Terms and conditions

"You are here?" Maximus asked with a glee in his eyes.

"Brother, shall we leave?" Adira asked.

"Yes," he said and nodded at her.

"What did she say?" Maximus asked as they walked.

"Nothing. She gave me something that can protect me," Adira replied.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Nah… it would be a waste if I show it to you," Adira said.

"Okay, keep it safe with you," Maximus said with a smile.

"Brother, I want to know about something," Adira started as she stepped out of the witch's tower.

"Is it important?" he asked.

"Kind off," she said.

"We will talk in your study," Maximus said stepping inside the carriage.

She nodded. He helped her climb after he stepped in. Adira settled down after she was done settling and smoothing her dress.

The ride to the palace was silent.

—-

On the other hand…

Lenora was getting restless as seconds passed. Maximus still haven't come to speak with her. It was past lunch and even dinner time was going to pass now.

Was he really not going to care about her?

She doesn't want him to be like this. She wants him to be like his previous self. Lenora expected anything from him but the separation was the last thing she wanted from him.

She missed him. Lenora missed his touch, his breath on her skin, his cheesy words, his naughty hands that cannot stay away from her. Argh! She was getting frustrated with every passing second.

From Celine, she heard that he and his sister went to meet the witch. She wished to meet him once he returned.

She doesn't know why… but for some reason, without him, everything seemed blank and empty.

—--

Meanwhile…

"So… what is it you want to know?" Maximus asked as he settled in his usual chair in his study.

Adira closed the door behind her and sat in front of him.

"I want to know the terms and conditions of the pact, brother," Adira said.

"Why? I don't see any reason for you to know them," Maximus said immediately.

"Brother, If not tomorrow… I will have to leave for the Vampire Kingdom one day for sure. So… I need to know the conditions so that I can protect myself and won't break the pact knowingly or unknowingly," Adira said.

Maximus gave a long look at her before he started. What she said was right too. Even at a point, he felt that Zaros was doing everything for the pact breakage. But he was making sure the breakage shall happen from the Werewolves' side.

Maybe by knowing the conditions, Adira can start protecting herself. This was a good thing. And even though if the pact was made and he was ready to break it… he wants to take every chance to mend it. But… mending it would happen only if his sister would be safe.

"If any woman from either side runs away by breaking the pacts, the victimized race can demand anything from the opposite race. Even if it meant for the king and the beast-men from the other side doing slavery.

"And… the next king shall be related to both king and queen alone. Since Vampires can't breed babies… the king or queen can mate with the person who was chosen by the Court Officials and make babies with them.

"After a male heir was born, the person who is chosen to make babies shall leave for once and ever.

"Both the females from either side shall be treated with respect and everything they deserve.

"Women won't be touched if they don't want to be," Maximus said.

"These are mostly in favor of the women," Adira said.

"Indeed. They are. After all, I am sending you there," Maximus said.

"And also… you or Lenora cannot be divorced. I and Zaros cannot marry another woman. Whoever comes into our life shall live like a mistress and like a barren woman.

"If you or Lenora dies an unnatural death, the blame will be directed to the king directly and that race shall pay the price.

"You both shall be protected from everyone. If I or Zaros have an engagement previously will be annulled completely. Their return would be equal to the pact breakage.

"Since, Werewolves are different from Vampires. And during full moon day we shift… you will have your own hunt during that day," Maximus said.

"These are the conditions and stuff we have in our pact," Maximus said.

Adira nodded.

"Thanks, Brother," Adira said as she looked at him.

"Glad I can be a help," Maximus said with a smile.

"You know… I always look for you whenever I am in trouble," Adira said with a smile.

"I know. But I wish… You could do that every time," Maximus said with a deep sigh.

"I am doing it," Adira said.

There was silence in the room for a while.

"When I saw on the bed lying unconsciously with any moment… I felt like someone was ripping my heart from my chest. And your husband… that fucker! When I saw him smirking at your condition… I wanted to rip his head from his body. I wanted to drink his blood and quench my thirst! But… I held it back. Only for your sake. And for our race. And our brothers and sisters who were living under our care putting all their trust on us," Maximus said looking into her eyes.

"And when I heard you are not having food properly… I wanted to slap every vampire under this roof and tell them… they were making a mistake by messing with you.

"I just tried too hard to stop myself from killing Vampires. If not for mom's intervention, I would have done that.

"Now… he tortured you. I will let him taste the same medicine. I will make sure… he would feel guilty for doing this for you. His sister… they are already not talking because of his mistake from two years ago. Now, I will make it worse," Maximus said.

"What? What did he do to his sister?" Adira asked in shock.

Did something happen between them?

Was it the reason for the odd and heavy atmosphere around them?

Was it also the reason why he was so protective of his sister?

What did he do to make his sister hate him that hard?

Two years… no talking no words… something must have happened between them, right?