Hi again everyone. I nearly screamed the other day because I saw my hits had been going down every chapter, but I'm happy to say they're on the rise and I hope they stay like that. I'm sorry I haven't updated but I had 8 pieces of Homework over the weekend so I couldn't write anything! But never fear because I have the next chapter for you, and I'm hoping it's OK. Enjoy!
Helena
Boris closed the heavy oak door behind them and entered the manor. Sighing, he hung his sword up on the wall and began to walk down the long corridor towards the library. Velkan and Anna looked at each other questioningly; before following their father to wherever he was going. The soft thud of footsteps stopped them in their tracks and their mother came into view, panting, as she had been running down the steps.
"What happened? Did you find them?" She stared at Boris, frantic with worry. Her eyes went past Boris, finally landing on the two children. "Thank heavens you're alright." She exclaimed, running up and giving Velkan a hug. "I was so worried about you!" Anna sighed and just walked straight past her mother into the library. She slipped into an armchair, letting the soft material cool her extremely bad mood down. Despite being attacked by Dracula, she was in quite a good mood coming home, until that is, she stepped through the front door. Speaking of doors, she half wished her mother would try and walk through the one in the library, that way she could slam it in her face. Stop it Anna, at least try to be civil, she is your mother. Civil, why should she be civil, her mother wasn't making an effort, so why should she? A loud shriek echoed through the corridor and Helena, followed by Velkan, joined Anna and Boris in the library.
"You killed Verona?" Helena fumed rounding on Anna.
"Yes I killed Verona, it was about time that undead bride turned to dust." Anna smiled slightly in her attempt to lighten the mood of the conversation. It didn't work.
"You killed one of Dracula's brides! Goodness knows what will happen now! Of all the careless things to do Anna this one really beats them all!" Helena ranted, her rage taking over her. Anna stood up, blinded by fury.
"She was going to kill Velkan!" She interrupted, finally finding her voice. "And she came quite close to doing it." Helena's mouth closed promptly; she decided it would be best to back down for once. She ran over to Velkan and Anna and hugged them both.
"I know Anna, I'm sorry. I'm just so pleased you're both alright" Anna knew full well that she really meant Velkan, but she kept quiet, for fear of ruining the moment. Boris smiled and exited the room; happy to leave in the knowledge that his family were actually getting along for once.
"So Anna, did you bring home any needlework that needed finishing off? I-I could help you…if you like…" Anna was sat in an armchair by the fire in her bedroom, just watching it. She had heard her mother enter the room; but she thought that she should just stay quiet, just in case her mother wasn't in a good mood. Instead of going straight out of the room; Helena had stayed, in an attempt to bond a bit more with her daughter. She still thought it was a pointless idea. After all, you bond with a baby when it is born, not a thirteen year-old girl. Still, she would try; she had already nearly lost her son that day. And in a way, she was trying to get back her daughter as Helena feared she had lost her long ago. For the first time since what seemed like forever, Anna smiled back at her mother and motioned for her to sit down. The soft light of the fire illuminated her mothers facial features; in particular—her eyes. Anna found you could tell a lot about a person by their eyes; what they were thinking, maybe even some of their personality. Normally when Anna looked into her mother's eyes she saw, disappointment, and sometimes even shame. But not now. Now she saw kindness, regret, and—no, could that be… love? Anna wondered if it was just a cruel mind trick, caused by the light of the fire; she thought she was only seeing what she so longed to see from her mother; what she could never have. She stared at the fire for a couple more seconds; before looking back into those rich brown eyes again. Much to Anna's relief and surprise, she still saw love in her mother's eyes and this caused her to smile further. She contemplated whether to get one of the unfinished pieces of needlework from the draw and pretend it was hers from school. But that would be lying. If her mother was going to start again with her, then she might as well start again with her mother; no lies, no secrets—ever again.
"Actually Mama, I have a confession to make about that…" Anna stared down at her hands, inspecting them before turning them over and looking at the other side.
"Oh…?" Her mother said. "And what is that my dear?" My dear…She'd never been called that by anyone but her father, or at least she didn't think she had. But coming from her mother it sounded so good; so right. She sighed deeply before continuing.
"I didn't go to needlework today…I went to combat with Velkan, that's why I was there when the Vampires attacked." A stunned silence fell over the two women. Anna understood that Helena was still processing the information, and would probably completely lose her cool shortly. She thought it was best to leave her father's part in the story out—she didn't want to cause problems between her parents.
"Oh, Anna…did you really loathe it that much?" Her mother's voice was soft, caring. Anna didn't really understand why she wasn't shouting. So she just nodded and looked down to the floor. "I am so sorry…" Helena spoke again, her voice full of raw emotion. Anna looked up questioningly. "I've been so unfair towards you; I know that Anna, I really do. I was so cold, always wanting you to be something you're clearly not ever going to be…" She trailed off; Anna looked at the floor once more, willing the tears that she had held back for so long to stay in for a little longer. She had always known her mother was disappointed in her, but she had just blocked it out and gotten on with her life; like it didn't matter. Because she had something to prove; she was still as good as her mother wanted her to be.
"No, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I won't ever be who you want me to be. I'm sorry that I'm not the daughter that you wanted. I…" Helena shook her head.
"No! Anna, listen to me. I'm sorry that I wanted you to be who you're not. But I love you, what you did today shows your true courage, and skill. I'm so proud of you; I just wish I'd told you sooner instead of telling you to change." She moved across the room and knelt in front of her daughter; putting her hand against her cheek. "Can you ever forgive me?" She asked. Anna simply nodded, throwing herself into her mother's arms. She didn't try to stop her tears this time; she just allowed them to fall down over her cheeks.
"I love you Mama." Anna whispered, knowing full well that this wasn't a one-off moment between them. Things could only get better.
Well folks, that's the next chapter done. I'm actually proud of this chapter; I'm not bashing my own fic for once! Now you're all going to tell me you hate it aren't you? I hope not…but we'll see…
I know most of you hate Helena with a vengeance but she had to make up with Anna for being unreasonable. Otherwise my story is screwed. Please press the little button old and new reviewers, You're my motivation, can't say that enough!
