The Castle

One

Sanai eyed the bumbling robe-clad creature that had greeted her as her ride had pulled in. The thing quietly but quickly walked through a long dark corridor away from the other, equally dark hallways but she could faintly hear music & clanking from this way. Sanai turned to look for any non-draped windows as she was led away from the door. Her loud mind was busy with the previous, also peculiar events as she made her way here. Only she could get into such strange traveling experiences. She arrived by horse & carriage, the horses such a rich, deep black & the driver shrouded completely in black. He was also such a character, quietly helping her put everything away before quickly shuffling her into the carriage. It was furnished with such expensive dark velvet seats & drapery inside. A wonderful violet, Sanai settled comfortably inside as they began their long trip into a lush forest. 

"Straight from Dracula.." Shaking her head as she was rocked in the carriage, the forest they trekked through was such a full & vibrant green. Sanai's eyes lit up as she caught sight of various forest animals that crossed the path before they disappeared into the foilage. When she reached the entrance she had to stifle a sound of astonishment when the castle came into view. It stood so tall made of stone & brick, very old but had been kept in wonderful shape. It was as if the sky kissed the very top of the towers that were erected from the estate, mighty & soft the castle stood so quietly in the very center of the deep, dark forest. As if borne to complete the enchantment the forest held, of course, such a magnificent castle stood. Sanai could only watch in awe as the building seemed to grow impossibly bigger as they reached the entrance the towering doors swung open as she was helped from the carriage. Sanai looked around her & into visible windows before hesitantly starting toward the door. The man once again got her things for her, hurriedly whisking the horses away with a mighty start, leaving her watching as she eyed the sun. 

Sanai turned & walked into the house with her bag heavily slung over her shoulder. Her dark eyes quickly surveyed the massive, grandiose castle as she strode in. Rubbing her hands on her shorts she cleared her throat as someone approached her. Sanai was about 5'4, and the person standing in front of her was taller but the hunch he had made him just a few inches above her. Sanai threw her dark hair over her shoulder, regretting wearing it down on a heated summer day feeling it curl back up. Following the being as it beckoned her along, telling her to leave her things there. She faintly heard different noises coming from various hallways as she snuck glances around. Sanai looked down at her arm as the door closed, taking all the natural light leaving the room, goosebumps raising along her arms. Her skin was beautifully tanned & soft, and her parents also shared her shade of brown. She had lost some weight but her midsection was still a bit full, curving femininely into soft, full hips & thighs. Her face was soft & round with wide, wonder-filled eyes placed tenderly. Her lips were also plump & full, a soft brown that complimented her gentle, brown skin. 

Out of the shadows, something slinked its way from the dark taking her bags & disappearing down another hallway without a sound with any of its actions. Her eyes glanced around, trying to catch a glimpse of something she swore was walking down another way. She continued to follow the one from earlier, he never told her his name but he carried on as he led her along the intimidatingly large house. Her head craned & turned as she was led down a long corridor past large heavy doors. The highest ceilings she had ever seen, lamps illuminating the walkway & part of the walls. There were beautiful portraits of various prominent figures, their eyes seeming to gleam as she walked past, there was one that stopped her in her tracks, her stomach tightening in the most peculiar manner. The most beautiful woman she had ever laid her eyes on.

Before her beheld a painting of a woman, no older than 27 years at the oldest. Her grey eyes seemed to glow as she studied the painting. She sat for her portrait, surrounded by a beautiful jade gown, the fabric billowing around her feet. The woman's hands sat in her lap, her nails long & pointed covered in black, the painting so perfect down to the details. Her skin was radiant, a wonderous brown almost close to Sanai's shade but not as deep. Her neck was slender, adorned by a stunning emerald necklace & complimented by diamonds. With a matching ring on her finger, her posture was exquisite, the perfect pose of a very prominent important woman. The woman's lips were full, tinted by a deep red, a small smile gracing her face. Sanai's breath was absolutely taken away as she felt she stood there for hours admiring the woman. The more she stood, craning her head back to look the more that tightening grew to forebodement. The look in the woman's eyes, there was something there that lurked just beyond what she presented to the painter that he still managed to catch. The painting was still in immaculate shape for the date of 1709 painted in the lower right corner.