Survive

Third Chapter

I liked some songs while writing; Hurts like hell by Fleurie, Carry you by Ruelle and Fleurie

Enjoy!

Damiana's POV

16th century

"The Russian Prince wants vengeance. Understandable." I uttered, trying to make it casual, and... still, it was hard. I was scared...no, I was terrified as hell!

"I will not give him my Commander! You are not going back there, I guess he will understand what that will mean!" exclaimed my father with fire in his eyes.

Commander. He doesn't want to lose his Commander. Not his daughter.

I gulped the bitterness and grievance before interfering, "We need no war. A diplomacy is a great option."

My father's eyes narrowed at me but before he could say anything, King Henry, for the first time, shared his opinion, "I don't think that evilness will like talking. For God's sake, why do I need my hunters? Recherd! Call all the hunters and prepare as fast as you can. You will start a war on my behalf!"

I widened my eyes.

War?

The words went ringing in my head before hearing my father's stern voice, "Yes, Your Majesty."

I looked between the men and, for the first time, couldn't agree with my father, "You can't! With all due respect, General, we will lose lots of our soldiers, not just soldiers, we will lose our best hunters!"

My father came across me and that's the movement when he hates to talk. "Can you imagine what it will bring us? What if one of the generals dies? There will be no peace anymore and vampires will be six times more furious! They will attack villages! Do you even care?! Stop walking away!" I began yelling at him and tried my best to stop his bulky body.

"Father!" That's when he stopped abruptly. He slowly turned his body towards me and muttered through gritted teeth, "Are you forgetting that it's all because of you? You killed those children, you told them to track the vampire, it's you that they want!" Every damn word stung harder than the other.

He pulled his trigger right at me...I never saw him talking like that with Magdalena...he never ever said her similar words. Perhaps the problem is with me?

"I know. It's my fault. But don't let emotions take over! You have Magdalena...What if something happens to you? What if something happens to us? How will she survive?" I tried to push on the wound but it was the most arrogant and stubborn man alive, "Magdalena is older than you and she will not get lost. She is more like me than you, plus, she is marrying Prince Eduard." Pointed out my father right to my face.

My words were useless.

I looked at him for a few moments just to make sure that he had made up his mind...maybe I hoped to see something in his eyes. But unfortunately, his eyes were cold as the morning wind.

"Father..." I whispered...still wanting to persuade him, but he cut me off.

"Rest for now, tomorrow you will have an important day, and don't pull Magdalena into this mud...she is the only child that would make her parents proud...I don't want you to corrupt her." Spat out my father before giving me a disgusting glance and stomping away, clucking with his armor.

The lump in my throat burned and my eyes stang from hell knows what. I heard these words before but...no matter what it hurts like the first time.

"Commander?" I blinked tears away and turned around to the person who called me. It was John. His eyes showed sympathy. Nothing unusual. My father acts like a total ass and then John would try to make me better.

"Everything's good, John. I will be alright." I murmured, feeling how my eyes still stang.

"I know that you will, Commander, you always are," he said with a slight smile.

I sighed and felt how my hands trembled, "How is it?" I asked, not facing him.

John shook his head, "Mostly terrifying...I couldn't see in the dark but I felt their presence and they enjoyed our fear...they laughed in delight while tearing apart Willow and sucking Ernst's blood...I-I...I couldn't...I couldn't help them...they were just kids, Dami! Why did they leave me alive? Why?! I would do anything to change places with Willow or Ernst!" he choked out. Red eyes ran all over the ground and whimpers left his lungs.

My heart squeezed. Ernst...Willow...dead.

"Stop," I commanded, gulping the bile and tears. I am not gonna cry or sorrow. I will fight.

John nodded madly.

"Tell me what you saw. Surrounding, face features..." I said sternly, now facing him and looking into his eyes.

"I-I...I remember the darkness and stone walls...stone floor...They tossed me in front of the throne where Knyaz sat."

"Who 'they'?" I asked.

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Uh...um...woman and man, they were so alike...I think they are twins. They were pale as snow and the same with hair, white as snow! But...eyes..." he stuttered, "Eyes were red as fresh blood."

I inhaled deeply. "Good. What about Ivan?" I dared to use his name instead of the title on which John widened his eyes and looked around nervously. "Shhh! He will hear you! His highness is...he is evil himself. He looks like a young man, maybe even in his late twenties, but the aura of his..." he trembled, "I would never dare meet him again, Damiana...never. I would rather kill myself!"

I clenched my teeth. Damn it. Now, I am f*****g, unbelievably scared!

I inhaled through my teeth, "Alright...So, he has the superpower to listen from a far distance...good," I thought out loud.

"Damiana...whatever you think...please, don't. Listen to the King and your father. I beg you! You have no idea what I saw...I can't even explain it with words!" he exclaimed, grabbing my forearm.

