The Alpha's Temptation

Felis shifted in his place, but he knew the kind of category Morava belonged to.

He was not so close to Sirrah that he would ask about her daughter. He just sent Nyxers to fight with Biham when she asked for them. In return he achieved his purpose which was to spread fear amongst the people of other kingdoms of Nyxers and himself.

Morava was worse than Sirrah. While Sirrah wanted to stay in the kingdom and do everything in her control to oust Kinshra to stay in what she thought should belong to her, Morava was ready to sell out the secrets of her father and that of Pegasii that would eventually benefit her.

He scoffed, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." He crossed his legs. "What deal do you want to make with me?"

Morava opened her mouth but he stopped her. "Before you say anything, remember, if it isn't anything important, there won't be any deal between us and you won't come back to me. Ever." He didn't like her at all. He had done his research and came to know that she was after Eltanin from a long time. Her father had tried to give her hand in marriage to Eltanin, but Eltanin didn't like her either. She was thrown in the dungeons of Draka for trying to murder someone very important to Eltanin. And Felis wondered if she wanted to kill Lusitania.

"O-ookkay," Morava breathed. "I understand." Then she pursed her lips as if she had a big secret in her mind that she was about to divulge. "So my estimate is that Lusitania is Eltanin's mate."

"Great!" he smirked. "I have already guessed that." He had his suspicions but he wasn't sure. "Is that the secret you are telling me?"

She let out a small laughter. Shaking her head she said, "Listen to the deal first. For the information that I will give you, I need fifteen days away from the Alphas. I want to rest. I need peace…"

His lips curled up in an evil smile. The woman was actually stupid. She could have asked for anything and he would have given her. Jewelry, trips to other kingdoms or fine silks. But it seemed that she was so exhausted from the Alphas that she needed some reprieve. "Sure," he replied.

Morava closed her eyes. She was going to take full advantage of her peace. She was going to escape from the Hydra Kingdom. Or maybe, in her next deal she would ask Felis to crown her as the queen of Pegasii. When she opened her eyes, she started, "Pegasii has four weak points. Three of them lie side by side on its borders with Cetus in the form of mountain passes. These passes are dangerous but once your army of Nyxers get through them, Pegasii would be completely exposed. Since these passes lie at a higher level, my father has done very less to secure them."

Felis's eyes grew slightly wide. He knew much about the topography of Araniea but sometimes things did surprise him.

"The fourth weakness of Pegasii lies in the south, close to Wolfliers Lake," she continued. "There is a very narrow stretch. It is an abandoned route that leads to Pegasii from Orion. The only problem is that that route is infested with rogues. My father has never bothered about it and the people of Pegasii are too afraid to venture there. You can use it, if you can remove the rogues."

Felis's eyebrows shot to his hairline. "Interesting insight," he said as he nodded. The information was good because he knew attacking Pegasii would be like attacking Draka. And he was going to do it quietly. "You can stay away from the Alphas for fifteen days," he said, completing his part of the deal. "I will inform the Alphas about it and they won't go against my decision, but remember, my people will be watching you all the time."

"That's fine," she drawled. As if she cared. She was going to escape nonetheless. If not, she had more deals coming up her way.

"You can live in the tower where Lerna lived," he said as he rubbed his chest. remembering his sister. Anger swelled inside him and he knew that the next he would meet her, he would simply kill her. Till today, he hadn't come to know where she was.

"Thanks, King Felis," Morava said and rose to her feet. "I believe our meeting is over. If you want more information, I am already here."

As Morava left the room, Felis watched her going. He called Alphard immediately, opening his mind link.

Alphard came rushing to him and passed Morava. He bowed to her slightly, wondering what she was doing in Felis's quarters. When he reached the antechamber, he saw Felis sitting and was thinking about something intensely.

"Your Highness," he interrupted the king's thoughts.

Felis lifted his eyes to Alphard and said, "I want two General here in an hour. We have to attack Pegasii, but we need to strategize."

"Pegasii?" Alphard was confused. "But aren't we attacking Draka?"

"No, we will go for Pegasii first and then attack Draka in two days after that. We have to catch them by surprise."

​ ---

Tania was strolling in her garden when Flora announced that Lerna wanted to talk to her. Tania was surprised. She thought that Rigel and Lerna had left already, but apparently, they were still here after the mega event.

"Lerna!" Tania exclaimed cheerfully upon seeing the princess. "How are you?"

Lerna came and bowed to Tania at first and then they hugged each other warmly. "I am well," she replied with a smile. "I have come here for… advice."

That was even more surprising. "Sure dear. Ask away," she said as she grasped her hand and squeezed it lightly. She tugged her hand to walk with her.

As they walked, Lerna said, "Actually, it's about Rigel and me."

"Ah-ha!" Tania grinned. "I am all ears. I hope things between the two of you are fine."