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Far away from the laughter of the wolf party, Ileana walked the woods alone. The moon would soon rise, but she enjoyed these moments between the sun going down, and moon rising. They helped calm her down.
And calm she would need, to deal with her next tasks.
Footsteps joined hers, and she didn’t have to look up to find Făt Frumos, her consort. His profile was etched in her mind, as beautiful as if he was carved from stone. “What bothers you, draga mea?” he asked.
Ileana sighed, then turned to face him. “I saw Hades, the other day.”
His normally open expression shuttered, and she reached out to cup his cheek. “I know you have your differences, but I had to go down there. Lucas needed a little nudge in the right direction.”
Făt Frumos toyed with the collar of his shirt, then his cufflinks, his agitation clear. Ileana did not understand his love of these garments modern men called suits, but men would be men.
“Did he say anything?” he asked.
“Only pleasantries. However, the Underworld doesn’t feel as...safe as before.”
“What makes you say that?”
“For one, Cerberus is running wherever he pleases. And for another, Charon and his machinations.”
“Are you sure you’re not just focused on them because of these wolves you love so dearly?”
Ileana’s hold on his jacket tightened. “No. Hades does not realize it, otherwise he would have done something about it.”
Făt Frumos sighed, annoyance etched on his features, but finally he nodded. “Very well. Do you know what causes this disturbance?”
“I believe our rather powerful prisoner, Declan, started something, when he was at his old home. Tytus is on his way there to fix it, but we need to do damage control.”
“You speak of becoming involved, really involved, Ileana.”
“Da,” she nodded. “I do.”
His love for her shone in his eyes, as did his exasperation. “And what is your reasoning this time?”
Ileana looked away, knowing he would be angry. “Constanza is.”
“Constanza? What does our daughter have to do with any of this mess?”
Ileana met his gaze then, silently pleading. “She wanted to spend some time with Persephone, and I allowed it. Only....”
“Now you’re afraid the Underworld is too dangerous for her, too.”
“Yes.”
“And we cannot force her to come back, nor is it safe for us to return.”
Ileana bowed her head then, fighting back a tear. These emotions were unusual for her, but her daughter was so beautiful, so innocent... “Exactly.”
“And what do you propose we do about it? Hades himself banned me from the Underworld, and I will not let you fight this battle alone.”
A small smile formed on her lips. “I would not have to. We have someone we can use, someone who will be eager to serve in return for a prize.”
Făt Frumos frowned. “Who?”
“Declan.”
The name sounded like a gunshot in the otherwise quiet woods. After a beat, Făt Frumos nodded, and his expression finally eased. “Yes, that could work, draga mea.” He offered his arm out to Ileana. “Shall we go pay him a visit, then?”
The immortal glanced over her shoulder one more time. In the distance, she could almost hear Dominic’s laughter, and Lucas’. The rest of the pack was at ease, their mates content. In her heart of hearts, she knew they would be safe, now. And though she would miss them, another story required her focus... And another challenge awaited.
For an immortal, eternity never did get boring.
Psst... There’s more shifters!
Keep your eyes peeled for more of Ileana and Făt Frumos, as well as Tytus and Declan, in the Moonlight Rogues spinoff duology, Flaming Rogues! ☺
Two brothers linked by a shady past.
Two women who can bring them together...
Will their pride tear them apart, or teach them the importance of family?
Warning: Tytus and Declan’s duology contains steamy romances, feisty heroines, dragon/zmei shifters that are H-O-T in more than one way (also, totally stubborn!) and the same dose of myths/legends/suspense you’ve come to expect :) ... and some surprises!
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Want to read more? ... There’s also the Rogues Extended Universe!
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