After breakfast, Masha spent some time with Arabella, having nothing else to do. It was truly boring for her.Back there at her father's mansion, she'd have been helping Amber out in the kitchen, go hunting with some of the guards, or ride into the village with Terra. Oh, her days! She missed Terra a lot.When it was noon, she decided to give Arabella some space and fix somethings in the room. Since she'd be travelling with Czar the next day, she needed to get her things ready.As she walked back to the room, she couldn't stop thinking about the trip. Why did their lame tradition have to punish her in such manner? How would she travel next to Czar? It was definitely going to be so difficult.Getting to the room, she walked in and unfortunately found Czar in. Why was he always in lately?He had been scribbling on some scrolls on his working table, but the moment
Masha didn't want the dawn of the next day. As the next morning approached, she kept feeling so nervous about her journey with the Alpha prince, But unfortunately, it could not be avoided.She fidgeted with her fingers as the servants took her bags away, to the hackney-coach which were already waiting outside. It hurt her that it was morning already and she needed to set out on her journey with the prince. Goodness, she was nervous.When the servants took the last of her bag, she took a deep breath as she gave herself one last stare at the wall mirror. Arabella had assisted in glamming her up. She made Masha wear a black chiton dress and brushed her moon shadow-black hair into a fine ponytail. Then, she wore some bracelets on her and added a little color to her cheeks.Masha looked just like the Lady that she was - Lady Masha.Gathering up the courage she needed, she walked out of the roo
Masha had a hard time sleeping off at first, but eventually, she did and it turned out to be a very long night for her.The snorting and nickering of the horses was the first thing that woke her up. She turned and stretched with her eyes still closed on the mat, and when her hands moved freely, it occured to her that Czar was no longer beside her.She cocked her head to have a look and confirmed her thoughts. Then, a sigh left her lips. She had expected it, anyway.She stood up from the mat and made to leave the tent. Taking her first step out, her eyes responsively went close for a few seconds as her warm cheeks felt the thrill of the morning breeze. She loved it, especially the frosty and tree stump smell that came along with it. The view was magnificent as well - fresh leaves that fell to the ground, and the faint sound of the pine tree as they rustled. Masha had always loved nature, and she loved travelin
The sound of hooves echoed against the brick walls as the hackney-coach entered the large compound. The carriage swayed gently along with the rhythmical trots of the horse's hooves, creating a soothing melody that filled the air. Masha thrusted her head out the window to have a peek at the environment. Some stern faces of guards and sullen faces of maidens stared back at her as they walked about the yard. It was a relief to Masha that after two days, they finally arrived at Hagar's palace. She confirmed the strong relationship Czar had with the witches when it hadn't been difficult passing through the gates. Just one look at his face, the guards had granted them passage. The witch's palace was not so bad; It was a beautiful structure of stone and wood, with a peaked roof and towering turrets. Masha beamed a smile at it. Suddenly, a horse rode pass them, the hard sound of the hooves jerked Masha out of thoughts. She looked ahead to see the rider pulling the horse to a stop and clim
Masha was tempted to step out of the carriage for a walk. Sitting in a carriage that wasn't moving was worst than sitting in a moving one - she'd just noticed. Her waist was hurting a lot, she feared she might go nuts if she didn't make a move. However, she tried to stretch her patience for as long as possible, until suddenly, she heard voices from behind the carriage. "The queen wants her. You'll need to excuse us," she heard an unfamiliar voice say. Masha raised her brows in skepticism. Next thing she heard were footsteps drawing closer and her carriage door going open. It revealed two ladies with a cloaked face. "We need you to come with us," they inclined their heads.Masha was unsettled. Why was the queen requesting for her? She had been told it was best for the queen not to see her, so her anger doesn't get worst. How did the queen even get to know she was there? She was tempted to decline the lady's offer and just walk out of there, but considering the fact that she was i
Getting into the tavern, Masha and the maid found a perfect spot to sit, just at the corner of the room. While Czar and the guards took a different seat, a little distant from theirs. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat and ale. Raucous sound of laughter filled the air as clienteles swapped stories and joked over drinks, while clanging of metals could be heard as others rose their cups to a toast. It was a little noisy for Masha - crowded and noisy. "You are not comfortable here, are you?" The maid seated next to her suddenly asked, a light smile on her face. Masha simply titled her head."I understand. Unfortunately, this is the best tavern we could find. When we get to the Palace, you can have a proper meal."Just then, a burly man sauntered towards them, his face contorted into a scowl. Masha knew at that instant that he was one of the workers. "What are your orders, miss?" He placed his both hands on their table and asked. He had a protruding tummy and also an o
