(Jenna's POV)

Love...he called me love.

It caught me off guard, even in the midst of my calamity.

Did he mean it or was it just an expression...a common term of endearment that he uses? Maybe it's a European thing...

I mean, my mom used to call everyone hun, but it didn't mean she was interested in them romantically.

Why does everything have to be so complicated?

And now he insists that I stay here...in his castle...until an exterminator can take care of things down at the gatehouse.

Not only that, but I came here barefoot and in my pajamas.

Mortification level – infinite.

"How about we get you upstairs and into a nice, warm bath," Nikolai says with a soft smile, interrupting my thoughts.

He's knelt down in front of me with my feet in his lap, and as I gaze down at him in the firelight, I must admit that he's oddly beautiful...inside and out.

And the way that he's touching my feet...

"Oh, uh...I don't have any of my stuff," I reply nervously. The thoughts of taking a bath here seem almost naughty...

"No worries. I will send Ursula down to pack your things, if that's alright?" he asks, but I just continue to stare at him. "And I'll send Anton with her, to keep her safe from your scary spider," he grins with a mysterious look on his face.

"O...okay," I answer a bit reluctantly.

Staying here sounds good in theory...great even. I mean, who wouldn't want to stay in a beautiful, luxurious castle. But at the same time, it sounds like a bad idea...a very bad idea. 

"Excellent," he smiles widely, displaying all of his peculiar looking teeth, sending a shiver down my spine.

He stands, walks over by the fireplace, and pulls what looks like a tasseled rope.

A few minutes pass and the brunette maid I've seen here before enters the room.

"Prepare the suite nearest mine. Jenna will be staying with us until further notice," he tells her. "And send Anton and Ursula down to the gatehouse to gather her things."

"Very well, milord," she replies with a small bow and then leaves.

"It will take her a few minutes to prepare your room, so you have time to drink your cocoa," he motions to the mug I'm holding and I nod.

Suite nearest mine keeps repeating in my head as I sip on the sinfully chocolate drink.

This would definitely be good during that time of the month when I'm PMSing.

Hopefully, I'll be back in the gatehouse before then...

He leans his shoulder against the ornate fireplace mantle, staring into the fire, giving me some space, for which I am thankful.

He looks pensive, but sexy as hell leaning there like that...

No! No...must look away...

Thankfully, the maid enters the room to let him know that my room is ready, and off we go with her trailing behind. 

With my bare feet all warm and toasty once more, I try to tiptoe along the cold marble and wood floors, which he unfortunately notices.

"I could carry you upstairs, if you like," he offers, looking almost eager. 

"No...that's okay," I blush, trying to walk normally upon the icy feeling floors.

I'm definitely going to have to wear socks around this place!

By the time we reach the room I'll be staying in, I feel like I've had a workout with all of the stairs, turns, and long corridors.

Not to mention that I'm completely lost...

"Well...this is where I say goodnight," he states as we stand before the large double doors with his hands tucked formally behind his back. "Magda here will help you get settled in," he motions to the brunette maid, "and Ursula will be up shortly with your things. Please make yourself at home."

I nod. "Thank you...goodnight," I say as I turn the doorknob.

"You're most welcome. Pleasant dreams...don't let the bedbugs bite," he grins devilishly.  

"I hope not," I grimace, hoping there aren't any spiders here.

"I'm just across the hall, should you need me," he points to another massive set of double doors.

I nod again and walk into the enormous room that's bigger than the entire gatehouse.

"Whoa..." I whisper as I look around in awe. It's beautiful and old, just like everything else here.

"I apologize for the chill in the room, miss," Magda says. "I just lit the fire about 10 minutes ago," she motions to the huge fireplace. "No worries though – it will be warm in here in no time," she smiles as she flits about the room, lighting some candles. 

"Thank you," I tell her as I walk over and stand on one of the large Oriental rugs, sighing in relief.

"It's my job," she smiles humbly. "Though I must say...it's nice to have a lady of the house to look after for a change."

"Oh I'm not...I mean...me and Mr. Rykov aren't...you know...together," I deny awkwardly.

That's all I need is for the other employees here to start rumors about me and Nikolai and cause tensions.

"Not yet..." I hear her mutter as she turns the bed down and fluffs the pillows.

Shit...

"Doesn't Mrs. Rykov live here?" I ask about Nik's mother, taking the focus off of me.

"Mrs. Rykov?" she looks at me puzzled. "Surely you must know that the master is unwed."  

