*Mykhol*
"Well, we have to think of something." Mykhol got up from the couch once again to pace the room. It was the only thing that seemed to help at the moment. Moving helped make him feel like he was doing something.
Something besides focusing on the sharp yank under his ribs that is,
"I want to be alone, cousin." Ana's words echoed in his head.
"Damn it." Mykhol scuffed, pressing on the spot in his chest. It didn't help.
But Mykhol couldn't dwell on it. Right now, he needed to stay focused. They needed an answer.
"What are we going to do?" Mykhol looked at his parents.
"We can't let that letter go out."
"Perhaps, If we intercede the letter…."His mother was nibbling on the tips of her fingers from deep thought.
"We could make sure it doesn't get out?"
"What if we get caught with it?" His father, who was slightly calmer about the situation—not because he wasn't worried; he just was poor about expressing it—cut over.
"That'll be treason."
"Treason?" Funda's face fell.
"Oh my," Funda covered her face. Her body shook with a sharp gasp.
Uh-oh, both of them knew what that meant. It was the beginning of another frantic spell of crying.
"Father," Mykhol warned to see him quickly move over.
"Funda, don't." His father grabbed her shoulders. But this did the opposite of comforting her.
"Well! You think of a better idea, then!" She shrilled at him.
"If you're so smart, husband, what can you do better-"
"I DO have a plan,"
"You do?" Mykhol shifted a little.
"Then what do you suppose?"
"The letter could fall in water or drop in mud on the 'journey.'"
"This…"Funda perked up at the idea.
"How easy that would be. It would look like a harmless accident. No one would be at fault."
Father nodded with a push of his glasses.
"It's foolproof-"
"Foolproof?!" What were they saying? Mykhol could just face-palm himself right there.
"And what will stop that prince from writing back to say it was damaged? Hmm?"
"Er, that is-" His Father shifted his eyes. "I didn't think of-"
"You'll still have him writing back to her. That's the last thing we want."
"But-" Mykhol hadn't raised his voice, but Funda shrank all the same. The hope barely got to breathe before getting squashed.
"I don't understand how this happened." Funda shook her head.
"Why would she want to write at all?"
" I don't know," Mykhol spoke in truth. That was the biggest question.
After what happened, I thought she never wanted to think about Dawny. At least, Mykhol thought it worked.
No, it did work. Mykhol saw it. But then something changed.
Something's turned Ana back to the idea.
Or should I say someone? Mykhol shifted his jaw to the side, thinking of a very particular person.
Maddie. If only I could just get rid of that pest. It would be nothing to do.
But Ana likes her. She would notice if she went missing.
He would have to find a new way to get her out of the picture.
Not that I don't already have enough to do. Mykhol looked at the clock to see if enough time had passed.
She'll be done with her letter by now, shouldn't she? Mykhol had to assume. If not, he would still go. He didn't think he could sit through any more of this.
"I must go."Mykhol turned on his heel.
"Mykhol," Funda went to take his hand. She looked up with wide, circled eyes. "If we don't-"
"I'll think of something." Mykhol leaned in to kiss her cheek.
"Please, be careful." Funda went softly. His father nodded before standing to take his shoulder.
"We are here for you, son." Though his expression was firm, Mykhol could feel his fingers grip unevenly.
"You are the most important thing to us."
Mykhol reached to hold onto his hand. At that moment, he could see their warmth and care. It was so strong that Mykhol couldn't help but linger a moment longer to bask in it.
But the moment couldn't stay forever. Ana was waiting.
"I know." Mykhol pulled away first to leave. The image of them burned behind his eyes as he left them.
-x-
"It's so quiet," Mykhol noted as he walked into Ana's wing of the palace. He hadn't seen a single servant the whole way. It was as though no one was even here.
But that wasn't much of a surprise.
No one would want to be here.
No one, that is, except for me. Mykhol's lips curled on the corners as if amused. But it wasn't quite enough to make a smile. And it faded just as quickly.
"I want to be alone, cousin."
"Aren't you already?" Mykhol answered the vacant hall.
Wasn't this proof enough?
"Why, if it weren't for me, you'd have no one else." Mykhol clenched his hand, feeling the pit of his stomach curl up into his chest.
So how dare you tell me to go? How dare you think you can-
"You should be grateful." No, you should be thanking me every time I bother to see you.
YOu should be-
Mykhol stopped where he was to press at the tight pang in his chest. He spread his hand over the spot for a long moment, listening to growing silence.
"So quiet," Mykhol murmured, hearing the silence drone on at a low pitch.
It was almost unbearable.
"How could you push me away?" The question lingered in the air.
How?
Mykhol just couldn't understand.
"Hmm?" The hall was so silent that any sound would seem like it was screaming. Mykhol could hear even a pin drop. But this wasn't a pin.
It was footsteps.
Someone's up? Mykhol lifted his head. Someone was moving, and by the sound, very quickly.
"Ana?" Mykhol perked up just as the silhouette started at the far end of the hall. They were clenching something close to their chest.
It was a flash of white. Mykhol stared after it a moment before it registered. That was paper—an envelope.
And the person holding it was-
Mykhol quietly ducked into one of the doorways just in time for them to rush past unseen.
*Maddie*
"Hurry," Maddie anxiously turned the corner. She wanted to make it to the postmaster before anything or anyone could get wind of it.
Because if they do, I know they will try something. It was a gut feeling, But Maddie thrived on it. It saved her before.
And something kept saying to make sure it gets sent out now. It was important she did.
Or I may never get another chance. Her gut twisted with the thought.
It made Maddie go even faster.
They can't do anything if it's sent. The letter would be safe once posted.
I only need to get there before anyone notices-
"Damn!" Maddie cursed. The stamp was lifting again. The glue wasn't sticking down.
"You sticky son of a bitch." Maddie licked her finger to press down on the stamp. Hoping it would be the last time.
But the stamp lifted again when she removed her finger.
Why now? But Maddie didn't have time to complain.
"I'll just get another one," Maddie resolved.
It's okay. There's still time. I'll be quick. Maddie moved.
I'll get back to Ana's room and-
"Good evening, Maddie."
Maddie froze dead in her tracks at the voice.
"Lord M-Mykhol." Maddie forced a smile, finding the vampire suddenly standing behind her.
"Good evening."Maddie tucked the letter behind her arm, turning.
"What are you doing up so late?" But before Maddie knew herself, Mykhol moved.
"What's this now?" Maddie felt the air hit her arm before she saw the white envelope free. Mykhol held it in his hands.
Mykhol flipped it around.
"A letter?"
"Lord Mykhol, that's-" Maddie's heart stopped as she saw the stamp lifting.
"Is something wrong with this stamp?" Myhkol looked down at it with a raised brow
"Yes!" Maddie nodded, trying to think quickly.
"Yes, it is." Maddie felt her breath catch up with her. "I was going back to fix it. Now, please give that back-."
The stamp pulled back with a slow tug before ripping free from the paper. Mykhol allowed it to drop from his fingers and bounce down onto the floor three times before resting.
It now lay to the side of the column. The small square piece was all curled up like a dead spider.
"Oh my." Mykhol gasped, turning back to the envelope. His long fingers turned the paper.
Maddie could see it. So could Mykhol. Anyone could see it. Her message to the King was on full display now.
"Maddie," A soft purr escaped Mykhol's throat before his eyes sparked in delight.
"I think your little game is up, my dear."