't know what Lazarus was planning on doing, but at this moment he didn't have a choice. "And what about the second woman? Do you want me to take Gladys out?"
"Not now. Later."
There was high anxiety amongst all of them. When Emma came out, Lazarus went to her and cupped her cheeks. "Do you trust me, love?" he asked solemnly.
"With my life," she replied with a pale blush.
"Go with Magnus and come out only when I ask, okay?"
"Okay..."
He leaned and kissed her lips. "You might have to present yourself in front of Maeve."
"Are you fucking mad?" Yul snapped.
"Lazarus, this would be dangerous!" Magnus added.
But Lazarus didn't move his eyes from his mate. "You have to trust me on this," he said to her.
"I trust you," she said and rose on her toes to kiss his lips.
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