"It's...it's alright..."
It was too easy to seduce a human girl like her that I almost felt bad. Almost.
Picking another cherry, I put it between my lips again and leaned in towards Lyra. Our lips touched after the cherry popped easily into her mouth. I pulled away with a smirk. Lyra looked completely transfixed. She had to blink a few times to get her mind back and then started chewing on the offered fruit.
All of a sudden, I saw a flash of red from the other side of the table. I turned my head to find a slender figure of a girl. The first thing that attracted my attention was her dress. It was a two-piece robe in black and bright scarlet along with a deep hood over her head. Around her waist was a short black skirt. Her knee high boots were genuine leather with floral pattern design. I couldn't see her face as it was hidden under the red hood.
The girl seemed to float through the crowd. I found myself turning away from the table and my eyes following the mysterious maiden.
"Anastasia?" Lyra called to me.
"Wait here," I said before moving after the girl.
I kept walking until I saw her again. As if she could feel me approaching, the girl turned around. Her movements were graceful and attentive like a panther.
When I saw her face for the first time, my breath left me. Her piercing blue eyes stared back into mine. They were bluer than the sky and deeper than the sea. Her flowing dark hair braided to one side and fell just above her waist.
She was quite a sight.
I found myself speechless by a rare human beauty for the first time in a very long time. She then turned away. The silk of her elegant dress twirled after her. She moved swiftly and did not glance back at me once. She knew I would follow her, and follow her I did.
Chapter 11
The girl turned away from me again when I reached her. She bit her bottom lip as if to hold back a smile. This chasing game was a surprise to me as I didn't know why I was so drawn to this human girl.
She pretended to be absorbed in the flowers inside a porcelain vase instead. Her delicate hand reached over to a red rose to caress the flower. Everything she did was fascinating even it was so simple. In that moment, I realized that I must have her tonight.
Walking up to the oblivious girl, I reached my hand out to the red rose from behind, causing her to turn her head to me. But then she winced. I realized she had pricked herself with the thorn and hastily withdrew her hand. The drop of blood on her finger was the color of her dress.
I frowned as my eyes stared at the scarlet sight. The girl quickly tried to hide her hand, but I swiftly caught her wrist. 'You wouldn't dare,' those deep blue eyes seemed to say. An apologetic smile curved on my lips.
"Allow me," I spoke in my charming predatory tone. She looked hesitant as I wordlessly took out my handkerchief and wrapped it around her wounded finger. She looked on in confusion.
"Thank you." Her voice really suited her. A soft musical voice that brought a smile to my face without realizing it.
"Ne za shta, you're welcome," I said and smiled back. The girl kept staring at me. After a few moments, she tugged her hand away from mine. She was about to walk off when I blocked her path.
"Do you want to dance?" I asked, fully aware that I was actually courting her. She shook her head.
“I’m not here to dance.”
"Oh? Then what are you here for?" I said, but she didn’t answer me. I figured she was probably one of the Count’s theater performers or entertainers judging by her dress. They always dressed elegantly for the guests.
“I should go,” she said and turned to leave, but I stepped out to block her.
“Just one dance,” I said again with a seductive smile. “Please.”
I could sense her mind reeling. A few palace guards walked nearby, causing the girl to turn abruptly back to me. After a long consideration, she finally nodded. I held out my hand and she took it more boldly than I had expected. It was a warm sensation when our hands touched. I almost forgot the last time I had felt like this. This human girl was a curiosity as well as a thrill to me.
We moved to the dance floor. The slow music was fading in and out in the background. I placed my hand on her small waist and took the lead. I was a good few inches taller than her. Then we started dancing slowly.
I could feel the warmth of her body. Our steps were light like we were on a floating cloud. She knew every move that matched my own. It was as if we had been dancing together all our lives. I looked at her adorable face, her narrow nose, and beautiful plump lips. The girl blushed and turned her face away. I smiled at her bright pink cheek, yearning to run my nose over that smooth skin.
