On seeing Sorceress sister I realised beauty was in their genes. Even though she was sick and was pale, with bluish black lips due to the ailment and dark circles under her eyes, she was still beautiful. Two maids wiped her hands and legs when we entered and I realized she was weak, her hands were bony thin and her robes were loose around her stick thin body.

"I don't know what's wrong with her only that she is getting weaker by day and something is destroying her from within." Sorceress explained.

"You know I work Averia, I need to look at my patient alone. I just need my apprentice with me."

She nodded and smiled, "I hope that you can help and repay my favor."

And Bretrarum smiled back. I held back the scoff on their conversation.

When we were alone with the unconscious patient in front of us he turned to me with a concerned look, "How do you feel today?"

"Better," I answered truthfully.

"Can I see?" He asked and extended his hands.

After a moment I realized he was asking to check my pulse like he did when we met during the hunt.

I obliged because it was no use throwing tantrums with him.

Something made him wince when he checked my pulse and I raised my brows to know what else was killing me now.

"Your energy, your aura - Why are you not healing yourself?" He said in a reprimanding tone.

It has been a while since I stopped caring about myself.

"What changed that I should heal myself?" I asked him and saw the frustration on his face.

He turned his attention to the girl lying in front. I observed as he checked her pulse, put hands on her forehead and mumbled something and then pulled out a needle and pricked in on the tip of her fingers.

"She has been out in the mountains." He muttered to himself.

"What is in the mountains?" I asked but he continued with his checks and I wondered how he was so well versed in the art of healing.

"Come in." He called out in a grave tone.

And immediately the Sorceress entered with her maidservants and guards.

"She is affected by Binders Curse." 

"How is that possible? She has never stepped out of the palace." Sorceress said and I had no clue what Binders Curse was.

"Only people from Silver lights could break it." She sounded troubled.

And I was immediately on alert on hearing my Kingdom's name.

"Don't worry, I can help her. But I need to find the source in the mountain." He said and Sorceress nodded after a moment of contemplation.

"But what about sealing the magic?" She asked and Bretrarum just gave her a small smile, "Trust me." He said.

She stepped forward and planted a kiss on Dark Prince's cheek. In all honesty, I felt like grabbing the next sharp thing and stab her somewhere non-fatal.

"I will take leave. I will be back in three days with the cure." He said and gave a curt nod.

But I was in no mood for courtesy so I just stood there. When Dark Prince noticed I was not going to budge he grabbed my upper arm and pulled me along giving me the large bag of herbs and other things to carry.

For the time being, we were out of this beautiful hell.

---

Everyone even the introvert like me was well aware of the mountain and its troubles. Many myths and stories circulate about the forest of the witches, the beast of the caves, the poisonous snakes of the river and the refugees. I had no idea how many of it was true but the mountains was a feared area and Sorceress sister could have come across the curse by any of them. 

Even though they respected the present Queen, they had their own set of rules.

And no one dare crossed their boundaries willing. The only King they feared was the ruler of all Kingdoms, King of Nevarlia because he held the power to handle them all.

By the time were walking past the safety of the Sorceress' Kingdom, my body was fully healed from the poison and I felt no pain or soreness. The only thing that was aching was my heart that has foolishly developed strong feelings for the pain I also felt hate for. I even felt annoyingly jealous at his closeness with the Sorceress.

"Are you going to ignore me and sulk for the rest of the three-day journey Princess?" He asked much to my satisfaction.

I felt petty and angry," I am habitual of staying silent for a long time Dark Prince if you don't remember after keeping me prisoner in that little room."

"Listen to me, Princess. I know that I am unforgivable and I know that no matter what I do will not bring your life back but you need to believe me that you are the most important person in my life."

My heart stopped at his words. I know he cared for me, his actions spoke out that much but I was hurt so bad that I wasn't allowing myself to soften even a bit.

"Unfair, you are not allowed to say these things," I mumbled and I noticed his lips lift slightly.

"You don't understand if I don't say it." He said and I felt slightly embarrassed.

"But you yourself are very clear with your emotions, like your jealousy for Averia." And now he was mocking me, the intimidating Dark Prince was amused.

"I was not jealous." Came my lame reply.

"But I like how clear you are with your emotions, how I can see them in your eyes. It gives me hope." His tone held undeniable sadness.

"I hate that I am that easy to read."

And that made him smile for some reason.

"What happened yesterday Princess." He reminded and mentally smacked my head.

"Nothing."

"You in that attire was nothing?" He said and shook his head lightly.

