Chapter 1: Prologue

Erica opened her eyes and smiled as she saw Dominic lying beside her, with his eyes closed; sleeping. She reached out and touched his face with her fingers, he immediately responded to her touch and leaned in to her hand more. She chuckled at his baby like behaviour and he opened his eyes, looked at her and smiled lazily. 

"Good morning my gazelle," he said lazily and she giggled. She enjoyed the nickname he had given her, he was very fond of Stag, Deers, Gazelles, Ibex, Reindeer and all similar animals. 

"Good morning my king," She replied and he kissed her forehead.

He then looked around in the big room and sat up. Erica admired his well built body, his strong arms and his strong back muscles. He turned around to look at her and smirked mischievously, “Enjoying the view aren’t we?” he asked and she giggled and she was about to smack his naked back playfully but he reached out and grabbed a hold of her wrist. He then pulled her towards him and crashed his lips against hers. She giggled in the kiss, but responded back with same passion. They were interrupted by a loud knock on the door. They broke the kiss and got a hold of their robes. Then Dominic answered, “Come in,”

Clio came in and bowed respectfully, "Good morning your highness, and good morning to you her highness," she said and they both smiled back and nodded accepting her greetings. "The breakfast is ready," she said and Damonic nodded, "Okay, bring it in," he informed her and she again bowed and left the room closing the door. 

They both were served with breakfast in bed, after breakfast, they got ready and went in the gardens for a walk. They were sitting under a tree when Ati came running towards them, "hey mate," Domin patted his head as he snorted and stood up proudly displaying his fully grown Antlers. 

"Well, he is a proud fellow," Erica said and reached out her hand to pat Ati but he backed away from her, looked around for few moments and then ran away from the garden. Domin instantly sat up and looked around, Erica felt as Domin has sensed some danger. She quietly got up and held his hand, he held her hand tightly and kept looking around angrily, with flaring nose and angry eyes.

A strong whoosh of air hit their legs and Erica shriked, Dominic roared and his large pointy claws came out of his nails. Erica stepped back and tried saving herself from the strong wind. 

A large cloud of black smoke appeared before them followed by shrieking laughing sounds of the witches. Erica's breath picked up pace and her heart was beating frantically. Three balck shadown emerged from the smoke and Dominic stepped back to come near Erica. 

"Well, well," one of the witches said, she had long dirty nails, and a black veil was drapped on all of their faces making their face less visible, their long, tangled and dirty hair reached their knees. the three of them were wearin identical black cloak and a black gown. They looked exactly similar. 

"So what everyone said was true, she is finally here," One of the witches said and Erica looked over at now tensed Dominic. "Well, hand her over now. The deal is a deal," The witch said again and Erica felt her throat tightening up. What deal were they talking about. 

Dominic didn't looked at Erica, "What are they talking about?" she mustered up some courage and asked him. His jaw got tensed, and it was completely shut. She could see him gritting his teeth together out of anger or confusion, she couldn't decide. 

"Oh, it looks like you didn't told her, well, allow me," the middle witch said and the other two witches shriekd and laughed in a witch manner. 

"Erica, he provided you shelter, fed you, gave you clothes and kept you healthy until you turn twenty two, because we asked him to. And we were told that your birthday had passed like a week ago. You see, we have made a biggest impact on your life when you were a baby. You have something that belongs to us, and we can only take it back once we take your life." the middle witch explained everything to her and every word made Erica feel so small and pathetic. She felt like a farm pig, who was fed and she was now ready to be butchered. 

"is this all true?" Erica looked over at Dominic and he looked at her and shook her head, "No Erica believe me, it did started like that but I fell in love with you. I love you with all my heart," he said and Erica shook her head in disbelief, tears started pouring out of her eyes uncontrollably, 

"Oh enough of those lies Dominic, hand her over now," the witch said again and Dominic looked at her and shook her head in no. "No, Hecate. you have to kill me first to get to her," he said and the witch laughed hysterically. 

"Okay, no problem in that dear," she said and pulled out a black shiny dagger from under her cloak, Erica looked at Dominic and then at the witch in disbelief. Hecate aimed at Dominic's heart and threw the dagger at him. 

"Dominic!" Erica screamed and looked down at the pool of black colored blood forming at her feet.