The Romanov Sisters

by Svetlana Ivanova

  "Who?"

  "You know who I'm talking about!" I yelled louder.

  "Oh, you mean that pathetic-looking human girl? Well, I guess she's gone back to your sister now," Nikol said with a shrug. "I could have killed her, but I didn't, so you should be thanking me for that."

  I was shaking in disbelief.

  "Nikol, if you ever lay a hand on her again, I swear I'll be right at your throat in a minute," I growled. Nikol's face shifted into the most deadly expression I had ever seen. She pried my hands off her and stood up to look at my face.

  "How could you stop loving me, Anastasia?" She said. “You used to love me so much.”

  "Nikol, you’ve changed."

  "I did it because I love you!" she screamed back. "I wanted to be with you forever."

  "No, you didn't love me," I said. "You love yourself. You love the idea of immortality. You've changed long before Alex did that for you. It's all because of your own greed!"

  Nikol's eyes became dark and dangerous as she stared at me. She was gritting her teeth in pure rage. She knew whatever I sad was true, and she couldn’t deny it.

  Then she picked up the little white rabbit by its ears. The creature's tiny limbs thrust in her grip.

  "You know what happen when I don't get my way?" she said. "If you and that girl ever get close to each other again..." she flashed her sharp teeth and bit into the white animal in the neck. The bunny twisted its body in pain. It was torturing just to watch. A minute later, Nikol drained the creature out of blood and dropped it on the floor like a piece of trash.

  "Now you get the message," she said, wiping her blood-stained lips with the back of her hand. I felt helpless. Avery's safety was being threatened. I couldn't live with myself if anything like that happened to her. She was all I ever cared the most. I had never felt like that in my entire existence.

  But if I didn't take Nikol back, Avery would be in serious dangers.

  I stared at the little white ball on the floor and tried not to think of the worst in my head. Then Nikol came forward and ran her hand through my hair, her other hand played with the collar of my shirt. She gazed at me with an air of seduction radiated from her skin. I hated it. She brought her face closer to mine. I felt her lips tracing my jawline and over my cheeks.

  "Let's bring back the old memories, shall we?" she whispered and pushed me down to the bed. She got on top of me and started pressing her lips to mine. I tried not to kiss her back, but it was impossible with her persistence.

  I hated myself for doing this with her, but I had no choice.

  Less than a minute, Nikol had ripped off my clothes, lifted one of my legs up to her waist as she ground her hips on me. She licked my throat and found her way into my mouth. Her tongue was soft and hot. It twisted and slithered hungrily against mine. All the while she kept moving against me and feeling my breasts.

  I couldn't help feeling aroused under her sexual spell.

  "I just want to taste those sweet lips again," she whispered in my ear. Then she went downward and just like that I melted into her lust once again.

  Chapter 16

  Avery

  It was raining outside. The shadow of a willow tree danced on the creamy white walls of the room. Cold winds seeped through the window as I lay on the grand bed.

  Since I was brought into this seeming paradise, I had never felt this miserable. I couldn't believe I had done it. I couldn't believe I even enjoyed doing it with Alex.

  I was mad at her, but I was mad at myself more.

  My entire beating heart was given to someone I loved, and yet here I was, sleeping with someone I hated. Then I felt a stir on the bed and the same fragrant smell of her skin came over me. Her soft silken hair brushed over my bare shoulder.

  "Are you crying?" she said in the softest tone I had ever heard from her. It surprised me, and I didn't even know I was crying until then. I wiped the tears off my face but still kept my back turned to her. Her cold strong hand slid around my waist and pulled my body into hers.

  "Don't cry," Alex said. "I'm sorry."

  Her words drew me back to my senses. I turned around to face her. I didn't even know if I heard it right. Alexandra Romanov, the ruthless mistress of this house just said she was sorry to me.

  "Oh now you're sorry?" I spat back in disgust. "Sorry for what? For violating me?"

  She flinched. Then her expression changed back to the old sarcastic evil Alex. A slight smirk appeared on the corners of her perfect lips.

