I awoke in a strange room. My eyes fluttered open as I stared up at the ceiling, shadows danced from the fires light. I remembered being very frightened and running through the vast corridors of the castle before...Helga? Was that the womans name? Had followed me and then I must have fainted, I was so frightened. I knew how the rabbit feels when it is being hunted.
Slowly I sat up. My head felt very light and airy. The bed I was lying on was large and raised from the floor. The curtains were pushed back and tied to each of the four posters. I ran my hand over the comforter that lay underneath me. The embroidery was exquisite and soft. Someone must have come in while I was asleep because my trunk lay on the floor at the foot of the bed, opened and all of my belongings were gone.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up to survey my surroundings. The room, like the bed itself, was rather large and rectangular. In the center of the far wall was a few sitting chairs in front of the fire. At the other end across from a set of doors were high windows with a small seat next to them. My London flat could probably fit in this entire bed chamber! The fire roared, warming her even as I stood many feet away from it. There were two doors on the main wall. Slowly I walked towards one of them and reached for the knob. I tried turning it several times but was met with a sturdy lock.
Am I a prisoner?
I thought as I stepped to the next door. It opened easily into dressing suite with a large closet and in the center of the room a bathing tub. I stepped into the room fascinated by the elegance. Never before had I ever been in a room this beautiful with its white marble floors and high ceilings. A large vanity all but covered one wall. There I found my comb and brush that I had brought in my trunk plus little extras that were new. Cosmetics and perfume bottles lay neatly on the vanity. I gingerly ran my hand over the different bottles. I opened a drawer to the left of the vanity and found many different bathing tools and soaps. On the right side I found several lovely sleeping gowns. As I shut the drawers I caught my reflection in the mirror. I looked positively midevil. My dark hair was dirty and needed a good brushing. My face had small smudges of dirt and my dress could have used a good washing as well.
The porcelain tub was filled to almost the brim with steaming water. It smelled wonderful and I decided to take advantage, I dont think anyone was going to be coming to my room just yet. I chose a white night-gown with roses embroider into the hem and a few soaps and oils that smelled wonderful. As I stepped into the steaming tub I could feel my nerves start to settle. Normally I washed every three days or so and only took a few moments to freshen up however tonight I stayed in the tub luxuriating in the feeling of being idle.
The water turned luke warm as I stepped out sometime later. Hung from the wall were two large drying sheets. I wrapped the sheet round my slim torso and sat down in front of the vanity.
"Much better" I said aloud then giggled for sounding so childish. After brushing my hair and doning the night-gown I found, I decided to dry my hair in front of the fire in the main room.
As I made my way back to the bedchambers I noticed a piece of fabric sticking out from the wall. It was my dark green dress! I pulled on the frock trying to get it out from inside the wall until I realized that it wasnt a wall but a closet! It was hidden by a sliding door. Slowly I pushed the door aside and beheld not only my clothing that I had packed and carried over the mountains but, several other gowns. Slowly I ran my hands along the expensive looking clothing. Dark reds, blues, purples and many other different colors. Some of them were simple while others seemed fit for royalty. On the bottom of the closet there were several pairs of finely made shoes. A small pair of thin cream-colored slippers lay farthest away from the other shoes. I placed my foot into the slipper, it fit perfectly. I slid the door shut and walked into the bed chamber. Instead of sitting in one of the comfy arm chairs I sat on the floor in front of the hearth. I ran her fingers through her hair trying to dry it, wondering where Vlad was at that very moment.
Someone will come for me right? I thought, wondering why no one had come to this room. I decided to be patient I was actually very content. I sat staring into the flames and thinking about everything that had led me up to this point.
