Today's chapter is a wee bit on the shorter side, but what it's setting up for makes me anxious and giddy! So... enjoy!
XII
A Tryst in the Stables
Winter refused to loosen its unrelenting grip on the village buried deep in the heart of the Carpathian Mountains. The days and nights were so cold, it could be assumed that Visceria would eventually suffocate under the unrelenting snow that continued to fall week after week, but that was not the case. The town thrived off of the bitter chill and despite the harsh weather, the residents proved to be rather worry-free, something they unknowingly owed to Hera.
Not because she provided them with warmth or food or shelter – no, they did not require the woman's assistance when it came to the primitive aspects of their survival.
Actually, this uncharacteristic ease of the people came from the fact that Count Dracula and his brides had been feeding elsewhere for the last few months, leaving the villagers of Visceria with a rare sense of relief. Despite the oppressive cold, they could breathe and even sleep a little easier. It was like the sun was finally beginning to shine again, as if fate was at last on their sides instead of against them – and it was all thanks to Hera.
The evening Dracula had kidnapped her, the two had spent a good couple of hours hashing out an agreement that would allow Hera to stay with the Valerious family while keeping certain that she remained a neutral party between them and the Count. She was to meet with the vampire at least two evenings of every week in the library of Castle Frankenstein.
Initially, Dracula had hoped that he could use his time with the woman to perhaps seduce her, win her heart and her allegiance. Even with the potent sexual chemistry between them, it quickly became clear to the vampire that this mortal, though attracted to him, was keeping him at arm's length. A part of him was relieved and even a little impressed that her heart appeared to not be so easily touched, yet in the back of his mind, Count Dracula was still concerned that perhaps this emotional distance had something to do with a certain gypsy prince.
He never let on that he was indeed suspicious of Hera's forbidden and well-concealed feelings for Velkan, and though internally frustrated that his enemy had somehow weaseled his way into Hera's affections, the vampire was comforted by the fact that nothing would ever come of those feelings.
Part of the agreement between Hera and himself, in an effort to ensure her neutrality, involved a caveat that should she show favor towards one side over the other – such favor including those of the sexual variety – the treaty between them would be null and void and there would be consequences.
Suspecting that Dracula was a man true to his word, out of fear and a keen sense of self-preservation, Hera strove to uphold her end of the bargain, her feelings be damned.
But if part of their agreement kept her from being with Velkan in any sense of the word, then Dracula was to keep his distance as well. Because of this, the tension between Hera and the Count remained virtually ignored and unexplored, something the latter found extremely disappointing, but he had agreed to her terms in the spirit of fairness and therefore kept his distance, maintaining a sense of cordiality and control whenever she visited, and for that, Hera was grateful.
This unresolved sexual tension aside, it was refreshing for the vampire king – these regular visits with Hera. With each week that passed, he found himself looking forward to seeing her more and more, not just because he had come to enjoy the mortal's company, but because the breadth of her knowledge deeply impressed him.
In most topics, he quickly discovered she was his superior, and it forced him to push himself in ways he hadn't in decades.
She stimulated his mind and it was an exhilarating change of pace. Yet despite the woman's academic genius, he found her to be severely lacking in judgment at times. Though mildly cautious of him, she was otherwise still alarmingly trusting and plucky. Normally, had this been any other woman, he could have used that trust and blossoming friendship to execute the master plan – to seduce and control, to steal her heart. But despite his craftiness and subtlety, still he was kept at distance.
This very fact wounded Dracula's pride in a way he had not anticipated. Even with Velkan's kind, warm demeanor and beating heart, the Count had been convinced of his superiority as a suitor. He was the only person he knew of who could match and in some instances surpass Hera's gifted intelligence. He was more experienced, more powerful, better connected, well-read, and far better suited for the woman than the insipid gypsy prince.
But in his effort to entice the stunning Miss Garret into his arms, even with Velkan's extended absence, Count Dracula had been effectively and inexplicably friend-zoned.
