*King Alexander*
As Alexander stepped down from the carriage, he squeaked his boots against the limestone pathway and inhaled the odd yet familiar flavor lingering in the air—like an old friend–the mix of salt and earth, combined with the smoke of bonfires and the chill of autumn.
And Gods, how he missed it.
It had been so long that he had almost lost the taste. Yet, as soon as they were both out, it felt like a door swinging wide open, inviting him back to that special moment. Memories washed over him like a key, unlocking a forgotten door. And for a moment, he stood, captivated, mesmerized in silence as he was transported back to years and years ago.
Unable to escape the phantoms playing before his eyes. At once, everyone was together like they used to be.
Belinda was in the middle, her perfect smile poised, linked in arms with her dearest friend Bratha. The giant towered over all three, her ray of golden hair bouncing along as she strode ahead with command fitting a Queen of Almony. Meanwhile, the smallest but loudest part of the group was already laughing. Parsul's voice colored the air with a delicate but firm tone, like herself. And when her red eyes shifted over, they were bright and clever. Her lips were already turning into a coy little smile as if she knew all your secrets.
And maybe she did. But she'd never tell. It was so like her.
Alexander laughed softly at that, watching the unholy trio— what they used to call themselves, the girls thinking they were some unstoppable force. And they were then. Back then, they were inseparable and seemed to enjoy making him suffer for it.
They'd tease and taunt him or leave him behind on purpose. He could remember feeling put out many times as the three would scurry off ahead of him. Each would be engrossed in conversation, breaking into a laugh at a secret joke, and then, as if to flaunt him, throw a look his way before breaking into laughs again.
If only I could go back to that simple time. Alexander watched as the phantoms slowly dissolved back into the air. Parsul's image was the very last to let go. Her head turned like so many times to call out to him, smiling with her fangs.
'Come, join us, Alexander!' Her lips formed the words, the plea he heard a thousand times before. But the mouth moved without sound now. Just a ghost of a time. Yet, he didn't need to listen to her voice to know it by heart—a heart that now ached painfully as the last image faded into the ether.
A prickle of a tear itched the back of his eye before the door closed behind him. The soft pressure of warmth came to his side now. The tall old man was soundless as he joined him. Taking the chance to look ahead at the Nochten palace. The white stone and blue domes still jutting against the endless waves of yellow sand.
Johan's pale brown eyes fixed on the glass and silver doors as they swung up with a low ring. The first set of servants stirred, coming out to help with their luggage. A small procession. He frowned as his eyes flicked down to the discarded leaves and twigs lined the path. A soft huff followed.
"Not quite the spectacle as it used to be when Empress Parsul was in charge." He murmured, meaning the state of cleanliness. Or the lack of decorum. There should have been more coming out to meet them. It was expected.
But Alexander only sighed. "It's fine, Johan." He made to stretch his arms over his head with a good pop. It was more than enough for him to be out of the carriage. The week's journey was no joke.
"The journey is as hard as ever." He smacked his lips in a lazy yawn while his friend continued watching their small welcome party approach. He was clearly displeased by their lack of enthusiasm or diligence.
"We made it in good time," He ruffled up in his cloak, bunching the cloth around his neck. Brown eyes careful and watching the maids and attendants begin to handle their luggage. A few darted a rude eye towards them, slightly sneering at being human. They clearly did not know who they were.
Not that Alexander minded. He found the lack of attention better compared to an ornate greeting. It meant he didn't have to act grateful to see them–especially Parsul's sister and her husband. Lady Funda and Charles. Yes, he could forego coming across those two vipers, along with any other nobles in this vicarious pit of snakes.
The longer, the better. He tugged on his full beard.
"I know- it just feels worse," Alexander remarked, leaving his beard to rub his neck. Despite the pillows, it felt stiff, propped up at the wrong angle for a week. And he could feel sweat and grime cling to his skin under his cloak. Even if it was colder, the carriage warmed up. He wanted to bathe, eat, and nap on a proper bed.
But not before he saw Anastasia.
"It's because you are older," Johan retorted with a knowing smirk as they began to follow their Nochten guide, though both didn't need one. They had been to the palace more than enough times to navigate it with ease. But it was easier just to follow their protocol than to fight it. So both minded how loudly they spoke as they followed the servant.
"You're the old man, Johan." Alexander shot back, only to make him smirk.
He tapped his chin, "Says the one with gray in his beard." Making the king roll his eyes.
"Hah," He puffed back. But his old friend was right–more white was starting to pepper into his brown beard. And the wrinkles around his eyes were deepening. He was still young and healthy, but age was beginning to find him.
Unable to refute him, he looked ahead. "It hasn't changed."
"Not the outside." Johan went with a steady beat, his eyes flicking back down to the disarray of the path. A question nearly readable on his face as he wondered how bad the inside would be.
Alexander bobbed his head, not sure what they would find inside. Whether it was the actual palace in distress or something more sinister, his grin faded as his face turned grim. He didn't hold high expectations, and even less now, given what he knew about Nochten and how it ran things.
But at least he was here. At long last– Alexander lingered back as his gaze fell over to the one place he knew. His sapphire eyes grew soft as he could catch the barest edge of the bushes around the corner.
It's still there. His smile warmed the chilled air. It didn't take Johan long to notice his pause.
"Aren't you heading in?"
Alexander couldn't resist the cheeky grin from growing. "You think I'm eager to see that lot?" He glanced over to see his friend just make a weak smirk. No, he knew he didn't. He didn't want to either. But as it was, Alexander followed, watching the servants still carrying their luggage past them.
"I'm just going to check it."
Johan shook his head, a low sigh breaking from his lips but already accepting it. Half-expecting this would happen. "You mean you want to see if it still grows, don't you?" His tone betrayed his lack of surprise.
Alexander only grinned. "Can you blame me? " He looked back to the side of the palace, the walkway calling to him.
His lips softened with his tone. "It was her proudest achievement, after all." And it wouldn't be right not to check it first.
Then he would find Ana.
"You leave me to the wolves." Johan sighed, slightly annoyed at the king's impish behavior, but Alexander only shrugged. He was too old to be told what to do anymore. And shrugging off his responsibilities–avoiding that horrible lot was not hard.
"You'll live." Alexander turned toward his new destination, his boots crunching and breaking the twigs that littered the limestone. His head was high as he fell into a rhythm against the familiar path. One he had traversed so many times long ago. Immediately, finding it all too natural to do now.
And much to the distress of their attendant. The vampire started up, distress clear in his voice.
"Wait, Your Highness! You can't just-"
"Let him be." Johan rebuffed and cut him off before charging past. Already taking the lead with his back perfect and straight. "Everyone, you heard the king." Johann motioned the servants to follow.
The two locked eyes one final time, Johan's careful brown eyes steady against his sapphire gaze. His lips broke into a sad but understanding smile, offering a slight forgiveness for the moment as Alexander bowed his head in quiet thanks. That silent exchange was enough. Even now, all these years later, it remained as evident to the servant and himself as it had been since the day Alexander first said, 'I do.'
His devotion remained steadfast and unwavering, just as it always had been. Even if Johan wanted to, he couldn't find a way to stop him. As Alexander turned, he gazed forward while walking, gently drifting from the present and slipping back into the past. Parsul's laughter was almost heard with each step as he returned to where it all began.