"Mr. Rykov's mother," I reply. Maybe she got remarried and goes by a different name.

"Oh...you mean the Regina (Queen)," she nods in understanding.

The Regina?

"She's uhh...how do you say...important," she fumbles for the English word. "And comes and goes as she pleases."

"Do you know if she'll be home anytime soon?" I inquire, hoping I'm back down at the gatehouse before then.

Nikolai makes me nervous enough as it is...let alone his important mother. 

"You would have to ask the master that," she tells me as she removes some stones from the bottom of the fireplace with a pair of tongs and puts them into what looks like a fancy copper, lidded skillet with a wooden handle.

She then puts it on the bed and pulls the covers over it to my horror.

"Uh...won't that catch on fire?" I ask anxiously. 

"No, no," she chuckles. "This is a bed warmer, and will help make the bed all nice and toasty for you."

Well...I feel like a dumbass...

"These come in handy in big old places like this," she comments.

"I bet," I say while absently looking around again at the cavernous room.

She walks across the room and opens a large wooden door. "This is the lavatory. I put fresh linens in here for you."

"Thank you," I smile.

"No need to thank me, miss," she waves off. "I've also lit plenty of candles in both rooms as the electricity has a tendency to go out."

"Anton mentioned that," I frown. The thought of being in this huge room in the dark is beyond creepy.

"Don't worry. I'll leave the bedside lamp on and there are plenty of candles lit, as well as the fireplace," she says in a motherly tone.

"Now...off you go," she continues, escorting me into the bathroom. "You relax and take your bath and I'll tend to your things when Ursula arrives," she finishes, leaving no room for argument. 

"Alright," I say as I step into a stunning medieval looking stone bathroom and close the heavy door.

The floors and walls are stone, and in the center is a large copper tub with stained glass windows behind it, and an old stained glass chandelier overhead...that once again looks like spider webs.

God help me...

The chandelier, coupled with the wall mounted wrought iron candle sconces casts a very warm, soft ambient glow in the room though...perfect for soaking.

The tub is already full of fragrant, steaming water, thanks to Magda, so I undress and gratefully slide down into the deep warmth with a sigh, hoping to soak my troubles away.

But then I look up at the unsettling spider web chandelier...

I quickly clench my eyes shut, trying to block out anything spider related.

I put the washcloth over my face and begin to hum a tune of my own creation, which helps me relax some.

I soak for a bit and then get out, not wanting to keep Magda or Ursula long.

I'm sure they have better things to do besides looking after a teenager that's afraid of a spider.

I put my pajamas back on since they're clean and head back into the bedroom.

Magda, who is sitting in a chair by the fireplace, stands up when I enter the room. "Everything is ready for you, miss," she says with a smile. "Did you have a good soak then?"

"It was great – thank you," I smile back at her.

"Is there anything else you'll be needing?" she asks.

"You've done enough already. I truly appreciate it," I answer gratefully.

"It's no problem, miss," she grins. "If you should need anything, pull this here and it will call one of us servants," she instructs, showing me a long tasseled cord near the bed.

"Oh...no...I should be fine," I tell her, feeling awkward at the thought of servants waiting on me for any reason.

She unties the heavy looking drapery that surrounds the huge canopy style bed and pulls them around, leaving a space on the right side for me to climb in before handing me a candle snuffer.

"This is to extinguish the candles. I left extra matches for you, should you need them. Good evening then, miss," she nods and heads towards the door.

"Jenna, please," I insist. "And goodnight to you too."

"Jenna it is then," she smiles before she leaves, closing the door behind her.

And now I'm all alone...in this big room...with Nikolai right across the hall...

I take care of the candles, turn the lamp off, hop into the warm bed, and pull the drapery shut, shrouding me in complete darkness.

As I lie, encased in the dark, I think about everything – moving here, meeting Nikolai, finding out I'm going to be a secretary, almost kissing my boss, being terrorized by a talking spider...

I huff frustratedly as I turn over. I need to just quit thinking about things...let my mind shut down, so I can sleep.

I breathe in and out deeply, clearing my mind of all thoughts as I relish in the warmth and comfort of this amazing bed.

The snapping and crackling sounds emitting from the fireplace is actually kind of peaceful, lulling me into a deep sleep.

I don't know how long I'm out before I begin to vividly dream about Nikolai...

We're dressed to the nines, dancing in this beautiful ballroom, twirling so effortlessly.

I know I must be dreaming because I can't dance, let alone like this, but it feels so real.

