For my lovelies. Enjoy.
Transylvania, 1667
The forest twinned down, down, down.
Thick bush and thorny branches cut his skin, blood staining his shirt. He didn't care. He slipped down further.
Careful, careful... She will hear.
It was dusk. Twilight approaching the horizon. He hid in the deep shadows the forest provided.
The beautiful twinkling sound whispered through the trees, mingling with the rushing water of a nearby creek.
He hushed his heavy breathing, grunting lightly as he jumped over a large tree trunk.
Close, so close...
She was elusive. A faerie. She would flutter away at the slightest disturbance.
His boots dug into the dirt as he crouched low. He carefully untied the ribbon that held his sword to his belt and laid the sheath down in the sand.
Peering through the brush, his war hardened hands slid into the cool grass as he leaned forward. Biting his lip he could finally see her through the leaves. He was carefully hidden.
The dainty figure was shrouded in shadow as the sun descended even further. Some wild birds chirped nearby, joining her song.
Long dark brown hair that had been let down from her braid blew freely in the wind as she continued to sing.
A red skirt, petticoats underneath ruffled as she went to pick a wild flower, twining it between her slender fingers.
Deep green eyes glittered in the setting light.
Tucking a lock of the thick hair behind her ear, the large sleeves of her embroidered peasant shirt slide down her arm, exposing more pale skin.
He couldn't catch himself. Leaning forward his black curls getting caught in the branches his mouth hanging open as he watched her intently.
Just a little closer...
His knee moved forward and snapped a branch.
The delicate singing stopped. Her swimming gaze sharpened as her green eyes focused on the spot beneath the trees where he was concealed. Leaning forward on her knees, she was ready to flee from whatever street trash or pervert was watching her.
His breath caught in his throat. His heart pounding in his chest.
He would have only seconds.
He leapt forward from the bush, exposing himself in the clearing. His feet hit the ground without error and he bounded towards her.
Like a doe, she elegantly rose to her feet, twisted and bolted through the clearing to a small opening in the thicket.
Damn.
Her skirt flying behind her, her hair curling against the wind. She looked like the witch she was as she flew over the ground her feet barely touching the dirt.
Faster.
He was right behind her. He had calculated right this time for sure. He had her.
"Halt!" He ordered in a labored voice and she dove to the ground, sliding through the dirt through the opening. Ripping her shirt on the way down.
She struggled, clawing at the dirt like an animal. Forcing her body weight up again and she was sprinting.
He followed close after ripping the bush open with his hands, not caring about the small wounds that he opened on his hands.
"Halt, girl!"
He was so close, the hair on her neck prickled. She could feel his looming aura. She had to escape.
She stopped, barely if even for a moment to jump into the river, to a depth in the still waters that he would not dare go.
A mistake. Her foot twisted in her skirts, a painful cry tore its way out of her throat as her legs buckled and she crumpled at the edge of the wet marsh.
He smiled in satisfaction and quickly approached her. His eyes wild, his hair billowing behind him.
"My lady," he nearly growled. Hauling her off the ground.
"Please!" She cried, "Why... Why do you come? Every night... Leave me be!"
Her breathing was harsh as was her Romanian. Her hands were raw and cut from falling hard on the river rocks. Damp hair stuck to her face.
He smiled. He leaned closer. His sparkling blue eyes gazing into hers. His lips parted. He was so close... his dark colored moustache tickled her skin. His hot breath mingling with hers.
"You were calling me, were you not?" His eyes lowered, taking in her figure as her thin peasants clothing hugged her sweaty skin, "With your... Sweet song."
His lips dipped low suddenly to brush her ear lobe. He shuddered lightly as the excitement of the catch swelled inside of him. Brazenly he pressed a kiss to her tender neck.
"Vlad...,"
She moaned, the sound falling from her lips and she melted in his hands. His grip did not loosen.
"One day, you will be mine," His innocent smile lengthened into a devilish grin, "But for now... Just a taste, my song bird."
She didn't have a chance as his knife like fangs extended. The action was swift; like a stroke from his broad sword taking off her head.
Hot blood swelled from the wound and she swooned into him.
He drank heavily, but not too. His rough hands slide beneath her skirts to touch her.
He pulled back, the deep red color of her life blood glistening on his lips. He leaned in to press a chaste kiss to her pink lips.
Gasping for air, she felt light headed. Trying to push away from him, she turned and tried to wade into the river.
Strigoi... Vampire.
A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. He caught her easily around the waist and pulled her behind against his growing arousal.
He groaned in satisfaction, grinding into the girl before pulling her further into the forest.
He maneuvered quickly and carefully, taking her along like a rag doll. Pressing her against a large tree, he freed himself and hiked up her legs and skirts. As he pressed into her he was met with little resistance.
He took her roughly. Coming into her again and again as he licked the blood that dripped from her neck, falling into the nook between her breasts. His long inhuman tongue caressed her creamy skin, catching every drop.
She was lost as she always was, staring blindly into the void as her head swam. She clutched at his shoulders weakly. Small sounds escaping her lips as he had his way.
When he was finished he left her like he always did. Sweetly sleeping in the flower grove.
"Never stop singing, song bird," He whispered into her ear as she settled into the moist grass, "I will find you and I will have you."
He stood, towering over her.
"Until tomorrow."
"Dracula...," She whispered in her sleep. Trying to force herself up from the depths of the deep sleep he had forced her into.
He chuckled and slunk away, dissolving into the blackness of the carpathian forest.
It was nearly dawn and she would be found by the village shepherd in the morning.
X