Robert couldn't fall asleep, getting tired of what was happening. Nadia seemed to completely change her approach to the whole matter, which destroyed his worldview. He thought she would obediently bow like he did, but apparently in the end she wasn't going to start out with a cheeky little bit in his throat. He thought the case was won, everything looks relatively correct, and at this point, like in a chess game, she has gone in a different direction. He wasn't a saint either, said too much, insulted her, though he didn't think so ... but she forced him. It was because of HER that he was so angry, it was because of HER that he couldn't control himself and his impulses. She made him mad in previously unknown feelings, on the one hand, he wanted her company, on the other, he couldn't understand why she had treated him in this way - cold, soullessly - and not otherwise. He finally fell asleep, completely tired of rolling from side to side. The rest didn't last long, Jurgens was awakened by an insistent knocking on the door. He looked at the clock illuminated by the moonlight. 3:00 am. He rubbed his face, stretched in his black cotton pajamas, and climbed off the bed, dragging his feet across the room. He found three friends behind the door, completely terrified. He frowned.
- Something happened? - he muttered.
- "Did something happen?!" - Enrique said, tossing the trunks of the open peach shirt in his pajamas. - You didn't hear anything ?!
- And what was I supposed to hear, apart from your knocking?
- Strange noises, like shuffling, murmurs ... brrr ... terrible. - Oliver shuddered, tightening the collar of the pastel blue polo.
- I went out to see what it was, I thought Enrique was making a nasty joke ... - Johnny added, looking around anxiously. - ... in the light coming from the corridor window I saw something huge and slimy!
- You must have imagined it. You were sleepy, you mistake the dream for the reality. - Robert waved his hand, wanting to close the door.
- I KNOW WHAT I SAW! - The redhead growled at him, holding the wing at the same time with his other hand nervously pulling down his camo shirt, from under which black trousers protruded to the knees.
He sighed heavily. It wasn't going to be a quiet night, as if the day hadn't provided enough excitement. He nodded, agreeing to search the corridors, reaching for his Gryffolion disc on the way. They walked barefoot on the soft carpet, he in front, they huddled together, shuddering at every little noise. They were passing the girl's room when Enrique spoke up.
- We don't wake her? - he asked, stopping.
- I don't see the need ... - muttered Jurgens, tugging his fringe back.
He didn't want to drag the unjustly offended Nadia with him. It would have been different if she had previously apologized for ignoring him at a banquet on the ship, and for socializing with other men.
- What if the monster does something to her? - Johnny asked, with surprising concern in his voice.
- Eh ... well ... - he sighed, knocking softly.
He had no intention of arguing any longer, he had neither the strength nor the inclination to do so. If she was asleep, it was very light. After a few seconds, they heard a scraping noise, clang of a key. The door swung open and a head with a tousled blond hair and eyes peeked out, as if the owner had been freed from torture. She was completely asleep.
- What's happening? - she muttered, yawning mightily as she looked inside the room. - Three in the morning ?! Are you all right ...?!
- Something is wandering in the corridors, let's go check it out ... - Enrique whispered.
She left sleepily, closing the door behind her. She was dressed in a green satin short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts, both beautifully embroidered with white and pink tiger lilies. She rubbed eyes with hand with a snake bracelet, and Robert thought she looked cute in this version. He really wanted to see Nadia more often in such an outfit and condition - charming, sleepy. Don't think she fully understood their intentions.
- All right, all right, I'll fix it ... - she yawned, waving hand at them. - Go to sleep...
- We stick together! If something happens to someone ... - he growled at her, firmly grasping slender wrist.
- As if you were ever interested in my safety. - she snorted at him so close to his face that he felt warm breath on cheeks.
For a split second he had a great, unrestrained, paradoxical, for this situation, desire to touch her face, lips, warm skin. He didn't understand this reaction, was going to chill her with coldness until she understood her mistake, and his subconsciousness told him to touch her, to enjoy the tempting scent, kiss her, desire her. He wanted to have her with him, to feel her strength next to him. She broke away, stepping briskly with tiny feet with very distinct, slim ankles, marching forward, then stopped at the intersection of the corridor and stairs, looking around as if looking for something. The others hurriedly approached her.
- Nadia! Wait! Don't go alone! - Oliver pleaded. - We don't know what it is!
- It sure is huge, I saw it! - Johnny added. - Could be anywhere!
- Not everywhere, because he's too big. - she replied disarmingly honestly.
She turned towards them. They saw something so extraordinary that Robert slowly began to doubt everything he believed. One of her eyes turned ice blue, as if it didn't belong to her. More questions arose in his mind. The answer came surprisingly quickly.
- I've had it since I was five, when the basilisk bit my shoulder. In this way, he chooses an owner for himself. If you survive, the two of you stay ... - she explained calmly, then added, looking up. - He's upstairs, under the window.
Before she could turn around, the cold blue turned to warm honey again. She climbed hurriedly to the next floor. They marched briskly after her. Apparently she wasn't happy about it, but she had no choice but to go with them. He felt offended by her behavior and another mystery about which she didn't say a word. He remembered perfectly well how he demanded complete honesty from her. He hated insubordination.
- Go to sleep, I can do it. - she hissed softly at them, continuing her search.
- No way, we won't leave you! - Johnny said, apparently feeling safer with her than in his own bed.
