"I'm having you now regardless," I whispered.
Then I withdrew my hand from between her thighs. Vale looked relieved, but only for a moment before I removed my leather glove from my hand with my teeth.
"Anastasia, you're seriously going to...?" she said meekly. I grinned and gathered her back to me. She half-heartedly tried to wiggle away but her face was hot against mine. It sent a wisp of tingling pleasure straight to my core.
"Stay still and be quiet," I said in a low raspy voice. "Or people might hear you."
The sound of soldiers coming and going echoed along with the engine noises outside. Even I knew half of them had a keen hearing, my sheer bravado couldn't be stopped. It made Vale surrender herself to me, no longer shying away again. She was aware that I was using my predatory allure, and she was willing.
Valerina stayed silent in my arms. As I wouldn’t let her turn around, I titled her head back and captured her lips from behind. My hand moved in slow, gentle circles against her femininity. My fingers teased and explored her secret haven beneath the thin material.
"Isn't that nice?" I whispered in her ear and went to nuzzle her neck again.
"Hmm," whimpered the huntress. I could feel her face becoming hotter, and I sensed the beginning of a sweet ache in her core.
"Good," I said, grinning in mirth. She couldn't see my face in that position, otherwise, she would find the burning passion in my glowing eyes.
"Do you like touching women in public like this, Anastasia?" Vale said.
"Only with you, huntress," I said. "The thought of so many people, so close, not knowing what we're doing now, it really gets me unbearably hot. I can tell it has the same effect on you, no?"
"As if I have any choice," she said, but her heart was racing. I could hear the thumping loudly in my ears. Her wetness seeped onto my hand, and the sweet tantalizing scent of her arousal filled my lungs with joy.
"Thrilling, isn't it?" I asked her again.
"Anastasia..." she was gasping. Not wanting her to finish so soon, I slowed down. Vale sighed and panted. Her legs slightly trembled.
"Now, part your thighs a bit more," I told her. She did as was told without a word. "Good girl."
I smiled again before slithering her soft flower with my searching fingers and slowly slipped one inside her slipperiness.
"Oh, my goodness..." she moaned and gasped with pleasure. Her head threw back over my shoulder. I kissed her refined collarbone.
"You're so warm," I said, feeling the wet sleekness of her walls. My other hand kept fondling her sweet breast earnestly. She was breathing harder.
I heard some distant footfalls and random voices from outside. They were quite nearby the plane, but that wouldn't stop me from enjoying my huntress. Valerina was soaked and swollen with desires, and I slipped another finger in her, causing her hip muscle to jerk. She gasped out loud as I ventured through all the secret places in her depth.
"Shhh...." I said. "There are people out there. You don't want them to hear us, do you?"
I curled my fingers up a little, it made her body shudder. She covered her mouth with her hand to muffle the moan. In the heat of pleasure, Vale brought her palm to my cheek, turning me to face her. I looked directly into her blazing blue eyes.
"Kiss me, Anastasia," she said in a trembling voice, and I didn't wait to be told twice. My lips mashed against hers. At the same time, I delved inside her deeper with the whole length of my fingers. Her breath hitched in her throat, trying to stay afloat in the real world, yet without success.
She made a whining sound as the shattering orgasm coursed through her body. She climaxed in a powerful series of ecstatic waves. The muscle of her walls tightened around me like a swallowing mouth.
"Oh god..." Valerina moaned. Her eyes widened as if she was shocked by how hard she came undone unabashedly. I could feel a flood of her wetness on my hand. I eased out of her again and brought my glistened fingers to my mouth, my favorite taste in the world.
"You're alright?" I asked her. Vale could barely nod. She sighed as I kissed her temple over and over. "Sorry, beautiful. I just miss you too much."
She gave me a dazed smile and turned around to wrap her arms around me. We stood there, listening to each other's heartbeat for a while. Then Vale gazed up at me.
"I heard your sister is leaving soon," she said.
"Yes, she is."
"Are you alright, Anastasia?" Her eyes searched for me in concern. I gave a weak shrug.
"It has to be this way," I said.
"I also heard from Trotsky that you had us stay in the city," she said.
"I did suggest that idea," I admitted. "It's kind of a selfish thing to do, but I just couldn't stand the thought of you leaving."
She looked at me then leaned forward and kissed me on the lips briefly.
"We'll get through this war together, Anastasia," she said. I smiled and stroked her cheek with a nod of assurance.
"Anyway, what are you doing here?" I asked to change the subject. The inside of the plane wasn't so big.
"Just checking things," she said. "Who knows, I might have to use one of these during the war."
"No, you're not going to war," I said firmly. "I won't let you risk your life in the battle ever again."
She frowned at me.
"Anastasia, you know I will fight alongside my brothers and sisters, don't you?" she said. "I'm the Beta of the Hunters."
"But you're also mine," I said. "I asked my sister to take the Cossacks so that you could remain safe here in the city with me."
"Nowhere is safe now, Anastasia. When evil walks the earth, it is my duty to defend the world," she said and cupped my cheeks in her palms. "I love you, and that's why I have to protect us from what's coming."
