The following evening, Nikolai left the Castle of Kings, determined to do as his brother asked. When he made it home the next day, he found Angeline and discussed the plans for their house that he carried from the Castle of Kings. She was satisfied with the design. Once he violated her for at least an hour, he sought out his mother. He was angry with her and he intended on letting her know.
Nikolai burst into her office. “Mother, we have to talk.”
Brie, surprised by his entrance, said, “Hello to you as well, son.”
“Mother, will you allow yourself a break? There is something of great importance that I need to speak with you about, and it will not wait.”
Brie stood up. “Certainly. Where would you like to have this conversation?”
“In the garden, so that we cannot be heard.”
“Lead the way.”
Nikolai and Brie went to the garden. When he felt he was far enough away from the castle entryway, he stopped and turned to face her. He wasted no time with his inquiry.
“Why have you abandoned Lucas?”
“I have not abandoned Lucas.”
“Mother, you lie. I went against father’s wishes and I spoke to my brother. He told me that he writes to you, and you do not write back. Why not?”
Brie turned away from Nikolai and quietly said, “I do not wish to know his pain. I have seen it and do not wish to be reminded of it.”
“Because of your selfishness, Lucas is not the man he once was. The only connection he had to his family was you, and even you left him out in the cold.”
“Is he all right?”
“Now you wish to know? I will tell you, mother, that he is not. I did not even recognize him when I saw him. The only way I knew it was him was by the sound of his voice.
“Malachi does not let him out of the chamber alone, and he is not allowed any visitors but the king and queen. Malachi allows them to take him back to their chamber for a short visit, but this is all. You will acknowledge your son, accept what has happened to him or I will never speak to you again.”
“You cannot mean that.”
“Believe me, mother, I do. Lucas will once again know that you love him before Malachi kills him. If he dies and has not gotten at least one letter from you, I will never speak to you again.”
“How will you know if I have written to him or not?”
“Because I am going to give you a letter I have written to him as well. You will put my letter inside your letter and mail it to him. If I do not get a response from him, I will know that you have not written.”
“Your father will not allow this.”
“Fuck father. I am a grown man and I will do as I please.”
Brie was surprised at Nikolai’s words and asked, “What has gotten into you?”
“In the last few months, there have been a lot of things on my mind, but the number one thing right now is the welfare of my brother. You will write to him, tell him you still love him, or I will not speak to you again.”
Nikolai stormed away from his mother, leaving her shocked. He wasn’t finished chewing out his family, so he sought out his father. Brie went back into the nursery and sat down to absorb her eldest son’s demands. She thought about it for a few moments, grabbed a blank piece of paper and her favorite pen, and began to write.
‘My Dearest Lucas,
‘Your brother has just finished chewing me out, so I guess it is about time that I wrote you a letter. I miss you. Nikolai tells me you are not doing so well and I am sorry. Please forgive me, but witnessing what I did the last time I saw you, was too much for me to bear. I did not want to hold that memory in my head forever. It has been almost a year, and it still has not gone away.
‘I thought that the only way to forget it would be to forget about you. I was wrong. I am your mother, and I should have been there for you. You are my favorite son. I do not know if you knew that, but you are.
‘Nikolai has told me that if I did not write to you, he would never speak to me again. You know that your brother is very much like your father, and usually says what he means. I cannot think about the fact that I will lose all of my children, so I write.
‘Byron and Regan are living at the Castle of Kings now. Perhaps you have seen them. It gives me great comfort to know that one of us is near you.
‘Oh, forgive me son. I can no longer do this. I love and miss you very much. Perhaps when I receive your letter, I will be able to write more.
‘Love, mother.’
Brie placed her letter in an envelope and put it aside to wait for Nikolai’s letter. She laid her head down on the desk and cried. She had been a bad mother, and this was something she never wanted to be.
Nikolai sought out his father. He found both him and Boris in the castle’s formal sitting room, drinking and talking. He stormed into the room and did not bother with any formal greeting.
“Father, I wish to have a word with you.”
