It seems that my eyes might be deceiving me once again, for I could have sworn that I did see Anastasia stand across the crowd from me. So without having to even reconsider, I stand from my seat and head in the direction, but even before I get two steps away, she calls for me to come back.

"Now, where do you think you are going?"

"A walk Elloise, I want to go for a walk. My legs are feeling uncomfortably stiff from sitting here. Now, do you think you can loosen the spell in order for me to take a stroll?"

I watch her with intent as she decides if she should take the risk and allow me to walk even further away from her reach. "Fair well, but don't let me regret it," she says as she gives in; I secretly smile to myself at the small victory that I have won.

She shall now, of course, tighten the spell so that it will keep me in her grasp. She has been hoping that by now I would have wanted to stay with her without having the need to cast the spell that keeps me by her side. Sadly to her own disgust, I have not for once given up on my beloved and faltered in my love for her. This madwoman can hold me for a hundred years, and still, it would not change the way I feel for Anastasia.

I immediately, but not showing much haste, move into the direction to where I have seen the image of the woman that looks like my beloved. Winding through the masses, my heart does start to sink; I do not see this woman anymore; she has disappeared. Was it just an image of my lonely mind? Once again, I feel defeated, but I am not giving up until I know for a certainty that it is not my beloved that I saw out there.

I turn in a different direction; there is still no sight of the beauty that captures my senses only but a moment ago. I spin on my feet for the third time; not trying to make my search obvious, I push further into the crowd. I wait for a few seconds, knowing that she is going to pull me back any moment. But she does nothing. Then I as I spin once more around, I see her. It has to be Anastasia.

…Anastasia POV…

We have traveled from one country to the next, crossed an entire ocean, climbed mountains, and combined labyrinthine streets among the ruins of an ancient civilization; none of this has returned Sebastian to my arms. Every day there was a new location, a new experience, but with each empty room, it was another stab in the heart. I came to Switzerland with so much hope, with the belief that the universe wanted us to be together. We soared into town, ready to find him. And I think we might have just.

"Edward, that is Sebastian. I swear that is Sebastian."

But just as I want to rush off into his direction, Edward pulls me back. "Anastasia, if it is Sebastian, it means she is close by. We need to take her by surprise and not get Sebastian hurt in the process."

"What is the plan, Edward?"

"Zachariah is on his way; she won't sense him."

…Sebastian POV…

Just as I leap one giant leap forward, she strengthens the spell and pulls me back; in one but seconds, my hope of being free is crushed to pieces.

"Best you come to make yourself comfortable again," Elloise says as she shows for me to come to sit next to her ugly pinkness. "It seems you are trying to run off today."

"Maybe I am running away from you and that godawful pink dress. I thought you were done with that?"

"What is the chances that a Vampire comes to Switzerland? No one will ever guess for us to be here. Now, blend in and do something useful."

"Ha! The only useful thing I want to do with you I won't be allowed to do here in public. And before you get all excited, it is not something that shall give you pleasure."

"My god, how does that woman even put up with you?"

"Her name is Anastasia, and she is far better than you and you fairy ass flowers."

"Hush!"

With that, I am forced to silence, but not to seeing, for the moment she glances away, I look for the woman. I know it is Anastasia. And as I scoured the floor underneath the feet of so many people, that is when I see them.

…Anastasia POV…

I am so close now; we are so close to getting Sebastian back. We know where they are sitting; there is no more guessing, no more hunting. No are no more soul-crushing near misses. In a few minutes, we will have him. The moment Zachariah takes hold of Elloise, I will be there right next to him to pull Sebastian back into my arms and feel the taste of his sweet lips.

It has been four goddamn weeks that I have dreamt of this moment. Now, that it is here, now that I know the waiting is over, you would think that I am relieved; the truth is I am terrified. For the first time since Sebastian has been lost to me, I have to look into his enchanting eyes. I am afraid that I would see something there that would bring more pain than there was what I faced that I am losing him; I am afraid that he will tell me that he does not love me. But he wrote all those letters which I still hold close to my heart as we are standing here. There is no reason to doubt; there is no reason to fear.

The only fear is how we intend to get Sebastian from Elloise. With much relief, Zachariah makes a quick appearance; if not, he, maybe even more, wants this to be over with it. So we get out the way of sight of Elloise and move off to the side.

…Sebastian POV…

She has gone; she is not where she stood before. I am certain, my mind is playing tricks on me. Has my desperation come to a fool's delusional being. Do I create what my eyes want to see? Is the sadness so thick in my heart that I need to find a way to lift the burden that I am feeling? But I know, I know that I saw her red stilettos stand out from all the hundreds of feet. No other beauty wears them so well, and no other beauty will be brave to wear them in this coldness. It has to be Anastasia.

But my obsession with my own delusional thought does not go unnoticed, " You might as well give up Sebastian. You shall, never, and let me say never, see your beloved again. The same chance you see these snowcaps melt that shall be the chance you shall ever see Anastasia again. I have gone far and wide to make sure that this shall happen."

"I guess I am not the only one being delusional over here. My dear Elloise, I think you should start to reconsider your position."

"What position?"

"Well, first of all, your sense of style does leave much to desire. For a second, if I have not fallen in love with you by now, then my dear, it is never going to happen. And lastly, I think you have underestimated the love of a human for a Vampire."

"What do you mean the love of a human for a Vampire."

…Anastasia POV…

There is absolutely no way that I can carry on waiting in suspense. The plan is clear. Zachariah shall sneak up from behind. He will press the tip of the Ancient blade into Elloise's side. Force her to stand to her feet. Our hope, it will be just enough to render her scared. Edward then shall move in to keep her under control. Me, my only priority is to get to Sebastian. Now he will still be under Elloise's spell. Our aim, to convince her to come peacefully with us. And that is where the planned part of our plan ends.

So here goes nothing.

I watch as Zachariah sneaks up to Elloise that has her back facing him. But Sebastian immediately sees him, and of course, the man gets a stupid grin on his face.

…Sebastian POV…

I smile with the most satisfying smirk on my face, very much to Elloise's annoyance.

"What do you have that stupid damn thing on your face for?"

"Stupid? My beloved goes crazy for it. Don't tell me that you do not find it attractive?"

"Just as attractive as my pink dress?"

"Hey, you said that. Glad we can finally agree on one thing. But there is one other problem that you face now."

"Please humor me and tell me that has got your small brain fascinated."

"Well, lucky that is the only small thing I have. But we guess you shall never get to see that."

"Get to your point Sebastian."

"The snowcaps are melting."

"What?"

"I said the snowcaps are melting."