Princesses and Princes

Kris worked quietly on Sam, disinfecting her wound and even cleaning up the dry blood. When she reached to suture the piece of Sam's scalp that was detached from her head, Sam slapped her hand down. Kris was bewildered by her action.

"Did you suddenly forget who you were treating?"

As soon as she spoke her bruises turned from a dark swollen purple to soft pink. The piece of her scalp that had peeled back also began to reconnect itself. Kris sighed and nodded. Putting down the sutures and closing her bag. "Yeah. I actually did." She said, removing her gloves. "I forgot the great Sacha Cassadine healed far more quicker than the rest of us." Sam could tell she was joking, but could hear a slight bitterness in it.

"So do you know who attacked you?" Kris asked, cleaning up after herself. Sam laughed. "Let me just make a checklist of those who don't want me dead. It should be a lot easier. First and only name: my father." Sam said mockingly. Kris sighed. "I know your sisters nor I want you dead, Sam. This is just all new to us. Give it some time." Sam took her words into consideration, but still couldn't shake the feeling that at least Krissy wanted her heart torn from her chest. It was one of the few ways to kill one of us. Funny, how a Cassadine couldn't live without a heart, while we're simultaneously heartless creatures. The irony was not missed.

Sam looked down at the vintage black medical bag Kris was carrying. Almost surprised by it. "Are you a doctor?" Kris gave her a funny look before, shaking her head. "I forgot. You haven't been here for…" She didn't want to finish her sentence. Sam could see it made her uncomfortable and so she finished for her. "I haven't been here for over ten years." Kris gave her an uneasy smile and nodded. Sam turned from her, she recognized the room they were in. It was no doubt collecting dust now, but Sam remembered a much livelier time that was held here, in the music room. As known as Britta's favorite place.

Sam let her finger hit a key. The sound reverberated throughout the emptiness surrounding them. Kris packed up her unused medical supplies. Sam had to know and knew Kris would answer. No matter how uncomfortable she was.

"Where's Britta?"

This question didn't seem to catch her off guard. It was like she was expecting it. She sighed and stopped what she was doing. "I haven't seen her since I arrived. I know she wouldn't want to see me after what I did to her son, but I at least would like to know how she's doing. We use to be friends and family." Sam could feel herself rambling. She couldn't help it. The guilt was sitting high in this moment. Britta was someone she was raised with. Well her and Nikolas. They were like sisters, but after killing Britta's son, that relationship died.

"She's dead, Sam." Kris' harsh words snapped Sam out of her thoughts and past memories. "What? That can't be. How?" She wasn't one of us; cursed. She was very much human so her dying wasn't as shocking as Mikkos', but it still hit Sam hard. Kris stood and took Sam's hand. Sitting down beside her on the piano bench. "She jumped...from the west tower facing the bluffs. By the time everyone found out what she was planning on doing it was too late. Her body was discovered by Nikolas atop of the rocks below." Anger seeped its way into the coldness inside Sam. She stood, snatching her hand away from her aunt. "Sacha?" Kris called after her, but it didn't stop her. She kept walking until she was out of that room. The darkness around her didn't frighten her. She had to go to her and see for herself.

It was true. Beside the small child's gravestone, was his mother. Her flowers were wilting. It looked so untouched unlike that of her son. No one visited her. Nikolas probably forbade it. He probably hated her for leaving him to grieve alone. He was spiteful that way.

Sam ran from the cemetery that was made up of their human ancestors and toward the gardens they had. Picking the nicest flowers she could grab in a few seconds. Sam didn't care that the thorns on some scratched her hands and arms. Britta deserved the best and she would get it.

It took Sam just a few minutes to get back to Britta's grave. When she got there she saw her father walking by it to the beach below. A piece of her heart broke, seeing his somber expression as he silently moved past the cemetery. Knowing she possibly could be the cause for such a grave face, made her feel worse than she already did. She looked down at Britta and removed the dying flowers, replacing them with a healthy bouquet of vibrant ones. It was the only color this cemetery had in it. Which was a place filled with dull gloomy colors like grey, black, and the occasional white. Britta had a fire about her that Sam loved and now she had the flowers to match that personality. "I'm sorry." Was all she could say to her. That was basically all she was now, a floating body of apologies.

"You can keep it. We don't need your apologies." Sam didn't need to turn around to know who the voice belonged to. "Nathan." Her younger cousin, who was also Britta's baby brother. He was one of the many bastards Victor had, like Irina. Bastards were frowned upon in this family. That didn't stop them from existing though. They were the lowest of the low and being that he was raised with a madman like Faison for a father, he didn't have the best childhood. "What are you doing here? How are you here?" He was obviously shocked by her presence. He didn't know. "Nathan, my exile has been lifted with Mikkos' death. I'm home for good now." He shook his head in disgust. "This is preposterous. This...this.." His bottom lip quavered. His anger was boiling. He could no longer get a sentence out. He threw the pale white flowers he was holding down. "I won't let this stand." Was the last words he said to her before departing. Leaving Sam behind to pick up his fallen flowers and place them on his sister's grave.

