The silence was eerie while the luminosity of the moon crept its way through the distant window of the tower. The time seemed to move forward at a rapid speed, and the sun was already breaking the darkness. Steven laid motionless all the while. I remember being held captive by Aro, but at least I had Ephraim and I wasn't locked in an isolated tower. I wondered what Steven was thinking at this moment. It wasn't long before the door opened. Steven looked disappointed seeing the visitor walked through that door.
He was a tall man and looked more like a beast than human. He had striking features that showcased his high cheekbones and dark wild eyes. He had long jet black hair that was tied back. He wore several coats of fur which I assumed because he was so tall that several furs had to be tailored to fit his size. He looked disgruntled as he walked towards Steven. He leaned down and grabbed Steven's face and studied it closely.
He didn't utter one single word, but Steven didn't flinch at the massive being in front of him.
"Your Highness. You must be Viktor, Ruler of Lake Baikal and father of the beautiful Princess Angara. I assume she inherited her mother's facial features."
I rolled my eyes. Was Steven trying to sign his death warrant?
At least, I knew who the beastly man was, but Viktor didn't look pleased at Steven's comment. Instead he turned around and walked out of the tower, but not before slamming the door so loud that it created almost an earthquake in the tower.
The room went dark again, and soon I saw Angara standing in front of Steven. This time she was feeding him and doing it with care. He was enjoying it too. They barely spoke but the way they stared at each other, they understood what was being said between them.
It was dark again, and the scene changed again. Angara was in a different outfit, and she was washing Steven's body with a washcloth. She went behind him and slowly scrubbed his back, but her eyes were gazing at all the scars he had on his back.
"All forgotten, Angara. Each one. It does not pain me anymore."
She stopped and closed her eyes. She took in a deep breath and faced him. Her eyes glistened with tears. She leaned up to him and gently placed her lips on his. He responded back, and they shared an intimate kiss. At the same moment, I felt the warmth on my lips which caught me by surprise. My heart ached a bit.
Angara stepped away and placed her hand on his face. "I am sorry, Stepan. I did not mean that."
She turned herself around and started running towards the door while Steven tried to run after her, but not before the razor dug into his wrists. He let out a cry of pain which made her stop. She didn't want to turn around.
"Angara. It may not mean anything to you, but to me, it meant everything."
She slowly turned herself around and made her way quickly to him. She saw the blood running down his arms and took the washcloth and cleaned his fresh wounds.
"The pain was well worth it, Princess." Without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and they shared another passionate kiss. Soon all was dark again.
This time, I was in another location. It was a dining hall as the massive table was filled with loaves of bread, soup and a variety of meat dishes. Viktor sat at the head of the table and Angara was beside him. Yulian sat across from Angara. The table was silent with the exception of the sound from them eating their meal.
"Father. I would like to discuss about the prisoner, Stepan."
Viktor seemed to ignore Angara, and kept eating his meal.
"Father. I would like to train him."
Finally, Viktor dropped his spoon. Yulian took in a deep breath and realized all too well the habit of Viktor and what was to come out of this conversation.
Viktor calmed himself before speaking out too soon. "And what notion would cause you to think of this unfathomable request." He looked at Angara waiting for an answer.
"Father, I saw him in battle and so did Yulian. He has the agility and skill that our people can take advantage of so when we go into battle, there will not be so many casualties. You saw how close he was able to draw his soldiers into our land. Had he not saved my life . . . "
Viktor stood up and brought his fist down hard to the table. "HIS life should have not been saved! You show too much mercy, my child. I am afraid it truly is going to cost you your own life in return."
Angara did not back down and stood up to face her father. "You do not know him, father. He could have shot the arrow directly at me, but instead he saved me. It is he who also shows mercy, father. Maybe you shall one day show some mercy."
Angara left the room in a hurry and didn't dare look back at her father. Viktor stared at her leave the dining hall, and gradually sat down. He was confused at his daughter, and tried not to think too much anymore of her behavior. Yulian broke the awkward silence, "You know she is very much like her mother, Viktor. Stubborn and a fighter."
"Times like these, I wish her mother were still here. I am not one to nurture and instead the only thing she learned from me was how to hunt and kill."
"It is not all bad things, Viktor. Better that than to have her unable to defend herself."
Viktor shook his head in agreement and continued eating his meal. The dining hall was all dark again, and I found myself back in the tower.