Boris saw the look in Nikolai’s eyes and decided that he would immediately excuse himself.
“Alec, it seems that Nik really wants to speak with you. I will leave you to it.”
Nikolai decided that since his father was so close to Boris, Boris should hear this as well.
Nikolai shook his head. “No, Master Boris, you stay. What I have to say is meant for family to hear.”
“What is it, Nik?” Boris asked as he sat back down.
“Both of you should be ashamed of yourselves. You sit here drinking and having a good time while one of us is dying.”
Boris, being the good clan leader he was, asked, “Who is dying?”
“Lucas.”
Alec tilted his head to one side and asked, “Since when have you spoken to Lucas? He is not to have contact with anyone but your mother.”
“I am aware of this, but I broke your rule and saw him when I was last at the Castle of Kings. I know you want to lecture me, father, but Lucas needs his family. He is not the man he was when he left us. He does not even look the same. Malachi is slowly killing him, and his mind is tortured. Only you have the power to stop this. Write him and apologize for what you have done, and he will begin to heal.”
Alec stared at his oldest son and said, “I will not go back on my word.”
“It is as I thought. What about you, Master Boris? Are you going to stick by your best friend as always?”
“I am sorry, Nik, but I will not interfere with Alec’s decision.”
“Then let it be known that the both of you have killed my brother.”
Boris looked at Nikolai and asked, “Why do you defend him now? It was less than a year ago that you wanted him dead.”
“I defend him now because it is now Lucas that wishes to be dead. I have lost one brother to the grave. The other has moved away from us. Even though Lucas did what he did, I do not wish to know that he is dead and forever outside of my reach. If I had killed him it would have been different, but no one else will take my brother from me. Fix what you have broken, or I will never speak to either one of you again.”
Nikolai left the room and went to his chamber to again attempt to cool off. Sorrow was once again the emotion that he released.
A week later, he received a letter from Lucas.
‘Nik,
‘I am writing you to say thank you. The letter from mother lifted my spirits, but I am still not the man I once was. I cannot escape Malachi’s grasp, and I still desire what we have previously discussed.
‘Our grandfather, the king, is going to send fifty workers to the farm to assist in the building of your house. I do not know when they are to leave; I just know that he is sending them.
‘It is my hope that I see you sooner than two months. My pain is ongoing and I wish to end it. I was out today with Malachi and I did see Byron and Regan. They look happy, and I am very happy for them.
‘Please, write soon. I am very pleased to get one envelope and two letters from my family.
‘Love, your brother, Lucas.’
Between the letters that were written between Lucas, Nikolai, and Brie, another managed to get through. It was a letter from Regan, addressed to Nikolai. Isabella gave him the letter and he went out to the garden to read it.
‘My Dearest Nik,
‘Please forgive me for invading your privacy. In these past few months, I have missed you desperately. I miss your smile, I miss your jokes, but most of all I miss your touch. Even though I have joined with your brother, it does not mean I love you any less.
‘You were right. Byron has now become the one that I love a little less, but you are the only one who knows that. When did I discover this? Only after it was too late.
‘Nik, I miss how you used to touch and make love to me. I wish I had that back. Can I have that back? I will leave him if you say the word. Please, take me back.
‘Love, Regan.’
Nikolai sighed, ripped up her letter, and let it fly in the wind. He went to his chamber, sat down at his desk and wrote a short reply.
‘Mistress Thorn,
‘You have joined with my brother. You will not know my touch again. Please, leave me alone.
‘Nik.’
Two days later, another letter arrived for Nikolai from Regan.
‘Nikolai,
‘Why must you insist on calling me Mistress Thorn? You used to call me Regan. That is my name, is it not? I will not give up on you. You love me. Let us be together.
‘Love, Regan.’
Nikolai had no idea on what to do, so he chose not to answer her letter. He was more in tune with his brother’s relationship with their mother.
