Anthony came out of the bedroom with a very happy trinity clinging to his arm and discovered that everyone else was already awake. Not only were they awake, but they appeared to be waiting impatiently for him and Trinity to get out of bed.
“It took you two long enough,” Secilia growled. “Don’t tell me you were both so busy fucking that you couldn’t be bothered to get your asses out of bed?”
“You said it, not me,” Anthony said.
“Did you two really have that much sex?” asked a curious Sasha.
“We slept a bit too,” Anthony said with a shrug. “It’s not like all we did was have sex.”
“Meaning that’s just what you did most of the time,” Secilia grumbled.
“So, what now?” asked Anthony as he sat down at the table, where Marianne set a breakfast of…
“Are these… pancakes?” asked Anthony.
They looked sort of like pancakes in shape, but they were thick and fluffy--far fluffier than a normal pancake. He had a large stack of them on his plate and they were slathered with sauce and fruits.
“They’re called syrniki,” Marianne said.
Sasha smirked. “They are traditional Russian breakfast. Fried cottage cheese pancakes.”
“They’re Sasha’s favorite,” Marianne added.
Anthony raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t know you had a sweet tooth.” He sliced a piece with his fork, speared it, and stuck it into his mouth. “Mmmm. I can see why you’d love these though. They’re delicious."
“They are amazing breakfast, and the cottage cheese provides good protein. Is good for building strong muscle and taste good. How do you say… is two birds with one stone,” Sasha said.
“I’m not sure that’s how you use that expression but sure,” Secilia said.
“I’m happy you like my breakfast. It’s been a long time since I made syrniki,” Marianne said. “I was worried I wouldn’t remember how to make them.”
Sasha lunged forward and scooped the young vampiress into a hug, rubbing their cheeks together. “OOooh, you could never cook anything that tasted bad. Everything you make is delicious.”
Marianne giggled a little.
Brianna cleared her throat. “Today is the day of your duel. Are you sure we can afford to sit here, enjoying breakfast?”
“Is fine.” Sasha waved off her concern. “Anthony and I need not worry about fight until fight begins. Besides, we need calories for energy. Is important to have enough energy to put up good fight.”
Anthony nodded as he ate another bite. “She’s not wrong.”
“I think I might be getting a sweet tooth,” Trinity said. She had already finished her foot and was rubbing her belly. She glanced at Marianne. “Do you have enough for me to have seconds?”
“Of course!” Marianne said happily.
***
After finishing breakfast, they were loaded up in a car and driven to a train station, which they boarded to the eyes of many. Anthony felt the eyes on him and wondered if it was okay to be seen by so many. Sasha didn’t seem worried. However, he could hear people whispering about them.
“That’s Sasha.”
“What’s she doing here?”
“Why is she with a man?”
“Who is he?”
“Wait. I know who that is! I saw him on the news recently. He’s the new president of Academy Island.”
“I think I know who you’re talking about now. Isn’t he an incubus?”
“You don’t think he and Sasha are…?”
“He’d better not have put a hand on our Sasha!”
“You seem quite popular,” Anthony said to Sasha as they sat on a long bench. They took up the entire bench.
Sasha smirked. “I am daughter of king and very strong. Of course, I am popular. Russians respect pedigree and strength. I have both.”
Anthony nodded and tried to ignore the killing intent as the train began moving. Trinity turned as they left the station and looked out the window with Marianne, enjoying the passing scenery.
“It’s so beautiful… like a winter wonderland,” Trinity said.
Marianne nodded. “I wish we could play in the snow. I’d love to build a snowman.”
“I doubt we’ll have time to do that on this trip… but we can plan another trip to somewhere with snow,” Anthony said to them both.
“I want to visit a ski resort,” Secilia suddenly spoke up.
“I’m surprised you’d be interested in doing any physical activity,” Brianna sniped.
“I do like some physical activities… they’re just not the kind you can do on your own, if you know what I mean,” Secilia said, waggling her eyebrows.
Brianna rolled her eyes.
“So, where are we going?” Anthony asked Sasha.
“We are traveling to Moscow. There is arena there where we can fight,” Sasha said. “My father created arena long time ago when he became King. He made arena to host competitions that test your strength in combat.”
“So he recreated bloodsports in the modern day,” Brianna said, stifling a disgusted snort.
Sasha shrugged, not bothered. “It was going to happen anyway. My father simply made a way to earn money from it and prevent as many casualties as possible. There are laws in arena that prevent the use of lethal force. Also, there is magic tied into arena to prevent deaths in the event lethal force is used.”
Brianna clearly had more to say, but perhaps she realized nothing she said would convince Sasha. She closed her mouth, lips becoming a thin line.
