"Oh my God, Nita!" Eleven exclaimed, frustration etched upon her soft, fair features. "At this point, you're going to bite off every single material of this cloth!" She groaned, her voice a mixture of exasperation and concern.
Apparently, she was attempting to dress Nita in one of her tiny petticoats, but the mischievous little creature was intent on tearing the delicate fabric to shreds.
"I'm trying to be nice, and you're repaying me this way? If you ruin it, Zeiss won't get me another one!!"
"What wouldn't Zeiss get you?" In her fit of frustration, Eleven had not even noticed the door creak open as Zeiss strode into the room.
Eleven glanced up from the scene of chaos where Nita had slipped free of the garment and resumed her assault on the cloth with her small teeth. "Zeiss, talk to Nita. She doesn't listen to anyone but you." The tiny girl shook her head vigorously, rising to her feet and marching over to Zeiss, brandishing the torn remnants she had wrested from Nita's mouth. "See? I'm trying to be nice and dress her so she won't catch a cold, but she's tearing it apart!"
Zeiss chuckled at the little girl's words of anger. "Is she now?" he said, moving further into the room and scooping up Nita into his arms. "She's being a stubborn little wolf, isn't she?" He gently rubbed Nita's exposed belly, eliciting a soft growl from the creature.
Eleven nodded, narrowing her eyes as she folded her arms defiantly. "I feel like you both are against me." This statement drew Zeiss's attention back to her; he crouched down to meet her gaze at eye level.
"I'm always on your side, okay?" he reassured her, running his fingers through her hair affectionately. "I'll be away soon—very far away for a long time."
A shadow fell over Eleven's face at his words, replaced by a sad frown. "Away? Where away? How long, Zeiss?"
Zeiss offered a small smile in response to her barrage of questions. "It will be quite some time, but I promise I will return soon."
Eleven blinked at him; something ached deep within her tiny chest. Before she could stop herself, a single tear slipped down her cheek. She hastily wiped it away, not wanting to worry Zeiss.
"Are you crying, El?" He withdrew his hand from her hair and gently brushed another tear from her cheek. "Don't cry, little girl; I will come back soon, alright?" She wiped away the tear and instinctively leaned closer to him.
"When are you going?" she asked softly. He could practically feel the weight of her sadness pressing against his nonexistent heart.
"The day after tomorrow," he replied gently. She nodded against him. "You won't cry again, will you?" He felt her shake her head in determination as he pulled her away to look into her eyes. The tears had ceased their flow. "Gianna and Lincoln will be with you—and Nita too, okay?"
"Okay." She squeaked out the word while managing a small smile. "I won't cry again, so don't worry about me, Zeiss. Just prepare for your travelling." Her resolve seemed to lighten his heart.
"I'll return tonight and read you a story before you go to bed," he promised. Eleven nodded eagerly at his words as he ruffled her silver hair once more before departing from her room. He gently shut the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, exhaling deeply before making his way to his own chamber.
Upon entering his study, he sent for Lincoln with a wave of his hand.
Settling into an armchair that seemed almost too grand for such a modest room, he heard a knock before Lincoln entered with an air of formality. "You sent for me, Master Zeiss."
Zeiss regarded Lincoln with a sigh, combing his tousled hair back only for it to fall once more over his strikingly rare turquoise eyes. "You know I'm at that point in my life," he said knowingly.
"I just realized," Lincoln replied with a sigh as he took a seat opposite Zeiss. "A God of Death hibernates once they reach the age of forty." He echoed Celestina's —Zeiss's mother —words verbatim.
Zeiss sighed heavily again. "The king doesn't know this does he?" Lincoln shook his head solemnly.
"I doubt he does," Lincoln continued thoughtfully. "But if it's about Eleven, I suggest you take her far away from here. Twelve years is too long; I'm certain King Hudson would discover the truth eventually."
"He would indeed," Zeiss agreed grimly. "He would do anything to keep the girl in his grasp." He looked at Lincoln intently. "What do you suggest?"
"We can take her far away—perhaps even to another kingdom," Lincoln proposed confidently. "King Hudson is too preoccupied with his own affairs; I doubt he'd suspect you would take her beyond our borders. We can bring her back before your return."
Zeiss nodded thoughtfully; it was a sensible plan that appealed to him greatly.
"Gianna will be with her," Lincoln added.
"You?" Zeiss raised an eyebrow at the vampire.
Lincoln smiled faintly. "I'll remain here and keep watch over things until your return."
"I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow," Zeiss said decisively. "You can come and help prepare me for my departure if you wish." He shrugged nonchalantly.
Lincoln laughed softly and shook his head in amusement. "Oh, Zeiss." It was moments like these that prompted him to address his master by name rather than title; they shared a bond deeper than mere servitude. "If you want something from me, kindly ask nicely."
Zeiss narrowed his eyes at him across the desk. "You didn't just say that to me, did you?"
Lincoln chuckled heartily in response. "I very much did." He stood up and bowed slightly before continuing on with business matters. "I've sent word to Maria; she and her children should arrive tomorrow or perhaps the next day."
Zeiss nodded appreciatively at Lincoln's show of gratitude before waving him off with a gesture of gratitude as he left the study.