"So do you have a name?" I asked rather teasingly.
"Valerina," she said.
"Valerina...a beautiful name," I whispered. "Mine is Anastasia."
She looked at me then. I smiled back innocently before twirling her around.
"Where are you from?" I asked again when she spun into me with her back pressed against my chest. My arms enveloped her small frame. I peered over her shoulder. Another lovely blush colored her slender neck. It made her scent more intoxicating.
"Nowhere you're interested in knowing," came her brash response. Then she struggled to free herself from my grip, but I held her still. No doubt I was stronger by far.
"Valerina, tell me who your master is," I spoke into her ear, feeling her body shivered. "I will free you from him tonight."
"I belong to no one," she said and surprisingly unlocked herself from my grip again. My eyes widened as I stared at her, impressed. Then I pulled her back against me a bit roughly.
"Very well then," I said even I found her answer a bit unusual, but I still enjoyed the mystery. "I don't have to worry about making you mine anymore."
"You want to claim me?" she said, almost sounding amused.
"I don't see why not." I smirked back. She glared at me. There was this intense emotion in her piercing blue eyes. I could sense a hint of hatred in her stare and I almost flinched. I guessed it must be a natural reaction for the humans.
But once she knew I could provide her nothing but joy, she would understand. I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her along.
"Where are you taking me?" Valerina tugged on my hand roughly.
"You will see how I would claim you," I said, scanning for a quiet spot in the hall and found one by the corner behind the heavy red curtain.
When we reached it, I pushed us both inside. In the semi-darkness, a pale moonlight peered through a lone window. I stared at those deep blue eyes again, which visibly shone almost as brightly as my golden ones.
"What are you going to do? Bite me?" Valerina said to my face. She sounded like she was challenging me as if she had something in store that I did. I realized she was indeed special.
A chuckle rose from my chest.
"Nyet, no," I said. "It's something you will find to your liking."
Then I grabbed her face and pressed my lips against hers. Her body froze. Her eyes widened in shock. I moved my lips over her moistened lips, loving the taste and scent of her even she refused to open her mouth. But soon her shock melted away and replaced by anger.
Valerina pushed me at my shoulders, but I grabbed her body and hoisted her onto the window sill. Lifting her thighs to my waist, I wedged myself between her legs.
She gasped and I was able to slip my tongue inside her mouth, coaxing hers to dance with mine.
The frosted mirror felt cold against my forearms as I held her securely in my strong embrace. Valerina made a small whimpering sound to the frenzy deep kiss we were having. She tasted even more delicious. The gnawing hunger was obvious in the depth of my burning core.
Valerina made another attempt to push me away, but I kept kissing her with my furious probing tongue, savoring her sweetness. And slowly, she began to melt into my passion. Her hands instinctively ran through my long blonde hair.
But suddenly, I heard a voice calling me from across the room. My kiss came to a halt. I pulled
away from Valerina’s mouth with a wet sound. Her soft plump lips were luring me back, but the annoying voice wouldn’t quit calling me. I hissed as I yanked the curtain back. Then I was greeted by Yury.
"Your Highness! Forgive me," he said, looking at me and Valerina with wide eyes. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
"What is it?" I growled again, trying calm myself.
"The play will start soon," he spoke. "My father is waiting for you to join us at the theater."
"You may go ahead," I said. "I will be there afterward."
"But Grand..."
"I said go!"
"Yes, yes!" He bowed away.
When Yury left, I looked back at Valerina again. She seemed like she was in a daze or a deep thought.
"Come with me." I grabbed her hand and began to walk out of the dark corner, but she paused.
"Who are you?" Valerina looked at me with those brilliant eyes.
"I already told you.” I smiled back.
“No...who are you?” she asked again.
“Well.” I pursed my lips. “I will tell you when you decide to follow me."