Czar had been magnated by the noise from the tavern and rushed in to see what was happening. He was flummoxed to find the flagons running out the door, as tho, they were being chased by death. He scanned his eyes around and it didn't take him a second to notice the cynosure of the tavern. He saw three of his guards down on the floor, with the fourth one being held by a certain man. The young man had his fangs going deep into the hollows of his guard's neck. Jaha believed he was a vampire, but when he saw his claws....he grew perplexed. Vampires could never have claws. So, how was the man in front of him having both? Slowly, the truth began to dawn on him. The realization was like a sudden burst of light, illuminating the blank corners of his mind and bringing confirmation to his thoughts. A man with fangs and claws. Only one man in the history of the world has been able to possess such qualities. One man that was a hybrid and regarded as a demon.The thought made Czar's heart clench
Masha was still in tears and was about rising to her feet when a middle-aged man suddenly ran into the tavern with a younger lady beside him. They both looked stunned at the sight before them - so many people dead on the floor. "For Saint's sake!" The aged man muttered, his wrinkled eyes slowly going round the room. Finally, they rested on Masha and Czar. "Is he dead as well?" He inquired, going closer. "N...No. Not yet," Masha shook her head, another tear rolling down her cheek. Getting to Czar's body, the old man crouched and placed two fingers on his neck. "Okay, he's still alive. He needs to be treated as soon as possible, else he'll die."Masha dabbed the tears from her eyes, using her wrist. "I... I know. B...but, where can I get a healer?" She stuttered. She was still shaking with fear but was trying so hard to get herself together. "My father's a healer," the lady in the room answered. Masha thanked Absalom for bringing her helpers so quick. Otherwise, what would she ha
Seconds passed, and Masha could still not find her words. She felt trapped in front of him, unable to look away despite how nervous she felt. Czar finally took a step back, his steely gaze on her. "I thought so too." He mumbled and started towards the door. Masha sprang to her feet and ran to him, pulling his wrist just before he'd reach for the door. Czar looked at her and found nothing but deep fear eating her up. Her gaze was on the floor."Y... You don't have to leave." She swallowed hard. "I understand what you want. Ac... Actually, I thought you'd be irritated by me. But...if you're not..." She forced her eyes from the floor to look at him. "... I'd want it as well, my prince. I'd... want to have this experience with you."Czar turned properly to face her. That was when she let go of his wrist and returned her gaze to the floor. "Are you sure?" His voice was low. "You need to be certain you want this, Masha."She nodded nervously, gulping down the lump in her throat. Her h
Masha, Arabella and Kona spent a long time in the guest room, and the whole time, Arabella did most of the talking. She never knew Arabella could actually be so funny. She kept cracking jokes and making Kona laugh enough. When it was night, they decided it was best to leave him to sleep. Masha kissed him goodnight - on the cheek - before leaving with Arabella. "Your brother is so welcoming." Arabella remarked as they walked down the hallway. Her cheeks were all red. "Are you sure? If you ask me, I'd say it was you who was welcoming." She laughed."Huh? That's not true. Don't make it sound like I was throwing myself on him." She puckered her lips. "I hope you're not catching feelings for my brother, dear Arabella. I'll tell you one thing, that guy is a flirt.""That's not true. He doesn't look like one."There was a little silence between them. "Well, I am not catching feelings for him. I am merely being friendly."They got to Arabella's door. "Let's call it a night, Masha. See y
Czar didn't know what had happened before his arrival for the room, but seeing the way Masha and his mother stood apart, and the way Masha's hand was holding her cheek with shock in her eyes, he could easily fix the puzzle. He couldn't comprehend how it made him feel, knowing his mother had laid hands on Masha. Whatever it was, it didn't feel good. Eve shifted her gaze to Czar immediately, trying to get rid of the repugnant look on her face. "Son, you're here. I actually came for you "Masha's hand was already down from her face, but displeasure shadowed her countenance. The queen's slap still hurt, and she felt so much bitterness to know she couldn't retaliate. If it had been anyone else but the queen, Absalom knows she'd have done something about it. Czar noticed how Masha kept her gaze glued to the floor. The part of her face that had been hit had turned crimson already. Anger shadowed her face, she didn't even try to pay homage to him."I need to have a word with you." His vo
