*Ana* Am I the only one who thinks like this? That it’s just me, who wants to see each other? I can’t seem to shake off Mykhol’s words. They haunt me. But I can’t help it. I keep finding myself going back to them. What if it is true? The question shakes me. I don’t want it to be as I look up at the sun. For once, let things go my way. I plead to the sun. Because I want to see it; I want to see a circus. I’ve even read about them from the library. I know enough that I can already imagine it. There will be clowns with painted faces. I start as if I can see it right in front of me. They are smiling as they ride little bikes and jump over one another. It would be loud, right? Of course- What with the tigers roaring and as the tigers would elephants tooting before they stand on their hind legs like in the pictures. And the bears- “The bears…” I now think of Nicoli. But when I see him, he is back in his room. The tacky yellow and blue walls seem to lean and make the space feel
*Ana* I don’t think we’ve had such a cold day like this before. If we did, I don’t remember. But it is. It’s cold, dark, and windy outside. It’s so windy that I can hear it howl against the window. It sounds angry and upset that we dare keep it outside. But of course we do. And Maddie is doing her best to keep it that way. Thanks to her, the room is toasty. She has made a good fire and has been diligently keeping it stocked. I do not have to fear the cold today since she works so hard. “Ah?” I look up from my book at the sudden sound. I see the fire has swallowed up another log. It cracks and snaps as the flames run through it, and I watch it momentarily. But soon enough, my eyes wander again. I found myself turning to find Mykhol. Mykhol is on his couch. He has another book in his hand, but he seems to be reading it this time. I look at the title. It’s a military book. I have to cringe a little at that. It’s one of the few subjects I am not so fond of reading. But outside of
*Mykhol* If anyone were to walk into the room right now, they would quickly learn something was wrong. There was a tense mood in the air. Each person expressed their anxiety in their way. Uncle sat at his desk, crossing his arms. His brow was down to make his already small eyes almost invisible. And Aunt Funda, meanwhile, paced the floor. Her heels clicked as she traversed the same circle around the desk. Mykhol was no exception. He, too, was anxious as much as they were. But he chose to handle it differently. Instead of panicking open, like them, Mykhol went to the window. He took one look at his parents before looking through the glass. “What are we going to do!?” Aunt Funda threw up her hands. Her voice was desperate enough to make Uncle break his silence. “This was not what I expected,” Uncle confessed. “I thought her last visit ended with disaster. That should have been the end of it.” Uncle mulled and touched his brows. “Why is the King still sending letters? Ev
*Ana* I have to remember to breathe. I need to calm myself otherwise, I won't make the trip. It’s a week’s ride until we get to Dawny. I should conserve myself. I know better. But I can’t seem to manage it. I am too emotional: nervous yet excited. Even now, I am having trouble sitting still. But I will try. If not for my sake, for everyone else. I can’t believe this is happening! I only manage a moment before I find myself moving again. I kicked up my legs with a burst of energy. They flop back on the bench with a loud slap before I do it again. So much for sitting still. I can’t help but feel a little foolish. I know I should be behaving better. But it’s so damn challenging. I feel so happy. I could dance right now, even with everyone here. I give another kick to hear them slap the bench. But without the slap, no one would know I was kicking. My legs disappear underneath the many layers of my new dress. I’ve never worn something so thick and heavy before. It’s made of w
*Ana* "Will you look at that!?" It’s Maddie’s sudden voice that breaks my thoughts. I see her sitting up and leaning into the window. Her face suddenly lights up, and she turns to me, breathless. “Oh, Ana!” She starts, and I can feel her joy. “Look out the window- Look how many came to see you, your Empress!” Maddie takes my hand and gives it a shake of excitement. I haven’t seen her this excited since getting the invite. She is overjoyed. “What is it?” I venture to appease her. I lean in, and Maddie scoots over to allow my hoop skirt room. I nearly fell back at the sight. “So many.” I blink, honestly confused. “Why are there so many?” “They’re all here for you.” Maddie chirps. Her smile widens. “Everyone is excited to see you, your Empress!” “To gawk at the spectacle, you mean,” Mykhol looks out the window, but his face is flat. Even seeing all the people lined up, he does not look impressed. “Now.” Maddie huffs and narrows her eyes at him. Her smile waned a little as
*Nicoli* “Oh, my?” Nicoli could hear his mother whisper. “That’s not good.” “No, it's not.” Nicoli could feel his Father stiffening. The man seemed stunned as the crowd began to start up again. Nicoli could see them shift with worry. But no one was doing anything save to stare or whisper. What are they doing!? Nicoli shot a look up to his Father. “Ana is hurt.” “Nicoli, I-” But Nicoli didn't hear him as he was already moving. “She needs help.” Nicoli could see Ana sit up and hold her hands. She was looking at the crowd. Why wasn’t anyone helping her? Nicoli was shocked. Why was everyone standing by? He couldn't understand. It frustrated him, and he couldn't stay a moment longer. “Ana!” Nicoli cried and forgot everything around him. No crowd was around them, his parents or even the guards. The only thing that existed was Ana. She’s hurt! Nicoli thought again with a rush of blood to his ears. Without considering himself, Nicoli let go of his Father’s hand and was awa
