The Lion's Kiss

V

Anfisa was indeed sick. A terrible cough had taken over her, so for the remaining of summer, she stayed bedridden.

"Vika, come help me."

"What are you making?" I noticed that she started on a fur coat, but much too large for her. "Who is that for?"

She grinned, "Oh, you know."

I had forgotten about her love for Vlad, "Oh, yes..."

Vlad and I met almost every evening now, since Anfisa got sick. I felt terrible, but I could not lose my man. I had told Vlad of my concerns for her, but he just brushed it aside. Vlad would talk to me about how he would make me the happiest woman in the world, and I would talk to him about the sun and the stars. Vlad kept his word, he was becoming our village most strongest. All the men praised him, the other boys were far from his strength.

"All there is left is for you to accept me, Vika," Vlad said as he kissed the top of my hand.

"I am already yours."

The days started to get shorter and colder, winter was going to be soon upon us. Work got harder and harsher, everyone did their share of work, and the village was soon going to prepare for another winter.

"I'm done!" Anfisa shouted. "It's beautiful."

I rushed into her room, and indeed it was beautiful. The coat was made of rabbit fur and lined with silk of black.

"I finished before the first snow! Oh, Vlad is going to love it," Anfisa said hugging it.

I forced a smile, "Shall I go give it to him, for you?"

"No. I shall, I'm going to confess my love for him."

"Anfisa--"

"I know what you're doing behind my back. I hear you leave the house every evening. Who is the man you're meeting?"

"I-- I can't tell you..."

She looked hurt, "It's fine. As soon as I am well, me and Vlad will be together."

"Yes..." I couldn't break the truth to her, it would make her conditions worse. "When are you going to give it to him?"

"Now," she stood up proud and tall as if she was never sick. Leaving me there.

It was getting late. How come she hasn't gotten back? I couldn't help, but to worry he might have feelings for her. The door burst open, there stood Anfisa. In her hands, were the remains of what of been the coat.

"What happened?!"

She said nothing and walked past me as if I wasn't there.

"Anfisa, tell me. What happened?"

She whipped herself around, "Nothing."

That night I heard Anfisa's light sobs, I couldn't force myself to say anything. I'm the one why she is like this. The next morning, I rose early before she could hear me. I made my way to Vlad's house. Silently, I slipped in.

"Vlad?"

Vlad's home was a place that once housed the Goddess of Filth and Guilt; I could see clearly that they still followed her. The house was littered with rubbish.

"Vlad?" I made my way around to his room. "Vlad--"

A sight that broke my heart and killed my dreams. There laying in his bed was another woman. The look of their sleeping faces showed me enough that they enjoyed themselves last night. Everything I thought I saw in him shattered like glass. I stepped back, accidentally tripping over all the trash. The noise I made, awoke the woman. A woman I have never seen before.

"Vlad, someone's here," she said shaking him.

"Hmm?" he said rubbing his eyes. "What?"

I made my escape as quick as possible. I wanted to get out of that house that destroyed my heart into pieces.

"Vika?" I heard him saying. "Wait, Vika!"

I rushed out, bursting the door open. Vlad not far behind ran for me. No! No! No! I don't want to believe this. I didn't want to be there. Why did I go there?! Vlad was fast, catching up to me in no time. He grabbed me harshly and tossed me on the floor of the Earth. The air was knocked out of me, leaving me gasping.

"Vika," Vlad said out of breath. "I love you."

"Liar," I said glaring at him. "You liar!"

He reached for me and hugged me tightly. These arms embraced a woman other than me. I felt disgusted. With all my effort I tried to shove him away.

"Please, listen to me, Vika," he said calmly.

"Never! I have seen enough!" I was close to tears. "Let me go!"

"No! I will never let go. You're the only woman for me!"

Lies.

"It was a mistake to bed her, I know. Please, forgive me."

Never.

Tears tricked down my cheeks, "Let me go..."

"If I let you go, promise me you won't run away."

I nodded. He slowly released me like I might slip away from his grasp.

"Vika, I love you..."

"I hate you. You disgust me."

The look in his eyes made me feel so powerful. How does it feel? It's nothing compared to how I feel. I stood up and left Vlad sitting in the sand. He look so confused, he looked so lost, but it's nothing to how I felt. Anfisa must of seen the horrible sight, also.

I turned my head up to the red dawn, "Oh, Anfisa. I am so sorry."

The tears never seemed to stop. The autumn wind rustled with the leaves, tickling them off their branches. When I returned home, Anfisa had disappeared. In her place was a note.

There is nothing more for me here.