When Blood Runs Black

Chapter 3

"Here we are!" Katerina said opening the doors of the room she had led me to.

"Wow..." I breathed. The room was huge and reminded me of those penthouse hotel suites you would see in the movies. Despite the rest of the house's cold appearance my room felt more comforting due to the warm cream coloured walls and bedding and the roaring fire burning in the hearth.

"I hope you like it," Katerina added.

"It's lovely, thank you."

"Okay, so as far as clothing is concerned you're in luck. I just happened to go on an absolutely spectacular shopping spree a few days ago and I haven't worn anything yet so I'm giving it all to you," she said handing me shopping bags with a sweet smile on her face.

"Oh no. Really I can't take these from you. I'll be fine until morning then I can go home and get my own things."

"Unfortunately that might not happen. Snow storms here in Kimry tend to last quite a few days and most of the roads will be closed too."

"Umm..."

"Come on, Anna. Take them! I've already got more than enough clothes."

"Alright," I conceded, taking the bags from her and setting them down at the foot of the bed.

"Breakfast is at 8am and dinner is at 7pm and for lunch you can help yourself to anything you want in the kitchen. If you feel like it, you can explore the castle. Just steer clear of the west wing. It's off limits even to me."

"How come?" I asked.

"No reason," Katerina answered far too quickly. My curiosity had intensified.

"Any who... I'm going to leave you to get freshened up and settled in. And if you need any other clothes feel free to borrow mine. My room is three doors down to the right."

"Thank you."

"Great. I'll see you at 7 then. I'm sure our housekeeper has cooked up something incredible to celebrate your arrival," she smiled exiting my room.

"Bye," I said as she made her way down the passage and down the stairs to her office. As soon as she had disappeared I closed my door and made my way over to the bed to inspect the bags she had given me.

Katerina seemed to have bought an entirely new wardrobe. I found almost every item a girl could ever need. Katerina's style was slightly different from mine. Most of what she had bought was quite formal however I was in no position to complain. I could work with it.

After quickly skimming through the bags I got up off of the bed and began to look around my room and soon found myself looking around my bathroom. My en suite bathroom was stocked full of expensive toiletries. I smelled every soap, perfume and lotion and each one smelled just as heavenly as the next.

I left the bathroom behind and went over to sit in the one seater next to the window. It was there that my mind began to process the day's events.

I still struggled to believe that he was gone. He was both a father and mother to me and had to raise me all on his own and for that I am eternally grateful. He had borne witness to my entire life up until now. He saw my first steps, heard my first words, bandaged my first grazed knee and a million other firsts which hovered in my consciousness. And as the memories rolled in so did the tears. At first it was a single droplet yet soon it turned into waterfalls. My upper body began to heave as I battled to breathe once again and a deep agonizing pain had begun in the pit of my chest. I couldn't stop the sobs as they wracked my form one after the other. This was a pain and a sorrow I wouldn't wish on anyone; not even my greatest enemy.