*Mykhol*
"No," Mykhol snatched the quill away from Ana's hand. Immediately making the girl look at him. Her petite little face crumpled before his eyes. It was clear to see the girl was tired.
But Mykhol refused to budge. He remained unyielding to her silent pleas. They would not work on him- not when things were going his way now.
Mykhol had no intention of letting it go.
I like it better that you can't worm your way out. Mykhol thought with a slight curl to his lips. He flicked the quill in his hands before propping it down before her.
"Write it again."
"Cousin-" At last, Ana could take no more. She turned as Mykhol crumpled the paper. He tossed behind him with a soft thud before motioning for another.
"Don't keep us waiting?" Mykhol smirked at Maddie. Maddie, who remained off near the fireplace, only shook her head. She went to hand over a new piece.
"It's getting late," Maddie commented, not to Mykhol but to Ana. Mykhol scuffed at the lack of respect.
"Who says you could talk out of turn?" Mykhol snapped the paper from Maddie's hands. Maddie bowed in apology, but now Ana was more upset. She seemed to look between them as if torn.
You don't like it when I pick on her, do you? Mykhol noted.
How funny.
A vampire was caring about a human.
Mykhol dropped the paper onto the desk before grabbing the quill. He pointed to Ana's hands. She seemed to shake as she took it.
"Can't we stop now?" Again, she threw up her big eyes to plead with him.
"And leave your precious Prince Nicoli waiting?" Mykhol snarked. He could see more color drain from the girl's face. She couldn't fight him. And He knew it.
Hence why he found it all the more fun.
That's what you get for purposely avoiding me. Mykhol was still sour over it. The fact that she had made a fool of him. And maybe a little because she didn't want to be around him.
What girl didn't want to be around me? Mykhol was baffled. But he didn't dwell long on the thought as he leaned over the chair to tap the paper.
"Start it again,"
"Remember our agreement?" Mykhol leaned in. His breath was hot on her ear.
"Yes, cousin…" Ana lowered her eyes, defeated.
Maddie, seeing her, had to bite down on her lip. Apparent confusion was on her face, but Mykhol only smiled brighter. He was again finding it all the more fun.
"Good girl."Mykhol leaned back, brushing her cheek in the process. Her soft skin felt like butter.
But Mykhol could see her grimace. It made him frown. His eyes darted to her silver hair.
How dare she act like I'm something to shrink away from? Did the girl not own a mirror? Mykhol shook his head before turning away to look out the window. He watched the vast space of the desert grow farther and farther.
His ears picked up the sound of scratching. Ana had begun to write. Good. When she stopped, he looked over.
"It's… it's done." Ana didn't lift her eyes from the paper.
"Ah, good." Mykhol moved to lean over the chain again.
"Now, read it aloud, please."
"Again?" Ana looked up with a crack in her voice. Mykhol only smiled.
"Just to make sure everything is right."
"Ah," Ana seemed to deflate. But she didn't put up any more protests. She turned back to do so. Being so close to Ana, Mykhol could feel her head warmer than her back. He could also smell her.
Sandalwood? Mykhol paused. He sniffed again.
Was it her hair?
"Dear Prince Nicoli, brother, things have improved between us. Cousin Mykhol and I are no longer at odds-" Ana paused, reading as Mykhol moved.
"Go on." Mykhol motioned as he curled the loose strand of hair behind her ear. His finger lightly dragged over her cheek as he did.
"Please," Mykhol smiled gently. His finger lightly stroked her cheek. He could feel Ana press her tongue to the roof of her mouth. But she said nothing and just turned back to read.
"-We now spend much of our time together. My heart is filled with finally having a family I so much needed. I couldn't be happier. Until we speak again, Empress Anastasia of Nochten."
"There," Mykhol leaned in to press his lips to Ana's cheek but stopped. Was he just about to kiss her?
How odd… Mykhol reeled back, feeling the urge to a foreign one. Maybe I'm just tired?
It had to be. Mykhol could think of no other reason. He was tired and needed to wrap this up.
"Good girl," Mykhol took up the letter and shook it dry. He snapped at the maid.
"Envelope?"
Maddie flinched but moved to pull one out. As she did, Mykhol pulled it without a single look at her. Sure that that would make her angrier. He was yet to forgive the maid for her involvement in Ana's betrayal.
Her punishment would come soon. Ana, however, was going to be the more critical. Mykhol had to ensure she was good and ready before he'd turn on the maid.
Without pause, he folded the letter inside and closed the envelope. He licked the seal and held it over to Ana's face.
"Oh?"
"Now, Anastasia, will you do the honors?"
"The honors?" Ana blinked up at him. It was almost cute the way she looked at him, clueless.
If only she didn't have all that silver hair. Mykhol controlled himself.
It was a shame.
"The royal seal?" Mykhol prompted.