"Why? Can you not get me out of your head?" I said lightly mocking him.

"Precisely." His honest answer disarmed me and I decided to keep my mouth shut.

"Remember the time you tried seducing me?" He asked and I hit him for mentioning it.

And he let out a light laugh and I realized I even liked his laugh.

---

So I came to know at least one thing and that is beast of the cave was real. The legends and myths about that creature were all real. When we stopped in front of the cave entrance and Bretrarum looked at me with a concern I knew something was wrong.

But after going through half the path, I heard a loud growl echoing through the cave.

"Please tell me it is not real," I said.

"It's very real and poisonous. So you need to be careful." He answered and I felt like every other dangerous myth will be true.

We walked carefully trying to make no sound at all but suddenly cave was flooded with darkness and panic hit me hard. 

"Bretrarum," I called out immediately not caring about being found by the beast.

The silence was all I heard. I have been in complete darkness before and I tried not to fear overcome my sense. I tried using my other senses as well to get out of this situation. So using my hand as my guide and touching the walls I started walking keeping my ears on high alert.

"Prince," I called out again hoping he would answer.

But he did not and I started fearing for his life. My steps got quicker as my fear for his life increased.

I called out for him multiple times but I got no answer and the end of the cave never came.

But then I heard the sound of heavy breathing, too heavy for a human and I knew it was the beast. My steps faltered and I stopped breathing altogether. Had it been light, I would have felt braver than I felt now to use my weapons but I had no idea how the beast looked like or what power it held.

I tried concentrating on the sound of it's breathing and gripped my sword tighter. As I got a general idea of his location I lifted my sword to hit but the next moment I was blinded my sudden flow of light and I felt someone grab the blade of my sword.

" A pretty lady." A seductive male voice said and I opened my eyes in shock.

A tall, muscled man stood in front of me wrapped in a grey piece of clothing. He had the grey eyes with unsaid coldness in them and silver-white hair. Every feature on his face was crafted to perfection and his sly smile gave away the little dimple next to his lips. He was exotically beautiful.

And yet I felt the need to run. His hand was bleeding from holding my blade.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am the infamous beast of the cave." He said and before I could contradict, he transformed into a wolf, not the regular sized by a size five times bigger than that.

I saw the cut heal on his hand.

"Do you want to kill me?" I asked wondering what happened to Bretrarum.

And he transformed back.

"A female this beautiful, never." He said smoothly and I had the severe desire to punch him in his face.

"Where is my companion?"I asked.

And I saw the fear flicker in his eyes unlike how people reacted on hearing Healer's name.

"I requested him to wait outside while I guide you out. Else people just wander here and eventually die." 

"So you enjoy killing people?" I asked following him with no other option.

"This is my home, its not my fault that people trespass in the name of treasures and end up losing their way."

"Do you live here alone?" I asked feeling a slight pang of pity for him.

"Yes."

"I am sorry." That came out without thinking as he had no one just like me right now.

He was so surprised at my words that he came to a halt for a second.

And then he smiled a little as we stepped out of the cave, raising his hands to place my loose strand behind my ear.

"Don't worry sweetheart, it's a price I pay for the power I hold to guard the mountains."

"Enough Tibran." I heard the familiar voice filled with rage.

I sighed in relief and without thinking I ran to him pulling him in an embrace. Seconds later I realized my mistake and I was about to step away but his previously stiff hands wrapped around me and pulled me closer for an embrace.

I can't believe in this scenario my thought was if he was safe or not.

"Let's go before you cause any more damage. I can take you the places the younger Princess went to help you solve your mystery." And I realized that I didn't even know what Bretrarum said or did to make this wild beast fear him.

Tibran was now dressed in a black trouser and grey tunic shirt with a black waist-length coat over. 

"Binder's magic you say?" He asked walking awfully close to me.

And next moment he winced and stepped away.

But he just chuckled at Bretrarum leaving me utterly confused as to what was happening.

"It must be witches." He said recovering from the pain.

And I saw Bretrarum sigh in frustration.

"I don't want you to come in their line of vision."

Before I could ask, Tibran let out a low whistle, "He is right. They are twisted creatures."

"Why?"

"Because they know your weaknesses and can exploit it to it's best."

---

First of all thank you to all the sweetest people on the planet who sent me eid wishes :) I adore you all.

Also, this was a difficult update since I am surrounded my guests, work and festive aftermath. But I wanted to write this one :) Hope you guys like it!

What are your thoughts about Tibran?