A Father's Worry

*King Alexander*

It was past midnight before the dragging started behind the door. A slow grinding of wood rumbled into the ground. The vibration ran up the red runner. Alerting them that the blockade was being moved. 

Someone was coming out. But who that could be, left all the king and his guards to fall still. No one breathed. Dead silence fell over the decrepit hall. 

"Your Majesty?" One of the guards finally broke his silence in a rasp. He lifted his hand to unsheath his sword. Fully intent to protect him. But Alexander waved him down. 

"It's alright," Alexander calmed evenly. Doing his best to control his tone to show no hesitation or fear. It was important he didn't. The situation was tense enough. 

Keeping his sapphire eyes firm and steady, he swallowed, before venturing a boot closer to the oak door. Waiting.

"Ana, baby? Is that you?" Alexander asked tentatively, barely over a whisper. But in the silence, it felt like he was screaming.

Behind him, Alexander could hear the gentle clink of armor. The men were trembling between the metal. Hands ready by their swords. Nervously watching for the door. For any sign.

In front of them, the floor continued to groan. Whatever was being dragged from the door must have been heavy. Likely, it was some furniture one of them put up as a blockade. To keep Ana in.

And me out. Alexander darkened at the thought. But shelved it for now. A vampire in blood lust was no joke. Even if it was his own daughter. 

Alexander licked his dry lips before wiping the sweat forming on his brow. The hot summer air was stifling in the hall, made worse by the heat from the lit candles.

He swallowed back a gulp and tried again.

"Ana, it's okay." Alexander comforted softly through the wood just as he felt it stop. The grinding sound paused on the other side. Whatever was in the way, had moved.

Alexander swallowed back again before daring to touch the handle. The brass knob felt cool in his sweaty hand. He began to twist.

"I'm right here-" 

Alexander stopped short of saying the word as the door opened wider. 

"Ana?" 

But as Alexander scanned to see the flash of argent locks, he quickly deflated. 

It was red hair cut short above two pointed ears, not silver, that was stepping out the small wedge in the door. The tall 19-year-old was mid-turn. Giving commands to the maid in the room.

"...it's all cleaned up by the time I return." Mykhol snapped between his fangs in a sharp whisper before closing the door. He instantly jolted back, with a slight start when he found himself face-to-face with the king.

"Ah, Your Majesty!?" 

Mykhol blinked quickly to find blue eyes meeting his. But just as quickly, the teen lowered his shoulders with a soft sigh before swallowing. He tilted his head to click his gold earrings in a bow.

"I didn't expect you." It came off as honest, for once.

"How long have you-" When Mykhol stood back up to observe the knights gathered behind him, Alexander waved his hand. He didn't want to chat. Not with him. But as it was…

"How is she doing?" Alexander asked, moving straight to the point. His eyes drifted to the oak door. Ana was still inside. But it was quiet. Was that good? Bad? 

"Is everything-"

"It's going as expected. The bleeding has stopped." Mykhol stepped in to block his view. He answered very matter-of-factly.

"She's fallen asleep." 

"Asleep, you say?" Alexander repeated. Mykhol nodded.

"Yes. So if you could keep the noise down." 

Mykhol made a pointed look of his crimson eyes over the guards behind him. His gaze sharpened at the sight but sighed wearily. Even he wouldn't argue over that necessity. 

He only returned to Alexander.

"We'd appreciate it."

We. The word echoed sourly in his ears. He clenched his teeth but breathed through his nose. As much as he hated it, he needed the vampire right now. He'd have to put up with him.

"Aye, we will," Alexander spoke as he stepped back to let the vampire pass. He reeked of iron. Ana's blood was dried on his face and throat, and yet, it still didn't make Alexander raise a brow, at least, not until his gaze lowered to his neck.

Mykhol seemed to notice and grinned, as if on purpose. He reached up to scratch his neck, showing off multiple bite marks under the collar.

Alexander felt his stomach twist up as bile touched the back of his tongue. But he couldn't ask. He already knew who did that. He just wished it didn't have to be his blood.

Worse, the fact that his daughter was to be alone with the likes of him for a whole week. It was enough to set Alexander to clench his fists.

He hated this. The feeling of needing to rely on Mykhol crawled under his skin. It made him feel sick.

"Is someone with her?" Alexander could only manage to look back to the door. Mykhol just smirked.

"Why?" 

His fangs shone in the candlelight of the hall. "You worried she's going to break out?"

"No, that's not-" 

Alexander furrowed his brows. That wasn't what he was saying. But to his discredit, the guards behind him shifted uneasily. He had to curse inwardly. 

He felt words burn in his throat. Mykhol was mocking him with a smile as if he knew he couldn't cross the line. And it annoyed the living hell out of Alexander.

"You don't mean to imply that I came here just to." Alexander's voice darkened. 

"You mean you came here to just check up on her?" 

"Of course I did."

"Not to make sure you don't have a raving vampire amongst all your pretty little girls?" 