‘Dear Lucas,
‘I am happy that mother has finally written to you. I had to chew her out, but at least she has done it. I have avoided contact with all of the family, because I am currently angry with them. Lady Isabella and my beautiful Angeline are the exceptions. Have you gotten a letter from father or Master Boris yet? I am anxious to know. It is my hope that the construction crew will arrive soon so I will be able to do as you ask. Forgive me brother, I do not wish to kill you as I did before. I wish to end your agony and that is all.
‘Write soon.
‘Love Nik.’
Not long after Nikolai chewed out the entire family for their bad choice, Alec decided to write a letter to Lucas himself. He was not ashamed of this and refused to hide it. Alec wrote a letter to his son and personally took it to the mail carriage.
“This is a letter to my fallen son. Please be sure he receives it.”
The driver looked at Alec and said, “I will deliver it myself, my lord.”
Lucas was naked in the sitting room, waiting on the next demand from his clan leader. There was a quiet knock on the door. Lucas wrapped a towel around his lower body and answered it.
The mail carrier said, “I have a letter for Master Lucas Sharpe from Master Alec Thorn.
“I am Lucas Sharpe.’
“For you, my lord,” the mail carrier said, as he handed Lucas the letter and disappeared. Before Lucas could open the letter from Alec, Malachi entered the room.
“Who was that?
“It was the mail carrier, my lord.”
“What have we received?”
“I have received a letter from my father.”
“You certainly have received a lot of mail in these past few days. I do not wish for you to read that letter right now. Shine my boots.”
“Master Malachi, please, not now.”
“You will suck me now, or I will turn you out into the street.”
Lucas obeyed his master and did as he asked. When Lucas could swallow no more, Malachi pushed Lucas away from him. Lucas landed on the floor. Malachi was angry.
“What is wrong with you? Why can you no longer satisfy me? Perhaps it is time that I sought another. Go, read your letter. I shall seek another shortly. One that enjoys what I enjoy.”
Lucas was relieved, but knew his punishment would come later. He sat down on the sofa and opened the letter from his father. To his surprise, it was short, but very direct.
‘Master Lucas,
‘I have recently learned of your pain. I am very sorry. However, until you are willing to accept that you are my son, a Thorn, I can no longer accept you back into my house. I have done as Nikolai asked and written to you. This does not mean you can come home.’
‘Master Alec.’
Lucas wasn’t surprised with his father’s words. He was just happy that he cared enough to write, so he responded to his letter.
‘Master Alec,
‘Thank you, for your letter. It is not my wish to come home if you do not wish me to be there. Before I die, I just wanted you to know that even though you did what you did, I still love and respect you very much. You do not have to reply to my letter. I just wanted you to know that.
‘Love, Master Lucas.’
Alec received his letter from Lucas. To the world, it would have seemed that he was unaffected. However, on the inside, his heart was breaking. Nikolai also received a letter, again from Regan.
‘Nik,
‘Why have you not written? You are now avoiding me. What has changed? I was already with Byron when you told me how you felt about me. He and I have joined and that is the only difference. I still love you. I wish you would write to me. I miss you.’
‘Love, Regan.’
Nikolai gave her what she wanted, a reply.
‘Regan,
‘I could write you and tell you how much my heart aches for you. I could write you and tell you that I wish to make sweet love to you. I could write you and tell you how much I miss you, but it will not make a difference. You are with my brother now and I will disrespect him no longer. I need you to understand that. Do not write to me anymore. I do not wish to love you any longer. Please, leave me alone.
‘Nik.’
When Regan got this letter, she cried, but she was not going to give up. She knew that Nikolai still loved her, but she did as he asked and didn’t write to him again.
As the next month went by, the letters he received from his brother and his mother held up Lucas’ spirits. He was even able to see Byron and Regan on one of his visits with Darth and Ulsa. This also kept his spirits up. However, Malachi was doing everything that he could to keep him down. Lucas finally received the letter he had been waiting for.
‘Dear Lucas,
‘I am finally going to get to come to the castle and do as you ask. I have written to our grandfather, the king, and told him that Angeline and I are coming to see Heinrik to pick out the furnishings for our house. I told him that once we are finished, he is to bring you to his chamber for a visit. It is there that I will take your life. You will not know when it is coming, so do not prepare for it. I will be there early next week.
