SPIRIT BOND: Anna and Vladimir's story

CHAPTER 18: A Saint Is Born

Vladimir's POV

Anna had been gone for hours and I was growing worried, just as I was about ready to go looking for her she came through the door "Anna where have you been?" She smiled "I was around court, don't worry so much Vladimir I can take care of myself" I smiled at her knowing that, that part of her would never change "I found someone for you to help" I watched her as she sat down "You did?" She nodded "Her name's Alice Renaldi and no doctor can save her" I watched her emotions change from strong and brave to sad "Anna are you alright?" She gave me a weak smile "I'm fine its just....You should have seen her Vladimir she can't be any older than eight and she's in so much pain. No wonder her grandparent have dull eyes" I drew her into a hug "I'll take her pain away I promise" She sighed "I know" She whispered against my chest.

She left minutes after I'd told her to go and get the Renaldi's and meet me at the council room in the palace. I took a moment to calm my nerves "Danila, Rina let's go" Danila came out of the kitchen and Rina descended down the stairs "Are you ready?" I looked at both of them "As I'll ever be". Rina would not take no for an answer when Alexandra returned with the arrangements for the council meeting. She had made it clear that she was coming with me and the guardians, just to set my father straight if he tried anything. I secretly was thankful to have her, Anna and Danila by my side for this one, mainly because no matter how hard I tried I couldn't predict an out come for this meeting.

I was lost in my thoughts for so long that I hadn't even noticed the council building drawing nearer and nearer until we stood right in front of the door. I looked around noticing the crowd of curious onlookers for the first time. About half of them would be allowed to enter the courtroom and bare witness to what I was about to do. The doors started creaking, signalling that they were opening. Once they opened fully they revealed about twenty guardians walking through to control the crowed. One motioned us forward. I took one last look around before I went through the doors.

The air seemed to get heavier and heavier as we walked through the darkened hallway to get to the courtroom. I would have an audience with six members of the court here and when I returned to St. Pietersburg I would have and audience with the remaining six royals to approve the Queen and other five royals is ruling today. The part of this entire procedure that unnerved me the most was my father's vote against me. No matter what I did I'd never be the son he lost.... "Vladimir are you nervous?" Rina's voice brought me back to reality "No I'm not" I said calmly try not to raise any suspicion about my true state of mind. Her eyes held mine a while longer, before she looked away deciding my words were true.

I watched the doors at the end of the hallway open. Through the dim light I could make out Alexandra having a disagreement with none other than my father. I felt like turning away, but the thought of loosing Anna and my freedom pushed me forward. The moment we entered the room fell silent. Rina took her seat in the masses of witnesses seated on the left and right side of the room and Danila took his place by the door behind me standing in guard mode as he had been taught. The royals one by one took their seats. Alexandra motioned me forward "Are you ready Lord Dragomir?"  My eyes momentarily flickered to my father's face, it held no emotion. "Please Your Highness we need to wait for my Guardian, Anna to come. She'll be here any moment" She nodded alright we'll wait". The dead silence that followed after her words made the atmosphere almost unbearable. I knew I wasn't guarding my mind, so Anna felt my every emotion and heard my every thought and I knew for a fact she felt my panic rising.

After a few minutes that felt like hours the doors opened and Anna walked in with an elderly moroi couple following her. The old man held a small girl in his arms. Relief flooded through me the moment I saw Anna, her eyes met mine conveying a thousand emotions to me. They walked to me, Anna stopped next to me as the older woman laid a blanket down for the man to put Alice down on. "Vladimir this is Don and Paula Renaldi. Their Alice is grandparents" I shook Don's hand as Anna introduced them. The thing that struck me about them was the dullness in their eyes just as Anna had said. Because of that I felt the need to reassure them "I will save . That is my promise to both of you" Tears escaped the old man's face as Anna led them away to give me space. For the fist time I really looked at the small girl laying on the floor, just by looking at her I felt her pain. She was extremely pale even for moroi standards and she was breathing heavily "I'm going to take this child's pain and illness away" Alexandra nodded but said nothing.

I went on my knees in front of her and held my hands above her abdomen. Her eyes opened faintly shocking me, it was as if all the life had been drained out of her and only black orbs for eyes remained. I closed my eyes focusing as much Spirit as I could into healing her before I placed my hands on her forehead and stomach. I felt the Spirit surging through my veins and into her. I felt the life returning to her and that feeling of life made the high I was on because of Spirit skyrocket. I opened my eyes as I took my hands away from her, she had a bit more colour in her face and her eyes were a light hazel colour no longer black. I felt exhausted as I tried to stand on my wobbly feet. Alice is grandparents rushed to her as she sat up. Gasps of amazement filled the court and Anna came towards me helping me stay upright. Everyone wore expressions of shock on their faces even my father.

Don got up from the floor where Alice was now sitting and came up to me "Thank you thank you Vladimir" He hugged me so hard that I almost tumbled over if it wasn't for Anna supporting me "Your welcome" Anna smiled at me "You did it" I smiled back at her before turning my attention back to the Royals. Even Alexandra that had seen me to strange things before couldn't hide her amazement. A quick whispering took place among the royals before they focused their attention on me, Alexandra's eyes held relief as she stood up to give the first verdict. "Lord Dragomir you've astounded us. You have truly been blessed by God." She looked around the room "That's why we as half of the court have decided that you receive the official title of Saint" I furrowed my brows recalling my mother's reaction the first time I showed her "Saint Vladimir" She said just as shocked and amazed as everyone here was. I found it ironic that, that would be my second title.

I looked to my father once more. He seemed troubled for someone that rarely showed any emotion. I looked back at Alexandra "Thank you Your majesty" She smiled "There is more my Lord" My curiosity peeked "Prince Dragomir, Princess Voda and myself will be accompanying you back to St. Pietersburg" The perfect happy world free from worry that had formed in my head shattered in an instant and got replaced by sheer anger. I couldn't get along with my father for a hour in the same room. How in the heavens would I be able to go three weeks on a boat with him, without loosing my temper and throwing him over the side?. I felt Anna's grip tighten on my arm, turning to her I saw the faint traces of a smile she was trying to hide. She'd caught my train of thought and most probably imagined me doing just that. I smiled at her trying not to laugh "Alright my Queen. It would be an honour for me having you all as company on our journey".