Abigail couldn't contain the hurt and anger she felt. She hardly slept that night. The image of that woman wrapped around Mikhail in such a loving embrace haunted her dreams. Haunted her thoughts as she prepared herself for the morning.
It still amazed her that although the buildings were very Tudor like, the clothing was definitely medieval. Smiling to herself she touched the vial that held the feathers.
Why had he given this to her if he was in love with someone else. She still didn't know the identity of the woman, but she was also an angel, though her wings were not as large and extravagant as Mikhail's. A soft knock sounded on the door. She turned to see Peter standing in a beautiful yellow tunic, highlighting the darkness of his hair, and black breeches. He smiled shyly and presented his arm to Abigail.
"It is time to break your fast Abby." Abigail hugged the small boy to her. Peter seemed even livelier than usual; perhaps it was because he had returned to his home, she couldn't help but feel jealousy at how easily he fit in. They descended the stairs, and arrived at the dining hall. Many of the maids were still scurrying around bringing dishes upon dishes of food.
"Presenting Princess Abigail." A large boisterous man announced. Everyone paused, and turned to the young woman before them. Dressed in a royal blue bliaut, that hugged her curves, and thin gold belt that fell on her hips. Although she was not beautiful, there was a alluring aura that surrounded her.
The women curtsied and the men bowed as Peter led her to a chair.
"Lord Mikhail will be down soon." Peter whispered, also seating himself. Abigail felt her chest tighten as the woman from yesterday appeared. Dressed once again in breeches and a tunic.
Instead of the welcoming she would have thought for a noble, no one seemed to pay her any heed, in fact many skittered away as if in fear. A young maid, almost tripped over her own feet as the woman approached the table. The woman unfazed blew her a kiss and gave her a wink.
"Good morning Abigail." The voice was warm, and strangely erotic. Quite deep, it seemed to vibrate though Abigail's body.
"Good morning...umm." Abigail clamoured for a name.
"Please call me Gabby." The woman giggled, helping herself to the bread on the table. Her wings continually beating the air, as if impatient to get away.
"Presenting Prince Mikhail." The hall hushed as Mikhail arrived in the hall. He seemed tired and worn, yet cracked a smile as every one stiffly bowed.
"Please, Thomas, there is no need for announcements, I believe many people do not want to be reminded of my presence." Although he laughed at his own words. Abigail could see the sadness in his eyes.
Instead of seating himself near her, he reached for a piece of fruit, gave her a nod of acknowledgment and moved to where Gabby sat. Their heads bowed in deep conversation. Many times during that long agonising breakfast, she caught Gabby's eye, or her hand resting on Mikhail's.
She had never felt so alone in her life, and a part of her wanted to leave this place, to go home where there was some semblance of warmth.
"Milady." Abigail jumped, she hadn't even realised that she had been sitting there lost in space. Hamlet stood beside her, sending dirty looks towards the blonde haired goddess.
"There is someone to see you milady, your own personal guard." Abigail gave Hamlet a slight nod and excused herself from the table. Though no-one even seemed to realise her departure. ...
"This is Jonas, my son." Abigail stared at the six foot eight man in wonder. Dark hair highlighted by brown brushed his shoulders, and light blue eyes assessed his new charge.
"Milady." He growled taking her hand and kissing it. Abigail blushed. she rarely got any attention from the opposite sex, and with Mikhail being so cold towards her, she relished the attention.
"I didn't realise I needed a personal guard." Abigail confessed, as Hamlet and Jonas walked her around the grounds of the castle.
"Until you find a husband then you will. Jonas is here to protect you. Kryta is a very prosperous kingdom; many would want to conquer it." Abigail nodded her head in understanding.
As for her cousin Jibril she was yet to see him, and believed that he had left the kingdom upon hearing of her arrival, yet she would have loved to meet him.
"I think I will allow you to get better acquainted." Hamlet smiled before leaving them. They walked slowly and talked about trivial things, until Jonas pointed out the chain around her neck.
"You are promised to an angel I see." Abigail's head snapped up, she had been watching the interaction between Gabby and Mikhail who were in the doorway discussing something, and many times she could see Mikhail trying to pull away.
"How do you know this?" Abigail asked, walking to a small grove of trees, hoping to hide herself. Jonas pulled back his shirt and revealed what seemed to be an intricate tattoo over his heart.
"This is the binding mark. Once you and your angel mate, you receive this. When it disappears." His face fell, the thought troubled him some, and she could tell that he must love his partner very much.
"God would regret taking Misha from me; Misha and my daughters mean everything to me." Abigail was shocked by the love she saw in his eyes. She wished Mikhail would look upon her like that.
Abigail took out the necklace for Jonas to inspect.
"By the heavens, you are Mikhail's mate." His tanned skin paled at the thought.
"The cursed prince, well he will be a protective mate I'll give him that much, but I do not understand. Mikhail cannot stay here."
"What do you mean he can't stay here?" Abigail asked. Jonas shook his head and explained the laws of the land.
...
Mikhail wanted to be far from this place, far from Jibril's serpent tongue. The more he thought about it the more foolish it seemed. To make Abigail stop loving him, that would be disastrous.
He couldn't bear the thought of her hating him. He would rather they made a go at things. Figure out a way for them to be together. Rather she hate him later, after they were mated to realise they couldn't definitely stay together.
With that thought he left a flabbergasted Jibril and rushed into the hall, where Abigail was standing by the fire. A handsome young man stood by her side, sending her worried glances.
"Jonas." Mikhail called. Jonas turned to Mikhail, and shook his head in what appeared to be a look of disapproval. Mikhail tossed his head once, and Jonas moved from Abigail's side.
"I need to talk to you." Mikhail whispered as he approached. She looked at him coldly, and he felt that something was wrong. Oh no, she was angry.
"So now you want to talk, where as this morning you couldn't give a flying hoot about me. In fact you have been ignoring me since I turned twenty-one."
"I can explain..."
"No need." Abigail cut him off, she rose with her hands on her hips. By now the hall was filling with the staff, Hamlet had come to see what the hubbub was about as Jibril lent against the wall closest to them, a small grin on his face.
"Jonas told me everything." Mikhail sent a glare to the human.
"I'll deal with you later." he said. Jonas gulped and took a step back.
"When where you planning on telling me, that we can never be together. After we had joined, together for eternity?! Is this some warped way for you to know I'm safe or are you just possessive? To think that you loved me!"
Mikhail saw the tears forming, he wanted very much to pull her into his arms and explain how much he did love her, but the demon side of him seemed to be growing with the negative energy.