It had been well over three months since Velkan had left with his band of men in hunt of Castle Dracula, and Anna, though she had received word that her brother was alive and well, was still dreadfully worried about him.
It had become a custom for her to check for him, every morning at sunrise and every evening at sunset, in some vain hope that she'd see him riding into Visceria from the mountain pass. But every sunrise and every sunset she was left disappointed once more, and she wasn't the only one who was checking night and day.
Hera, although distracted by her visits with the Count, still found herself longing for the company of Velkan. Notwithstanding her enjoyable evenings with the vampire, Hera rightfully assumed the Count was only using her. Yes, despite her more trusting nature, she wasn't a complete ignoramus. Although she hadn't yet uncovered his grander plans and schemes, it was obvious that his intentions were anything but noble and that made resisting him just a little bit easier.
She genuinely enjoyed her visits with the vampire in the library of Castle Frankenstein, where they'd talk for hours on end, but by comparison, even though Velkan was certainly no scholar, Hera had always assumed that the prince had been eager for her company and attention because he cared deeply for her. This made the mortal prince far more appealing in Hera's eyes than the Count ever could have been.
Velkan's intentions, as far as Hera knew, were honorable and genuine.
Dracula's were purely selfish.
Or were they?
A pair of dark green eyes scanned over the frozen wonderland that was Visceria, relieved to find that it was still in one piece. Freshly fallen snow blanketed the rooftops of every building, along with the thick mud of the roads as the prince made his way through the town.
He watched with quiet satisfaction as the men who had accompanied him during this futile three-to-four month campaign were reunited with their loved ones. Tears of joy and relief swam down the chilled faces of all as the village rejoiced in the return of the small band that had just arrived home unharmed.
When his men were safe in the arms of their families, Velkan continued on through the streets, eyes transfixed on the Valerious manor, his mind a whirl with anticipation when he remembered that more than just Anna awaited him in that house.
His lips curved into a broad smile as Hera's face appeared in his mind and he dug his heels into the horse's side, urging it to move faster. How he prayed to God that she was all right, that she was still here, that Dracula hadn't taken her away.
The prince was soon in the shadow of the manor where he dismounted, shortly greeted by one of the servants who had come out to welcome him.
"Master Velkan, thank goodness your home!" the manservant proclaimed happily. "Sorina! Go tell Anna the master is home!" he shouted towards the door, but Velkan quickly protested when Sorina hollered "What?" from within the house.
"No," Velkan replied in hushed tones. "Don't tell Anna of my arrival just yet."
The servant gave him a quizzical look.
"Are you certain? She has been most anxious to see you and if she found out that you were home and we hadn't informed…"
Velkan could feel a rush of excitement flood his body as Hera's face continued to swim through his mind.
"Where is Miss Hera?" he interrupted, not caring if Anna pitched a fit because she wasn't the first to know he was home.
"The last I heard, she had gone out riding an hour or two ago. We haven't seen her in the house as of yet, but if she's back, she'd be in the stables."
Velkan grabbed the reins from the servant's hands and steered the horse over in that direction.
"Thank you, Cristian. I'll go fetch her. I'll be in shortly."
"Very good, master," the servant said with a shrug and he returned to the house.
Velkan walked briskly through the deep snow as he led the horse forward, in hopes that he'd run into Hera. The stables were off to the side of the manor, near the courtyard on the left side, farthest from the river.
Making sure the horse travelled in silence was quite the task, but the moment the Valerious heir made it inside the warm stables, he noticed Hera out of the corner of his eye at the far end, leading the horse she had ridden back into his corral. Her moment of distraction gave the prince just enough time to do the same with his own steed before dashing for a hiding place.
Velkan hadn't felt this devious since he was a small boy, although this instance and the intentions were far different from anything he could have comprehended as a child. He watched Hera as she removed the riding gear from the mare before brushing the animal down methodically, whispering soft nothings to the horse in a very calm and loving voice.