‘Lucas, I will say once again I am very sorry for everything that I did and said to cause this to happen to you. You would not be in the pain you are in if it had not been for my selfishness. I hope that you forgive me now and continue to forgive me in the afterlife. It is there that we can begin again. For when the king finds out that I have committed another crime, grandson or not, he will waste no time in killing me. I do not wish you to worry about that. I am willing to accept it if it means your pain has ended.
‘I will see you next week. I love you.
‘Nikolai.’
Once this letter was complete, he wrote more letters. They were for his loved ones. These he would not mail. The day Nikolai and Angeline were to leave, Nikolai sent Angeline down to get into the carriage. When he was certain that she was gone, he took the letters and placed them under her pillow. He then looked around his room, said a silent goodbye to his things and closed the door behind him. Nikolai knew that he was not coming back.
The following day, the two of them made it to the Castle of Kings. Nikolai was not happy, but he did his best to keep up appearances. The first thing he decided to do was to apologize to Byron. He went to Xander’s chamber and knocked on the door. Chenoa was the one to answer it.
She smiled and said, “Nikolai, it is good to see you. Come in,” she said, as she allowed him to enter.
“Hello, mistress. I have come to speak with my brother. Is he here?”
“No, he is out with Xander.”
Regan emerged from the back of the chamber and stood quietly looking at Nikolai. Before he could respond to Chenoa, Regan said, “Hello, Nik.”
Nikolai looked up and saw that she was still beautiful. He discovered that his love for her was just as strong as it had always been. “Mistress Thorn.”
He had to get away from her as quickly as he could. “Mistress Chenoa, when my brother returns, will you please have him come and see me? I am staying in the king’s chamber.”
“I will do that.”
“Thank you,” Nikolai said as he glared at Regan. He quickly turned, opened the door, walked out, and closed it behind him. Moments later, the door opened and Regan stepped into the hallway to watch him as he walked to Darth’s chamber, her heart breaking with his every step.
Nikolai made it back to Darth’s chamber, sat in the chair closest to the door, and put his face in his hands. As he sat there, Angeline walked in.
“What is the matter, beloved?”
Nikolai looked up and said, “Oh, Angeline. Nothing, nothing. I am just tired.”
“Well, perhaps, you should get some rest.”
“No, I will be fine. I have to talk to Byron when he returns. I will rest after that.”
“I am going to see my father. I have not seen him since Byron and Regan’s joining.”
“All right. I will be here. Stay as long as you like.”
Nikolai held his head up, Angeline kissed him on the forehead and asked, “Are you sure you are all right?”
“Yes, yes. I would go with you, but I have to wait for Byron.”
“All right. I will see you later.”
“Okay.”
Angeline walked out and went to see her family. Nikolai decided that he would try to read to take his mind off Regan. He was fine until he saw her. The emotions that he thought were fading came rushing back as soon as he saw her beautiful brown eyes. He didn’t want to love her anymore. He couldn’t love her anymore.
Nikolai went to Darth’s library, poured a glass of wine, picked up a book, and began to read. An hour later, Byron made an appearance.
“You wanted to see me?”
“Yes. Pour a glass of wine and have a seat.”
Byron walked over to his grandfather’s wine chest, poured a glass of his favorite, and sat in the chair across from Nikolai.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“Actually, there are two things. Regan and Lucas.”
“I’m listening.”
“I wanted to tell you I am sorry for what I have been doing behind your back for many years. You have tried to keep me away from Regan. She has told me no on several occasions, but I just kept on pushing until I got what I wanted.”
“What was that, Nik?”
“I wanted to be with her, so I used my powers on her. When the blood magic between you was destroyed, it made it easier for me to do this. After a while, I did not use my powers on her, and I did not have to.”
“She is in love with you?”