Mace stood like a sentinel, his hands clasped behind his back, watching in silence as the Prince drew his bowstring taut. The training field was empty and quiet, and that was because Czar had requested to be alone. His shoulders commanded the space as he extended his arms towards the target. And in a seamless motion, he released the string, sending the arrow perfectly to hit his target which was a wooden board in front of him. He sighed in approval, took another arrow and worked it's way into his bow."The test has been conducted." Mace said suddenly. "And it was positive."Czar didn't spare him a glance, neither did his fingers freeze at any point as he aimed his bow at his target and pulled the string. It went perfectly to the board again."Are you surprised?" He finally asked, taking out another arrow. "Well... I'd bet even you were surprised." Mace chuckled. Czar's face remained cold as he shot at his target again and turned to get another arrow. "Is that the reason you have
Masha's eyelids fluttered open, allowing the soft morning light to gently caress her face. As her mind slowly emerged from the haze of sleep, she began to piece together the fragments of her memory, causing a mix of embarrassment and anxiety to swirl within her. A jagged breath escaped her throat. Holding on tight to the duvet on her, she darted her eyes around the room, and only then did she notice Czar had been there all along. She gasped, taking her eyes away immediately. Suddenly catching sight of him made her heart race faster and her breath come quicker. He was standing in front of his table, dressed in a black flowing robe that touched the door. And the way he linked his hands behind his back gave him a kind of 'bad lord' look. She couldn't look at him. Not anymore. But in that mini second she had looked in his direction, she noticed something else on his table. The table wasn't occupied with books and scripts like it used to. Instead, it was occupied with various meals. T
As Czar's hands closed around hers, Masha's whole body trembled with fear and anxiety. The room seemed to shrink, and no matter how hard she wanted to, she couldn't brace herself for what was about to happen. Czar turned her around so she could back him, and slowly, he loosened her dress and pulled down her sleeves until it was below her shoulders. He gave a momentarily pause, then continued steadily until her full boobs came bouncing out of the dress. A chill ran through Masha. At that point, she was tempted to push him off and just run off, but she wasn't ready for how embarrassing that would be. Czar left the dress to fall freely to her legs, leaving her in her all natural form. It surprised him that she had no underwear. She had really come prepared. Her back was a sight to behold. The curves of her buttocks, firm and mesmerizing, made it so difficult for him to resist to grab them. Her hair, black and glossy, cascaded down her bare back, inviting him in. A beauty she was - h
The darkness enveloped the room, casting shadows that danced along the walls.Czar sat before his study table, his figure bathed in the flickering glow of candlelight. His eyes were fixed on the pages of a book, but his mind wandered far from its words.It's been a very long time since morning, yet Masha was yet to come to the room. He knew she was scared and not ready, but he did not expect her to shy away that much.He tried to concentrate on the book in his hands, but the more he tried, the more the thoughts of her kept messing with his head. It was all his fault. He knew he was making a mistake when he started showing concern.A long time passed, and suddenly he heard approaching footsteps.Strangely, he could recognise the sound of her footsteps like a whisper in the depths of his consciousness.When the door opened and she got revealed, he was almost sure that time had halted. She was adorned in a long black dress, its flowing fabric clinging to her every contour. He recognised
Czar moved with an icy gait into his room, his hands fisted beside him. His mind was a mess, and as he lowered himself on the bed, Mace took a long stare at his face."I cannot believe this," he scoffed. "This is a very big problem, my prince. What do you plan to do about it?"Czar said nothing. He just clasped his palms and gazed into space."There are so many excuses you could have made," Mace went on. "So many lies. Why did it have to be that? A lie so complicated?""That was the fastest lie I could think of," Czar answered, his voice a little rough. "I had no idea my father would never believe me."He rose from the bed, moving to confront the window."Father sounded too sure. I have a feeling he might have been spying on me," Czar added, his piercing eyes gazing out the window."Perhaps. Or maybe he's just very sure that you are not so free with the vampire yet. You know, you make it quite obvious." Mace shrugged."For now, you just need to think of a way to get over this situatio
Czar mixed the treatment in the bowl, and by the time he was done, Masha was still on the bed, fully dressed. He expected Junior to be a little difficult for her, but at that moment, it seemed like he didn't have the time. He dropped the bowl on the table and approached her. "On your feet," he instructed. Masha felt a little intimidated. He looked like he was offended by something. She gulped nervously and forced herself to stand, giving him her back because she knew he wanted to help her with the knots in her dress. Although they had yet to consummate their marriage, it didn't change the fact that he was her husband and had the right to her body. An icy finger cascaded down her spine as she felt him manoeuvre the zipper of her dress. As soon as it was brought down, she supported her dress against her chest, not wanting her boobs to fall out. For a long time, she felt Czar's eyes on her back, and it made her wonder if her injuries were that bad. "On the bed." He moved away from