Armageddon

They chatted lightly as they journeyed deeper into the palace, catching up on her studies and life there. They came to a stop outside of a double doorway and Alexander rapt his knuckles against it. The sound echoed on the other side. An exhausted sounding Vladimir greeted them with no patience. “Go away,” His voice echoed in response.

Ignoring his master, he opened the door, allowing Tia to walk through the room first. Those burgundy irises blinked in surprise and his grip loosened enough to allow the quill in his hand to drop. She surveyed the room, her eyes scanning over stacks and stacks of papers and disorganized books before finally resting on the disheveled excuse for a man. Alex came in behind her and she gave him a simple wave of her hand as a greeting.

“This looks fun,” Tia chimed.

“I have prepared dinner for the two of you,” Alex mentioned.

“Tia, I fear this man’s mischievousness will rub off on you,” Vladimir grumbled as he quickly gathered himself up.

She shrugged. “Sounds exciting, I don’t know if you realize how boring life is for a female here.”

He hesitated with a stack of documents in his hand, his vision distancing. “That is something you could change...” He trailed off before setting his jaw and continuing his clean up. She watched him curiously, thinking about the man before her. Would he kill Michael?

Alex slipped out of the room and she regarded the door as it closed. There was a familiar set of steps approaching. Her eyes widened in surprise when a hand came out of nowhere and she was suddenly embraced. Strong arms wrapped around her, one curling through her hair while the other slid down the curve of her back. She looked into those burning eyes, as bright as rubies. He pulled her against him, his warm lips pressing against hers. She froze, instantly remembering the last time they had been alone, and a certain terror washed over her. His tongue penetrated her mouth, curving seductively around her own. Against better judgment, she felt herself long for more of him.

Just as soon as he had her he released her, silently walking back towards the desk. She was left breathing heavily, her body temperature almost as hot as her breath. She heard the handle turn and quickly tried to regain her composure. Vlad gave her a lustful sideways glance before he too shook his head and continued his cleaning. Alex came up next to her, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

“I can have the maids finish up here if you would like to accompany us?” He announced. “That is if you don’t chase them away this time.”

Vlad hesitated. “No, that’s fine. I think I’m done for now anyway.” He turned around, his eyes a comfortable dark red. “You’d better not be up to anything, otherwise it’s the torture room for you.”

Alex held up his hands in surrender, a teasing grin on his face. “I would never,”

Tia felt a cold grip encase her heart. “You have a torture room?”

“No,” Vladimir said at the same time as Alex spoke contrary.

“Of course.”

An awkward silence fell across the room and slowly Tia gave Vlad a painful look. He knew that she knew, and she knew it. The only thing he didn’t know was that she already knew Michael was here, somewhere.

He swallowed under the weight of her gaze before clearing his throat and changing the conversation. “Alex, what is it that you have planned?” She couldn’t help but remember the time when Vlad had stated: ‘The Fae don’t lie.’ How had he twisted her question - to give her the response he had.

“Oh, yes.” Alex quickly took the direction of the topic and moved to the door. “If you would accompany me.” He held the door open as Vlad walked past, his black cape sweeping the floor behind him. Tia stood awkwardly where she was, the burning heat in the back of her throat telling her to cry her frustration. She didn’t move nor raised her gaze from the floor as Alex reached a hand to get her attention. She shrugged him off and quietly followed Vlad, as tucked in as she could. She wished to be as far away as possible. Alex regarded her painfully, his gaze meeting that of Vlad’s. Vlad gave him a dangerous look.

The silence was throbbing. Alex guided them through the corridors as Vladimir tried to have light conversation with her. She refused to look in his direction and gazed longingly into the open gardens just on the other side of the wall. Alex came to a doorway and held the handle in his gloved hand, a stone-like expression on his face.

Vladimir sighed and nodded towards the door. “Will you wait for us inside, give us a moment?” Alex restrained to sigh in relief and quickly slid through the carved mahogany. Vlad looked down at the girl and reached a hand to touch her. Tia instantly recoiled, holding up a hand as a sign not to go any further. He dropped his own. “Tiana...” he pleaded.

This was the first she’d seen him in weeks. It may be the last time she would see him without crossing his path as an enemy. It was her last chance to get through to him. She slowly looked up at him, hoping the look of pleading on her face would break his heart. He seemed to freeze under her gaze, and she swallowed nervously. “I will marry you if you promise to let him go.” It wasn’t more than a whisper, but she knew he’d heard her loud and clear. If only for a fraction, she saw a dark rage flash behind his cool exterior.

A hesitant, joyful smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he lightly touched her elbows with his large hands. They were hot. “‘Let him go’?” He repeated what she’d said.