I was about to say something, but we heard a voice calling me from outside. We straightened ourselves again and went out together. When we stepped off the plane, I saw a number of guards standing there. They bowed at me.
"What's that?" I asked.
"Ana," a familiar voice spoke up.
I turned and saw her. She was wearing a long white cloak made of fur. Her lovely face lit up in the same beautiful smile I'd always remembered.
"Avery," I greeted her.
"I've been looking for you," she said and walked up to us.
"What's the matter?" I said.
"There is something I want to talk with you about if you don't mind sparing a few moments?"
I was somewhat surprised to hear that since it was hardly anything she couldn't discuss it over with my sister. There was a silent moment before I turned to Valerina. She understood and merely nodded back before slipping her hand from mine to leave. I watched her pulling her red cape over her head. A few hunters followed her from there as she exited the building. Outside, the snow was falling again. I turned back to Avery. Her violet eyes sparkled in amusement.
"I hope I didn't come in the wrong time," she said, smiling. "I promise I won't be long."
I shook my head with a smile.
"Not at all," I said. "What is it that brings you all the way here?"
"It's about Alex," she said. "She's been a bit agitated lately, and I'm worried."
"Let's go somewhere else so we can talk in private," I suggested and Avery nodded. Then we turned to walk out together.
Chapter 38
Inside the warm tearoom, I sat watching the frost frame the glass windows. Everywhere was under a thick sheet of snow. This winter seemed like it would go on forever, freezing the earth to its core.
Avery poured some hot chamomile tea into my cup.
“Sugar?” she said, but I shook my head.
“I like it as it is, thanks,” I said.
She stirred the sweet-scented brew, letting hot steam drift into the air and disappeared. Then she put the silver spoon down and held the cup towards me. I accepted the drink with a smile.
Her fingers were as cold as mine when I touched them. Although I already expected to find some changes in her,
this still overwhelmed me. Avery didn't seem to notice my surprise. She took a sip from her teacup then put it down on the table again. I did the same and let the gentle ambiance of the room enveloped us.
After another silent moment, Avery cleared her throat and looked up at me. Her steady gaze was deep. Those jewel-like violet eyes made it hard for me to stare back at them. They were no longer the soft liquid brown I was used to. They had a slight feverish clarity that all predators possessed.
"How are you, Anastasia?" Avery's words, however, still held the same caring sweetness in them.
"Pretty much as you can see," I said with a weak shrug. She smiled back. Her hand went to stir her tea again.
"We didn't get a chance to talk in private," she said. "Everyone is busy preparing for the war."
"You said you wanted to talk to me about my sister," I reminded her. Avery sighed and leaned back in her chair.
"Alex is fine," she said. "I just wanted to have a time alone with you before we leave Kremlin."
I looked at her in the eyes.
"You're leaving with my sister?" I asked.
"Where else would I be?” she chuckled. “I won't let her go without me. I can't risk that again."
What happened three years ago had scared us all. I understood how she must have felt. I felt the same way towards Valerina.
"And what did my sister say about that?"
"She can't stop me," Avery said with a dry smile. "I have decided that I will follow her to the end of the world if it comes to that."
"I wish we had another choice," I said and let out a heavy breath.
"You must be worried about her, too," Avery said. “And I’m talking about the girl.”
I looked out the window again. The Moscow sky began to darken. The snow began to fall like white rain outside the palace.
"I would never let anything happen to her," I said, more to myself.
"I can tell that you're in love, Anastasia, and so is she."
My head turned back to my former lover. She smiled at me. I blinked and lowered my gaze from hers. It was confronting to acknowledge it in front of her. She knew when I felt helpless. Avery hadn't changed that much after all.
"Valerina saved me from myself," I told her straightforwardly. "She saved me from all the darkness that surrounded my life for all those years."
When I looked up again, I saw Avery's bright eyes glisten with remorse. She leaned over and reached her cold hand forward to take mine. She was apologetic about what happened in the past. But our past had long been a ghost that no longer haunted me. I had made friends with it.
"Anastasia..."
"You don't have to say anything, Avery," I told her. "It's nobody's fault. I did not regret a thing between us, and we both have already moved on."
I patted her hand, and slowly, she pulled away with a smile.
"You deserve the same happiness you gave to others, Ana," she said. "I am utterly happy for you. We all are."
"I know." I returned her smile.
Then her face grew sad again.
"I don't know what would happen to us in the future." Her eyes looked out the window as if to search for the answer. "The war is a terrible thing. I had lived through it myself. I lost everyone I ever loved, and I never wish to face it again. Alex is all I have."
I wanted to tell her I understood exactly how it felt, but she already knew.
"You also have me," I said, causing her to turn back to me. A familiar lovely smile reappeared on her lips.
"Don’t let your huntress hear that," she teased, which made me laugh. Then she leaned closer and whispered to me. "I'm so grateful she found you, Anastasia. She found you when no one else could."
Chapter 39
Valerina
A FEW WEEKS LATER, after the Czarina left Kremlin with the Cossacks, the Alpha and I were asked to detail our assassin soldiers to help defend against the growing recruit-militia of the Kaiser.
I refilled the quicksilver bullets into the pistols and cleaned the retractable double blades before strapping them to my body.
