To chapter two!

Anna found her father where she almost always did, walking by the sea. She approached him at a trot, her heart in her throat. Boris heard her coming and turned around, a smile lit his face at the sight of his daughter.

"Why hello there!" he called opening his arms to her, she slowed her pace and walked into his embrace.

"Hello Papa" she said back, he grinned at her and offered his arm,

"Come to join your old man in a walk by the sea?" he asked. She nodded and together they walked along the shore.

"Papa, how did you know when you loved Mama?" Anna asked innocently, Boris inhaled the salty sea air and smiled in memory.

"I think it was perhaps the first time I danced with her, and we both tried to lead!" he chuckled as he thought of his beloved Annabelle.

"But when did you know that she was the one for you?" Anna pressed, avoiding his gaze. Boris let his mind drift back to his past,

"The first time we kissed, I think we both knew. Why do you ask?" Boris looked at his daughter, she had been distant of late, she seemed sad. He wondered if this had anything to do with it, and silently vowed to fix whatever it was that ailed his little girl.

"Papa I want your blessing, to return to the world" she said, stopping and staring out at the sea. Boris's face hardened,

"to Gabriel, you want my blessing to return to Gabriel?" he hissed. Anna turned back to him, tears in her eyes,

"I love him Papa. He loves me, he is broken without me and I fear for his life. He doesn't want to live anymore, and I don't think I could stand to watch him die! But I will not return without your blessing, no matter how much my heart screams for it." Her voice thickened near the end of her speech, she stared back out at the sea she loved so much. Boris was shocked by the emotion he'd seen in her, his normally silent stoic child.

"What of us? Your family? Will you leave us so willing behind? Your brother and Mama, will you leave me?" he asked, reaching for her. Anna allowed him to cradle her against his chest, finding no comfort in those arms. She longed for another pair of strong arms, another firm chest, another heart beat under her ear.

"I must Papa, I will not last here, I need him as much as he needs me" she whispered, knowing she was breaking his heart.

"Will you love him still, knowing what he is? knowing who he is?" Boris questioned finally, knowing his daughter was lost to him. She nodded against his chest,

"Yes Papa. I love Gabriel, I love him so much it hurts" she looked up at him and smiled.

"Then go, go to him, I will not keep you here knowing that it pains you. I will miss you, Anna" he said softly, his own tears welling.

"My little Princess" he whispered, cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her forehead gently.

"You have my blessing, may God be with you and that man of yours" he finished with a chuckle. She smiled so brightly the sun seemed to dim, giving his hands a final squeeze she turned and ran off down the beach.

"I love you!" she shouted over her shoulder, heading to tell her mother and Velkan.

Boris stared out over the endless stretch of water, his heart breaking,

"I love you too" he whispered to the wind.

"Take care of her Gabriel, she's not as strong as she acts" turning he headed back up the beach. His wife was going to need comforting...

Short I know, sorry, next chapter should be a bit longer!