The Lion's Kiss

III

All day, all I could think of was how Vlad would make a perfect husband for my children. Am I worthy to be his? I knew many girls in our village had their eyes on Vlad. What made him want to chose me? I'm nothing special. I tried my best to avoid Vlad all day, but that was useless. My eyes couldn't help but wander towards him. I could feel him glance at my way, every time I turned away. How much longer till I can call him mine?

"Vika?"

I turned around to face Anfisa, "Oh! I've been looking everywhere for you, Anfisa! I must tell you something, but you can't tell anyone."

She smiled, "What is it?"

I stood up from where I sat to whisper in her ear, "My groom has already chosen me!"

"Vika!"

I laughed, "Anfisa, I am in love."

"I must tell you something, also."

I saw the light in Anfisa's eyes dull, for a moment, "What is it, Anfisa?"

"I'm in love, too..."

"Oh, who's the lucky man?" I said jokingly.

"I'm in love with Vlad."

I felt the blood drain from my face.

Anfisa continued with her sentence, "I love him. So, Vika do me a favor, if you are truly my best friend, help me get him to love me, too."

I did not know what to say. Anfisa was the most dearest of my friends, but to give up on Vlad?

"Anfisa, I-"

"Don't tell me you like him, too?"

Anfisa. Please don't do this to me.

I held back my tears. Oh, Vlad. If you really want me to be yours, don't chose her.

I smiled, "Of course I don't like him."

"Oh, that's good. I was getting afraid he was the one who asked you to be his bride."

I turned away, before she saw me cry.

"Well, I have to be going, now. Goodnight, Vika!"

Why do I feel so afraid? Why?! There was a feeling inside my heart that wouldn't go away. Will Vlad keep his promise? Will he chose me? The night wind blew upwards, making the leaves dance. And, I just had to join them.

Are these the stars that I see or is it my tears that rain from my eyes?

When I finally stopped, my breathing had become heavy. If Vlad loves me, he will only chose me. I returned home with a smile on my face, knowing that I had nothing to worry about. I believe in him.

Anfisa laid on my sleeping mat, snoring away.

"I'm sorry, Anfisa. I love Vlad and I know he will chose me," I whispered as I laid myself down.

Anfisa was like a nightingale flower, when picked at the flower will bend. I should of known that the stars in her eyes were clouded, and that Metztli, ruler of the moon, could not light her way through this dark jealously.

Anfisa's eyes flipped opened, "Vika, you are the sun in my life, but I think it's time for me to shine."

Vika was sound asleep and did not hear a word that Anfisa had spilled from her lips.