Bendis is less than forthcoming with
information.” Nea lit a small lamp so she wouldn’t have to travel
the night in darkness, it was quite a journey to Hungary.
“I will let you know if anything goes amiss here.
Bright Blessing mother.” Mihail kissed her cheek and shut the door.
Nea heard him speak softly to the coachman and the footman and then
they were off, groaning Nea closed her eyes, she hated mortal
transportation.
The trip was boring and uneventful and she was only
happy that they arrived just after dusk, Strigoi took on a ghostly
appearance during the day and could not be out in the sun, she
wanted to actually be able to touch her granddaughter.
Her coachman helped her down and she stood for a few
moments looking at the large house before her. The staff and
Ruxandra managed to always keep it in such good condition. It
wasn’t pretty like her castle, more of just a large stone building
with huge wood doors and windows carved out, currently shuttered by
thick wood to keep out the cold. Nea could see smoke rising from
several chimneys and smell food cooking, her stomach growled.
She watched for a moment as the coach and horses
were taken away and went into the house, it was warm but not stuffy
inside and she could smell the fireplace scent that always
permeated the walls in winter. Her housekeeper, Valora, met her and
she gave over her hooded cloak and gloves, and kept walking. She
knew Ruxandra would be in the dining room, she didn’t care to eat
with the staff. Strigoi didn’t have to eat real food, but
many of them still enjoyed it.
Ruxandra stood upon seeing Nea. Both women wore
their hair similarly, braided and pinned back decorated, Ruxandra
had pearls woven into her hair while Nea had chosen dried flowers
that morning at the inn. Ruxandra wore a ruched gown in rose with
gold lattice work, while Nea had on a traditional Tudor dress in
black and blue.
“Bunica!” Ruxandra exclaimed, using the familiar
word for grandmother, she hugged her.
“Ruxandra, it is so good to see you, you look well.”
Nea squeezed her, they sat down to a meal of stew, bread and cheese
with warm mulled wine. Nea observed her granddaughter, the girl had
darker skin than Nea, her hair rich brown, favoring her mother. Her
eyes though, they were all Mihnea, bright blue. Her features were
handsome, rather than beautiful and her figure strong and sturdy,
the result of growing up in Mihnea’s household, around
warriors.
“How are you?” Nea asked.
“I am good, full to the brim with pride for you to
gorge yourself on! Anna Bathory has already left a calling card for
later this evening, I told her it would not be a problem, she
seemed excited to see you, told me she had very much enjoyed your
last letter.”
“I haven’t been here in almost a year; I figured she
would want to see me.” Nea nodded, she halted a servant as they
walked by and instructed them to send a message that she would see
Anna at once.
“Don’t you get tired of pretending to be so young
just to gain her trust?” Ruxandra asked, continuing to eat.
“Sometimes, but it is what I have to do, we all have
duties.” Nea ate heartily, knowing she would soon have a
visitor.
Once they were done Nea linked an arm with her
granddaughter and they walked into the front parlor, which was the
nicest room in which to receive guests.
“Before that brat comes you should feed, Bunica.”
Ruxandra presented her cheek to Nea who leaned over and pressed a
dry kiss to her skin. It warmed quickly, Ruxandra made a hissing
noise, like it stung a little, while the emotion transferred from
her to Nea. It only took a minute and when Nea pulled away Ruxandra
was a bit paler and Nea felt like she could pop from so much stored
up emotion, it was almost a heady thing.
“I think we should not go so long between feedings
that was quite a lot.” Nea giggled, slapping a hand over her mouth
in shock. She felt powerful, even more so than normal, a good
reminder that feeding
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