Snakes and Fangs

*Admiral Nugen* 

"I am here on official news for her, Empress Anastasia."Admiral Nugen told the attendant, shifting back uneasily on his heels. Standing still felt foreign after so many days in the saddle. 

His scar throbbed, a sharp pulse of pain ignited by the relentless wind and scorching sun. His thighs trembled, every step a challenge against gravity. And the sweat-Gods, the sweat. It dripped in slow, tortuous trails down his back, pooling to drench his waistband, turning his skin clammy and slick with salt. 

And it didn't make things any better, standing in Dawny's castle. 

The grand marble foyer loomed around him, its sweeping staircase lined with suits of armor, empty of course, but still giving the uneasy feel of being judged by the silent guardians. Overhead, a massive chandelier tinkled softly, stirred by some unseen draft.

Yes, this was the last place he ever thought he'd be. And he didn't like it. Not one bit.

But it wasn't just the castle setting him on edge. No, it was him.

Admiral Nugen forced himself to focus. He had ridden through the nights for this—through exhaustion, through the heated sands, the freezing mountains, through the dull ache of old wounds. And now that he was here, he wasn't about to be turned away.

"Show me to her. I have urgent news." He stepped forward, making the attendant shrink back.

"I—I, er—" The young woman glanced toward the nearby guards, her expression faltering as they shook their heads. Defeat settled over her like a wet blanket.

"I don't think we can let you see her," she finally murmured.

Nugen's temper flared. "What? Why? I need to see her." His gaze snapped to the guards. Were they serious? He had come on official business. Diplomatic business.

"I must insist," he said, his voice hardening. The long ride had worn his patience to the bone. If they denied him again, he would push his way through by force. He hadn't endured an entire week of riding to be stopped now.

The attendant fidgeted, her hands wringing together as her eyes darted between him and the floor. "Haven't you heard?" she whispered.

Nugen narrowed his eyes. "Heard what?"

Her throat bobbed as she hesitated, eyes flicking back to the guards for help. They did nothing.

"Speak, or I'll throttle you," Nugen growled, his patience razor-thin.

The guards stiffened, their hands shifting to their swords, but Nugen barely noticed. He was too focused on the girl—on her nervous shifting, on the way she knew something she wasn't saying.

She opened her mouth—then flinched at a voice behind him.

"Admiral Nugen."

Nugen turned, his irritation momentarily tempered by surprise.

Johan.

The old servant was still as sharp-eyed as ever, though time had carved deeper lines into his face, stretching his forehead taut and turning his once-dark hair pure white. But his presence, steady and unyielding, was the first familiar thing Nugen had seen in this cursed castle.

"Johan," Nugen greeted, exhaling as his hand dropped from his sword.

Johan dismissed the attendant with a simple tap on the shoulder. She scurried off, relieved. The old man's authority clearly hadn't faded over the years.

"I need to see the Empress. It's urgent," Nugen said.

Johan, however, did not turn to lead the way. Instead, his brow furrowed. "News hasn't reached you, then."

Nugen tensed. "What news?" His gaze darted to the stairs. "Why can't I see her?"

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy.

Then, a voice cut through it like a blade.

"Admiral Nugen."

Nugen went rigid. That voice.

Slowly, he turned on his heel, jaw clenched, shoulders drawn tight. And then, he bowed.

"Your Majesty."

King Alexander stood at a distance, broad and imposing, his dark brows creased with age. He had changed since they last met—only slightly. A few more lines, perhaps, but otherwise the same man.

Except for his eyes.

The sapphires that once sparkled with mirth now carried only shadow. A quiet, unspoken weight settled between them, the kind built by too many lies, too many betrayals.

No matter how much time passed, some wounds never healed.

"I think it's best you come with me first," Alexander said, turning away.

Immediately, Nugen was on edge. He didn't need to speak with him. He needed to see her. But then Johan was at his side, leaving him no choice.

"If I must," Nugen muttered, barely restraining his frustration. For Ana's sake, he would endure this.

-x-

"Her first blood!?" Admiral Nugen's mouth fell open before he reeled back, disbelief crashing into him. He didn't want to believe his ears.

But Alexander held his gaze, his blue eyes edged with something sharp. Something dire.

"Yes."

Nugen felt his stomach lurch. The timing couldn't be worse. As if things weren't difficult enough, now Ana had officially come of age. He ran a hand through his choppy brown hair, feeling the grime and grease from the ride.

"I thought there'd be more time," he muttered.

Alexander leaned back in his leather chair, the exhaustion in his eyes mirroring Nugen's own. A weary smile tugged at his lips.

"Life has a funny way of proving you wrong." His gaze drifted to the ceiling, lost in thought.

But Nugen couldn't afford to drift. This wasn't even the worst of it. He rubbed his tired eyes, fingers brushing over his scar, swollen and raw. He probably looked even worse.

But he had no time to clean himself up. Still didn't. Not until he saw her first. 

"I rode out as soon as the news broke," he said, dropping his hands.

It was happening faster than he anticipated. And if Ana didn't act soon, Nugen could already imagine the story her cursed aunt and uncle would spin against her. They would call her too slow, too weak. Further planting roots in court, just to continue undermining her authority.

Now that she was officially Empress, they would be merciless.

He had to act.

"Tell me, Alexander."

"Nugen—" Alexander hesitated, his brows pressing together. A flicker of regret, or something close to it, passed over his face.

But Nugen couldn't afford hesitation. "Tell me, or I will tear this place apart."

Alexander exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. He was disturbed—by the news, by the situation—but after a long moment, he settled.