The Catacombs

Nikolas rolled his eyes at the appearance of Nathan. He was fuming like a slobbery dog, over the news of Sam's return. His yelling was becoming too much for Nikolas, so he wrapped his hand around the half breed's neck and lift him off the ground. "Would you get a hold of yourself. You're embarrassing." Nathan fought against Nikolas' grip, but they were futile attempts. He wasn't stronger than Nikolas, nor would he ever be.

He stopped fighting and let his feet dangle under him. He felt like some flimsy rag doll being roughly handle by their owner. Something he loathed. He was always reminded of his inferiority with this family. Always.

Thirteen Years Ago. . .

Nathan lay flat on his stomach, making sure he didn't make a sound. He knew if he was found out that he would pay dearly. He was a inquisitive thirteen year old boy, he just wanted to know what was so special about the town called Port Charles. Unlike Sacha and Nikolas' parents, Nathan's mother and father forbid it. They made him and his sister stay to the seclusion of their home, to only be taught by their mother Liesl. Great things they learned from her, like the half goat, half demon, Krampus. Nathan rolled his eyes at such nonsense. He wanted the actual experience of being with other kids his age and not just his irritating older sister.

Nathan made sure to keep quiet as Sacha and her friend came into her bedroom. The girl, Emily, had round brown eyes and long dark brown hair. She was beautiful. She looked upset though. Her eyes held a sadness he could see and her lips were pressed tightly together. Sacha seemed confused.

"What's wrong, Emily?" She didn't understand Emily's silence or sudden awkwardness. "I got Nikolas to agree to go as your date to the winter formal. He was just nervous about the dancing part." Sacha laughed, trying to hide the real reason why he didn't want to go. Which was because he didn't like Emily and also wished Sacha would end their friendship. Emily snorted. "You guys are like actual legit princes and princesses. There's no way you guys can't dance." Emily said incredulously. She still seemed unwilling to share what had her upset. Sacha didn't want to push her and instead smiled. "We know how to dance, but like ballroom dancing and such. Nothing that would be considered cool." Sacha got a smile out of Emily, which made her feel better. "You guys could make anything cool." Sacha could still see her holding back and decided to place her hand on top of Emily's. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong or are we going to keep pretending like everything is fine?" Emily sighed. "Okay."

"Lucky doesn't want to go to the formal anymore. He just isn't himself. It has nothing to do with you being his date. I promise." Emily quickly said that last part. Sacha knew better. He never liked her or Nikolas since they first came to Port Charles High. He was untrusting of them and believed the rumors about their family. Although some were true she wouldn't dare to ever admit it.

"I'm sorry, Sacha. You sealed the deal for me with Nikolas and I couldn't even return the favor for you with Lucky." Sacha smiled for her benefit. "It's okay." It wasn't. She couldn't help, but feel undesirable. Emily started to think and she felt stupid when it came to her. "I can't believe I didn't think of him before." Sacha looked at her perplexed by what she was talking about.

"What?"

Emily grinned widely and said, "My brother Jason can take you."

Present

Nikolas released Nathan. Straightening out his suit jacket and brushing off the little dirt that had gotten onto it. "Now that you're all caught up. I need you to get back working the job I gave you. Or else…" Nikolas let the threat sit in the air between them. Nathan moved past Nikolas. "Or else what?" Nathan prodded. He was obviously upset, but Nikolas didn't care about the weakling's feelings. He was insignificant to Nikolas. Nothing more than a pawn he could use for his own benefit. "Or else it might just slip to the Covenant how you're working for the Port Charles Police Department. You know that's forbidden Nathan. How could you?" Nikolas eyes sparkled with a tinge of darkness. Nathan saw how Nikolas tried to make him bend to his will. He was no menial. "You seem to forget I'm not legally seen as a Cassadine. Your laws don't apply to me, prince." He sneered. Nikolas took a step back. Giving his baby cousin a once over. He was much larger than he had remembered. He wasn't the the little kid he once was. Nikolas could see he also knew that, but he was wrong to challenge him. The movement was swift and precise. Nikolas' hand slid across Nathan's cheek so fast and hard, he lost his balance. He spun around and fell into one of the vaults. Blood gushed from his mouth and nose. Nikolas crouched to his level.

"You also must have forgotten the allegiance your family pledged to my family when your sister married me." Nikolas let the scent of his blood hit him. The smell was off-putting. It was like spoiled milk and mildew. He didn't get the appeal their blood had for Sam. "Plus, Let's not forget Sam isn't the only one on this island to murder an innocent. Now is she, Nathaniel?" Nikolas threw a handkerchief his way and stood. Turning to leave he said, "Clean yourself up and get back to work."

A Day Later

Welcome To The Black Bacchanalian

Kristina was anxious, and couldn't keep still. Everything had to be perfect. She made sure to go over every detail before getting ready. She stomped around the castle, hair pinned up, in a black tank top and sweats. Fixing every little thing that wasn't right to her. Which was a lot.