  "Some of the time, yes, but most of the time, no," she said. "You enjoyed it with me, didn't you?"

  I felt my cheeks burned with embarrassment. My mouth opened and closed but nothing came out. I turned my back to her again, yet she still kept a hold on me.

  "Let go of me!" I said and tried to brush her hands off. With a swift motion, she pulled my body over, and I found myself lying on top of her.

  I gasped.

  Her hands locked around my waist. I couldn't move from her iron grip.

  "Alex! What are you...ughh!" I groaned. She giggled back. I was still naked under the blanket. My face flushed hot.

  "Come on, stop acting like you don't want me anymore," she said.

  "Because I really don't!" I snapped back.

  "Oh, sure." She arched a perfectly curved eyebrow in amusement. The golden shade of her eyes dimmed darker. I tried to look away, but I couldn't. It was like looking at the full moon, glorious and enchanting.

  Her long black lashes fluttered over those dilated golden purples, which lit up even more with a deep glow. They were so mesmerizing. I traced my gaze over her narrow nose and then to her beautiful luscious lips, nothing but perfection could be described of her countenance. I was so lost in a trance-like state that Alex had to clear her throat.

  "If you want to kiss me, go ahead, I don't mind." She grinned, showing off a set of flawless teeth. I jerked back from my daze and tried to get off her again, but Alex wouldn't let go. Instead, she reached one of her hands to the back of my neck and pulled my head down until our lips met.

  Butterflies swooned inside my stomach. My skin prickled from the chill of her skin. But I found her lips moving over mine so tenderly and sweetly, a weird feeling began to form inside my core. My heart skipped and raced at the same time. Before I knew it, I found myself kissing her back, softly and slowly. My body seemed to have a life of its own. I didn't know what had gotten into me, but I kissed Alexandra back.

  Her hands wandered down the sides of my body and pulled my knees up so that I was straddling her. She squeezed my backside as I faintly rocked back and forth. I knew it was wrong, but it felt strangely good with Alex. She kissed me with twirling, probing tongue. I used to hate the way her tongue always stuck inside my mouth, but now I let it roam freely.

  Alex was a surprisingly great kisser. The way she turned her head and moved her lips was like poetry. It started to burn me inside.

  Suddenly, I heard a low growl from the depth of her stomach. I broke the kiss, making a popping sound as I parted my lips from hers. Alex smiled sheepishly.

  "Sorry," she said with a sheepish smile. "You're just making me hungry again."

  I didn't know why it hurt to hear that, and why I even bothered to feel hurt now. I was nothing but a mere slave to her indulgence. I was just a slave to everyone. How could I be so stupid to fall for her charm and lost myself to lust?

  Tears threatened to well up in my eyes, but I fought them back. I hated myself enough already. Why should I care about my so-called human dignity anymore?

  "Fine," I said in a low quivering voice and brushed my hair to the side, baring the veins on my neck for her. Alex smiled and licked her lips.

  “Come closer,” she whispered. I leaned forwards and felt her cold breath on my skin. I shivered a little. Eyes closed, I braced myself for the pain, but instead of the burning sting, all I felt was a soft sweet kiss on my skin.

  I jerked back and sat upright, staring at Alex in confusion.

  "What was that for?" I s
aid.

  "What? I like you," she said with a shrug.

  "Oh no, you don't," I said and quickly got off her. I grabbed my red dress and shrugged it on then hurried out of bed. "This can't be happening."

  "Avery, wait!" Alex called out as I turned to the door.

  But in a blinding flash, Alexandra was right in front of me. A desperate look marred on her face. It was the first time I saw her looking like that, but I pushed her away and tried to dodge around her. She was really fast, and before I could get to the door, Alex grabbed my body from behind and wrapped her strong arms around me.

  Her narrow chin rested on my shoulder.

  "Please, don't go," she said in a small voice that made me freeze, "Just give me a chance."

