1373
Anna.
He breaks me down after four hours.
Our quarrels are always like this, flashes of lightning – heated, furious, sudden, and oh, so very passionate. There is screaming, tears, once I even threw a vase at his head. And apologies spill soon afterwards.
This is what I am thinking as I open my door and sit beside him on the cold stones.
"I am not sorry." He says, and when I begin to stand up to go back inside my bedchamber he grabs my dress and pulls me down. "No. Listen to me. I meant every word I said."
"And?"
A shrug. "And I understand that you are angry. I do."
"Do you have any idea how guilty I would feel if you threw everything away for me? You say you are willing to do it, and I believe you. But I am asking you – begging you – not to do that to me. Ever. I should never have a moment's peace if you did."
He stands, and I take the hand he offers. "We'll see."
It is not the promise I was hoping for, but it is a truce, and I am tired enough to leave it be, just for a little while.
1375
Vladimir.
I'm not supposed to be doing this.
Anna is not here – she went to town to meet a friend, buy some dresses, talk with a woman, for a change. She should be back soon, as a matter of fact.
Which is why I have to hurry. She hates it when I practice without her there, as I usually begin to see demons or talk likee a madman, but when she is with me she will not let me test my ability on extremely needy humans.
I know I am strong enough to do this. Why is she so against it?
I grab the little blind boy's hand and lock us in my room.