"She is—"

The door creaked open and both men turned.

"Who dares—" Nugen started, his frustration about to boil over, but Alexander was already standing.

"Your Highness, Hildenberg."

The name alone made Nugen flinch.

"Your Highness?" His breath caught as his gaze lifted.

She was the spitting image of her mother—broad square face, blunt teeth, corn-yellow hair, peridot-green eyes that gleamed with something unreadable.

She was just as imposing.

A shiver ran down his spine, purely on reflex. What is she doing here?

He flicked a look at Alexander, searching for answers, but the king had other matters to attend to first.

"Ja, it's me, Your Majesty," Hildenberg said, grinning as she ducked her head to clear the doorframe. She wasn't taller than the doorway, but her braids nearly touched the top.

"I can see that." Alexander's eyes shifted past her to where Johan stood, bowing deeply.

"Your Highness," Johan murmured, disappointment laced in his voice.

It was rare for Johan to fail, but the giant had bested him this time. Hidi had forced her way in.

Her gaze flicked to the portrait of Empress Parsul. Unapologetically, she stepped closer, fingers trailing along the gilded frame until they found the small hinge at the side. With a click, the hidden lock released.

Alexander moved swiftly, standing between her and the painting before she could pry further.

"What are you here for, your highness?" His tone was short. 

She shrugged softly.

"I wanted to know what's happening with Ana." Hidi turned back with a smile. 

Nugen's brow twitched in surprise. "Ana?" 

She calls her by her nickname? He turned to Alexander for an explanation, but the king remained silent.

"I'm sure you've eavesdropped enough," Alexander said flatly. "Go back to Nicoli now." He motioned to Johan.

Johan nodded, stepping forward, but Hidi raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks. A flicker of annoyance darkened her eyes—sharp and quick—but just as swiftly, she smoothed it away, her smile returning.

"I can help, you know," she offered.

"Help?" Nugen recoiled at the very idea.

"I can give my support." She openly studied Nugen's scar, her green eyes gleaming with mild interest.

"That's-" Alexander stiffened. 

Nugen narrowed his eyes. "Why?" His voice was sharper now. "Why would Almony help Nochten? You've never taken a side before. You stay neutral—"

"Because we'll be family soon," Hidi said with a soft giggle.

"Family?" Nugen's gaze snapped to Alexander, but the king merely waved a hand, silently saying it was a long story.

"You…" Alexander trailed off, looking at Hidi as if debating whether to argue. Then, with a sigh, he rubbed his eyes and sat back down.

"Admiral Nugen," he said at last.

"Yes?"

"Johan will take you to Ana." He motioned to the door. "She's awake now."

Nugen wasted no time bowing. "Very well, Your Majesty."

He followed Johan out, his mind a tangled mess.

I shouldn't have called him by name. It had slipped too easily. Too naturally. Like they were still friends.

But that bridge had burned twelve years ago.

Stay focused. Nugen stiffened as they walked in silence. Something was off.

"How far is she?" he asked, watching Johan's grimace.

That single expression made Nugen's pulse spike. Johan was not a man who grimaced.

"Johan?"

But the old servant kept walking. 

*King Alexander* 

As Admiral Nugen disappeared down the hall with Johan, Alexander expected Hidi to take her leave. But she remained rooted in place, her gaze lingering on the retreating figures.

"He's human."

She turned back to Alexander, curiosity flickering in her peridot-green eyes, mingled with something close to confusion.

"He's from Parsul's old court," Alexander said simply, hoping that would be enough to satisfy her—and send her on her way.

It didn't. If anything, her interest only deepened.

"Still?" she mused, casting another glance at Empress Parsul's portrait. "I thought they'd have purged him by now."

Again, Alexander resisted the urge to step between her and the painting. There was something unsettling about the way she looked at it. As if she could see something no one else could.

She continued to smile with slight amusement. A spark of curiosity was in her eye. 

"How funny," she said airily. "Why would a human stay in a vampire's court?" She tilted her head, studying Alexander. "He must be quite loyal, ja?"

Alexander flinched at the word.

"Loyalty is… one reason."

Hidi's gaze sharpened. "Hmm?"

Before she could press further, the sharp click of heels echoed down the corridor. It seemed his afternoon was going to be busy indeed. 

Without needing to see her, Alexander moved from his desk first. He reached the door just as it opened.

Queen Belinda stepped inside, her brows lifting in surprise.

"Darling?" she murmured, startled to find him waiting for her. Then her attention flickered past him, landing on Hidi. "We have a guest?"

"Admiral Nugen has urgent news for Ana," Alexander answered smoothly.

Belinda's expression darkened, just for a moment. "Admiral Nugen?" she echoed. "He's here?"

"He is. It concerns Nochten."

Her frown deepened. "What business?"

"The colonies—"

"The Southerners are revolting," Hidi cut in cheerfully, flashing Alexander a mischievous glance before sliding effortlessly to Belinda's side. She looped her arm through his wife's, her touch deceptively light.

"Isn't that exciting?" she cooed.

Belinda arched a brow. "Exciting?"

Hidi's grin stretched wider, baring every tooth in an almost deliberate way. Her teeth, just a fraction too large for a human, caught the light like the edge of a steel blade. The smile was meant to be playful, but something about it coiled behind the gaps, unsettling, and waiting.

Her peridot eyes gleamed with something unreadable- something hungry.

"Yes," she murmured, her voice dripping with amusement. "Who doesn't like war?"

She giggled then, the sound soft and light, that trailed behind as she walked out with Belinda.