Frank
Sir Heath Romanov
Castle Black, The North Shore

"Mikhail, are you all packed up?" Heath called prior to walking into the guest chambers that Mikhail had been staying in. He saw a half packed bag on the silken bedsheets and a black leather book on the night stand. Mikhail must have gone off to dinner, seeing as he was nowhere around. Heath squinted at the book and walked over to examine it. He opened it up and gasped. *Taemarian Erotica*. Footsteps sounded from the doorway. "Mikhail, I believe I specifically told you not to...," Heath turned to see Sir Belmont, who raised his eyebrows in question. 

"Grand Duchess Anyanka Durkhan has arrived and is requesting you *Specifically*, Sir Romanov," Sir Belmont announced. Heath snapped the book shut and pressed his lips together. Anyanka had somehow figured out that Mikhail had accessed the smut in his hands. 
"Thank you, Belmont," Heath said. 

Anyanka Durkhan was kindly escorted to the stone terrace that overlooked the back gardens while she waited for Sir Romanov. A gentleman with a neat, pencil thin mustache poured her jasmine tea in a delicate white teacup with a gold trim and the Black family crest molded into the porcelain. The rose bushes were in full bloom and the perfumed air drifted up to the castle with the breeze. Heath stepped outside and grinned warmly at Anyanka, hoping his smile would lessen the anger she surely felt toward him. 
"A lovely surprise, Grand Duchess," Heath said.
Richard
** Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black, North Shore **

Her escort hadn't spoken to her as he lead her around to the gardens. The light from the home poured out over the stones, bringing warmth and color where the shadows were kept at bay. She thanked the man for the tea she was offered, and found herself staring towards Astoria as she waited. Her thoughts wandered, though to no where in particular. It was always a challenge to see anyone in the Romanov family, and showing up unannounced to retrieve her son wasn't her idea of a good time. 

She moved from the seat she'd taken, porcelain cup in hand as she drifted towards the towering stone pillar of the terrace. The last bit of sun had faded, leaving behind a warm but cooling breeze that brought with it the smell of the roses from the lavish gardens. Roses always reminded her of the Romanov manor, and she'd been intentional in not filling her own gardens with them. She'd taken to wildflowers over the years, enjoying the blend of colors that shifted between seasons effortlessly. 

Footsteps pulled her from her thoughts of home, and she turned her head to look over her shoulder, catching sight of the warm grin. 

"Is it?" She asked, her own tone light as she lifted the teacup to her lips before turning, a movement that started with a roll of her hips before she turned fully and pushed herself from the pillar. "Is he here?"
Frank
Sir Heath Romanov 
Castle Black, The North Shore

Anyanka had hardly changed from the girl he knew back in Feyshore many years ago. A bit more tired and put together, perhaps, but just as beautiful. Heath had certainly lost some of his vigor. The dark circles around his eyes were impossible to rid of, no matter how much he slept. He had even began finding the occasional grey in his whiskers on the rare occasion he let his stubble grow out. It did not bother him. He was all too aware of his mortality. Dying once did that to a man.

"It is and he is," Heath answered, gesturing inside. "Somewhere. I was just looking for him myself." She did not seem as angry as he expected. Perhaps she had not found out about the erotica, after all. Heath clasped his hands behind his back to conceal the book in his hand. He walked closer to the edge of the terrace and leaned against the cool stone. "How have you been? You look... Well."
Richard
Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black Northshore

The woman gave a small nod at the confirmation. It had been a hunch, but a good one apparently, though why Mikhail had chosen the Black's estate to hide in was beyond her. As far as she knew, they didn't really have a relationship. 

