*Ana*I get twirled as soon as Nicoli leaves. Father is eager to start the dance. But there is a problem. Our height- Father is so much higher than me. My arm nearly pulls out of my socket as I struggle to keep my hand in his.“Uh,” I almost trip over my skirt.“Easy,” Father’s voice is calm before I feel his steps slow. I use the chance to find my feet with relief. “Thank you- oh?” I am all the more surprised that he now lowers his shoulders. His hand is now easier to grasp. I immediately feel grateful that he has modified the distance.Behind us, the song is finishing. It will be time to change partners again. I can’t say that I’m not relieved. I feel so bound up-and I know why. “I thank you, your majesty-” I go- my hands work themselves out of his grasp. I step back as the song ends.As if knowing, I feel someone watching. I look over to find a familiar pair of red eyes- the only other pair in the room. Mykhol holds a plate and smiles at me with a comforting grin. Mykhol. I am
*Ana*“Ha,” When Father finally stops twirling, he is breathing hard. He puts me down, and instantly, I thank the stars that I can feel on the ground. “Ah,” I wobble a little, thanks to dizziness.“Easy,” Father takes my hand to help. My legs stabilize, and I can stand.“Ah, thank you.” I go to see him and smile.“Well then,” Father raises his hair and removes his mask. He’s red in the face- and thin lines are imprinted on his skin from the mask. His skin shines with little beads of sweat. “How did you like your first dance?”“It wasn’t dancing- you carried me.” I point out to have him burst into a laugh.“Yes, I guess you’re right.” He squeezes my hand before letting go to rake back his hair again.“But you did have fun.”“Perhaps.” I shrug with a smile.“You little- are you acting impish now, too?” “What, no-” I look up to see him move over to rub my head. His big hand feels hot through my scarf.“It’s fine. I was joking.” His voice is much softer than I expected. “It’s fine to
*Naska* “I hate this damn country.” Naska hissed as she had to figure the way to the ballroom alone. “They are a bunch of stuck-up nobodies.” Naska sneered, remembering their blank expressions when she asked for help from the other servants. They just looked at her like she was some idiot. Well, they are idiots! Naska lashed back. They all were. Just no good stupid humans- Especially that blond. Doxy was her name! How could Naska forget? She nearly pushed the stupid blond maid down after she refused to show her the way. She even dared to say I wasn’t allowed in as none of the servants were. I’m not some servant. Naska felt the bile sneak up her throat again. She was both hurt and offended. I’m not some servant- I’m Lord Mykhol’s lover. And I will go where I please. And if she wanted to go to the ball, she would go. Not that she gave one good damn about a dance. It was Mykhol she wanted. Where could he be? And as Naska charged past the guards to storm into the room, she imme
*Mykhol*As soon as the song was over, Mykhol wasted no time. He strolled through the crowd swiftly. His long legs carried him over the marble floor in little time. “Lord Mykhol?” Hidi calmly noted him while still holding Ana in the air.“Your majesty,” Mykhol barely managed a bow before turning.“I got your food, Anastasia.” Mykhol lifted the plate to see the girl’s eyes widen. “Ah, Cousin.” Ana’s cheeks pinked as he expected they would.“Are you hungry yet?” You must be. But Mykhol didn’t need to say it. Her hunger was evident on her cute little face.You must be famished. “I thought you’d like to take a break after all this dancing.” With everyone else but me. But Mykhol, again, kept that thought to himself. Instead, he only smiled.“Should we go and eat?” “Oh, yes. I- er?” Ana suddenly seemed to remember she was being held up in the air.“Um? Hidi?” “Oh, Ja, food is a good idea.” Hidi set her back down before taking her hand.“I hope you enjoyed yourself, my dear Anastasia.”
*Ana*“Why-” The breath is knocked out of me as I look at my stained fingers. The red color is spreading thinly over my hands as I stare on.Why is there blood? I touch my nose again to find more- it’s bleeding.Am I having a nosebleed? But that can’t be possible- Vampires don’t unless-Mykhol! I look up to my cousin for answers, but his hands freeze in place. His face is pale. He looks as lost as I am.“Mykhol, something is-!” The pain rips through me again. It’s not my stomach anymore. My whole body is on fire. My skin feels like it’s tearing open.What’s happening!?“It hurts!” I can’t even stand. My legs wobble as I feel my strength leave me. I’m going to fall.“Ana, hold onto me.” Mykhol is quick at my side. I squirm against the feeling of his arms around me. The touch hurts. Everything hurts.“I-” I barely gasp as I find a pause between the throbbing. I look at Mykhol, looking down on me with a woeful look. But it’s no longer a surprise. It’s like he knows what it means.So do I
*Nicoli*“Ana!” Nicoli cried as he reached out his arm toward her. They were leaving the room.No, I can’t- I must follow! Nicoli moved to try to catch up to them. But just as he was about to lift his foot, he could feel an arm around. And then he was being held back as they grew tighter. “Mama!?” Nicoli turned to find it, none other than his mother. “Stay back, baby.” Queen Belinda swiveled to turn away from the door. She buried her face into his neck before letting out a quick sob. “My god-” Nicoli could hear the distress in her voice. She was shaking as she held him. The sight had shocked her as much as everyone else.But Ana-Nicole turned his head to look back. They were gone out the door. Only a line of blood trailed behind them. Blood… Nicoli looked down at the drops that stained the white marble. There was so much of it. It was in pools.Ana’s bleeding? Nicoli barely collected himself from the sight on the balcony. Her white dress was no longer white. It was stained red.
*Hidi*As the music continued to play, Hidi could see the verifiable change amongst the attendees. The once enthusiastic girls now merely moved through the motions. Hidi doubted anyone was enjoying it. No one in the room even wanted to be there. But with Queen Belinda ever present, they didn’t want to come off as rude. So, the dance moved on. Though their faces no longer smiled and were drawn with worry and quick whispers.“Do you think it's safe?” One girl whispered near them.“The King said they had it under control.” Another followed. However, as much as they tried to assure themselves, it didn't seem to stick. Girls nervously looked over their puffed-sleeved shoulders to the door. They appeared almost expectant that someone, likely Ana, would come running in.Stupid girls. Hidi could only look down on them. They were silly, with small heads and tiny brains. Hidi held no such fear. Even if Hidi were afraid, she'd still have no reason to because she was a giant. And Giants natur
*Mykhol*Why did that damn queen have to throw us so far away from the center- it was taking him forever to get back. Mykhol cursed every step he had to endure. Mykhol gritted his teeth as he tried to press harder. His arms pulled Ana closer. She passed out by now. Thankfully.She wouldn’t have to scream in pain as he had to make the long journey back. But when she wakes up, it will be the real problem. Mykhol needed to get her back pronto.“I’ll take it from here,” Mykhol shouted over his shoulder. The guards following behind him nodded and stopped as he turned the corner. He could see their rooms just ahead.But despite his claim, he could still feel the man follow. Worse, the man was determined to keep up with him. Mykhol felt a growl rip in his throat. “I said, I got it- go back!” Mykhol spat at King Alexander. His fangs were on full display.“But-” King Alexander moved his hand as if to reach out. He was still trying to keep up. But this only made Mykhol angrier.Why must he
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