*King Alexander*It was some time into the night when the door clicked in the hall. King Alexander shifted back to his feet at full alert as he watched for the door. It was an opening for someone to step out.“Your Majesty?” One of the guards behind him, shifted by King Alexander, threw back his hand.“It’s alright.” He spoke evenly. No trace of fear could be heard or seen from the man because he wasn’t.“Ana?” King Alexander gently called and took a step forward. He could hear someone shift in the doorway. Was it her? King Alexander tried to lean closer before he heard the guards shift. He couldn’t move any closer without them following.King Alexander worried that the sight of them might frighten Ana back into her room. And she might not come out again. King Alexander needed to be careful. So he stopped where he was. But his eyes focused on the door.“Ana, baby? Are you okay?” King Alexander called again, this time a little louder. Besides, he heard something move.Is she afraid to
*Ana*The sound of something rough dragging over the wooden floor makes me stir. My eyes open with a flutter before I can begin to focus. As they start to register shapes out of the fog, I discover the source of the sound.Someone is cleaning.“What-Ah,” I wince when I try to sit up. I’m suddenly dizzy, and my head throbs. It’s so intense that I find myself slipping back down. Vaguely, it comes to mind that I am on a couch. And with quick bursts between my dizziness, I can make out the furniture. I know where I am. But this only drives a new source of confusion.“How did I get here?” My voice rasps- my throat feels so dry. I try to suck in spit to help- but it's a wasted effort. I have nothing. My lips are dry as well.And my nose- I can’t seem to smell anything but iron. That’s right- I was bleeding. I remember that. It’s in pieces. But I remember being awake.I started bleeding while I was outside with Mykhol. And Nicoli came, and then Mykhol lifted me-“Did Mykhol carry me back t
*Naska*Naska got up from the bed slowly. Her eyes watched Ana. She slept soundly, her silver hair spilling over the pillows like water. It made her look so peaceful as she gently breathed.As Naska watched, she could feel her stomach twist. A dark cloud of doubt now came over her mind. The feeling surprised her. Am I in the wrong? Naska thought with another twist in her gut. She felt conflicted.“She’s gonna get Bruno in?” Naska rubbed her arms. They were dirty and caked in blood- Ana’s blood. But Naska mindlessly rubbed at them as if it were not so. Naska couldn’t believe it. Something had to be wrong. How could things work so well?Just like that? Naska thought, taking another step back. She could see how Ana opened her lips to breathe softly- she was out as soon as her head had hit the pillow. When she woke up again, she’d no doubt be hungry. Naska predicted.The blood lust is going to hit her hard.But the thought slipped past Naska as it wasn’t as important. She was still re
*Thomas*“Of all the things I could be doing right now,” Thomas grumbled before crossing his legs. It was clear that Thomas was not thrilled by the situation.But it’s not like I can change it. Thomas knew that well. He had no one to complain about. If I did, I would just get fired. And then lose out on all that precious money. The queen, if anything, paid well. Tonight, especially, Thomas thought. He was willing to stay for the money. But he had to admit tonight was testing him.How long will I need to be here? Thomas sighed and tried to make his seat more comfortable. Not a challenging task- Nicoli’s bedroom furnishings were top quality- the best goose feathers, the softest leather, even the suede felt like butter. Queen Belinda was quite lavish when it came to spoiling her son. But that also made her the scariest woman if you tried to get between them. Thomas could still feel the threat shake him to his bones.“Under no circumstance will you lose sight of Nicoli.”Queen Belinda s
*Nicoli*“Is he gone?” Nicoli peeked out from the covers to see the guard nod.“Yes, Your Majesty.” Yes! Nicoli could almost celebrate- but there was no time. He needed to be quick.But first things first, Nicoli sat up from the bed to eye the guard. It was his luck to have Tobi out of the whole bunch. Tobi was one of the softer-hearted guards- he liked to give Nicoli rocks that looked interesting from the outside.Tobi was also gullible. He never had kids of his own- so he never learned how honestly mischievous they could be. Thus, Nicoli couldn't have asked for a more perfect candidate than Tobi. “Tobi, I have a confession to make.” Nicoli made the effort of pouting as if this were the hardest thing to say—all a performance, of course. I have to sell it. Nicoli knew. Because his life depended on it now, he had a mission.So please, fall for it. Nicoli even threw a little disheartened sigh. It seemed to work as Tobi shifted on his feet. “A confession?”“I…can’t sleep.” “Is th
*Nicoli*Nicoli traversed the vast dark halls with only the lamp light as his saving grace. Otherwise, he would see nothing. It was pitch dark. But Nicoli expected it. The halls were usually dark, even during the day. So, it wasn't a significant change.What Nicoli did not expect, though, was what was happening outside. It wasn't quiet. It was so noisy that even Nicoli found it odd. It shouldn’t have been. People should have been asleep around this time. Why are so many people still awake? Nicoli thought it was very odd. It was too late for this many people to be moving around. It sounded like just about everyone was awake. People were pushing and talking.What’s going on? Feeling curious, Nicoli stopped to push a board aside to see outside- another small hole in the wall that gave a peek-a-boo to the outside hall. I’m right. Nicoli thought, looking into the hall. Everyone was awake.Nicoli could see the servants rushing down the halls. Some were carrying trunks, and others were ca
*Ana*Something smells good. My eyes twitch under my eyelids but don’t open. They still feel heavy. But I won’t be stopped.The smell is too intoxicating. It nags me. I won’t rest until I find it. It even makes my mouth water.What is this delicious smell?I slowly manage to crack my eyes open. They try to stick together. I move to rub them open. It does help, but I think I’ve pressed too hard because I see spots. I’ll have to wait till they adjust. While I wait, I lift my head. It feels strange. It feels like it’s put on wrong. It’s not sitting straight. Did I sleep on it funny?I shift my head back on my neck, and I feel it. Something is wrong. My head feels heavy, and I sense the soft headache trying to form over my eyebrow. It’s the beginning of a migraine.But I swallow as I don’t want to dwell on that thought. I only breathe in the smell. It smells so good. I see the glass when I sit up a little.Is it this?I reach to take the glass. I’m surprised to feel it’s warm. But I quic
*King Alexander* King Alexander grunted as he felt the hand on his shoulder shaking him awake. He fluttered his eyes to find it to be one of his captains. He was standing over him.“Your Highness?” He rasped, and King Alexander closed his eyes again and stretched. An immediate pain came from his lower back. He was stiff from sleeping in the chair. But he ignored the pain. There were more pressing matters at hand.“Hmm?” Alexander smacked his lips as he rustled to life. Besides his body being stiff- his mind was slowly turning. It took him a moment to realize where he was - still in the old hall of the less-used castle. “Is Ana-” Alexander breathed as he grew into focus. His blue eyes quickly darted down the hall to land at the door. It was closed. But he still had to ask.“Is she awake-” But the guard shook his head. That was not the news he wanted to share.“It’s morning, your highness.” The guard motioned to the windows. It took Alexander a moment to register the bright light pee