Mykhol stretched his smile as if enjoying the moment. His fangs seemed to grow with his amusement.

"It would be rather a problem if anything were to happen to them- just like the cats?"

"Watch yourself," Alexander growled darkly.

"You watch yourself." Mykhol's amusement finally dropped. He glared fully back at him now. 

"It's being handled."

 Mykhol looked darker at the guards before motioning to Alexander to make them move. "You don't need to be here."

"Don't I?" 

After a moment, Alexander barely lifted his hand. But it was enough. The guards moved aside to let him pass. But he turned to follow along with him.

Mykhol only scuffed.

"She'll be fine amongst her own," Mykhol spoke as they walked. He was heading toward another door. His room was close to Ana's room.

Why are their rooms so close? Again, Alexander felt his stomach turn.

"Her own-" Something inside snapped. "I am her father!" 

Alexander punched the door next to Mykhol's face. It gave a loud crack as it split the wood. His eyes blazed in a blue fire as he bore his teeth to him.

"I am her father, and you just-"

"But you're still just a human." 

Mykhol softly shook his head before smirking again. His words were so calm. It was like a knife cutting through their dread. Slicing right down the center of Alexander's heart.

And as if to drive the point home, he flicked those red eyes to the guards before returning to him.

"How could a human ever understand what it's like? You can't." 

Something I can't- Alexander felt fire in his belly and wanted to throw a bunch into the boy's damn face. If only he could, but he settled to scream.

"I'm not afraid of a little bite! I can handle it. You forget that I married your Empress-" 

"So that makes you an expert on Vampires now?" Mykhol didn't even flinch.

"Now you perfectly understand us? Do you know how painful it is to have all your blood pushed out of you only to beg and scream for more?"

"I-You twist my words."

"A human will never understand- so don't mock us by saying you do."

"That-" Alexander could feel his blood run cold despite the heat in the hall. He swallowed, feeling his heart drag against his bones.

At last, he could say what was certain. "Ana is my daughter." 

"Ana is a vampire." Mykhol mirrored back. But his face then softened with concern. As if something came to mind.

"I'm telling you to stay away for Ana's sake." 

"For Ana?" 

Mykhol went with a look back to the oak door. "You know what will happen if she attacks you, you'll be fine. You're an adult- but Ana won't forget it." 

Mykhol's eyes seemed to fog over as he fell into thought.

"I know my cousin well enough to understand that much. She would never forgive herself." 

Mykhol then regarded King Alexander again. The mindful look in his eye was gone. The feeling morphed into something more protective.

"If you do care about Ana. Leave her alone."

Mykhol turned to walk inside his room. But Alexander moved to pull on his black sleeve.

"You-" 

Alexander felt the need to yell- he was angry. But angry at who? What Mykhol said was true. And he didn't like it. He didn't want to agree. But he was right. 

For Ana's sake, I need to stay away. Otherwise, Ana would be devastated if she were to hurt anyone. She'd never forgive herself.

"Damn it…"Alexander breathed as his hand loosened. 

"Damn it all…"

He let his hand fall off. It fell to rest limply at his side. Suddenly feeling his body heavy and tired. He could breathe a moment before finally lifting a weary eye back to the vampire.

"Where are you going?"

"Me? I'm going to clean myself up." Mykhol lifted his arms. As he did, the smell of iron overwhelmed the hall. Making even Alexander gag a bit. The guards behind him covered their noses.

"Why? You want to join?" Mykhol smirked. Alexander instantly shook his head, before taking a step back. 

"Just tell me when she calms down." He gruffed, crossing his arms to move back to his chair.

"I will." The teen mused, turning to his door, but not before pausing. Mykhol seemed to narrow his eyes.

"Keep that son of yours away as well."

"Nicoli?" The sudden reference to his son had Alexander lift his head to see the vampire's face darken. 

"That prince of yours has an unearthly talent for getting too close to my cousin."

"You are not wrong on that." Alexander couldn't help but agree. His concern, for once, was valid.

If Nicoli were to find Ana alone right now…Alexander shuddered at the thought. The request was more than reasonable for his and Ana's sake.

"Aye," Alexander vowed solemnly and turned. He motioned to have the guards move back. They looked tired as they followed. So was Alexander.

Today has been much more than I bargained for. Alexander thought, feeling the day's events almost fly over his head. From happiness and joy to these sad times.

Alexander sighed as he didn't want to dwell on the dark things. He returned to take his post near the edge of the hall. Even though he could not help, he couldn't bear to leave either.

The feeling of helplessness made him angry. It was enough so, he doubted he'd get to sleep. So why try? 

Alexander looked up to the ceiling to see the paint peeling. It made him frown, but he had enough on his hands. He didn't need to start an argument over his wife's choice of rooms. 

He had had enough tonight. Which would be long enough already. 

 I can only imagine what Nicoli must feel right now. Alexander mused, resting his head back against the wall.