"Ah." Ana reluctantly took her stamp and wax from the drawer.
"Thank you." Mykhol took the block of red wax to the candle. It melted over the envelope lip. Ana then pressed down her stamp.
When the wax cracked, she then lifted it. Underneath the stamp revealed the bat and moon crest of the Nochten Empire. Ana seemed to stare after it looking drained.
Mykhol gave her a gentle pat on the head.
Good girl.
"Now, everything is all sealed up and ready to go." Mykhol smiled and moved closer to her ear.
"Won't your Prince Nicoli be delighted to see us grow closer?"
It was meant to rattle the girl, but seeing Ana's face fall further upset him. Mykhol frowned. Her reaction somewhat irritated him for some reason.
Stubborn. Mykhol moved to lift her chin.
"Aren't you happy? You got to write to your 'dear brother.'" His finger moved to graze over her lower lip.
"You should smile."
Smile like when you first met me. Mykhol thought. He wanted a big smile.
But Ana seemed to only stare at him. Her lips lay flat as she seemed perfectly still. Mykhol couldn't help but feel it irk him even more.
Is she refusing? Mykhol twitched.
Fine. Mykhol dismissed. He turned to stand up.
Be stubborn. He would let it go for today since he has already accomplished much. The letter was in his hand. The goal was reached. Victory.
Won't Mom and Dad be proud? Mykhol stretched with a loud yawn. His fangs were out as he smacked his lips. His eyes caught the clock, and he hissed.
It was late!
"My, would you look at the time? You're right. It is late." Mykhol took the chance to weave his fingers into her braids. He quickly unraveled one.
"I think it best we all turn in." Mykhol watched her silver hair break free. He found he much preferred her hair unbraided.
It was easier to play with then.
At his words, Ana sighed quietly. Was that out of relief? Mykhol couldn't help but narrow his eyes at her. But he didn't feel like pressing. Instead, he straightened up.
It was time he went.
"Until tomorrow, my dear Anastasia."
Ana tensed up again at the suggestion.
"Tomorrow?" Her voice went quiet.
"Make sure the letter is posted," Mykhol instructed Maddie in passing. He made to smile, but it wasn't meant to be kind. His eyes didn't blink as he looked at her.
"And do tell me if ANYONE TAMPERS with it." Mykhol pushed the envelope into her hands, ensuring not to interrupt eye contact.
"To mess with the Empress's letters is a SERIOUS crime."
"Of course, m'lord." Maddie maintained a calm expression. But Mykhol doubted she was. She may not realize it- but he could see the anger in her eyes.
And he found it delicious. Again, it was justified.
You shouldn't have messed with me. It was only fair he would retaliate. He hadn't even started.
Mykhol smiled and kept walking. Maddie moved to step next to Ana's side. But from there, she made no further motion. She was Leaving Mykhol to have to open the door for himself.
Mykhol couldn't help but feel the slight. That would only make him do worse later. He was always a man of the saying 'eye for an eye.'
And I'll remember this rudeness.
Before leaving, Mykhol stopped to look at the portrait of Nochten's first emperor. The vampire beamed down at him coldly. Mykhol smiled at it.
A brief thought passed that a picture would be made after himself one day.
One day…Mykhol smiled with his fangs out.
Very soon.
Mykhol only had to ensure things stayed on their course from now on. Not something hard- once you know good blackmail. Mykhol could already feel his future guaranteed. It was a pleasant feeling.
"Good night, Cousin." Ana voiced to have Mykhol look back at her with surprise. He did not think she would speak again.
But as he looked, he could see Ana sitting there. Her eyes were on him as if eager to hear some reply. It was oddly desperate in the way she looked for a response.
She must be a lonely child indeed. Mykhol mused. But he liked the feeling. It made him smile sweetly back at her.
"Pleasant dreams, Anastasia." Mykhol stepped through the door.
*Ana*
"About damn time!" Maddie is quick. She closes the door behind him as if barring him from ever returning.
"How dare he-" Maddie is reeling. She sounds angry. But I can't even begin to grow angry. I can't do anything but sink into my chair. I am exhausted.
I can't even cry. Just sit there and look at the ceiling with dead eyes. My body feels so heavy.
Today was too much. From Mykhol constantly looming over me and touching me- I can't remember even Maddie feeling me so much. And he ruined my hair again…
"Haa." I exhale and drop my shoulders. My head is fuzzy.
And it's all going to start over again tomorrow?
I weakly look back at the envelope on the desk. My eyes linger on the blue seal before it starts to hurt. I have to shut my eyes.
Nicoli…
Can I do this again? Mykhol all over me? Never leaving me alone?
I've never had to deal with such an invasive person before. Even Maddie has her limits. But this- it's like there are no boundaries. I've never had to deal with that before.
I don't know how to handle this.