I looked into his light eyes that once were full of courage and kindness, and now, there is nothing but fear.

I couldn't make him more worried...he had enough, already.

I nodded, "As you say, John. Now, go rest. You are safe, don't worry." I assured him before patting his back and sending him away and going back to my tent.

I looked around and fixed my hair and my so-called dress before stomping away with the Commander's gait.

***

When I was a few meters away from the tent, I saw my sister standing shyly with Prince Eduard.

The fear and all the past emotions changed into anger. And my anger was directed at his highness.

"Good night, your highness, sister," I greeted them, not changing my authoritative posture.

Magdalena smiled sweetly but yet...she was unhappy that I caught her with the Prince, while the Prince greeted me with a low bow and I felt how my cheeks turned pink, but it faded as soon as he clarified, "Commander Crosse,"

I wanted to laugh at my silliness or more stupidness. I wasn't a lady for any of the men. I was a Commander and they saw me as one of their men. But I tolerate this as long as they respect me.

I let my lips quirk in a smile, "It's been quite a day, I want to be left with my sister alone if you don't mind, your highness,"

I saw with my side vision how Mag widened her eyes and scowled, the Prince bit his lip and awkwardly chuckled, "Uh, yes, sure..."

I nodded and sarcastically replied, "I thank you."

And I only thought he was walking away...Magdalena stared at him as if waiting for something, and the same with the Prince. They just stared at each other lovingly, making me disgustingly grimace.

I couldn't bare this!

I cleared my throat and blankly looked at the entrance before me.

Prince Eduard clumsily took one step back, "I will see you tomorrow...Magdalena."

My sister giggled, "Then, good night, my Prince."

"Good night."

I gritted my teeth and glared at the back of my sister's new suitor.

"Stop glaring at him as if you are planning to kill him, Damiana!" whisper yelled my sister, to which I darkly chuckled, "You are a mind-reader, sister, what do you prefer? Now with the bow or with the dagger at night?" in full seriousness I asked her, still burning, perfect, broad back.

I heard Magdalena groan, "Don't you dare! Anyways, you don't have a weapon right now," chuckled Mag in triumph.

Without another word, I raised my dirty dress and took out a small dagger from my leather belt.

"You know what, I have a better idea. I will just throw a knife at him so that he can just lay down there for a while and maybe...go to the other side," I said, flipping the silver in the air before aiming for the perfect target.

My sister jumped at me, exclaiming in panic, "Damiana! Holy God! Are you out of your mind?!"

Her face looked worried and that was a shock for me because...we never felt anything towards over gender.

Why now?

I looked with curiousness at my beautiful big sister, "Why?" I whispered out.

My sister sighed and jerked her head at the tent.

We entered our home and sat on her bed.

"He...He was so sweet towards me, Dami, like really...he was sincere and we are so alike!" she happily exclaimed, making my heart squeeze, but I listened, "He listens, shares, supports, cares... loves me, sister," it was like a thousand needles pricked my heart.

There is nothing more painful than her words...well, no, those words were enough to kill me. "I love him, Damiana, and I think I will marry him."

It was hard to breathe. Wh-why is there no air? Was...Was the world spinning?

"Damiana? Damiana!" called out my sister, but her words were so far away...

Marry. Love.

I was going to kill myself but I would not bare this pain...I couldn't. It felt as if my lungs were burning and my heart stopped pumping.

She is leaving me...she will live with him instead of me...

The words ring in my head on and on.

"Damina, are you good? You are sweating. Should I call the healer?" she kept asking, but I didn't answer.

She loves him and she is leaving me to live with him...

"Damiana!" she yelled at the top of her lungs when I started trembling.

"Kill me..." I whispered.

"What?" she exclaimed.

"Kill me but don't let me see you leave..."

Magdalena recoiled harshly, "You...You would rather die than see me happy with the love of my life?" she sobbed.

"No. I would rather die than live without you." I replied with my head bowed.

I heard my sister's whimper, "I-I thought...you would change your mind...I guess I was wrong."

I clutched my fists.

This isn't how it should have been.

"I will marry Eduard. Whether you support me or not, I made my decision, Damiana. I hope you will understand me someday and...make your decision." These were her last words before she went behind the curtains to change.

I sat there for a while. Digesting everything...

Oh God, how badly I wanted to cry...How badly I wanted the freaking tears to spill...why am I not crying?

Taking all my strength, I stood up and went to my bed and lay on top of it, with my dirty clothes on.

I was exhausted, afraid, and broken and I needed my mother more than ever.

When I needed my mother...Magdalena was there for me and now...I need my mother...only my mother.

With the heartbreaking thoughts, I finally slipped into a dream. Feeling peace for a while.

Hey! I hope you liked this episode! See you! Stay tuned and comment! Thank you and xo.