“Yes, and I with her. However, I am no longer pursuing her. She has joined with you, and I do not wish to have her any longer. I do this out of respect for you. You do not have to worry about me going near her again, because you are my brother and we are all we have left. Will you forgive me?”
“The reason she has been crying so much lately is that you have rejected her?”
“Time and time again.”
“You honestly want me to believe that?”
“I do not live here. You tell me why it is that she cries so much.”
“She has been writing to you since we have been here?”
“No, only after I was here the last time. Did she ever tell you why she was in my room while I slept?”
“I did not ask her.”
“You did not ask because you have not gotten around to it, or is it because you do not want to know?”
“I do not want to know.”
“I wish you would ask her, because I would like to know the answer myself.”
“How can she love both of us?”
“It is simple. I have told her to love one a little less than the other.”
“And it is this way for you and Angeline.”
“Yes. However, it is as I said. I will never go near Regan again.”
“That is going to be hard when we come home for a visit.”
“I will not be going back home. But before I get into that, I wish to have your forgiveness.”
“Nik, what are you planning?”
“I will tell you when I have your forgiveness.”
“I forgive you.”
“Very good, little brother. Close the door.”
Byron got up, closed the door, and sat back down. “What are you planning?”
“You have seen Lucas?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell him that you love and miss him?”
“Yes.”
“He asked me to kill him.”
“Nik, you cannot do this. We have been down this road once already.”
“Malachi is slowly killing him anyway. Would you have him continue to suffer?”
“I suppose not, but why do you have to do it?”
“Because my brother asked me too.”
“You are not doing this because you still hate him, are you?”
“When we were here for your joining, he sent a servant to me with a letter. I did not read it until we returned home. In this letter, he told me that he was sorry and begged me to forgive him. He also told me of the things that Malachi is doing to him and asked me to put him out of his misery. That is what I am going to do.”
“The king will put you to death if you do this.”
“What would you do if he asked you instead of me? You saw him. He does not even look like our brother anymore. Tell me Byron, what would you do?”
“I suppose you are right.”
“I am sorry, Byron. There is no other way. Because I love our brother, I am going to help him and die myself.”
“That is why you are here?”
“Actually, Angeline and I are here to pick out the furnishings for our house.”
“She does not know?”
“Of course not. You and Lucas are the only ones.”
“I will not tell anyone because I know that this is Lucas’ wish.”
“I would appreciate that, little brother. Now tell me what has been going on in your life. Do you like living here?”
The two of them talked until almost sunrise. They talked about their parents and they talked about their youth. They spoke of new technology and they talked about the weather. When it was all over, Nikolai hugged his brother tightly, told him he loved him and sent him home.
Nikolai went into his room to find his sleeping mate. He was very sad at what he had to do. She put up with his promiscuity for most of the time they had been together and she still loved him. She stuck by him and testified for him at his trial. She loved him with all she had, and now he had to leave her.
She had become the one that he loved a little less, but it no longer mattered. He kissed her on the forehead, undressed, got in the bed, and pulled her close. They slept this way until the sun went down.
When they woke, Nikolai wouldn’t let Angeline out of bed. He held her tightly, moved her hair from her shoulder, and softly kissed it. She rolled over and looked him in his eyes. He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss, and she smiled. He kissed her gently again and her smile went away. She grabbed him by the back of the head and pulled him to her, kissing him passionately. She wanted him, and Nikolai wasn’t going to tell her no. This would perhaps be the last time that he was going to make love to her again.
Nikolai moved to straddle her naked body. He kissed her neck softly at first. He then nipped at it and caused her to bleed. Then he licked the blood from her neck as it slowly oozed from her veins. Angeline closed her eyes and breathed heavily as he did this. One last lick and he moved on to her breasts. Angeline was always well endowed, even when he first met her. He loved her breasts. He put one in his mouth and as pinched the nipple of the other, Angeline softly moaned. He kissed her down past her stomach until he reached the sweet aroma of her sex. Nikolai licked gently at first, wanting to get her juices flowing. Angeline moaned a little louder. Nikolai continued until he witnessed her wetness. He then added a finger to his gentle, oral lovemaking. Angeline continued to moan, and raised her hips off the bed so he had easier access to what she held most dear. Nikolai took her cue, added two fingers. At three, she was gyrating, slowly, not to disturb his rhythm. Nikolai then did something that he had never done, as far as Angeline was concerned. Out of sheer curiosity, he turned up his powers ever so gently. She reacted to his touch by screaming his name.