Valerina gritted her teeth and seemed to weight it in her mind. After a moment later, she nodded.
WE FOUND OURSELVES inside a huge theater at last. The seats were filled with people. A large wooden stage glimmered under the yellow spotlights. Velvet draperies hung from the walls.
A red curtain was drawn before the start of the play.
There were two wide aisles leading down towards the front rows. There, I spotted Claire and Estella sitting with some aristocratic vampires. They seemed to enjoy themselves. I had no idea whether they had found out who Claire was or not, but I was sure she still had the charms.
Turning to Valerina, I gave her a smile, but she seemed distracted for some reason. Then we found a good seat to settle down.
Valerina turned to me again.
"Are you going to tell me or what?"
"Shh..." I hushed her. "The play is starting soon."
The curtains parted and a character dressed in a traditional costume came onto the stage and did a solo narration. I watched with a tiny smile on my lips, being aware that the girl sitting next to me was still staring at my face.
The play continued with a series of songs and dances and few actions during climax. Valerina seemed to be too quiet. I reached over and took her hand in mine. She pulled away roughly. I snickered at our weird interaction.
One moment, we were two strangers. The next moment, we were kissing like two lovers, and now we couldn't even touch each other's hand.
After an hour later, the play was over, it was followed by a Barynya folk dance. There was a lot of fancy stomping and knee-bending around the stage. Several dancers twirled to the fast beats and started their elegant moves while singing along to the music.
They were all human performers. Count Nikolay seemed to have more humans than I had expected. I needed to review his wealth one of these days.
"When are you going to tell me, Anastasia?" Valerina said in an impatient voice. "I know you're not who you're trying to portray yourself to me."
The fact that she used my name on purpose got my attention.
"So?"
"I need to know who you really are!" she said.
"Why? We kissed, but we barely know each other,” I said with a smirk. “Why is it so important to you?"
Valerina glared at me in irritation.
“I’m leaving,” she said and began to get up, but I pulled her back down by the wrist.
"Alright if you must know, I’ll tell you," I said and turned to face her directly. Our eyes locked, hers, a pair of vibrant sea blue and mine, a pair of glowing liquid gold. "I am the youngest daughter of Czar Nicolas Romanov, and the Grand Duchess and Imperial Princess of Russia. My real name is Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova."
Valerina's eyes widened as she stared at me with a conflicted look. At first, it was kind of amusing to me, but when I saw a flash of sadness and anger in those burning blue eyes, I began to worry. Then Valerina stood up suddenly and pulled away from me. I frowned at her strange reaction.
"Valerina?"
She backed away, and with a loud sigh, she turned and ran off.
"Valerina!" I called to her again. I was confused and ready to follow her, but there was a standing ovation after the dance. People blocked my sight, and Valerina disappeared. The performers gathered on stage and stood shoulder to shoulder to bow to the applauding audience.
"Anastasia?" Lyra's soft voice called from behind me. She came to my side again as everyone began to rise from their seats. The theater once again hummed with chattering voices.
"Who are you looking for?" Lyra asked, following my gaze.
"No one," I said, thinking I would find the girl again when we got out of here. My head turned to the front rows and found Claire and Estella.
We were lingering around for a moment, waiting for the people to file out of the hall. From where I stood, I could see a man bringing a small wooden chest to Claire. I couldn't hear what they were talking about for voices still mingled together.
Claire looked excited as she received an elegant gift. Her hands fussed over the box eagerly. It was all normal until a shocking gut feeling hit me out of nowhere.
Claire opened the wooden lid and everyone laughed merrily when they saw what was inside. There was a beautiful Matryoshka Doll within the cushioned interior.
Claire picked it up from the box and started twisting the doll just to reveal another one hidden inside it.
They laughed good-naturedly as she began to open the next one and then the next one. But instead of finding the last doll, they saw a weird-looking device with blinking light. Then it was as if everything slowed down and all the actions froze.
