The Count's Bride Chapter 3

A/N: Yes, I know. It's been forever since I've updated but I assure you no matter how long between updates, they will always come. I love all my stories and will finish every single one of them. As for this story, things are only just starting and will be kicking off sooner rather than later. Count Stelian (I love that name for Stiles!) will be appearing at the end of this chapter but it won't be until the next chapter that Mina goes to Romania. She's gotta square it away with the rents first. But soon, they will be meeting and her fate will be sealed! Now let's go find us one extremely impatient vampire and one extremely excited mate of said vampire. –Kitty/MoonLitShadow

The Harker Residence

8:00 P.M.

It had been hours since she and Jonathan had come home from school and ever since she had walked through the door all that she had talked about was the Romanian Exchange Program.

Mrs. Harker had been adamant on talking it over at dinner and now that that the entire family sat around the table, silence reigned over the four.

"So tell us about this program, dear. I'm very interested in learning more." Her father said as he took a bite of his peas.

Her mother and she exchanged a look and gave each other a smile as Jonathan scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"I don't understand why you're actually considering letting her go. Romania is too far away. How are we going to make sure she's safe?" Jonathan said as their mother and father exchanged a look of their own.

"Well she wouldn't exactly be alone." Her mother said carefully as Mina's face lit up and Jonathan looked surprised.

"Your grandmother still lives in the same town that our family had originated from. She's well known in the village and the school that Mina would be attending is just outside the outskirts of town. And I can't imagine that the staff at the school would let any harm come to the students who study there. It really would be an amazing opportunity for her to learn about our heritage."

Jonathan's mouth open and closed several times before he looked to his father with pleading eyes.

"You can't be serious! We haven't spoken to grandmother in years! There's no way that we know that she'd take good care of her!" Jonathan shouted as his father gave him a harsh look.

"Oh course she would be taken care of! And watch your mouth, young man. That's your mother's mother that you are speaking about. You will remain respectful at all times in this household." He said as Jonathan slunk down into his seat just a bit.

"Grandma Adriana would love to see you both. I'm surprised that you haven't thought of going with her." Mrs. Harker said as Mina looked over at her brother who was shooting them all a death glare.

"She's right, Jonny. Why don't you come too?" She asked as Jonathan's face turned sad for a moment before he slid his chair back hard and pointed a finger accusingly at their parents.

"It's dangerous. She could die over there. You all may think she's going to be fine but something doesn't feel right about this. She needs to be here where we can all keep an eye on her, not over in a foreign country where she might disappear from our lives forever! Mina, I know you want to do this but you're too young and inexperienced to know what the consequences of your actions will be. I love you, but I won't support you anymore if you choose to do this." He said as Mina's eyes filled with tears and she let out a quiet sob.

"I'm sorry, Jon." She whispered.

But it was too late.

Jonathan grabbed his car keys and raced out of the house before speeding off into the night.

Mrs. Harker wrapped her arms around her daughter and rubbed her back soothingly as her father glared at the kitchen door.

"It's alright, sweetie. Don't worry. He won't stop you from going. I already called my mom and asked if she would be willing to let you stay with her, which she said yes to. She's very excited about you moving over with her. She says the house definitely needs more company in it. We called the school and it turns out that you and your brother have the highest grade point averages out of any of the other students so you were automatically accepted into the program. Your plane ticket and a small present from dad and I are on your bed in your room." She said whispered as Mina's head shot up and she let out a loud shriek.

"Oh my God! I'm going to Romania!" She cried as a new onslaught of tears fell down her face.

Hugging her mother and father tightly she kissed both of their cheeks before running off to her room.

Throwing open her bedroom door, she made a beeline towards her bed where there; on the soft pink coverlet was a plane ticket and a small red package with a note on top of it.

Grabbing her plane ticket she threw herself down onto her bed and read the departure and arrival time over three times in a row.

Her plane left the day after tomorrow in the late evening.

She would be arriving in Romania a day and a half later.

This was it.

This was her chance to show the world what she was made of.

Gently placing her plane ticket beside her pillow, she cradled the small present in her hand and read the note that cling to the sparkling paper.

Dear Mina,

Your dad and I are so excited for you to learn about your heritage! It's very important for you to remember to take everything that happens with an open mind. We thought that we'd get you a little something to get you excited about your trip.

Congratulations, honey!

Love, Mom and Dad.

She excitedly tore off the paper and discovered a small box filled with what looked like little wooden dolls inside of them.

Carefully taking one out of the box, she noticed that a string hung from the top of the little painted doll and realized that it was a Christmas ornament.

Turning over the box, she saw that not only were they Christmas ornaments, but that they were made in the same town that her grandmother lived.

Placing the little painted woman and the rest of the ornaments on her nightstand, she got up and quickly changed into her pajamas before sliding in between her warm covers.

With one hand clutching her plane ticket and one hand resting on top of her heart, she fell into a deep sleep dreaming of a ghostly pale boy with raven black hair and the most beautiful brown eyes that she had ever seen.

The boy smiled at her and whispered into the night air.

"Soon, you will be mine." Making her heart flutter with longing to be wherever he was.