He didn’t expect this, but did not withdraw. He continued to lick, suck, and finger her until she released her passion. Nikolai enjoyed every sweet drop. He allowed just a bit of her to remain on his lips. He withdrew his fingers and moved to kiss her. Angeline enjoyed tasting herself. It only made her want him more. She grabbed him and held him tightly as he kissed her. Nikolai was ready to penetrate her, and she was ready as well.
Curiosity got the better of him and he turned his powers up a little more. This caused Angeline to hold him tighter. He stopped kissing her and backed off. He grabbed her by the back of the knees and pushed her legs as close to her ears as he could get them without hurting her. He moved to the entry of her sex and turned his powers up a little more before he pushed himself into her.
Angeline screamed his name again. He began to pound her unremittingly. His thrusts were hard and deep. Angeline’s eyes rolled to the back of her head as she called his name loudly and repeatedly. Nikolai loved this.
He didn’t care who heard them, he was in his own world. He had to give Angeline something she never had, his true self. The man who loved women, and through his lovemaking, caused women to love him. His power over naked, screaming, women was his drug, and he never wanted to give it up.
He felt his own passion begin to rise as he moved in and out of her even faster. Angeline moaned, groaned, and hissed with pleasure. She had never felt his powers before and was sad she had missed it. Beside the fact that he was extremely good-looking, his powers helped him to be with so many.
He released his passion with a guttural groan, calling her name at the same time. He was happy that he loved her. He was happy that the most beautiful girl in the coven allowed herself to be with him. He could not have asked for anything more.
Nikolai released her legs and gently propped himself above her as he continued to move gently in and out of her, releasing what was left of his orgasm. Angeline gently panted as he did this. She was out of breath, and what she felt was new.
Nikolai whispered in her ear, “I love you, Angeline. Never forget that.” He withdrew his powers as he went limp and rolled onto his back, breathing heavily.
The two of them were silent until they caught their breath. When they did, Angeline could only say, “Thank you, Nicky. I have wanted to feel what other women felt when you were intimate with them. Now I know why they could not resist you. Thank you for finally sharing that with me.”
“You are welcome, beloved. Now it is time for us to shower and get on with what we are here to do. We have an appointment with Master Heinrik in twenty minutes. We are going to be late. Come on get up. You can go first.”
Angeline got out of the bed, looked back at him, and smiled as she went to take her shower. She was not aware that he thought of another the entire time. He loved Angeline, but still loved Regan more.
When the two of them finished, they went to see Heinrik about what was to go into their house. Darth had already told them that money was no object, so they thought of, designed, and purchased what they wanted. Nikolai was happy that Angeline could do as her heart desired; he wanted to keep her happy. He needed to keep her happy. What he was about to do was going to kill her, but he wasn’t going to utter one word.
Nikolai and Angeline returned to Darth’s chamber, laughing and smiling. For Angeline, the time with Nikolai was enjoyable. Nikolai, on the other hand, had something else on his mind. It was almost time to execute his brother and face the consequences.
When they returned, Darth announced, “I think it is time for a family get-together. I will go and collect Lucas. Ulsa, my dear, if you would gather Xander, Chenoa, Byron and Regan, I would appreciate it.”
“As you wish, beloved.”
The two of them were gone. Xander and the rest of his household arrived first. Nikolai did all he could not to look into Regan’s eyes. He held on to Angeline and acted as if Regan didn’t exist. Byron was getting an earful from his grandmother.
“You act as if you love her.”
“We have been over this several times, grandmother. I do love her. I have loved her since I first laid eyes on her. I do not understand why you cannot accept that.”
“Is she ready to be queen?”