  Chapter 17

  I was back to my room in a daze. I didn’t know what had just gotten into me or Alex. She had always been treating me worse than any other slaves in this house, but all of a sudden, she seemed like a different person. This was too much for my current state of mind. I got a splitting headache overanalyzing everything.

  The next day, Alex wanted me downstairs first thing in the morning. I had to get dressed, but all I really needed was to be left alone in my room. Alex also insisted I move to her chamber. It took me a long time to protest the idea.

  Finally convinced that I wouldn’t run away, she let me have my way. Even if I could escape, where would I go now? I had no one as my refuge anymore, and I still couldn’t stop thinking of Anastasia. Where was she at this moment?

  But my mind must have been so messed up that every time I thought about her, Nikol’s evil smile would also appear. Why didn’t Ana tell me she already had a lover?

  I just felt sick to the stomach.

  "Miss. Pierce,” a woman’s voice came from outside my door. “My lady is waiting for you. Please be hurried.”

  It felt kind of weird being addressed properly for the first time.

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” I said.

  After I finished showering, I went to my closet, but all my old clothes were gone. The outfits I found inside were different. There were no more maid dresses. They all looked like expensive clothes. Each was tailored to perfection.

  There were flowing silk laces, long gowns, lovely skirts and elegant scarves. There were beautiful embroidered dresses and all the fancy accessories you could imagine. Most of them had very intricate and classic designs.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered to myself, staring at those expensive items in disbelief. I had to spend a long frustrating moment to find the simplest things to wear, but it was still annoying being a flowing brown wool shirt and white shorts. I had to wrap a scarf around my wide collar. Maybe it was good for me not to expose too much of my skin around Alex.

  I got downstairs and found Alex sitting elegantly on the table. A small basket placed beside her. But when she looked at me, she did this unexpected thing; Alexandra froze—she looked as if she just saw me for the first time.

  Then she smiled. It was the most angelic smile I’d ever seen from her. She quickly floated to my side and wrapped her arms around my waist. There were other maids and bodyguards standing by the corners.

  "Please, don't do that," I said, but Alex didn't seem to notice the on-lookers. She was just, well, being Alex.

  “We should have a picnic together,” She said breezily. I had never seen her being in such a good mood.

  “A picnic?” I asked.

  “Yes.” Alex nodded and turned to the basket on the table. “I personally prepared something sweet and delicious to cheer you up.”

  “But why...”

  “Come with me,” she simply said and pulled me along.

  Alex didn’t answer anything I asked after that. And we walked until we were out of the grand garden of the mansion and then into the wooded area nearby.

  I had never explored her estate before. It was too big, so I never knew the outside view would be so breathtaking.

  There were hillsides and aspen trees, stretching far and wide.

  Alex still kept holding my hand as we strolled together, and the strangest thing was I didn’t try to pull away. We just walked like that in silence, going past the beautiful flowery bushes and water fountains. I could smell the scent of roses and dry leaves from a distance. It had been a long time since I saw such a dazzling view of the outside world.

  The moment delighted me so much that when I looked at Alex again, I forgot about my sudden love crisis and smiled at her. She seemed a bit taken aback by that but she returned the smile quickly. Her golden pupils brightened even more. I never noticed how light they were under the sun.

  My head snapped to her again.

  “Alex!” I gasped.

  “What is it?” she said, looking at me with questioning eyes.

  “You can walk in the sun?”

  Just like that, Alex burst out laughing.

  “What? You think I should’ve burst into dramatic flames by now?” she said, shaking her head in amusement.

  “Well, isn’t it supposed to be a serious problem for—you know—vampires?” I said.

  “Sort of,” she said with a smirk. “But not for me. I’m special.”

  “I see.” I nodded. “You’re a high-class and oh-so-wow vampire."

  Alex laughed again. It was weird hearing her laugh without being scared. Normally, all her laughter was always accompanied by her sarcastic, cold-hearted cruelty.

  Now it was different.

