The Strangers (TheWriteAwards2014)

chapter 3 (edited)

After we ate, Mikal brought my items into the room where I would be staying. Meeting me back in the kitchen, he began to take me on the ‘grand tour’ of his home.

"This is the semi formal living room." He pointed out, as we exited the kitchen. The room he showed me looked stunning. It had high ceilings with a grand chandelier in the center. An elegant grand piano in one corner faced a huge bay window, with the most stunning view  I had seen yet. The fireplace was in the center against one wall taking up the majority of it. Small, antique looking trinkets adorned the mantel with a massive painted portrait of what looked to be Mikal’s family, hanging above it. Mikal looked the same, only a few years younger. The woman in the portrait was stunningly beautiful, with long locks, and a sheltered face. The man looked secluded, cut off from the other two, but no less handsome. There was a set of a matching chair, loveseat, and couch. They all looked so comfortable with their plush, lavish cushions giving the room a homey feel, even though it wasbeautiful and elegant, I didn’t fear of breaking anything or dirtying the room.

"Next is the billiard room." I laughed at that, who had a billiard room? I was cut short as soon as I stepped into the room. This room even more breath taking than the last. Everything was so elegant and antique looking, giving the room an almost ancient feel. The room looked more worn in, indicating that it was probably used the most, other than the kitchen.

"It's so beautiful here.” I gasped in awe. “This view, I mean, wow. The trees, the pool, the gardens. I've never seen anything like this!" I squealed in excitement. He laughed at me and pulled me tight against his chest. He was so warm, I breathed in gently, his armoma filling my senses. I wrapped my arms around his waist and tucked my head beneath his chin, relishing in his warm embrace. His scent sent chills down my spine, and it took great effort to hold in the shiver my body so wanted to express when being this close to him.

"Welcome to your momentarily home Skylar. If you need anything, anything at all, just ask, and it shall be yours." The way he was looking into my eyes had me frozen in place. There was so much passion in them. I could feel the warmth of his body and wanted to stay there forever. My face dropped for a moment when he pulled away, quickly regaining my composure, I wrapped my arms around my own body, desperate to savor the trail of warmth he left in his wake, that was all too quickly dissipating.

.....

Mikal Borislav (Борислав) Athanasius (Афанасий) Mikals middle name means ‘fame in battle’, his last name means immortal, and his first name means ‘who is like God’ (it is spelled differently in different parts of Russia, this is the easiest spelling/english spelling)

Mikal’s POV

I was beyond outraged when I first saw Skylar. She may brush off her injuries like nothing has happened, but they were bad this time. She looked more broken than I had ever seen her, the bastard didn’t even care that he had hit her face, proving that he was becoming careless, more reckless, and even more dangerous to Skylar. I feared that if I didn’t take her away from there, then she would be lost to me forever. I couldn't lose her, after everything that had happened, I needed her.

I was nervous about bringing her to my mansion, but I had no choice, I couldn't just leave her there with her father. She's lucky I haven't just killed him yet. Shaking that out of my head, I looked over to her and couldn't help but smile. There was something about this girl that could always pull a smile out of me. She was so entranced by the building in front of her,  that I wanted to pull her into my arms and tell her this could all be hers, forever.

First thing was first though, set ground rules and make sure she understands them all clearly. It was for her own safety to follow them. Grabbing her bag and heading upstairs, I decided on the room next to mine. Though I wanted to give her the best room I had, I decided needed her close to me incase anything were to happen, and for even more selfish reasons than I cared to admit, the closer the better. The room I gave her was still nice, but it had one of the smaller windows, also for her safety, I noted. Although, if I planned things the right way, she will only be in her room at night to sleep.

After eating I gave her the tour of the house. Every room left her even more amazed, and I wanted to  show her more, just to see her face alight with awe, taking a mental picture, so that I could relive every moment. So much about her tempted me. She was charming, funny, sweet and innocent, and so incredibly breath taking. It upset me every time she put herself down when it came to looks. She never understood the true beauty that she posses, no plastic surgeon or makeup could ever mimic her natural beauty. I found her to be enchanting with her high cheekbones that always seem to be lightly kissed by rose petals, and her soft flowing mane of dark curls that rested right at the curve of her back. She was thin, but had curves in all of the right places. Everything about her made me want to protect her, to take her in my arms and shield her from the rest of the world. She was tempting in more ways than just her looks, she smelled even more delicious than she looked. Her scent was a mixture of pomegranate and her sweet tantalizing O+ blood.

After showing her the last room, we decided to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. I knew that she hated horror movies, so I decided on a comedy. Anything to make her laugh, I would do it. To see her lips curve up in the most beautiful way and to hear her melodic laugh, I would go to the ends of the earth. I almost hated how much of a pull this small girl had on me, but every time I looked into her eyes, I forgot about it, and everything else for that matter, until there was just her and I.

"I hear a storm brewing." Skylar said, her face lighting up at the sound of thunder. She snuggled in closer to me and we continued to watch the movie. As the credits began to roll, I noticed that Skylar had fallen asleep on me. Not wanting to wake her, I gently lifted her off the couch and up the stairs. Deciding to have her sleep in my room tonight, i laid her down on my bed gently and then climbed in as well. Looking down at her, I knew I had to do something and before I could think things through, I bit my wrist just enough to draw blood and put it up to her mouth, allowing a few drops in her mouth. Watching her carefully, I decided to pull away when all of her bones were healed, but leaving the bruises all along her delicate frame. Too much blood would heal everything, and that was something I couldn't risk. She couldn't find out, at least not yet.

I hated her father with a passion I had never known before. If it wasn’t for the sleeping angel next to me, he would be dead already.

"I promise to you Skylar, that no one will ever hurt you ever again. I promise you my life that I will always protect you." Softly kissing her perfect round lips, I pulled her onto my chest and fell into a deep comfortable sleep, knowing that the girl I loved most was tucked safely in my arms.

.......

So, I wanted to add Mikals pov, we'll see how that goes, I know he sounds like a love sick puppy, but it is kind of his nature, however, even though he may be thinking these things, it doesn’t mean he acts the same way, just an FYI