Vlad pov
I stood outside her door. I had heard the handle rattle for a moment then stop. She was just a few feet away from me and yet I felt...fear? How could I be certain she was here to stay? I knew the only way for us to be together would be to turn her and in doing so I would have to entertain the possibility of killing her old friends. If Harker and that damned professor found out they would surely try and end them. Death was not a fear of mine. I couldn't die. Mina practically cut off my head and yet I had materialized less than an hour later. No, I feared for Mina. Once she was turned they might not be able to kill me but, they could her. I lost her once, I would not lose her again!
I realized he was losing his temper again. Slowly I leaned my forehead against the wooden door and began to breathe slowly. I could smell Mina's blood mingled with wood smoke, rose-water, mud from her travels and many other scents. How I wanted her! It had bothered me to no end watching her in Whitby. Soon after she departed I began my journey paying triple the normal amounts so I would get here before her but, was delayed in Bistritz.
I began to concentrate. Slowly my body became vapor. Helga had magically locked the room but, I knew other ways to enter a dwelling without going through the door.
Slowly I slipped under the door into Mina's bed chamber.
Mina pov
I felt a draft as the vapor came towards me. I pulled my legs up to my chest and waited as it got closer. What if it was one of his brides? Would Helga hear me if I screamed? Then out of nowhere as the vapor touched my slippered feet I heard his voice.
Mina...
The vapor wrapped itself around me. I closed my eyes, enveloped in the sensation. It was almost as if I could feel his fingers tracing my neck, my face, my breasts. When I opened my eyes I was once again lying on the bed staring at the ceiling. The vapor was gone. I sat up on my elbows and glanced around the room. Had I dreamed it all? No, I couldn't have. I was still wearing the night-gown.
"My prince?" I whispered tears beginning to sting my eyes. Out of nowhere he was lying next to me.
He looked the same as the day I met him. His long hair, darker than mine was pulled back and held together by a piece of leather. I reached up tracing his cheek with my hand.
He pressed a finger to my lips not wanting me to say a word. Slowly he leaned his face close to mine and pressed his lips against my own. I melted under his touch. My body rose against him as I wrapped my arms around his neck. He responded by snaking his tongue into my mouth, tasting me. I moaned against his onslaught, wanting more. It was like my entire body had hybernatd since he had last touched me and now it was alive again.
He broke the kiss and pulled his face away from mine but, only an inch or two. His eyes searched mine as he stroked my cheek.
"How?" I asked my voice barely a whisper. A lone tear slide down the side of my face. He shook his head but, didn't speak. Instead he used his thumb to wipe away my tears.
"Mina it doesn't matter" he stroked my hair and kissed the tip of my nose. Taking this as an answer I pulled my Prince towards me again as I kissed him. Vlad's hands were cold as they roamed over my breasts through the thin material of my night-gown. I felt an arousal that I had never experienced with Johnathan. We had never had a connection that I felt now with Vlad.
I began undoing the buttons on his jacket. He removed his mouth from mine as he pulled my night-gown up over my knees. His hand traced the contours of my calf, then my knee then slowly up my thigh. As his hands teased and caressed my most private of places his lips began kissing my collar-bone. My mind was whirling as he traced his tongue to my neck. I sucked in a breath without meaning to. Would he change me now? Like the last time? I wasnt sure if I could handle that now.
"Mina, I wont be changing you this night" he said and I relaxed. Vlad tossed his jacket aside as I put my hands inside his shirt, roaming. I loved the feeling of his cold skin against mine. It did not make me uncomfortable but, was comforting.
Vlad shifted his weight and put his knee between my legs. I instead wrapped them around his waist willingly. His desire was clear as he pressed himself against me. I reached my hand between us and began untying his breeches. After I seemed to struggle Vlad got up, removing each piece of clothing. I slid under the blankets and scooted to the middle of the bed. After he stood next to me completely naked he slid in beside me. Just before he entered me Vlad whispered into my ear "Mina,my love."
"Say it again!" I cried as he thrust into me fully.
"I love you" he whispered once again.
As we made love that night, I forgot about my past marriage, my heartbreak at losing the prince and my reasons for staying away from him for so long.
