UNCHAINED SONATA

CHAPTER TWO

"HIS grace is summoning you at the private retreat, Lady Anastasia," Liliana of Amaruq; Anastasia's lady in waiting notified her as the prominent woman entered the boudoir crammed with thick steam coming from the installed jacuzzi at the farthest area of the room.

Anastasia who was in the middle of her hydrotherapy with her head laying on the tub's headrest sat up straight. Her abrupt movement created a splashing sound as the water plunged into the marbled floor making a slippery mess. Anastasia didn't mind it though for she's too surprised at what her ears heeded.

"Pardon me?" she mumbled almost a whisper and faced Liliana with rounded eyes.

Yes, she saw her husband from the battlement earlier. He finally went home after the incident a week ago at Caucass but she thought he already left without seeing her like he always did.

Liliana who was Anastasia's assistant, trusted friend, and who took good care of her for five years like she was her real sister sent her a gentle smile. "The duke said he'll be waiting for you so you must hurry up and see him before he runs off again," she teased recalling what happened at her lady's wedding.

Anastasia chuckled showing her perfect set of teeth and the pair of dimples on her rosy cheeks. Liliana knew her feelings towards Ivanov however after that night when her husband clarified that he sees her as a tempting source of food than a wife, her affection for him turned to fear.

Combing her damp hair backward, Anastasia's smile faded and she gulped hard.

Lilian felt the change in the atmosphere and she hastily frowned. "Is there something bothering you about his grace, my lady?" she asked with worry in her serene voice.

Anastasia bit her lower lip and nodded. "Yes and I need your help, Liliana."

She had no idea why Ivanov was summoning her. He is perhaps her husband but he's a vampire who feeds on human and animal blood. She must have something she could use against him in case he's planning to harm her.

A FEW minutes later, a loud knock on the door of the private retreat which was adjacent to the chamber of the deceased father of Anastasia echoes in the dim-lighted hallway of the solar.

"Come in," said a deep icy voice inside the room.

Anastasia heaved a shaky deep breath and gave Lilian a nervous nod. Her lady in waiting opened the door which produced a small creaking sound. Biting the bullet, Anastasia hauled the sides of her cream fluffy silk dress up before going in.

"A pleasant night to you, Duke Ivanov Crusade of Torak," Anastasia greeted her husband. With the aid of the faint glimmer of the lamps, she noticed how engaged he was with the books and maps behind his father's working table.

Wearing a white button-down tunic shirt showing the upper part of his well-defined torso, black trousers hugging his lean and strong legs, and a pair of leather boots matching his modest yet striking attire. He looked faultlessly mesmerizing to the human eye as the moonlight passed through the open window hitting his unique physical appearance rendering him a more enchanting aura.

Anastasia stifled an impressed gasp and slightly bowed her head down before she cleared her throat and awkwardly uttered, "I learned that his grace wishes to talk to me. Is...is there anything that this humble lady can assist her beloved husband with?"

Her phrases made Ivanov stopped from browsing an old article and lifted his gaze at her. He leaned back on his seat, settled his elbow on the armrest, and rested his chin at the back of his hand. His ominous eyes scanned Anastasia's whole form. From the hemline of her dress sweeping on the carpeted floor up to her slim midriff and full breast popping out of the lower neckline of the garment and up to her blushing face. His stare lingered at Anastasia for few seconds before a smirk tugged his lip and he replied, "You're coming with me to Altalune Palace to attend a royal gathering tomorrow."

"A royal gathering in Altalune palace?" Anastasia whimpered. "Is the King inviting us to come, his grace?"

It's been two years since the last time she visited Altalune. Since she last saw her blood uncle and cousins; the king and the royal princes.

"I would not be telling you about the invitation if not, human," Ivanov responded pinning her with a sarcastic glare which made Anastasia bit her lip and dropped her eyes to her feet feeling embarrassed.

She heard him snickered before he continued talking. "I will be staying here tonight and I expect 'my wife' to assist me to bed later. You may go now," he finally dismissed her.

Anastasia flinched but it's not because of the emphasized words or the way he was sending her out like she's a commoner. She's more alarmed that he's going to spend the night at the castle and that he's asking her to sleep in his chamber. "B-but his grace..." she was about to oppose it but halted when Ivanov disappeared on his seat. In a fraction of a second, Anastasia yelped when a pair of hands snatched her waist and slammed her into the wall close to the shelves. Fortunately, she already anticipated the outcome of that meeting as she reflexively pulled out a black velvet pouch hidden inside and the upper part of her bust support.

"Let go of me!" she screeched, smacking Ivanov's face with the pouch.

She panted while her eyes broadened in apprehension. She waited for the noble vampire to scream in pain, burn or turn into ashes but those things failed to happen.

Ivanov remained in one piece while he gave her an incredulous look.

"What the hell is this?" Ivanov muttered. He freed her with obvious irritation and inquisitiveness in his orifices before he stepped back, and stole the pouch from her. "Does your foolishness leveled up by thinking you could fight a vampire with this," he grunted and Anastasia sulked against the wall like a skittish puppy under his scrutinizing glare.

She's pondering why Lilian's secret weapon against vampires didn't work. But, the effect came after when she least expected it.

Ivanov's snout twitched and he sneezed which startled them both. They fell into silence for a few moments before he wheezed hard for the second time.

Anastasia witnessed how a deep frown drew on his forehead and cursed, "Damn it!" Shooting her a suspicious look, he hastily untied the knot of the pouch and spilled the stuff that she put inside.

Like glowing grains in the night, minced Allium sativum dropped to the floor.

Ivanov's whole body went stiff in disbelief. "G-garlic?"

Another sneeze ripped the stillness of the private retreat making Anastasia hugged her quivering form tightly. Realizing she's doomed, she squeaked, "Sorry."