*Ana* Once inside, I can see the grand crystal chandelier hanging over us. The light hits the crystals, splits into a thousand mini rainbows, and colors the ceiling. While I find the sight beautiful, I can’t help the sensation of old dread come back. My body flinches as I’m carried directly under it. “Still afraid of the chandelier, I see.” King Alexander laughs softly with a knowing look up. “You know I-? How did you know?”I blinked with astonishment that he knew. But Father seems unsurprised. “Even as a baby, you never seemed to like it.” King Alexander continued to watch the chandelier as we passed. His eyes softened while he went on. “You’d cling to the walls because you didn’t want to go under it. And you’d cry for me to help.” “Did I?” Ana spoke, still trying to picture it. How old was I then? I follow his gaze. “I don’t remember that.” “I do.” King Alexander nudges me a little closer. “I remember everything.” Everything? I look back to see him give me a strange smi
*Queen Belinda* Queen Belinda stared into the pair of red eyes. Even though Mykhol was exceptionally handsome, the hue of red warned Belinda to be wary. Even Lucifer was said to be beautiful. Thus, Queen Belinda was simultaneously intrigued and sickened by him. It could be worse. Queen Belinda relented with a sip of tea. She could withstand a thousand of these blood-red eyes if it meant a minute less of staring into her eyes. Half-blooded bastard of a child. Queen Belinda hid a sneer as she drank. Why must I endure this all over again? It was a shame and a waste in her eyes. Belinda had thought she had gotten the point across last time. But apparently, she didn’t account for Anastasia’s optimism. Again, Belinda made a face as she drank. It would have been God's mercy if she’d just died alongside her mother. How sweet would life be? Belinda mused. But alas, he must not have been listening that day. What a pity. Speaking of pity, Queen Belinda finally acknowledged the teen with a
Naska stared at the cup instead of taking it, more shocked than surprised at the motion. Someone poured her drink? It was indeed a first. No one had ever done anything for her. She was so used to doing everything for herself. And glancing up, the sight of who did, only made her more confused.It was one of the veiled women—a Bulgeon, a human. Her eyes lined in that inky black shadow seemed to regard her in silence just as she did. Her hand lifted the cup, steady, as if she were still waiting. Naska, not knowing what else to do, took the cup. But her eyes remained glued to the woman. Because of the veil, she couldn’t know what expression the woman was making. Was it friendly? Bitter? What did her face even look like under the cloth?Watching her, the mysterious woman moved with grace. She poured another ladle of blood, not wine, to steam against the glass. Her thin fingers peeked out of her sleeve to swipe a slice of meat to dip in, and she moved to eat under the cloth. Naska raised
*Naska*“What a joke of a party,” Naska muttered, baring her fangs as she leaned against the wall. ”Mine will be so much better.” Her pale red eyes flickered over blue and gold streamers hanging from the center of the high ceiling with a sneer. Ugly colors, she immediately found it stupid. But not as stupid as having to sniffle every other minute. Her nose was irritated and starting to run from all the damn pine scent in the room. Each breath was like choking on a bottle of soap. From the platform near the far wall, the gentle strains of stringed instruments played a song too delicate and indistinct for her to recognize. It filled the air like perfume—pleasant to some, she supposed, but meaningless to her. Light laughter floated between the nobles, punctuated now and then by the sharp clink of crystal goblets. Beneath the noise, however, the pressure in the room was thick. Everyone waited for Her Empress to return. The tension curled under the music like smoke, unseen but unmistakab
*Johan*As he entered the banquet hall, Johan quickly noticed quite a few things. The first was that King Alexander was nowhere to be seen, though Johan expected that. He must have still been talking with Queen Bratha.What surprised him, though, was that others were missing—two, to be exact. The handsome brunette prince was not in the banquet hall as he thought he would be, considering he did not see him in the lobby or even the line. He was gone, and neither was Ana. Who he did see was just Hidi.The giant queen stood out among the partygoers- not just because of her size. Her very presence seemed to overpower anyone who dared draw near. Those who attempted to pass her either darted their eyes down or weakly bowed before hightailing it inside. Johan could see that even that old coot kept a safe distance if anyone wanted to try to talk to her, like the ever-eager Sir Celbest.The blonde was not pleased about something, and Johan could easily see it. The girl had never been one to hi
