Harmless Flames

Ice flower

Novak

Effie finally calmed down and I called for the servants to bring us some tea. While we waited she asked the youngsters about their married life and wedding, sending a few ugly glances towards me. I didn't need my ability to read minds to know that Effie already imagined at least hundred ways of killing me. The tea arrived and she took a sip stealing a glance at me. A small smirk appeared in the corner of her mouth and I knew that the number of ways to die for me just increased again.

- How did you two meet? - Uma asked Effie and she finally stopped looking at me with a killer intent in her eyes. She put the white porcelain cup down and smiled at Uma before turning to me with nostalgia in her voice.

- How many years had been now? - she asked and I took a sip of my own tea before answering.

- Who counts? And I'm not the most intelligent person in the world, but I'm smart enough not to bring up the age of a fine lady! - Effie nodded happily.

- Seems like you learned a bit about manners in all those years. - I shrugged.

- I had time. - Asier leaned closer to us and raised an eyebrow.

- So... - Effie rolled her eyes and shook her head.

- So impatient! Fine! I was your father's betrothed! - I watched in awe how my son and daughter in law's jaws dropped in unison. Asier was the first in coming to his senses.

- Betrothed? But you said mom was the one meant for you. How did you meet her if you were already engaged to Aunty Effie? - I leaned back in the armchair and took a deep breath. It's been centuries ago that I spoke to anyone about that day. I closed my eyes and as I recalled my memories I could even feel the scent of the harsh winter that causes so many troubles for our kingdom centuries ago. I could hear the rustling of the servants clothes and the knocking sound of Angelica's high heels while she tried to chase me down the wide corridors.

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- Novak, for the love of God, please think before you act! - Angelica screamed as I basically flew around the castle. I just learned to fly, and wanted to practice more when Angie came to my room with the news that my father found me a wife. I managed to get further from her and saw a terrified expression on her face before she s**t her eyes closed. I turned ahead and saw why she got so mortified. I was flying group of maids who carried freshly washed pale of clothes. For some miraculous reason I managed to barely avoid them but he flew directly into my father's arms.

- What do we have here?! - he smirked with a predatory smile and his hand held me like iron shackles. I've tried escape but my father just laughed.

- Stop the resistance! Your fiance is here.-I looked into his blood red eyes. I've inherited most of his facial features, sharp nose and jaw line, small cut like eyes, his dark, black hair and thick eyebrows. I puffed my face and still wiggling in his hold I whined.

- I don't want a fiance! I'm only eighty years old! - dad shook his head and threw my pouting little a*s over his shoulder, delivering me to the throne room. I tried to fly away or bribe the guards to save me on my way to the throne room but everyone just smiled at my resistance. I couldn't understand why getting married at my age was so normal for the adults... I'm a vampire... I'll live centuries, why do I have to get married now?! Dad technically threw me down like a sack of potatoes in the throne room.There, the Princess of the Elves waited for me. Dad picked me up and pushed me towards a really gorgeous girl. Flaming red hair, unique eyes, porcelain skin, but she seemed so cold and I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn't thrilled by this sudden marriage either.

- Greetings to Princess Effy. - I said knowing who was standing in front of me. I've eavesdropped when my father and Effie's spoke the last time, only missed the crucial information as it seemed like. My father hit the back of my head and I cleared my throat.

- Excuse me, it's my pleasure to meet Princess Euphemia! - she bowed but wasn't fascinated by me either. Your Aunt looked at me like I was a bug that got stuck on her shoe heel.

- The pleasure is mine, Prince Novak. - Effie bowed elegantly and that moment, from Effie's shadow, the most gorgeous creature stepped in front of me... She bowed and her silver hair fall on both sides of her beautiful face almost touching the ground. Her whole presence reminded me of the freshly falling snow. Graceful, unique, calming and magical.

- Long live the Prince of Estermond, my name is Chelsea, I'm the princess's maid.- Her voice reminded me of the soft play of the wind chimes. When she lifted her glance I got dizzy and knew that the world probably just started turning to the opposite direction.

- Chelsea... - I mumbled looking into her amethyst eyes and he felt like a moth being drawn to the flames.

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- I knew I was in trouble. Effie was supposed to be my bride. Yet my Chelsea stole my heart the moment I saw her. I knew that the flames she lighted up in my heart might burn me up alive, but I was ready for that sweet death as long as I could get closer to her just a little bit more. And that's what I wanted all my life, just a little bit closer, just a little bit more attention, just a bit more of her smile, a little bit more of her presence and a little bit more of her time... - I finished the story and opened my eyes to notice I was crying. I quickly dried my tears and saw Uma approaching me. She didn't say a word, only hugged me strongly and I hugged her back. Uma...the summer of our lives tried to console me for the loss of my gorgeous winter. Asier just watched me and I saw in the eyes of my son that he knew exactly what I was talking about. After a couple of minutes of silence he turned to Effie.

- Weren't you pissed? I mean... You aren't the most patient person I know Aunty and mom just stole your fiance in front of your nose. - Uma walked back to Asier and sat by his side. We all watched as Effie drank a bit more of her tea and shook her head. Then, unexpectedly her laughter filled the room.

- Pissed?! It was like receiving a Christmas gift from the Gods! But unfortunately, neither of our parents would've accepted this easily. So the three of us made a plan.