"Come out, come out, wherever you are."
Mykhol clicked his claws against the balcony railing as bloodred eyes scanned down over the so-called 'party' below. But he had yet to spy her among the tables of humans.
No, little girls, he corrected. And his eyes narrowed over the dainty white tables set on the lawn. Each one was laid with a tea set and a tier of desserts that matched the girl's absurdly voluminous dresses. Making them the look of dyed cotton balls.
Another reason I hate foreign fashion. Mykhol tomed to himself. But that was beside the point. He wasn't here to note their fashion. And again, Mykhol patrolled the scene until he found exactly what he was looking for.
"There you are." Mykhol's heart quicked at the sight of precious red. He'd found her.
Ana was down below, sitting at what looked like some grand table. But as grand as it was, it still looked somehow crowded. His petite cousin looked squashed between the bearded king and the boy prince on the left. At the same time, the beautiful queen sat on the opposite end with a large blond girl sitting beside her.
"Blond?" Mykhol paused at the sight of the last occupant before dropping his jaw as recognition hit him.
The two may not have met, but Mykhol needed no help in recognizing the new queen of Almony. It would seem the reports about her had been accurate. All thanks to his mother not sparing a single detail.
And here I thought she wouldn't stop talking about it. Mykhol remembered. But it was all clearly worth it now. That, and interceding all the news of the new queen's accession.
"But why would she be here?" Wasn't that the question? Mykhol rubbed the bottom of his lip with a claw, intrigued. This was the last person he thought to ever see here. Yet there she was, sitting with An, too.
Just what I need, right? Mykhol felt his lip twitch, grazing his fang. Like his hands weren't full enough?
But I'll deal with it later. Mykhol planed. Because right now. There was only one person he wanted to focus on now.
Mykhol quietly drew his eyes back to Ana. Taking in her stiff posture. Ana was no doubt trying to sit properly, as a rule, knowing how pigheaded she could be about things. Even when being sandwiched between the two humans.
Poor thing. Mykhol couldn't help but smile pitifully down at her. Of course, Ana would. And knowing her, she'd never speak up about it. Let alone be used to such boisterous people. No wonder she looks so uncomfortable.
Perhaps I should go down and save her from them-
But Mykhol was cut off mid-thought as King Alexander leaned in to whisper. Then he was sliding some sort of plate with cake over. And then Ana smiled.
Smile? Mykhol paused his claws mid-tap at the sight before narrowing his eyes. They were too far out of reach to hear, even with his vampire's ears. But it didn't really matter.
"Don't you look like you're having fun?" Mykhol tensed his shoulders before his fangs glided out. His claws dug into the marble railing when the King handed Ana a spoon.
"Damn it!" The marble cracked a hairline under the weight of his fist.
"My lord?" Naska gasped, rushing to his side before looking at the indent he made in the stone. Her brick-red eyes fluttered over it before looking below, but she couldn't understand.
"My lord, what is-"
"Don't." Mykhol hissed, swallowing down hard before pulling in a deep breath. This was not what he needed right now.
Not after this morning. Mykhol could still feel the wound underneath his ribs from that encounter in the hall.
And by a damn human, no less. Mykhol reeled at the insult all the more because it was so unexpected. He never dreamed he'd have to compete with a human boy.
How can she choose that Prince over me? Twice! She had done it twice now.
Mykhol hissed through fangs before slamming his fist into the marble again to break off a chip. But it did nothing to help his mood, not when he could still glance up to find Ana still down there. Looking like she was having a grand time, happy and smiling. All with those damn humans.
But what about me? Did she just forget I was even here?
What do I… even mean to you? Mykhol felt his stomach twist as something pressed over his chest. His hand moved to touch the hollow spot, but it didn't ease the tension inside. Tension Mykhol could guess what it could be.
I thought for sure that I established myself at this point. That you would have some level of care for me. That you would have some feelings.
I thought, at the very least… you would look for me. But It was clear to Mykhol he was alone on that. But that wasn't supposed to happen. It was supposed to be her, not him. No, this was all wrong. He was already in too deep.
I've been going too deep for a while. Mykhol couldn't deny it. He knew that he had crossed that point years back. A point that was not according to plan.
But he had. And now Mykhol couldn't help but growl lowly as he watched on as Ana seemed to carry on, blissfully unaware.
If you only had an idea of what would happen if I weren't with you? Mykhol thought darkly. He didn't need to imagine hard. What would happen if he weren't there to protect her?
To let you fend for yourself, Ana?
Would it teach you a lesson? Mykhol thought. It did work well last time, didn't it?
Mykhol could recall how much Ana cried in his arms. And she stayed with him the rest of the day.
Like a scared little kitten. Mykhol smiled at the memory.
"Lord Mykhol?" Naska urged quietly.
"Hm?" Mykhol turned, almost forgetting her existence.
"Can we go down now?"
"Or, at least back inside with the shade?"Sweat dripped down the side of her temples. "It would be so much better than just standing here and..."
"Are you about to tell your master what to do?" Mykhol lifted a brow with a cold stare. "Is that what you're doing, Naska?"
"What, oh, No," Naska stepped back with her palms up. "I wasn't, no." She looked down to her feet. "I wouldn't. I only thought you might be…hot?"
"Naska, you do not know your place." Mykhol crossed his arms.
"M-my lord," Naska bowed her low, shifting the brick-red hair to hang over her face.
"Just… be quiet." Mykhol sighed, distracted as he saw them move.
The prince was now pulling Ana from the table. It looked like he meant to have them meet the crowd of girls gathering on the far side. The giant queen was up and following behind.
But to his surprise, the giant also reached for Ana—something which made the Prince quickly pull her back before throwing a glare up at the giant.
Were they fighting over her? Mykhol's lips curled a little at the idea. But whatever the squabble, he lost interest, instead, he looked back to the table. One person remained.
And as if she could already feel his gaze, icy grey eyes lifted to find him.
'Let's talk,' Queen Belinda mouthed before turning to sip tea.
Mykhol nodded back, pleased to see he had gotten what he had come for.
"That'll do."
"Lord Mykhol?"Naska, meanwhile, brightened as if thinking that maybe they'd move now.
"Can we go inside now-"
"You should only talk when someone talks to you first, Naska." Mykhol cut coldly. Again, Naska's smile withered.
"Oh, I-"
"If you do it again, I'll pull out your fangs. Remember Abina?"
"My lord-" Naska covered her mouth with both hands. Mykhol only smiled."Now, be a good girl. Don't talk." He made to pat her cheek.
And Mykhol turned from her moving to head down the stairs. His eyes fixed on the red and gold shawl that mingled amongst the pastel puffs of cotton near the middle. And he kept his eyes on her till the very last minute he had to look ahead.
"I mustn't be late." Mykhol made to head toward the table, already smiling with his fangs as again he found the Queen's eyes waiting for him.