Princess of the Wolves

Chapter Fifteen:

Thankfully Dimtiri never did confront Genna, because he was with me instead. Then, as the days went on, Genna was still no where in sight. She stayed in her room, not even coming out for meals or meetings or important events. I was perfectly okay this, because it was like the psychopath wasn't even there. I had a strange feeling about that wasn't fear so much as an instinctual dislike for her. She was like a perfectionist that had cracked like the doll's head on the floor in my dream. Speaking of the dream, I had it every night, but now it was disturbingly old hat. It changed slightly, but the vampire was always there. He hadn't harmed me yet, but I never let him get close enough to me. I hadn't learned much, but I realized that he wasn't hungry (his eyes would've been black instead of red). That was it.

The "peace" document had finally been drafted and was being sent out as well. A portion of it read:
"We want nothing more that to know your conditions for the terror to cease. There is so much to be concerned about in the magical community; why concern ourselves with inner turmoil? We are united, not against you. Please walk with us towards the ending of this dark time in our history."
Dimitri wrote most of it, and his pride showed. He was as confident as ever, which wasn't necessarily the best thing at times. I tried not to be, but even a month or so after Toni's death I felt bitter. I still once a week wore my hair in the same braided style that Toni had done it in every time she got a hold of it. Today was one of those days. It was late morning, and I sipped at a cup of coffee and read while Dimitri was still snoozing away.

He growled in his sleep sometimes, mumbled, and even bit his lip. It made me giggle, but I had to stifle my laughter. He looked childish now with his hair a mess. He was so much less serious; in this moment, I felt like I knew a carefree, better, happier version of him. One I had never seen before. He had been up late last night working the night away, because tonight was another royal ball, the first one since the attack on Port Hallix. The Queen wanted to honor Genna's safe return home, and it was also the Full Moon. So, no maids came in to wake anyone up; it was a peaceful morning. I stopped the maid who was making her rounds through the halls to get a cup of coffee. Dimitri hated coffee; I on the other hand loved it. He liked to say that it was why I was so short. I wondered if that's what stopped him from drinking it: his unnatural feeling of being small. Even Genna was only an inch shorter than him. But it wasn't my place to assume.
I got bored with my book, so I decided to write a letter to my parents. I rarely ever did, but it would fill the time. Chances were I'd probably see them tonight, but that's okay. I didn't know what to write about; talking about politics seemed so impersonal for a letter home. Royal life was so political though that I felt like that was all that happened sometimes. I didn't want to tell them about my feelings...that I was growingly guilty about the pile of secrets I kept from Dimitri and how I was worried about how he would act. I didn't want to tell them about my new scar either. I crumpled up the paper after doodling for a while.

"Something troubling you, my dear?" A silky voice asked me. Dimitri looked at me lazily with his hands behind his head. Gosh, sometimes I forgot how attractive he really was. Normally when I remembered it made me feel insecure.
"Not really," I responded. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty." I laughed as I got out of the chair I'd been sitting at to throw away the paper. Dimitri rolled his eyes at me.
"Well, that's false because you didn't kiss me," he said, smirking. I went over to him, kissed him lightly on the forehead, laughed, and as I turned to walk away, he grabbed a hold of me and pulled me beside him. "That. Is not what I meant," he smiled at me before kissing me on the lips.
"Oh," I played along, "is this what you meant?" I kissed him back.
He stuck his tongue out and said, "No, because you taste gross. Coffee is gross."
"Well, I like it so there!" I poked him in the side.
"Wow," he sarcastically replied, "that hurt. You can have this back." Then, he licked me.
"Ewwww!" I shrieked, "That's nasty." I slapped him on the shoulder.
"Oh you know you enjoyed that," he laughed.
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We didn't do much that day before the ball. We really just spent the day talking, which was nice. It was almost like we were a normal couple, who did this on a regular basis. But, around four, the maids shooed him away to get me ready. They had carefully done my hair to cover the scar, which was still red. Hopefully, it would settle into my face and become faint and white soon. It was weird to have my hair pulled over my face that way. It took a few hours for me to get ready since the Queen requested that e everyone look extra nice. The maids took this as taking their sweet time to get me ready. I did pretty nice. Dimitri made me blush by whistling when he saw me. He was still wearing his glasses that he used especially when he was reading, but even with their old style, he looked as good as ever. It only took him a few minutes to shed his glasses, change, and be ready. I envied the time he saved that I spent at the hands of the maids.
As soon as we left the room, me on his arm, a professional air came about him. It was disheartening but oh so familiar. The ball was average looking when we arrived. Guests wearing their best littered the dance floor space: dancing and chatting before the meal. Dimitri was pulled away by his father to talk about some last minute issues with the new census. I expected to stand alone or to see if I knew anyone well enough to strike up conversation. A gloved hand pulled me away from the crowd. It belonged to Genna. I tried to struggle to get away without making a scene. "Please," her voice begged, "this will take but a moment. I know that you probably shouldn't be talking to me and vise versa. I had to catch you without Dimitri, because I know he wouldn't allow me too. I wanted to apologize to you. I just truly detest living here, nothing against you. I don't understand why you would choose it or my brother. No matter, I didn't mean to scare you or hurt you. There are things about me and my life you will never understand, Alicia. It just makes me so angry. I hope someday you'll forgive me for my actions. You best go; your mate it looking for you. And if I didn't hate my life here or hate my brother is think you too were cute." I walked unsteadily and wobbly but not from any alcohol. Genna's words had unnerved me. I felt sick thinking about how I had first turned Dimitri's proposal down.

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