*Nicoli*Nicoli held onto Ana like a man gripping the edge of a cliff—tight, unyielding, unwilling to let go for even a second. The very idea of releasing her, even to their father, was absurd. No. Absolutely not.He had waited too long, ached too much, spent years longing for this moment. And now that she was finally by his side again, he refused to let anything—anyone—take her away. Not tonight. Not ever. So be it if he had to fight off the entire court to keep her close. Vampire, noble, or king, he didn’t care. He’d take them all on.She was his Anastasia. And now that they were together, everything felt right again.A rare, genuine grin tugged at his lips—one that wasn’t for show, unlike the practiced smiles he wore in Dawny. This was different. This was real.But as they moved through the white halls, his excitement warred with Ana’s slow, deliberate steps. Too slow. She still walked like an old lady.Nicoli’s muscles twitched with pent-up energy, his entire body screaming to mo
*Ana*My body freezes, every muscle locked in place as Nicoli leans in closer. His face is inches from mine, and I feel my breath catch, a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation racing through my mind. What is he doing? Is…he going to kiss me?But we can’t—we shouldn’t. We aren’t children anymore.As children, it was innocent. Nicoli used to kiss me on the lips, but it was always affectionate—nothing more, just like when he would hold my hand or offer a playful hug. It was natural to him, something that didn’t feel strange, something I expected from him without question. But that was then.Now, we’re adults. And that changes everything.We can’t– I try to tell myself that, but something in me hesitates, unsure whether I want him to stop or... not. I’m paralyzed, my heart beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. As his face nears mine, I feel the world shrinks, the air around us thick with tension. A strange eagerness stirs in my chest—a warmth I don’t understand. It coils through
*Ana*“Nicoli–” He’s going the wrong way again. I shake my head, the soft chime of my gold chains punctuating my amusement. But he insists on leading, judging by the stubborn set of his shoulders. He’s determined to get somewhere despite having absolutely no idea where that is.For the past twenty minutes, Nicoli has forged ahead with all the confidence in the world, only to crumble in confusion when we inevitably hit another dead end or loop back to the same hall. Left, then right, then left again. Each turn is taken with steadfast determination — and each time, I have to stifle a new laugh as we encounter yet another wall.“Nicoli, just let me show you–” I try, though I’m already bracing for him to ignore me. It would be far easier if he let me lead, though. This is my palace, after all. I know the twists and turns, the subtle variations in the endless white corridors. But he seems lost in his resolve. As if doing this out of spite at the challenge and not wanting it to get the bett
*Hidi*“But, what about me–” For once in Hidi’s life, her voice was too soft to hear—lost, swallowed under the sound of laughter. Their laughter. Hidi froze, her breath caught in her chest, her words useless in the space they left behind. Her eyes only widened as she stared after them, watching–watching, but not moving in disbelief.The two of them were running, laughing, hands clasped like children lost in their own world. And she was still standing here.She blinked. Did they really just… leave me?The air seemed too still while everything else moved too fast. Nicoli had been right there. Right there. She could have reached out, close enough to brush her fingers against his sleeve. But he hadn’t even looked at her. Didn’t even voice a hello.Not once.His sapphire-blue eyes had locked onto Ana, and nothing else had mattered.For the second time.A cool flick of irritation ran beneath her ribs, lodging itself somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was their grand reunion, knew th
*Ana*Standing between my aunt and uncle in the banquet hall, I must appreciate everyone’s hard work for the party. They really put in a lot of effort.The banquet hall is beautifully decorated with blue and gold streamers cascading down to the center of the high ceiling. Each arched window features a garland of fir and pine, filling the room with a clean yet sweet reminder of the winter outside. The candelabras are all set and lit with fresh beeswax candles, brightening the room and causing the windows to fog up slightly. The tables that line the walls are adorned with an assortment of cakes, meats, and double boilers filled with various types of blood for those who prefer.It’s everything I could have hoped for. And I swell with pride. So far, I think my first real celebration is going well. I gaze over the steady stream of new guests. Once again, I have to note that most of those arriving are unaccompanied men I spot yet another group. They put on a show by bowing or smiling at m
*Nicoli*“So… this is Nochten,” Nicoli whispered, his breath barely stirring the cold air. He paused at the threshold, eyes sweeping across the grand lobby. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was certainly different from home.His gaze traveled upward, taking in the domed ceiling overhead, the polished stone walls that gleamed in the candlelight. Beneath his feet, a mosaic of a bat soaring toward the moon—Nochten’s national symbol—stood in sharp contrast against the pristine white stone. The palace lacked the excessive paintings and portraits he was used to. Instead of gold trim and plush fabric, there was only carved stone and painted walls. Even the flooring was a departure from what he knew. No wood, only cold, solid stone.Nicoli's eyes caught the mosaic again, its intricate details holding him transfixed. Slowly, a small smile pulled at his lips.It suits her. He thought. Yes, it most definitely did. This was most definitely Ana’s home. But, where was Ana?He stepped further