"I've been fine enough, though your hesitation makes me worried I look worse for wear from the trip than I thought." She laughed, and tucked a strand of auburn behind her ear before thinking better of it. She never cared for her hair tucked back, and the nervous habit wasn't going to do her any favors if he thought she looked _'....Well.'_ 

"And yourself?" She countered, turning a bit to face him fully, her gaze dipping down to the book he held but not questioning it. "I wasn't aware you'd been developing a relationship with our son."
Frank
Sir Heath Romanov 
Castle Black, The North Shore

"No, you look wonderful. Always," Heath said. "I apologize if I suggested otherwise." He saw Anyanka's eyes move to the book and he instinctively whipped it over the edge of the terrace and into the roses below. A few seconds passed during its descent before it could be heard crashing into the thorns. "I've been well. I was surprised when Mikhail turned up here; pleasantly so. I have always wanted to get to know him. He's a smart boy. Leagues wiser than I was at his age." 
Heath ran a hand through his sandy locks and studied Anyanka for a moment. "Did you know that he was coming here?" He asked, finally. It struck him as a little peculiar that Anyanka herself came to fetch her son. She very well could have sent a guard and coach. "He told me—" 

"Father! Father, it's time for dinner. Aunt Elle said you *Must* Come," A young, pretty voice called from the doorway. An eight year old girl with long raven tresses poked her head around the frame and regarded the pair. 

"I'll be along shortly, elf," Heath said to Serena. She huffed and spun away, her dark curls hitting the doorway. "Anya, please join us. Mikhail will surely be there and Elle adores you. Please let us offer you more than tea after your long journey here."
Richard
**Anyanka Durkhan
Castle Black, North Shore**

There was a rustle over the edge of the terrace and Anya blinked, looking in that direction only to find the black bound book Heath had held a moment before. Her brow furrowed, but before she could comment on _why_ Heath had chucked a book into the bushes he questioned her. 

"No, He didn't return home, I figured there were about three places he could be without me being told about it. Reasoning told me Maith's is too long of a journey and the brothels hadn't seen anyone of his description. So, " She waved her hands before her, and cocked her head a bit in a small smile. "Romanov's. Like Mother like son, hm? Sneaking away to Castle Black to-" 

She trailed off, and Serena stepped into the doorway. A reminder of the life he had beyond the terrace. 

"Of course, I'd be delighted."
Frank
Sir Heath Romanov
Castle Black, The North Shore 

Heath laughed. "You two are *Always* Welcome here. Truly." He beckoned for her to follow him inside. 

The great hall of Castle Black was nothing short of spectacular. A line of chandeliers swayed gently over the long dining table. The windows stretched from the floor to the ceiling, allowing the pale beginnings of moonlight to mingle with the warm glow of the candles. Ivy wrapped around the columns and fresco murals decorated the ceiling. 
"Grand Duchess Durkhan, I was positively enraptured when I was told you'd be our guest!" Queen Elsinore smiled from the head of the table. She was dressed down compared to her usual wardrobe, in a lacy white gown that draped elegantly over her shoulders to her elbows. Her curly hair was left loose down her back and her lips were stained a dark berry. She radiated the beauty of a nymph; it was a shame that she had the personality of a demonic witch that was spat directly out of hell for the sole purpose to torture mankind with her fiery wrath. The other occupants of the table were her three children and Heath's two, along with Mikhail. 

"You," Heath said to Mikhail in the midst of puling out a chair for Anyanka. "I need to have a talk with you later. You'll know why, I'm sure," He said, raising his brows and smiling premeditatedly.
Richard
The Durkhans
Castle Black, North Shore

Anyanka followed Heath into the great hall, and let out a sigh of relief to see Mikhail in attendance. Elsinore greeted her warmly, and Anya gave a genuine smile. "Thank you for hosting us on such short notice, but we always love spending time in The North Shore." Anyanka moved to the Queen, and they exchanged a warm embrace before she returned to the seat that was assigned to her. 

Mikhail was just about to take a seat when Heath made his comment, and Anya's eyebrows raised in question as Mikhail flushed the _deepest_ red she'd ever seen. Mikhail cleared his throat and slipped into his seat, intentionally avoiding eye contact with the man. 

"Do I get to know what happened that just made him turn beet red?" Anya asked, her voice soft as she took the seat that was offered to her. "What can you two possibly get up to when I'm not around you, Romanov?"