The way he's looking at me...touching me...it's making me feel things that I've never felt before...

So I focus on the wondrous sights in the room and the sound of the old music...until Nik's glorious smell reels me in again.

The song changes to a slow one, and the temperature of the room seems to rise along with the pounding in my chest.

He takes me into his arms, holding me closer...tighter...

Our eyes lock and never part as we glide around. The feelings grow far more intense, along with his intoxicating scent, with every step that we take.

This is the prom that I never got to go to. 

As the song comes to an end, he focuses even more intensely on me and says, "I love you, Jenna...never forget that."

I feel my body flush and my heart leap as an elated smile spreads across my face.

I want to stay here, in this dream...forever.

I open my mouth to tell him something, but nothing comes out, no matter how hard I try.

He looks at me with such sadness before he begins to back away.

Alarmed, I try to hold him tighter, but it's as if he's dissolving before my very eyes.

I run towards him, trying to say his name, but it's no use. He just backs further away.

Is it because I didn't tell him I love him too?

"Nikolai! Please...don't go!" I yell – my voice finally working.

Just then, he changes into this big, black, unidentifiable mass, stopping me in my tracks.

He...it...grows bigger and bigger, frightening me.

"Nikolai?" I ask unsure as I back away...

Then, all of the sudden, eight enormous legs shoot out from the large mass as it begins to take shape...the shape of a spider.

Enormous fangs sprout from its mouth as it focuses all eight of its unnerving black eyes on me, causing me to stumble. 

My eyes widen in absolute terror and I begin to tremble as I look around for an exit.

"Remember when I told you I love you?" it asks in a deep, growling voice as it lumbers toward me on its massive legs.

It can't be...

"NO! Nooooooo!" I scream, turning to run.

"Jenna, wait!" it yells after me, but I don't stop.

No fuckin' way am I stopping!

Its rapid steps behind me sound like thunder, shaking the floor.

To my relief, I finally spot a door and run to it.

Just as I grab the fancy knob, I feel something caress my shoulder from behind...something that feels like coarse fur.

"Caught you," it says cutely.

"Jenna," I hear in the distance, but it oddly sounds like Nik...normal Nik.

I scream out, frantically jerking on the doorknob that I can't seem to open.

"Jenna...Jenna!" I hear louder and clearer.

"Nik?!" I yell out, hoping he finds me and saves me from this horrible creature.

Just then the door opens and I jolt up in bed, panting and drenched in sweat.

"N...Nikolai?" I ask in both surprise and mortification.

"Yes, love...tis I," he replies soothingly.

"What...are you doing in here?" I ask nervously as he sits on the edge of my bed.

"You were having a bad dream," he looks at me concernedly. "I could hear you screaming from across the hall. You were thrashing about."

"Oh God...I'm so sorry," I say before I burst into tears, so embarrassed.

I've been such a nuisance.

He gently takes me into his arms. "Hey...there's nothing to be sorry for," he tries to assure me, but I feel so vulnerable right now...so scared and alone.

"How about you change into some dry night clothes and I'll stay in here tonight...watch over you," he offers.

"No...I–" is all I get out before he once again insists.

"I really don't mind," he grins softly. "You shouldn't be alone in an unfamiliar place right now."

I just nod, feeling so defeated, yet hopeful because he is staying.

After I change and wash my face, I join Nikolai once more.

"All better?" he smiles and I nod as I climb into the bed.

"Good," he says. "I've called for some warm milk to be brought."

"Thank you," I say, even though I've never drank warm milk before.

"How about I tell you a povestea...a story," he suggests.

I just shrug, feeling awkward. Does he think I'm a child?

"I promise it is for adults," he informs me, as if he'd read my thoughts.

"Okay," I acquiesce. Who knows...I might enjoy it.

I certainly won't be able to sleep now anyway, for fear that I'll see those beady black eyes, if I close mine, causing me to shudder.

"Are you alright?" he asks in a worried tone.

"I'm fine," I tell him, though it's the farthest thing from the truth.

He pulls one of the large wing-back chairs over beside the bed and sits.

"Now...where do I start?" he ponders. "Ah yes!" he holds his long index finger up.

"Once upon a time, in a small Russian village..." he smirks roguishly, causing me to giggle.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all...

A/N : Poor Jenna...she just can't seem to catch a break! But Nikolai is being so kind and understanding...even though it is kind of his fault. Lol
Would any of you like Nik to read you a bedtime story??? Let me know! ❤️

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