My work was interrupted by a messenger from Trotsky, bidding me come to the headquarter as quickly as possible. Sensing trouble and worried about it, I had prayed that we did not face any loophole in our plans and everything was in good order. I packed the remaining weapons I thought I might need into the saddlebag and left.
It was a fine day, and the road was more or less quiet since the snow had stopped falling since last night. There were now new camps erected around the Red Squares. By the time I reached the Headquarter, all seemed eerily still.
Inside the office, I found the General and my sister there. Then I saw Anastasia. She was staring at the wall of monitor screens.
"What's the matter?" I asked. I followed the Grand Duchess's gaze to where a platoon of wounded mercenaries was parading through our territory.
"The French infantry was under attack," said Trotsky to me. "Monsieur Jean-Philip was commanding the force, but it seemed the Kaiser has some tricks up his sleeve."
I looked at the screen. Anastasia was silent as she watched the scene unfolding before her. The battlement was still going on. The steamed troops had appeared from nowhere, and in great numbers like a tidal wave.
"They came from the underground," Anastasia spoke at last. Moscow had a spidery railroad system left from the old world. Now they had become a great access to the capital. Before any of the defenders could do anything to prevent it, a large unit of undead soldiers stormed in. The French infantry drew their swords and bayonets, seemingly unwilling to fight, but they were trapped.
"General, we have to fight them off before they could reach the city gates," the Alpha said. "Our assassins are better trained than the French soldiers. We can crush them before it’s too late."
Anastasia turned around abruptly. Stealing a glance at me, she looked at Trotsky.
"You’re not going to leave the city," she said. "I will send my infantry. They can handle it."
"Anastasia, I'm afraid that even with your soldiers, the undead is still unstoppable unless we combine forces and do this together. Have no fear for my well-trained hunters. No one knows every nook and cranny than my people."
"No, the hunters must not leave," she said. "I have the map of the empire which we can use to our benefit."
I knew Anastasia was trying to keep me with her, but she didn't understand our noble codes. The Hunters wanted to fight. They had been trained for this their whole lives.
I went to the Grand Duchess.
"Anastasia, may I have a word with you?"
She looked at me with her intense golden stare. Without saying another word, she turned around and walked out of the room. I glanced at my godfather and my sister. Trotsky gave me a solemn nod.
I found Anastasia at the end of the hallway. She was standing with her eyes looking out to the garden. I took a deep breath and stepped towards her. At last, she turned around, but her face did not brighten as it normally did when she saw me.
"I know what you're going to say, Vale," she said.
"Anastasia," I sighed. "You can't protect me forever. It's time for me to do what I’m meant to do."
“Do what? Dying?”
“Anastasia, please,” I said. “Now it’s not the time to argue.”
She sighed and closed her eyes. She knew she couldn't stop me. Anastasia turned away. A look of frustration etched on her face. I went to her and put my arms around her from behind. For a moment, we just stared at the garden in silence.
Then Anastasia turned around and looked at me again. Her vivid golden eyes shimmered with unspoken feelings.
"I don't want you to leave me," she whispered. "I'm scared."
I ran my other hand through her fine blonde hair and placed it against her cheek, stroking her smooth skin with my thumb.
"Don't be," I told her. "Whether we succeed or fail, it's pointless to fear."
Anastasia sighed and grabbed my hand before kissed my palm softly.
&nbs
p; "Promise me that you won't."
"Won't what?"
"Fail," she said.
A sad smile stretched across my face as we looked at each other. Then I nodded and leaned forward to plant a kiss on her lips. She wrapped her arms around my body and drew me in closer, deepening our kiss. Then we embraced each other. Anastasia held me tightly against her chest as if she didn't want to let this moment die.
But we both knew that time was not on our side. The war had already begun.
"Behave yourself while I'm gone," I whispered.
Then, I pressed my lips against hers again, and after another lingering kiss, I pulled away and left her there in the hall, walking as fast as my feet could take me. I could feel Anastasia's pleading eyes following me, and I bit my lips and tried not to look back. I knew that if I did, I might not be able to leave.
THE WELL-TRAINED ASSASINS rushed forward to repel the raid of the German troops who, without warning, had appeared at the main entrance of the barracks. The French prince had clearly been holding back, but unfortunately, I thought, he hadn't managed to gain the upper hand.
The Hunters under the command of my sister jumped from the building and ran towards the gate at full tilt. Whirling the carved blades, they rained down the steamed soldiers and sliced viciously into their ranks. Meanwhile, I directed the gunmen to cover those who strove to push the gates close before the enemy could gain a surer foothold inside the barracks.
"Where's the Dalphane?" I heard the Alpha's voice in the com unit. Jean-Phillip was wounded and was nowhere to be found.
The French troops had rallied with the presence of their leader, but once he was gone. They became wary. We did succeed in pushing the gates closed, but only second later there was a mighty crash and the wooden bar that held the gates shut bowed ominously. I shouted at the shooters to divert their guns to the oncoming undead army. They fired at the gathering force outside.
"They have breached the barrack walls!"
Anastasia Romanov (Sequel) Page 22
