Sebastian felt a shift of air around him and sighed, raising his head from the documents he was reading to the window.
"Mother, I don't have time for..." he paused, frowning "Why do you have her scent all over you ?"
"Cause I was in her room " she let out.
"Mother ...I " he stood up.
"Calm down, I didn't do anything to her " she stepped in.
"You must have lingered enough for her scent to stay on you like this " he gazed at her.
"Yes, she offered cake and told me stories about her" his mother giggled.
"Huh?".
"My appearance didn't even scare her Do you know what she said after she saw me ?" he pulled a seat for her.
"What did she say that is making you smile like that " he sat back.
"That ...apart from you, I was the second most beautiful person she had ever seen" she laughed.
Sebastian leaned back, thinking of Anabel's smiling face.
"If you miss her why don't you go to her ?" she glanced back at him.
"I can't am busy ", he muttered.
"You know you can't lie to your mother " she smirked.
He breathed.
"Is this about the rumours I had about you both sharing a kiss a few nights ago ?" She asked.
How did you know ?"
She laughed, "Did you think I wouldn't find out . I was against it before but am not any more ", she let out.
"What changed your mind ...it can't possibly be because she called you ....".
"No...she is a special human, especially her scent. I wonder how her blood tastes ..." her dark eyes turned into deep red orbs.
"Mother ?!" Sebastian raised his voice.
"I am sorry I got a bit carried away, but don't worry, I would never do that to you, son" She got up, moving to the door.
"Then stay away from her," he said.
"I can control myself but do you think the others will do as you say if you let her walk around unmarked ?"
"I...I..." he sighed.
"I don't remember raising a coward " She touched his left cheek turning him to face her, "Son if you feel anything for her then you should do the right thing before someone beats you to it "
"I will Mother"
"Good, now go to her. It's going to be a long, cold night. She will need more than her covers to keep warm," she said before leaving.
He closed the door, sighing again; after he kissed her, something awoke inside him, something dark and lustful He didn't want to hurt her so he pulled away.
He could make time for her in his busy life as Emperor but decided not to. What if she didn't feel the same way, and he had used her weak moment to take advantage of her? Sebastian didn't want to find out how she felt after the kiss if he was to be rejected.
Dropping back in his seat, he noticed the lightning and the sound of thunder as it started to rain.
His mother was right; it was going to be a long, cold night.
...
"Princess, I think it was a dream; you might have fallen asleep ", Lia let out.
"Really but I think I was awake "
"Think about it; how could someone just disappear like that . It's only possible if it was a dream, for I am sure we don't have ghosts in the imperial palace ". Said Hope.
"Ghosts..." Anabel gulped.
"Don't worry princess, there is no such thing as ghosts. And even if they were, why would they haunt our sweet princess? " Lia hugged her.
Anabel smiled.
They kept her company until she fell asleep.
....
The sound of thunder and her windows bursting open woke her up she sat up in shock, looking around.
"Oh, it's just the wind ", she breathed, moving to the window and closing it.
But when she returned to bed, she couldn't sleep; the room had suddenly turned cold and darker.
Grabbing her nightrobe and a pillow Anabel rushed out of her room.
The hallway was empty and dark, she remembered being shown the Emperor's chambers before during her tour. And had passed it multiple times during the day when she headed to the garden with Lia.
She couldn't get to Lia and Hope, for the maid chambers were further away.
Tightly holding her pillow, she rushed through the corridors and finally arrived. Scared of the already following darkness, she took the knob and pushed the door open, entering.
It was dark inside but then she heard his voice.
"Bel?" he called.
"Mmm, it's me. Am sorry I...I" she stammered.
Sebastian stepped out of bed going to her, she gazed up at him.
"It's cold and dark in my room Can I ...can we ...share your bed for tonight?" she mumbled.
He sighed, smiling, and bent down, picking her up.
Anabel dropped her pillow as he walked back to the bed.
Gently, he placed her down she laid back, watching him pull the heavy covers over her, then walk to the opposite side and get in, too.
"I am sorry I woke you up. You must've been tired after working all day ", she let out.
"It's alright "
Silence followed Anabel turned away, whispering a goodnight.
"Goodnight, Bel", he answered.
The rain didnt show any signs of stopping and th thunder made it worse.
Anabel had got warmer and company but still couldn't fall asleep.
She looked back, Sebastian was looking away, too; he was quiet, so he must have fallen back to sleep.
Slowly she shifted towards his side.
He had turned away when she did, afraid she would feel him stare at her He thought she would fall asleep soon, but time went by, and he could still feel her move; she was still awake. He wanted to turn and ask her if something was wrong, but then something happened.
Anabel moved to his side of the bed and soon he felt her arms touch his back.
"Sebastian.." he heard her say but didn't reply.
She got closer and he found himself holding his breath.
She gripped his shirt and buried her face in his back when the lightning struck.
Anabel felt Sebastian move and turn back to her, she let go of his shirt.
Without a word, his arms wrapped around her, burying her in his chest.
"It's alright, Bel, go to sleep, I am right here ", he muttered.
"Okay .." she closed her eyes falling asleep instantly .