Angara stood directly in front of Steven. She was all dressed in layers of leather and fur. She had a pile of fur and leather clothes folded neatly in her arms. She released a smile at Steven.
"You should smile more, Princess. It suits you more."
She placed the clothes on the floor, and took a metal key from her pocket. She started to unlock his chains.
"Remember, you are not free to roam because if you do, then I will not show mercy this time. We are going to start by heading to the caves by Lake Baikal and start our training there. Are you in agreement with our terms, Stepan."
"Yes, I am in agreement; however, I am interested in you not showing mercy. I do not think it is in your nature, Princess."
"Do not test me, Stepan. I have already fought with father over this plan. You are lucky that he trusts his daughter."
"I will personally thank him then." His smile was infectious, and I could see that they were both falling for each other. It felt so easy to watch them together.
Soon we were settled into a cave formed by the ice at Lake Baikal. It was absolutely breathtaking. It was isolated and the campfire kept ample heat within the cave. Angara had packed loaves of bread and dried fish for them to eat before their training.
She stood up with enthusiasm and stared directly at Steven. "We do not have time to waste. Let us start with the training."
"After several weeks here and my first night of freedom, and you want to fight?"
"We do not have much time, Stepan. Father is only allowing us a few days out here, and if we do not return then my men will be coming after you."
Steven cleared his hands of any food and stood up. He picked up his sword and wasted no time in attacking Angara. She was clearly prepared as she was able to defend herself. They both were in sync with their sword fighting. Neither one seemed to be losing. However, Angara seemed to be enjoying her time too much that she took a misstep and slipped on the patchy ice. Steven's face was petrified as he realized he wasn't able to stop his sword from slicing through her right shoulder.
It all happened so fast, and Angara dropped her sword and grabbed her shoulder. Her face stared at her injury and she walked passed Steven and towards the fire. He followed her to look at the wound, but she hesitated. She really was stubborn.
"Angara, please let me look. I did not mean to. I am so sorry."
"There is no need to worry, Stepan."
He finally removed her hands from her shoulder, and he gasped at what he saw. The leather was cut through and exposed her skin, but there was no sign of the open wound. He looked at his sword and there was blood on the sword, yet no blood on her skin. He looked at her and she couldn't face him.
"What are you, Angara?"
The silenced lingered, and she was not ready to answer to him.
"It is nothing, Stepan. Pretend you never saw this or else."
"Or else what? What could possibly explain this? Do you expect me to forget and pretend? What else are you going to ask me? To pretend that what you and I have is more than real? I do not know what it is that you are trying to do to me, but you keeping me as your personal prisoner, for what? What is it that you are hiding, Angara? Are you afraid that if I find out that I will try to escape?"
He was so upset. I haven't seen him with this temper before. It even scared me, but more so Angara. He started to walk away from her, but she grabbed his arm.
"Stepan, please. Please look at me. I love you." Her voice shaken and didn't know if what she said would make a difference.
He turned himself around and claimed her lips. He was finally able to wrap his arms around her and pulled her closer to him. She reached up and placed her hands through his hair. With each kiss, I felt the sensation though my body. My heart felt all of what Angara was feeling. Steven removed each layer of her clothes, and kissed every inch of exposed skin. I felt the warmth on my skin as well. Soon I felt my body inside Angara. Whatever she felt, I felt. All his kisses, tasting his skin, the senses were so real. Every moan she made, I let it release out of my throat. He laid her down on the ground covered with fur, and with slow passion, he claimed her as his. That night Angara never felt more alive with her first time making love, and she was more deeply in love with this man beside her. Everything she felt for Stepan was real, and she didn't want to lose him ever. She held onto him close, so she could feel his warmth against her skin. My heart was hurting and yet I felt so loved, but I knew the pain I was feeling was for Jacob. I closed my eyes, and the tears started falling uncontrollably.
The heat was so welcoming against my skin and the scent was nostalgic. I opened my eyes, and the warmth was overwhelming but familiar. I was back in the cabin and in Jacob's arms. We were sitting up on the bed with the blankets covering us. I quickly got up and looked at him, and his face was distraught. I could tell there was so much pain.
I climbed on top of him so I could face him. I placed my hands on his face and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "I'm so sorry, Jacob."
He didn't respond back, but sat there in silence. He bit his bottom lip and didn't know how to approach me. "What are you sorry for? Is it because you love Steven?"
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