Okay HOPEFULLY this chapter ends up longer than the last and more enjoyable plot-wise.
Chapter Three
I awoke an hour or so later to see the sun still drifting in the sky. I stretched and changed into a more presentable dress and made my way to Grandmamma's study. I knew she would be there or in her lounge one. Sure enough I knocked on the study's door and was met with my dear Grandmamma's voice.
"Ahh, Anastasia, dear," she said standing and opening her arms for a hug. I gratefully obliged indulging again in her sharp peppermint scent.
"Grandmamma, what was it that had you so agitated earlier?" I asked sitting in one of the plush comfortable chairs. Her face fell a moment and she sighed.
"We will wait for Dimitri and then Vladimir, Sophie, and I will tell you of the news we have discovered," she said, closing her eyes. I saw the lines of worry replace the laugh lines I knew so well on my Grandmamma's face. They didn't fade as we sat and talked more about our life in Russia. I was starting to get scared. What was this news? And why was everyone so nervous?
Almost a half-hour later, Dimitri finally joined us in the study. I took his hand as he sat down beside me and turned to Grandmamma.
"I am afraid we cannot let you return to Russia, my darling," Grandmamma said, solemnly. Dimitri and I glanced at each other in confusion. Not return to Russia…but that was our home.
"Why?" I asked, thinking of never seeing the beautiful, if run down, Catharine again. It may have not been as glorious as it had been when I was a young girl but it was still my home. Dimitri saw my worry and pulled me close into his arms.
"The tyrants who overthrew our family from their rightful place on their throne, they know that you somehow survived," Grandmamma glanced at Dimitri. "Their leader, Vladimir Stalin, could cope with me still living but if one of the heirs of Nicholas, you, my dear, survived he would kill them."
Dimitri suddenly pulled me tighter into his form, as if trying to protect me. "What can we do?" he asked.
"Well we recommend you and Dimitri stay here," Vlad said. "You will be safer here. There will be guards who can protect you."
"And you will not have to work like you were having to while living in Russia. It isn't becoming of a princess admittedly you are used to it but you shouldn't HAVE to," Grandmamma said. I closed my eyes.
"Thank you…but we can take care of each other," I said.
"But with guards I wouldn't be so worried."
"They didn't keep me safe on the night of my return ball," I said gritting my teeth. I didn't want to tell them this. Only Dimitri knew this.
"Anastasia," Dimitri started, glancing at me, asking me silently if I was sure I wanted to do tell them this. I sometimes still had nightmares from my past and from the ball about Rasputin attacking me. Killing all of my family and trying to do the same to me. Doing this Stalin's job for him.
"What do you mean?" Sophie said, leaning forward.
"Rasputin," I said, my voice wavering. My grandmother's eyes widened in surprise at the name.
"He died when we escaped, didn't he?"
"In a way. But he came back. He came after me the night of the ball. Dimitri saved me, and soon after that we left."
"But how?" was Grandmamma's reply.
All I could do was shrug, "He had this reliquary thing that when I smashed it caused him to dissolve into nothing."
Everyone watched me with a surprised look in their eyes. Dimitri just pulled me closer and nodded.
"It's okay Anya," he said, "It's all over now. You are safe from him now."
"Yes but that still leaves the Soviets," Grandmamma said. "Anastasia, I still want you to stay here for the time being. At least until we can come up with a safe alternative, that is if you still wish to return to Russia."
"Thank you, Grandmamma," I said, nodding my head. She smiled at me with eyes that told me she understood my feelings but wanted to keep me safe at the same time. She was, after all, the only family I had left to take care of me… and the way I seemed to attract trouble I needed it.
Another dreadfully short chapter if you ask me but if all goes according to plan they will grow longer as called for.
RainingSunshineEverywhere: I hope this clears some things up I am so very glad you like it :D
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Firelord Lionheart: Yeah that tends to happen to me when I type it instead of writing it on paper first. I am trying to fix that. Glad you like it though.
MaddyTheAwesome: I have to agree. It is kinda hard to come up with as good a villain as Rasputin was. Hope you enjoy it.
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The Soviet Colonel: Oh I know how that goes I did the same thing after I saw that movie. Anything with Anastasia on it I was immediately drawn to. Still am to an extent. Love your name btw. Irony is a favorite of mine.
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