The train ride to Moscow took several hours. They were on Russia’s maglev, which moved even faster than the fastest bullet train. It might have taken even less time than if they had flown.
Moscow was a large city. It was the capital of Russian so it obviously wasn’t going to be small, but Anthony was still impressed by the sheer size of the city. It wasn’t nearly as cold here as it had been up North, but it was still quite cold.
While much of the world had modernized their architecture, Russia retained a sense of grandeur with it's older buildings. Many of the government centers looked like old-school palaces. Even the train station that they pulled into looked more like a palace from the late sixteenth century.
They got out with everyone else, under the watchful eyes of many, and soon found two people waiting for them. Anthony blinked when he came face-to-face with a man who looked like he was about to tear his military-esque uniform. He had golden eyes, lion ears atop his head, and a body that put bodybuilders to shame. He stood several heads taller than Anthony himself. Beside him was a petite woman who looked like a delicate flower. Sasha’s mom.
“Mama. Papa.” Sasha greeted her parents. While the words were affectionate, she did not go up and hug them, instead sweeping into a formal military stance and saluting her father. “It is good to see you.”
“Mmmm. I heard you’ve been quite busy… taking down bases…” He eyed Anthony, and a brief flash of killing intent filled his vision. “And, of course, I heard that the incubus has requested a duel for your hand in marriage.”
“He has. We plan to duel today at arena,” Sasha confirmed.
“My,” Sasha’s mother placed a hand on her cheek. “It’s been a long time since anyone has asked for your hand. I was beginning to worry that no one would even make the attempt anymore--not after someone decided to ensure no man could ever marry her.”
The woman’s name was Svetlana, and while she might have looked like a delicate flower, Anthony knew appearances could be deceptive.
Ivan grunted. “Any man who cannot best me is not fit for my girl.”
“So you say…” She turned to Anthony and his group with a smile. “It has been quite a long time since we’ve seen each other, and we never really got the chance to talk at the peace conference. I hope you’ve all been well.”
“We’ve been fine. A little busy, but still fine.” Anthony remembered the basic etiquette and saluted both her and Ivan.
“I hear you have been traveling,” Ivan said.
Anthony nodded. “I’ve been helping Trinity deal with the rogue elements of Custodes Daemonium.”
“Mmm. The fallout of Chloe and Hendricks death has been felt even by us,” Ivan said. “There is much lawlessness in the world right now.”
“That is not the responsibility of Custodes Daemonium, however,” Trinity said. “We have always been meant only to help fend of magical catastrophes. That is why we were founded. Many of our people have forgotten that and gotten themselves involved in politics.”
The Beast King snorted. “I am glad at least one of you remembers that. However, let us not forget who’s fault it is that your organization has become the mess it is today.”
“Do not blame Trinity for the actions of others,” Anthony snapped.
Ivan twitched and turned to him. “Big words from a small man. You are already set to fight me should you beat my daughter. Perhaps you’d like to simply fight me right now, however.”
“If that’s what it takes to make you shut up, then I will,” Anthony said.
Ivan’s eyes flashed again, a combination of sadistic glee and killing intent in his gaze. The air between them crackled with energy as the two glared at each other. Everyone who had been in their vicinity felt the intent and fled the scene quickly. No one wanted to be between the Beast King and his prey.
Svetlana clapped her hands. “That is quite enough. Save your bloodlust for the arena.”
“Very well,” the Beast King grunted and the killing intent evaporated. “We shall save this for arena, where I will crush you.”
“That’s my line,” Anthony said bluntly.
Ivan grunted, but he seemed oddly happy that someone was standing up to him. This man was the pinnacle of strength. No sane person would dare go against him. Perhaps that was why he seemed oddly pleased.
“We have car to take you to arena,” Ivan said after a time. “Follow.”
Ivan was a man of few words. Everyone followed him out of the train station. It was interesting to see how people parted for him, despite how busy this station was. A whole sea of people just split for him. Several flashes of cameras let him know they were being filmed and their pictures taken, but Ivan did not seem to mind so long as no one got in his way.
Outside, there was a large vehicle waiting for them. It was not a car like Ivan had said. It looked more like a hummer, but it was long. A hummer limousine? A beastkin opened the door and allowed them to step inside of the spacious interior.
Ivan almost took an entire seat himself. Svetlana was only able to sit with him due to her small stature. Anthony sat with his women sans Marianne, who took a seat beside Sasha.
“Arena is not far from station. We will be there in fifteen minutes,” Ivan said with a grunt. Then he looked at Anthony. “I will see how well you fight. My daughter is strong. If you prove yourself worthy, I will let you fight me for her hand.”
“I’m sure I’ll surprise you,” Anthony said with a smile.
Ivan grunted and leaned back, crossing his arms. “We shall see.”