Dmitri was unyielding. His fingers went in and out, as slowly as possible and Adrianna could feel her muscles tightening with every move. “Adrianna.”

Her name on his lips made her loose whatever little control she was trying to exert to lengthen her orgasm and a release ratcheted down her pelvic making her wolf yelp like the animal it was. Dmitri came above her and enclosed her lips with his in order to make her cry inside him. She kept on groaning as his tongue devoured her mouth. Her body trembled and her thighs clenched tighter. He brought his hand inside her again during the last spasms of her orgasm. Adrianna’s mind was numb with pleasure, with euphoria and she was panting by the end of it. He positioned himself and then thrust inside her. This time he made it quick because he couldn’t hold it. 

​​

After the lovemaking, the two splayed on the soft grass of the hillock. The warm sunshine bathed their naked bodies as it came in woven strands and flowed around them dispelling the night. It fell upon the trees and every blade of the grass making them shine as if by magic. Wisps of clouds wafted in the sky creating art. The day was beautiful. 

When Adrianna caught her breath, she found herself coiled in the arms of her husband’s strong arms. She kissed him on his chest and said, “There is something I would like to tell you.”

“What is it darling?” he asked as he formulated an answer to not let her leave for the entire day. He wanted to steal her from the world. 

“I suspect that Niiya might have strong support from members of other realms. By the time we would seek support for us, we should know that some kingdoms would be always against us even if they are not with Niiya,” she voiced her concern. 

“How do you know that?” he asked, leaving her and sitting by her side. 

“Well, let me ask you one thing—who do you think would the Serpent King favor?” 

A muscle in Dmitri’s jaw, feathered. Even if the Serpent Kingdom disliked Niiya, they would never favor Adrianna. 

“Let us have a secret meeting with the Heads of all the Realms and see who would like our plan. As far as I see, your plan to have more positions provides value and much-needed variety to the stale rules of the Council. However, this is going to be a gargantuan task.” 

Dmitri scratched his chin and smiled. He brought his hand to her cheek and caressed it with his thumb. “I know.” He pinched her lips. “Let’s do this. I need my son’s future to be secured and that can only be done if I have complete control over the Council. I need all that information, which Niiya has. I also know that he would never divulge because of a secrecy oath.”

“Then let us send invitations out as soon as possible. The next Council meet would be by the next full moon,” she said with determination in her eyes. 

Suddenly, they heard a baby crying loudly. “Ileus!” Dmitri shouted with panic and jumped off the boulder in one large leap. He dashed inside the cave fearing that Ileus might have fallen down. Countless thoughts passed through his mind until he saw his son who was lying in his cradle and crying for his favorite pastime—he wanted to be fed. 

Adrianna chuckled as she took Ileus from his father. 

They discussed what to do for the next hour and then walked back to the Werewolf Realm right into their bedroom. Adrianna and Dmitri were so dirty with all the mud and grass smearing their bodies that the first thing they did was to take a warm water bath. 

By the time it was evening, they had worked on their strategy. At first Adrianna thought of including Haldir and Inyanga in the plan, but then she decided against it. Instead she only included Haldir. 

— 

After the incident in the restaurant, Niiya was extremely shaken. His absence must have been a nuisance for the Council, but he needed that break. The way Dmitri attacked him the previous evening was unnerving. Ever since he had come back, he hadn’t called any meeting of the Council thinking that everything was quiet now that the news of his return must have reached the ears of the Council members. However, this was something he hadn’t anticipated. After returning from the dinner, he had locked himself in his study. Next day he called his secretary and the other few who knew about the Council’s existence. They had a long five hours meeting in which one thing was chiefly decided—call another Council Meeting as soon as possible in order to reinstate confidence amongst the members. 

An invite was sent out immediately to all the members. 

— 

Adrianna and Dmitri were sitting with Haldir and Isidorus in the royal palace of the Wizard Kingdom when a servant appeared with a sealed envelope. 

He placed the envelope on the table beside his Queen and immediately vanished. Adrianna opened it. Her eyes became wide with excitement. The opportunity to meet all the members had landed right at her doorstep. “Niiya has called for the Council Meeting two days from now. We have to go to the Headquarters in the Northern Mountains to attend it.”

A smile appeared on Dmitri’s lips. “This is a perfect situation. Let us go there a day before.”

Isidorus straightened his neck. “Haldir and myself will also accompany you. We are going to stay in Ed’s Inn.”

“That is a great idea. I will meet Grandfather. It has been so long!” Adrianna said with a gleam of joy on her face. 

“Adrianna, there are going to be people from other realms too in the inn. You cannot openly discuss your plan with them,” Haldir warned. 

She clenched her jaw. 

“But we can always hold meetings in our private room,” Isidorus added quickly. “The rooms are soundproof, however we can still add a layer of protection around them.” 

“What about Ileus?” asked Dmitri as his mouth down-turned. 

“We will have to take him with us! Grandfather wanted to see him for a long time.” Adrianna said. “I just hope he doesn’t create havoc over there,” she added with a sigh reading her husband’s thoughts. 

“We must reach there tomorrow right in the morning so that we meet as many people as possible,” Isidorus advised. 

Adrianna took a deep breath. “Many Council members do not come to the inn. They reach the Headquarters directly. We need to talk to them also.” 

“Yes, what do we do with them?” asked Dmitri. 

“Send them an invitation after the meeting is over. It is not that you are going to pull Niiya down in this first meeting,” Isidorus rolled his eyes at Dmitri. “By that time we would also know how much support we are going to get for our plan.” 

Haldir interjected, “It is risky to discuss our plan openly at the inn. If we don’t act quickly, it is possible that we face opposition.” He looked at Isidorus and added with all seriousness, “We need to strike in two days to take them with a surprise.”