I feel so small.
I open my eyes and sit back to see Maddie again. She seems just to be getting angrier. I wish I could have that much energy.
But I feel washed up, tired, stressed, and- and I don't even know. This is just a lot for me. I guess Maddie can see it because she is returning quickly.
"Ana," Maddie wastes no time. She starts with the questions since we are finally by ourselves.
"What the hell is going on? When'd you two get close like this? Yesterday, I was helping you hide-"
"I went back," I answer, and Maddie freezes up.
"You what?"
"I went back to the study even when you told me not to. I should have listened…." And I give a small groan. I think I will get a headache from the over-exhaustion of today.
"Cousin Mykhol was waiting for me."
"I figured as much," Maddie nods. But as she seems to smile at me, forgivingly like this was a simple mistake- I tell her the bigger problem.
"He found all of Nicoli's letters."
"He what?" Maddie widens her eyes.
"This…how did he?" Maddie steadies herself, trying to keep calm.
"Did he?" Maddie rephrases.
"Cousin Mykhol threatened to take them all before the court unless I do as he says." I continue. A frustrated tear frees itself at last. I feel it slide down hot on my cheek. It's the final straw before I feel myself break.
"Oh, Maddie," I bury my face into my hands. It's all too much.
And Mykhol is not going to leave…
I can't escape this nightmare!
I cry and whimper into my hands. What am I supposed to do?
"I don't know what to do." I cry through my fingers. My whole body shakes.
"Ana, come here." Maddie takes no time to rush over. She pulls me up to wrap her arms around me tightly. I feel her heart hit my chest because she squeezes so hard. But it's a good feeling.
Because I find myself dulling down at the noise, my shaking stops as I listen. And to help, I feel Maddie. She's stroking my hair.
"Maddie…" I whimper as I bury my face into her neck. I can smell her soap. Again, another comforting trait for me.
"It looks like I have to," Maddie speaks after a moment, and I lift my head.
"Do what?" I ask, but Maddie smiles sadly.
"I don't like to see you suffer like this, you know. So I have to." Maddie goes on, but I don't follow.
"Maddie, what are you talking about?"
But Maddie is talking to herself because she continues the strange conversation.
"You deserve so much better than any of this. Why can't they leave you alone? It makes me have to do it. Right? I don't have any other choice. Even if it's risky."
"Maddie?" I push a bit back to see her face. Her bright smile is on again, and she seems to be back from wherever she just was.
"Just give the word, Ana." Maddie loosens her hold. I feel her arms drop, and I'm back to my feet. I can only look up at her. She's smiling, and her eyes look warm, but her face has some pain.
"I can help you."
"Maddie?"
"But we can't. Cousin will-" And I look behind me like he'll be there. Of course, he isn't, but he has me on edge.
"I'm not talking about our hide-n-seek," Maddie speaks and leans over with my letter.
"Just watch me." She winks. It is so off that it makes me laugh. Even though I don't want to - nothing about right now is funny.
"Maddie- what are you talking about?"
"I know how to perform a spell." Maddie voices weirdly- very nasally. It incites another giggle out of me. It helps me wipe away my tears.
"A spell? Are you some witch, Maddie?" I play along, feeling myself lighten up.
"Don't say a word, or they'll burn me." Maddie winks again. But my smile lessens.
"I wouldn't let them do that," I mean it. I don't want to imagine a life without her.
"I'm joking," Maddie shakes her head and bops my nose.
"You're so literal all the time." And to add to her teasing, she sticks her tongue at me. I roll my eyes.
I don't think it's a problem that I am serious about. I have to be. I will be Empress one day.
Everything I say will be necessary to everyone else. So it's only fair I do the same. At least, that's my thought process.
"They'd do much worse to me if they found out." Maddie laughs, but the sound doesn't sound completely carefree. She moves to lift the envelope and gently peels up the stamp. Curious, I watch as Maddie takes the quill to dip in ink.
She begins drawing right under the stamp's place. It is a snake circling a bird.
"What are you drawing?"
"My summoning spell, of course." Maddie leans over to blow dry the ink. She then sticks the stamp back over. It covers the drawing completely.
"It is?" I narrow my eyes at her.
"What are you summoning?"
Maddie moves with the envelope. She heads toward the door.
"For a hero to save you." Maddie voices and excuses herself from the room. She leaves swiftly through the door.
A hero…I find myself thinking alone in the room. My smile starts to die as the day finds me again.
"How silly,"
She shouldn't waste her time on such things. It isn't very reasonable. It won't work. It couldn't.
"Only children would believe that'd work," I whisper before I lift my eyes to the portrait of the first emperor.
For a moment, My eyes played a trick on me. I swear the stern-looking man looked back at me with pity as if he was upset with me. But that could never happen—ghosts or not.
I should go to bed.