The gypsy prince could feel his skin tingling in excitement as he observed her from a safe distance, his fingertips itching to touch those lovely lips and every word that escaped them, his own mouth hungry for hers, his body yearning for her warmth.
Whether it was the length of their separation or some other force at work, Hera had blossomed in his absence, appearing far lovelier than he remembered her looking. The orange marmalade hue of her hair was completely gone. In its place was a mane of beautiful copper auburn locks, falling about her shoulders in lazy waves, the strands catching the light in a way that was almost majestic.
Velkan could hardly contain himself. He wanted to touch her, to hold her, and he'd wait no longer. He stealthily moved from his hiding place and tiptoed across the length of the stables towards the unsuspecting Hera, her back to him.
Heaven help him, he had missed this woman.
Just when she was within reach, he covered her eyes with one hand, wrapping his other arm around her waist so he could hold her against him. The moment he had grabbed her, she had let out a cry of surprise, attempting to struggle against his hold, but when his lips brushed against her ear and whispered "Guess who," she stopped struggling and instead leaned into the breadth of his strong chest as he coiled his remaining arm around her body, holding her closer to him.
"Give me a clue," she answered teasingly, lips curving into that radiant smile of hers, the kind that could melt ice.
Velkan chuckled and held her tighter to him, hardly able to control the male within that had the sudden urge to ravish her. But he managed to bridle his passions, compensating by brushing his lips against her bare throat before kissing behind her ear. His hands then held her upper arms, gently squeezing and rubbing them, earning a submissive sigh of delight from the woman in his grasp.
"Velkan, that better be you," she replied dreamily, leaning into him a bit more now.
"And what if it wasn't, Hera?" he asked her, kissing her neck boldly. He half expected her to pull away from him, but was pleased when she didn't.
"I missed you," she suddenly confessed, turning so she could look at him.
Velkan's soft kisses ceased when he took her chin in his hand, bringing her gaze to his. He hadn't realized how much he had missed those eyes of hers until now. They warmed him down to his toes.
"Did you now?" he asked, a hint of playfulness in his tone, but his regard was intense and full of longing. She touched the side of his unshaven face and he grabbed hold of her hand, pressing the warmth of her palm to his cheek. He then kissed her open hand devotedly before looking back into her eyes.
"More than you know," she whispered, as if in fear that someone would hear her. "When you left all those weeks ago, I thought it was because you were cross with me for acting as though what had happened between us in Castle Frankenstein had never taken place. And then I was so afraid something had happened to you… when you stopped writing to Anna, I…" but he hushed her with the tips of his fingers, a sweet, genuine smile curving his lips as he proceeded to brush a lock of hair from her face.
"I'll admit, I was hurt when you behaved like nothing had happened, though I could understand why you did so. But I did not leave because of you," he explained, caressing her face with the back of two fingers. "Actually, being away from you for so long only helped me realize the extent of my feelings for you, how much I missed seeing your face every morning, hearing your voice, the feel of your skin," and he took her hand, raising it to his lips and Hera watched as he pressed his lips firmly against her knuckles, sending her heart to soar.
"I missed you, Hera… so very, very much," he breathed. "And I'm sorry for leaving you with the impression that I was cross with you."
Relief flooded Hera's system as the concern in her brow relaxed, tears of joy glistening in her eyes. Velkan cupped her face in his hands and rested his forehead against hers, both relishing in the subtle intimacy they were sharing before her fingertips brushed against his bottom lip thoughtfully.
"So much has happened since you left," she whispered, but before she could even begin to inform him, he stopped her train of thought when his mouth gently brushed against hers and he watched in fascination as her tongue moistened her bottom lip in anticipation for what was to come.
"You can tell me later," he breathed before kissing her once again.
