*Nicoli*“I don’t understand. It should be right here.” Nicoli kept saying it. But it didn't seem to work. It wasn’t anywhere.But that doesn’t make any sense. Stone figurines don’t just get up and walk off by themselves, do they? Of course not.“I swear I had it right here before I left.” Why did I leave it behind? Again, Nicoli regretted it, but his pockets were too small. It wouldn't fit.I should have just taken it with me. If I had known it would be gone- I wasn’t gone that long, though. For once, Hidi was actually serious. She didn't make any jokes or try any tricks. It surprised even him. Hidi was surprisingly mature about leaving back for Almony that morning. “I can’t stay and play with you forever, Nicoli. Though it has been fun.” Hidi was giving her last farewells.“But I need to start ruling my country.” Hidi then laughed at something. “But it doesn't mean you are off the hook. You better grow another foot when I come back. I am not fond of short men.”“Short- you're
*Admiral Nugen*“What is this?” Admiral Nugen mused as he went through his bag to find the atlas, and then he spotted the foreign object inside.I don’t remember packing this. Admiral Nugen pulled it out curiously. It looked to be some kind of journal of sorts. But it had no markings and was bound in some soft black leather. Too soft, Admiral Nugen could immediately feel the leather was of high quality. But that didn’t make any lick of sense. Nugen never had anything beyond what was practical. This journal was clearly expensive. Something he could never afford, let alone own one.So clearly, this isn’t mine. Admiral Nugen was sure of it. But then, why did he have it? “How’d you get in there?” Admiral Nugen moved to open the cover.“Who-”“Admiral Nugen?” The voice entered the tent before one of his men stepped forward. Admiral Nugen dropped the book to the side expectantly.“Do you have an update?” He asked but it was more a formality at this point. The news was the same. The vampi
*Mykhol*I know I shouldn’t, but- Mykhol lifted his eyes to steal yet another peek. The sight of Ana at her desk immediately curled something underneath his ribs.Suppose my parents were to see me right now. Mykhol clenched the book. It was a problem. He knew it was bad to be so obvious. Mykhol already saw their shock and horror. But so what? He was happy. And Mykhol had good reason to be. Both obstacles to their plan were gone. The king was still in Dawny. And now even Admiral Nugen was away. And Mother and Father are wasting no time enjoying their new riches. Mykhol smirked, touching the sleeve. It was another new gown. But, of course, Ana didn’t notice. But You never know when she might start to. Mykhol rubbed at the embroidery of a dragon. And when she does, she’ll be the one sneaking looks at me.It’s all just going so well. Mykhol curled his lips. So well, in fact, Mykhol’s only worry was what ‘company’ he would take later.Mykhol licked his lips. He had options. Almost
-Prelude-*Ana*“I don’t wanna go,” I look up. “Please, I’ll be good for Stepmother, ” But the nursemaid only smiles down at me.“You’ll be happy in Nochten, Princess Anastasia." She tries to smile. But it gets ruined between the tears. “You will be back with your kind.”My kind? I keep hearing that, my kind this and my kind that, over and over. But what does that mean? I don’t understand.“Please, I swear-” But the cold, snowy wind blows us back in a hard push. Behind me, something breaks.My hair- the bands snapped, and my hair is dancing in the air. It blinds my whole vision in a solid color of silver.Silver- I haven’t seen anyone else with that color Father once called it special—proof of the love between him and my mother.But I don’t know her. She died when I was a baby. And I don’t want it because it makes me have to leave. I want to go back inside where it’s warm- to go back to Papa."Don’t make me go,” I scratch at the nurse's hand. “Let me go!”“Your Highness,” She winces
-Three years later-*Ana*“I can’t take it anymore.” The maid screams and throws down the brush. Her face almost as red as her hair. She’s still huffing and puffing through her fangs as I reach down to pick it back up. “But my hair-” I see the wild mess in the mirror. I can’t remember how long since the last maid combed it. And it was bad then. But now, I can’t even pass my fingers through parts. The long, curly silver hair is starting to lock up. It’s going to hurt even more than usual to untangle it.But, it needs to get combed.“I know no one wants to touch it, but it will only be worse if you don’t-”“I can’t touch it,” The maid goes again, making a face. “It’s gross! Don’t make me touch it!”“But -” How am I to get the knots out? “Today was supposed to be the designated day.” I go. “We agreed, didn’t we?” but the maid charges for the door.“Well, I changed my mind. I’m not doing it..” “Please-” I try once more. “IF you just do the back-” I can do the rest. But, I don’t get an
"You do know the Empress is mixed? ” Lady Funda cut straight to the point. It had not been a good round of interviews, and by the last interview, high noon was almost upon them.So, needlessly to say, Funda wasn't in the mood to sugarcoat things. “She’s half and half.” Funda tapped her fingers. “Human and Vampire. And she has that cursed silver hair.”“Is that right?”“Yes, so-” Funda went to get up. Expecting it to be the final deal breaker. It was for everyone else.“I understand you don’t want the position. You can leave through the main-”“It must be pretty.”“Yes, it is gross- “ Funda was agreeing when it hit her. “Wait, what?”“I said it must be pretty.” “Pretty?” Funda blinked, still not processing it.“Did I say something wrong?” “Yes, er, I mean, no-” Funda had to backtrack. It was not the answer she was prepared for. But she managed to collect herself again.“Well, you will have to touch it.” Lady Funda went on. “It is part of your role. “ Funda paused to let the human sp
“Have you ever considered taking a pen pal, Ana?” Maddie uses the nickname. It’s a habit of hers when we are alone. “Pen pal?” I repeat. What is she going on about this time? It’s been a month since Maddie started. But it doesn’t feel like much time has passed. Maybe because she makes everything seem, I don’t know, odd?She never seems to run out of questions. That’s for sure.Maddie moves to smell one of the roses. We are walking through her garden right now—the great garden of the late Empress Parsul, my mother. It’s the only remains of her reign. Everything else was destroyed, as is the custom in Nochten. We purge anything of the dead.I think that is why no one visits this place. It stays deserted, save for me.Well, except for Maddie. She seems to like them as much as I do.“Why would I do that?” "Why do you think so?" Maddie leans down to fluff my hair. “Stop,” I shift away, but Maddie plops her hand over my head. It feels warm on my scalp. It’s calming“To make a friend, y
“Your Majesty,” Johan warned. But King Alexander shooed him off.“I know what you are going to say, but I don’t care.” King Alexander had every right to be happy. And with that, he gave another skip around the room. “Your majesty,” Johan could shake his head, but it was a lost cause. The king wasn’t going to listen.“My baby girl, my sweet little dove.” King Alexander twirled before sitting back down. He kicked his feet before going for the letter again. It was the third time.But it still wasn’t enough.“I wish she wrote more.” Alexander pouted, pushing his beard down.“But it’s a start, your Majesty.” “Aye, yes, it is.” And Alexander was back up and walking the room. His mind was a buzz, and he had to keep moving. “Agent Maddie has delivered on her word.” She said she would. But neither of them expected it to be this fast. “She deserves a reward. But it should be gold.” No, gold wouldn’t be enough for what she managed to do.The door of communication was finally opened after fou