Molly stayed in the library away from all things Krissy. She wasn't upset with her anymore, but knew how she got when things were all about herself. Anyway Molly felt safe in the comfort of her books and in all things fiction. Love was something that was always achieved and the dragons were always slayed. A world where the fight between good and evil was predictable, because good would always win. She lived in a dark world where the monsters were all around her. Even she was one. We sometimes got happy endings, but it was never long-lasting. So love and happiness were two very ambiguous things to her. She so badly yearned for both, but knew it was an impossible goal to accomplish. So instead she took great solace in the made up worlds created by Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Emily Bronte, and so on. They captivated her and she craved to be like that.

"And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all."

Molly looked up. Sam was leaning on the door that opened to the library. She waited for Molly to welcome her in, but she instead stuck her nose back into her book. She took a deep breath and entered anyway.

"That's an unusual thing to be reading on such a day like today." Sam said, marveling at the little Edgar Allan Poe book Molly held tightly in her grip. "I had a dream about it." Molly said quietly as if someone was listening in. Sam saw this and came closer to her. "Don't worry. I last saw Krissy yelling at the staff because someone put plums in the bowl for grapes. She's very…" Molly interrupted her before she could finish. "I'm not worried about Krissy seeing us together. You're the one who came to a place where you're not welcomed." Molly was right. Even though Molly was referring to her presence in the library. Sam did return to place where she was unwelcomed. That was blatantly obvious, but she pushed all that aside. She wanted to talk to her sister. Whether or not her sister wanted to talk to her.

"So tell me about this dream you had. Was it about the book?" Molly was trying to resist the urge to reply, but couldn't help it. What she felt was heavy and foreboding. Too much for her to bear alone. "No. I had a dream about the party tonight." Molly couldn't meet Sam's eyes. She seemed apprehensive. So Sam placed her index and middle finger under her chin, raising her face toward hers. She gasped when she finally looked into Molly's eyes. They were as red as rubies. "Someone's going to die."

Kristina didn't let her little grievance from earlier upset her further. She just made sure to focus on the last few details. Which were her dress and seeing Philip after being away from each other for nearly a month. He had family matters to handle back in Greece and it took up more time than they both expected. Tonight would officially be their reunion. Hopefully a better one than the recent one she just had.

Kristina touched her engagement ring for the second time that day and sighed. Lost in thought, Krissy wasn't aware of the presence behind. Hands immediately pulled her in. Her scream turned into laughter, as the intruder began to tickle her sides. She turned to face her assailant and screamed once more, but this time with glee instead of fear. "Philippos!" She embraced him back. He smelled just like their last time together. "Oh, how I've missed your beautiful face." He squeezed her tighter. Planting kisses on her face and along her neck. She buried her face into his neck to cover her giggle. He was warm, he was safe, and he was handsome. Yet, she felt perturb by this newfound stability.

Patrick redid his tie for the one-hundredth time that hour. He could feel the sweat pool on his forehead and tension pull his back muscles. He was losing it. He couldn't calm himself and he knew what would happened if he didn't get a handle on things.

"Relax. It's not a big deal. You're just going to small shindig with a couple of your girl's family members. Chill." The harsh cruel laughter filled his head.

Who are you kidding? You know you won't be able to control it. Bail. While there's still time, Paddy.

Patrick ignored him. He wasn't going to bail on Sam. Not like his father bailed on him. Everything would be fine. It would.

A soft knock on his motel door caught his attention. He stopped fumbling with his tie and went to answer it. Before him stood the sexiest woman he had ever met. "You look good, Sammy." He remarked. Not caring if she noticed his eyes lingering too long on her firm body. She smiled and stepped in. Reaching for his undid tie. He blushed feeling a bit embarrassed. "You too, Drake. Well, after this." He watched her as she perfectly executed something he struggled with for the past hour or so, without breaking a sweat. "You ready, partner?" She asked, kissing him gently on the cheek. He released an anxious breath and replied, "Now that you're here I am."

The castle was lit up wall to wall by brightly glowing torches. Giving it an eerie outer appearance. It truly resembled Bran's Castle, so much so, guests couldn't help, but get jitters from the many shadows the torches casted upon the castle grounds. Some, scared Dracula himself would appear before them. The turnout was far better than they had all expected. Almost every noble family came out in honor of princess Kristina Mikkosovna Cassadine and prince Philippos of Greece and Denmark.

This made Kristina anxious. "They probably just accepted their invitation to see the freak and former exiled of Greece together." Kristina whispered to Philip. He bumped her. "It's not very nice to call your fiancé a freak." He whispered back, as they both continued to smile and shake the hands of the royals that approach them. "Haha. You're so funny. I'm being serious, Philip. After what happened with my mother and sister and then with Nikolas' wife, people look at us differently." Kristina said, feeling the gawking eyes of a few. "And not to be mean, but after Greece abolished the monarchy and exiled your family…" Kristina let her words trail off as Philip placed a finger on her lips. Silencing her and causing her to stare into his warm brown eyes. "Krissy?" He said her name so softly and yet so seductively. It made Kristina bite her lower lip to keep from kissing him. "I don't care. I don't care what any of these judgemental assholes think. I love you and tonight we're going to show them all what real love is. It's you and me, babe. Nothing else matters." Somehow his words of encouragement were always able to help her. She felt a little nervous, but with him by her side she felt strong enough to handle them all.

And so the night began.