“You are on the ‘greatness’ thing again. No, grandmother, she is not ready to be queen. She has no desire to be queen. This should not matter. I love her as she is and you should accept that.”
“Byron, you are our last hope, your grandfather and I. She needs to be ready.”
“If it comes to that, she will be ready. I will get her ready, I promise.”
The food was prepared and soft music was playing when Lucas entered the room. It was almost as if he was the guest of honor, and in a sense, he was. Darth walked into the front door of his chamber with Lucas in tow and the chatter in the room stopped. For those who hadn’t seen him, they were shocked. Lucas no longer resembled his once handsome self. He had changed physically into someone no one knew. Nikolai closed his eyes at the sight of his brother. He waited for his chance to do as Lucas previously asked.
Everyone greeted him with love. Lucas wished that his parents were there. He so wanted to say goodbye to them in person, but knew it wasn’t possible. He had written a letter to Alec, gave it to Nikolai and Nikolai left it in his room.
When Nikolai returned to the small gathering, Lucas had words for his family.
“I am very happy all of you are here. For those who have not had the chance to visit with me, I wish to share my life over the last year with you. For those who have spent time with me, thank you. Thank you for loving me and not giving up on me. I realize that what I did was stupid and juvenile, but I am here tonight to reacquaint myself with you.
“Grandfather Xander, you look at me surprised. This is the price of my stupidity. Love me, as I know you do, for I have not changed that much. My physical appearance is different, but I have worked very hard to remain the man you once knew. My time is short. Let us now go and dine together as a family.”
They went to the dining room and the spread was as expected. They laughed, loved, and cried.
Nikolai knew that Lucas didn’t have much time left. He signaled for Lucas to leave the room.
“Grandfather Darth, do you mind if I go and pick out a different wine for us to drink?” Lucas asked.
“Not at all. I suggest the Madeira. I still have a few cases, and it is very good.”
Lucas smiled the last smile he would ever let his family see. “Very well.” He got up from the table and went to his great-grandfather’s library. Nikolai told him not to anticipate his attack, but he couldn’t help himself.
Lucas looked through the many bottles of wine, trying to pick out what Darth told him. Lucas finally found the wine. As he removed a bottle from the crate, he discovered that his head was between Nikolai’s hands.
“I love you Lucas. I will see you again.”
Nikolai cried as he twisted his brother’s head to the point of breaking his neck. He let Lucas’ head go, as his body crumpled to the floor. Nikolai kissed his brothers forehead and said, “Now you are free.”
He stormed back into the sitting room. It was at that time, that Byron decided it was time to go to the restroom. He didn’t witness something he should have. Nikolai returned to where his family was enjoying themselves, grabbed Regan by her arm, and pulled her outside Darth’s chamber. He dragged her toward the entrance to the castle.
“Nik, where are we going?”
Nikolai did not answer. He passed the entrance to the castle and made his way to the gate. Regan didn’t pull away from him. “Nik, where are we going?”
Nikolai didn’t let go of her arm until they were more than five hundred yards outside the castle gate.
“Nik, where are we going?”
“Regan, please, forgive me for my past actions. It was not my wish to make you cry, but I had to try to forget you. I have decided only within the last week that I love you more than I wish to. I have loved you for a very long time, and I do not wish to give you up. I have just killed Lucas because it was his choice. Once the king finds out that I have done this, he will kill me. I do not wish to die; I wish to be with you. Please, say that you will come with me. If you choose not to, I will go back and face my certain death. For without you, my life will mean nothing. If you want to come with me, we will leave here right now, never to return. Tell me what it is that you wish to do.”
Regan slowly smiled. “I will come with you.”
Nikolai grabbed her around the waist, kissed her deeply, and said, “I love you, Regan.”
He grabbed her arm and began to run. As they ran, Regan asked, “Nik, where are we going?”
Nikolai turned back, looked at her with a smile on his face, and said, “America!”
Regan giggled and ran faster. She had finally gotten what she wanted. The life and love from the man who she truly desired.