  “I like the way you talk, Avery. You really are something,” she said and pinched my cheek hard. I swatted her hand away and shot her an annoyed look, but she just grinned mischievously at me.

  A moment later, we came to the outskirt of the estate. Then I had to gasp at the sight in front of us. There was a beautiful archway with evergreen ivy hanging over it. White roses popped out from every angle of the trellises. It looked like those kinds of archways from a fairy tale. There were white roses everywhere.

  Alex smiled at my reaction. She stepped forward and held her hand out to me.

  “Will you come with me and be my rose princess?” she said.

  I looked at Alexandra.

  And without a straw of consciousness, I took her hand.

  Chapter 18

  We walked through the archway together. I kept glancing around the area. At the other side, I found the most beautiful garden anyone could ever imagine. Every corner of the earth was carpeted with green grass and clusters of white rose bushes. My nose constantly caught the fulfilling smell of sweet fragrance. Magnolias and forsythias bloomed like a sunny harbinger of spring. There were pink and purples flowers hanging from the tree branches. In this strange new world, everything looked freshly alien and beautiful.

  "This place is a delight," I sighed in happiness.

  "I know," Alex said. "I built it."

  "You did?"

  She just smiled.

  Everything seemed alive in this place. Dry twigs cracked beneath our feet. There was a big pond not far away. The water was so clear, it mirrored the cloudless sky. I could see animals scuttling in search of food, some twittering, and some hiding. This was a living wood.

  Alex walked me towards a big willow tree and started spreading the picnic mat on the grass. I watched her work, and it was sort of amusing because she looked like she had never done a thing in her life. I didn’t know someone so graceful could be so awkward doing such mundane things.

  I decided to help her. After we were done, we sat down together. She started preparing plates of cakes and cookies over the mat. I tried to focus my mind on other things while she prepared our tea. But my attention was soon drawn to the beautiful gourmet dessert she’d brought.

  They were delicate and frosty and sweetly delicious.

  Alex held a piece of strawberry mousse cake to me. I was hesitant but she insisted. She put it in my mouth, and I had never tasted anything like this for a very long time.

  "Oh gosh, the cakes are so good. I think I'm going to have diabetes
after this," I blurted before I could stop my human silliness. Alex laughed again.

  She seemed really charming when she was like that. Was this a vampire lure they always talked about?

  "Alex," I said while she was nibbling on some raspberry, "How did you become what you are now? How did you turn into a vampire?"

  She looked at me. Then she took a sip of her tea and put the cup down and sighed.

  "Alright, I'll tell you something about us, but don't press on it, alright?"

  I nodded and waited for her to continue.

  "I was born in 1899 into the House of Holstein-Gottorp Romanov,” she said. “You know what it is, don’t you?"

  "Yes, the second and last dynasty that ruled the Russian Empire," I said, feeling proud of my history lesson back in the day. Alex nodded while stirring her tea with a silver-crested spoon.

  "Czar Nicolas II was my father," she went on without looking at me. "My mother Czarina of Russia was also named Alexandra. She was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. I always remember my mother as a beautiful woman, but not much of my father."

  Alex smiled as if she was lost in the memories, and I could see a slight trace of sadness in her golden eyes. As promised, I didn't press on it.

  "They had four daughters, including me," she added. "Anastasia was the youngest of the sisters. She was born in 1901. Then my brother Alexei came along."

  "And where are they now?" I said.

  "Oh, you think they're still alive?" Alex chuckled without humor. She looked up at me and then turned away. "They were all dead."

  "But...but how could you...?"

  "Only Anastasia and I survived the execution on July 17th." She shrugged as if it was normal. "With the help of a gunman and an Orthodox priest, we escaped death, and now we both are forever nineteen and seventeen. Isn't it great?"

  But there was a sarcastic bitterness in her voice. I realized Alexandra wasn't always a blood-drinking enthusiast as I had always thought. There was something she didn't like about herself too.

  "I woke up in a church besides Anastasia," she said. "Have you ever wondered why every royal family has to associate themselves with a religion or some sort of cult?"