The graze of lips was soft, but soon desire took over and the tender, chaste kiss became firm and passionate. Caught up in the violent hunger that had hijacked her brain, Hera's arms wrapped tightly around Velkan's neck as she dove headlong into their kiss.
Overjoyed by her response, the gypsy prince held her a little more firmly, his mouth devouring her as if he were starving, the onslaught taking Hera by surprise and she stumbled back a little with Velkan following suit, unable and most certainly unwilling to let go of that precious mouth that was fastened to his.
Hera's back hit the wall of the stables, her body pinned between it and the very amorous prince who was rapidly becoming more accustomed to her. His hands were now bold and friendly as he tugged and pulled at the sleeves of her tight-fitting blouse, longing to free her shoulders and all that lay down and in between as he showered her neck in ravenous kisses.
Hera ran her hand down Velkan's torso, undoing the chords and buttons of his vest with eagerness, aching to run her hands up and down his hot, muscular flesh, to feel him above her, lying hard between her legs. It had been so long since she had…
Hera's mind paused for a second as the fantasy dissipated, reason soon kicking in.
She wanted what?
The promise she had made to the Count came careening to the forefront of her conscious mind as she realized where this passionate interlude was headed and though she wanted it to continue, the warning Dracula had given her would not be silenced, no matter how much she rationalized.
Velkan's mouth was getting very friendly with her neck and although she honestly didn't mind the idea of having sex with him in the stables, she couldn't do it. Even though she was certain Dracula would never know if she did infringe on their agreement, in that moment, with the sun shining and the very real possibility that anyone could spot them, it was just too risky.
But how to stop this from going any further without upsetting Velkan?
An idea popped into Hera's head as if from heaven itself.
"Does Anna know you're home?" she asked breathlessly and she could feel Velkan's response in her skin – a groan of disapproval.
"Damn it…. You're right," he stated in defeat and his kisses slowed to a halt as he rested his forehead against hers. "Cristian probably told her I'm here and she'll be wondering where I've disappeared to."
"Not to mention if you and I stayed out here any longer, she'd grow suspicious," Hera pointed out and the prince nodded in agreement.
"And we wouldn't want that," he remarked playfully.
Hera smiled and hugged him fiercely, burying her face into his chest. Velkan kissed the top of her head affectionately before holding her to him just a little tighter. After standing there in the comforting silence for a good minute or so, she finally pulled out of his hold, taking his hand and leading him towards the stable doors.
"Come, let's go inside before we freeze. Besides, Anna and I have much to tell you," and Velkan followed her most willingly, happier now than he had been in weeks.
He was home and as in love with Hera as ever before.
Little did he know of the disaster that love would create.
Oh dear, what will Dracula say when he finds out the object of his obsession prefers another man? Will Hera be able to resist Velkan's attentions for much longer? Will she keep her promise to the Count? What will happen if she doesn't? Is Velkan sincere in his devotion, or does he have ulterior motives? Have no fear, my lovelies - all shall be revealed in time. ;)
Wanted to thank the exquisite individuals who reviewed the last chapter - Scarlet Empress, Guest, jenny, the invisible reader, She-Devil Red, 12345678910, bloodyrose2014, Bloodsired, Anonymous Reader, ForeverACharmedOne, niccalexandra51 (no worries about not signing in! :) It happens. Also - welcome! Glad you're enjoying the story), and the ever-lovely RegencyPoet. So happy you all enjoyed chapter 11. It was a challenge to get Hera's humor just right, but I'm so pleased it worked out well.
Thank you for continuing to follow this story! Looking forward to hearing your feedback on the chapter. Until next time!
- T
P.S. I posted a one-shot the other day and just in case the readers of that happen upon this - I wanted to send out a thank you the follows, favorites, and especially for the reviews (bloodyrose2014, Scarlet Empress, the invisible reader, She-Devil Red, ForeverACharmedOne, the countess, RegencyPoet, and Aintaru)!
