Ch 8
Espiranza, now livid, gripped tightly to the Russians wrist preventing any attempts at an escape.
However, Ivan had no plan whatsoever to free himself. He leaned in, eyes wide with curiosity. "You know that I cannot tell you, Da? Or are you dumber than you look?" He expected her to retaliate with physical violence and was ready for the excitement.
However, his comment went without punishment as Espiranza completely focused on the man. Eyes sharp and deadly, she rose as she continued to command the Russian. "Tell me exactly where it is." Toris' assumption may or may not have been right, but, being the proud country that she was, she would've rather acquired the information on her own.
She was now looking down on Ivan who was on eye level with her slim waist. "Hmmmm…" He looked up to the ceiling and then back up at the girl. "Nope!" With a quick smile, Ivan twirled his wrist around, releasing himself from Espiranza's hold. Her own hands were quickly taken up into his as he pulled them apart, causing her to fall back onto the bed and thus losing her position of control.
Now she was pinned to the bed as Ivan sat next to her, fingers securely entwined with hers as he held her down and made struggling useless. When she finally stopped, she looked frantically up at Ivan who continued to smile at her. "Now see? Staying still was a smart thing, Da?" Though secretly, he wanted her to fight back.
Against the will of her country, Espiranza began to calm down at the lack of distance between them. Mexico growled at the defeat. Hijo de puta. Espiranza's forehead tingled as Ivan's blonde hair barely brushed over her skin, bringing the rest of his features to her attention. Despite his teasing, Ivan's eyes were dark with the power of his country, no doubt creating an internal conflict for the Russian. Today, he smelled less of alcohol and more of flour for some reason. It being almost 6 in the morning, he no doubt hadn't yet indulged in his favourite drink.
Ivan couldn't help but stare as Espiranza's eyes grew soft and dark again. He also couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. All her fire was now gone and with it, the exciting warrior he remembered. And yet, at the same time, his heart still raced as he breathed in the smell of flowers that he recognized as her scent. He had fallen for, not only the wild, striking warrior, but now, Ivan realized, he might just love this much-more-docile-than-before version as well.
Espiranza was surprised when one of Ivan's hands released her and swept his hand over her cheek. She didn't move as what felt like electricity sparked under her skin. What was going on? She hadn't taken the opportunity to flee nor to fight the man. She just laid there like an intoxicated school girl.
The electricity returned, but this time, more powerful and in her lips as Ivan closed the distance between them. The kiss was brief and tender before Ivan pulled reluctantly away. They're gazes met, both full of confusion and affection.
As though snapped out of a dream, Ivan shot up, turned sharply, and left as hastily as he could manage without running, closing the door loudly behind him.
As soon as the door closed Espiranza sat up in the same awakened manner that Ivan had. Briefly, she touched her lips and remembered the electricity that was now gone.
Toris sighed, preparing to pick up and preserve the food that went uneaten when he heard a door slam and loud tromping coming down the steps. Soon, Ivan appeared in front of the door, grabbing his spare tan coat and grabbing the door knob.
He turned slightly and called to Toris over his shoulder. "Make sure there is food for our guest when she reawakens, Da?" He opened the door and wind wrapped itself around Ivan as his scarf flew around in protest to General Winter's embrace.
Blinking, Toris stared dumbstruck at the door as it slammed shut. I wonder what's wrong with Ivan. Curious, Toris took a cup of coffee and trekked upstairs to Espiranza's room. Knocking three times, he opened the door a crack. "Miss Vasquez, I brought you some coffee."
"Toris," She said his name so softly that he barely heard her but took the response as permission to enter and did so.
Espiranza was sitting up in bed, the comforter now over her legs and staring out the window next to her. He placed the coffee on the nightstand and waited for a second before saying anything.
"Miss Vasquez, are you alright?" He rested his hand on her shoulder softly, but timidly.
"Toris!" She turned and smiled at him suddenly. "I've known you long enough for you to call me Espiranza, cabrón." She chuckled a bit and put her hand on his accepting the Lithuanians reassurance.
"Espiranza, what's wrong?" He repeated.
Toris reminded Espiranza of her brother, Matthew for that split second and it was enough for her to break down a bit. A tear escaped her eye, startling Toris, but he did not leave her side. In fact, he sat down on the edge of her bed and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
This time she remembered both of her brothers and started crying softly into Toris' shoulder. Her brothers were the most important to Espiranza and here she was across the world in Ivan's home. "I miss mi hermanos, Toris." She spoke weakly into Toris' shoulder. "I miss them so much."
"And you want to go back home." He guessed as much. Being tricked into staying with a crazy Russian wasn't what anyone planned to do and the fact that Eduard, Raivas, and himself were all trying to get her to stay probably didn't help the situation. He suddenly felt so guilty for trying to make her fall in love with Ivan that his own stomach began to wrench in disgust at his selfishness.
"But, I do not." She stated softly.
"What?" Toris couldn't help but voice his surprise.
"I want to go home, Toris. I do," She looked up at the young man and couldn't stop herself from talking. "But I do not want to leave. I want to stay here." She stopped herself barely.
"With Ivan?" He couldn't help but ask.
"No! No no no no no." She pulled away from Toris defensively and began shaking her head. "Of course not! He is so..." She paused, but could think of nothing that she didn't like about Ivan. "No." She looked out the window again at the swirling winds of General Winter. She couldn't afford to be so selfish, could she? She had to get back to her country, to her brothers. This life in Russia was temporary and Espiranza knew it all along, but what reason did she have for not finding her bag. It wasn't because she didn't try. Espiranza didn't want to leave. "I love Ivan…"
Toris didn't smile, but took the opportunity and left to tell his fellow servants.
Mission Accomplished.
Ivan wandered his land again, pain in his heart and butterflies in his stomach as he ignored snow and ice that seemed to gnaw at his clothes. She can't stay. She needs to be in her country. With her brothers.
Но она не хочет, чтобы вернуться. {But she does not want to go back.}
Ivan stopped walking when Russia said something that didn't involve forcing Mexico to become one with Russia. How do you know?
Вы действительно думаете, что она не нашла бы ее сумку к настоящему времени? Помните ее истории. Теперь подумайте. Почему бы ей остановиться? {Do you really think that she would not have found her bag by now? Remember her history. Now think. Why would she stay?}
Does she care about me?
Russia did not answer Ivan, but the butterflies in his stomach proved to be enough for Ivan. He would be so thrilled if that were true. Then the truth came back to him. Espiranza had to go back to Mexico. She had to go to her brothers, and she could not stay with him long from now. He had four days left with her and had to make them count.