"Claire!" I heard my voice scream to her. Then all I saw was a burst of brightness and the earthshaking heat wave that slammed across the theater hall.
Chapter 12
My eardrums almost burst from the sound of an explosion that echoed like a clap of thunders. A strong force hurled me against the wall along with various unidentified objects in the room.
I collapsed onto the floor again with a thud. The stage was suddenly engulfed in flames. The chaos erupted. A few patches of flames scattered around the theater. Pieces of broken furniture laid everywhere.
I painstakingly picked myself up off the floor as plumes of dark smoke thickened the hall. In the midst of havoc, I heard swift movements coming from the backroom.
At the same time, a troop of royal guards burst into the theater through the front entrance. They started shouting out orders and immediately surrounding the damaged room. Then all I heard was shooting.
That was when I saw a pack of hunters in black appeared out of the dark. They carried different weapons with them. Blades and arrows flashed through the shadow.
Suddenly I heard a familiar voice crying.
"Anastasia..."
"Lyra!" I called out to her. "Lyra, where are you?"
The shooting and screaming continued as the guards tried to counterattack the hunters. Other vampires, who had escaped the explosion, had fled the theater, yet some of them got shot with metal-tipped arrows that seemed to come out of nowhere and everywhere. The guards did their best to fight but they were out-skilled and poorly organized. The hunters came in twos or threes. More hunters broke through the stained glass windows while others dropped from the ceiling.
Obviously, they had been hiding and lurking in the dark. I saw them stabbing the royal guards in the chests with their flashy hunting knives. The rest shot the vampires from above and behind. Everything was carried out in perfect timing. One hunter would distract while the other would attack. The vampires didn't stand a chance.
"Anastasia," Lyra called from under a fallen chair. She was trapped between the chalk-white body, which I recognized as a very pale and very dead Yury.
I came to Lyra's rescue and tossed the dead vampire off of her before helping her up.
"
Are you alright?" I asked. Lyra nodded back. I looked around, trying to spot someone. Is she still around here?
Then I turned back to the wincing Lyra again. Her leg seemed to be badly injured. I picked her up off the floor and rushed her to a dark corner out of sight.
"Stay here," I instructed as I laid her down against the wall. I started to get up but Lyra grabbed my hand.
"Anastasia, don't leave me!"
"I'll be right back, don't worry," I reassured her then quickly went back into the chaotic hall.
I coughed and waved the choking smoke away. Then I felt a hand grabbing my ankle and looked down, startled to find Estella in a pool of crimson blood at my feet.
"Ella!" I cried as I got down and pulled her into my arms.
"Anastasia," she croaked weakly then dark blood gushed out of her mouth.
"No! Please...please don't die!" I held her up to my chest.
She looked at me helplessly. Tears rolled down the corners of her eyes. Estella took a sharp intake of air and then she went limp in my arms. Her face turned completely white. Dark veins appeared through her ashen skin as life was drained out of her body.
I winced at the heart-wrenching sight as I gently laid Estella's cold body back down. I had no hope anymore that Claire was somehow alive. Then I caught sight of a red hood down at the far aisle.
"Vale?" I said and got up to my feet again. With my vampire speed, I flashed over to her. She turned around with a surprised face.
"Are you alright?" I asked, putting my hands on her shoulders while studying her body.
"I'm...I'm fine," she said in a low hesitant tone.
"Come on, come with me. We have to get out of here," I said and proceeded to pull her hand.
All of a sudden, several dark shadows of the hunters appeared and blocked our path. I pulled Valerina's body close to me protectively and turned around but more hunters showed up from behind us as well.
"That's alright," I whispered to Vale. "They’re only coming for me. You need to get out of here. I'll take care of them."
It was a very large theater hall. Valerina could escape without being noticed if I distracted them. Besides knowing that the hunters wouldn't harm a human, she should be fine.
Anastasia Romanov Page 5