Robert followed her step by step. She looked at him, he looked away. He wasn't going to explain anything to her, since she was brazenly hiding important information. He was at home, if wanted to, he could dance the Viennese waltz naked, and nothing to anyone.
- OK ... Just please, don't make noise and don't step on his tail. - she sighed heavily. - Probably sleepwalking. If we wake him up abruptly, he'll be erratic.
- You don't mean to say that your beast, just like that, went out for a walk? - Enrique asked.
- The basilisk must have crawled out while I was asleep. - she explained, pointing to her bracelet, more dull than usual. - Sometimes it happens to him ...
- It's extremely irresponsible to allow anything this dangerous. - Robert muttered under his breath.
- I'm not in 24/7 surveillance, Master Robert. - she replied fiercely. - I've known him for over ten years, he never hurt anyone. Don't interfere, I haven't asked YOUR opinion about MY beast.
She shocked him with open rebellion. Usually Nadia was as calm as the undisturbed surface of a lake. Her unfounded pout was driving him to a white fever. He didn't know what she expected from him, he did everything to make it well. He organized his precious time for her, bought gifts, tried to keep order, be nice ... fact, not always completely honest, but she had to accept it. He didn't like to talk about what he himself didn't understand. He had to be sure, and she had to understand that. He had no intention of accepting such treatment. Her demeanor was absolutely out of place, he didn't know what to do about it, and he wasn't going to mess with sassy conversations about his feelings. He was stunned at the sight of an enormous, silver-blue, scaly body, shinier than the full moon. He wrapped himself tighter as he lay on the maroon carpet. Instinctively, Robert pushed back his purple fringe and watched Nadia approach him, quite tiny compared to the big snake. His heart skipped in his esophagus as she held out her hands in his direction. He wanted to hold her back, embrace her, but he kept aside with the iron resolve he had made earlier. He didn't want her to be hurt, but believed that if his earlier warning came out, the girl would wake up and start apologizing. She was incredibly brave, impressed him again, which definitely clouded his anger.
- Vasyl* ... - she whispered, and the beast took out its head hidden in enormous tangles. She added without looking at them - Don't look him in the eye. They are beautiful, ruby red, attractive ... but don't look.
- Kniaź Oleg... - he muttered sleepily, bringing his massive snout close to her tiny hands. - Eto ty*?
- Da, idi ko mne.*
As soon as it touched the pale skin, it shrank significantly to the size of a slightly larger viper. He wrapped himself around one of her legs and belly, resting muzzle on round breast tucked under satin pajamas. She covered his head with hand so that he wouldn't turn anyone to stone.
- You made a problem.- she laughed softly as she walked over to them. - My you oversized garden hose.
- He called you ... Oleg? - Oliver was surprised.
- When he sleepwalks, he remembers living with my grandfather. - she replied calmly. - He thinks I am very similar to him from the beginning.
They noticed movement under her hand. The three Majestics shuddered a little, huddling again. The captain stood hard, watching as she lifted her hand slightly so snake could move his head more freely. He looked as if he had just woken up.
- Dina? - he muttered sleepily, and when she caressed him on the silver head, he added, yawning - I love you ...
- I love you too. - she replied tenderly. - Sleep well.
The beast loves the owner? Does he show it so clearly? He couldn't believe it. He wanted to learn it, to know how to express feelings so lightly. He wanted to hear the same softness in her voice as she spoke to him, to feel her tiny hand against him, preferably both, with all the rest of her petite body. But knew he had nothing to count on, especially after what they had told each other lately, how sharp, extremely unpleasant he had been to her. Robert was going through a hard time, had several important ventures ahead of him that kept him awake, suspected it was one of the reasons for his irritation. He knew that this didn't explain his behavior very much ... He felt a great need to rectify this issue, wanted to fix it as soon as possible so that they could move on to better. He watched her slowly return to her room, thinking frantically what to do.
- Nadia, wait! - he said firmly, then mentally scolded himself for the demanding tone, continuing a little more gently. - Come to the East Terrace tomorrow morning, I would like to talk to you during breakfast ... face to face.
- You'll have to do without me, Robert. - she replied dryly, frowning. - I'm coming home at dawn.
She left the bemused Majestics captain and a slightly less surprised team. The other three knew Jurgens was making things worse, even the impetuous Johnny noticed it. Everyone tried to subtly convey his signals, unfortunately to no avail. Robert always knew better. He hated objections, especially when he bent his neck himself.
- You can not! - he threw angrily after her. - You were supposed to stay a whole week!
- You didn't buy me at the market to demand anything ... - she hissed, the snake on her shoulder raised its head. - ... and your castle is not a golden cage from which I cannot escape, Master Jurgens.
She used this form very rarely, but never in such a tone. He even felt the distance between them turn into a huge, insurmountable gulf. It hurt. It hurt a lot, especially since she wasn't lying. He woke up exceptionally long before to catch her. In fact, he hardly slept at all, struggling with his thoughts. He changed his clothes hastily, hoping she was joking, trying to scare him. Didin't make it. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, almost smashing against the row of ribs, pumping blood painfully to his temples and quickening his breathing. There was not a trace of her presence in the room. She even took things that theoretically should have stayed. He leaned back and slumped helplessly against the open wing of the door, lowering his head between his knees. She ran away from him. He felt completely helpless.
Vasyl - in Russian language "basilisk" is "vasilisk" :D so Vasyl is shortcut
Eto ty? - [rus.] "It's you?"
Da, idi ko mne. - [rus.] "Yes, come to me."