Chapter 25
Victoria stood in front of the gilt edged mirror and studied her reflection. She wore a diaphanous gown of the purest white with silver edging on the sleeves and the bodice. Her hair had been dressed with ribbons and pearls and her hair was adorned with a tiara. She looked like a fairy princess. She saw her hair was in ringlets with elaborate braids to hold the curls in place. Her image was unfamiliar someone she had never believed she could be. "Is Mademoiselle ready to be escorted to the great hall? Supper will be served in about a half hour and your father has a guest."
Vicki turned feeling the long skirt dance delicately around her legs as she poised ready to follow Marta down the hallway and into what she did not know. "Yes, thank you Marta." She waited for her to open the door and on sure steps feeling surreal she moved behind her into the grant hallway that was as wide as most of the streets of Collinsport. The hallway was decorated with various doors and other antiques that would make most collectors drool. As she moved down the hallway she noted various dated tables, clocks, paintings all decorated the hallway.
Vicki was brought to an ornate and beautifully preserved double staircase that moved to a landing allowing the occupant to move either to the left of the right to different wings of the castle. The archways were tall and impressive and the ceiling held the typical paintings from the 15th century. Vicki looked around at the surroundings and felt a little overwhelmed by the opulence and over indulgence of grandeur that surrounded her. She moved on spiked heels and feeling a little ungainly not used to wearing such thin strapped delicate looking shoes.
Hearing soft voices ahead she felt a rush of unexpected fear and anxiety fill her. Cocking her head she listened and thought she recognized one of those voices. "Carolyn?" She whispered and moved forward stepping around Marta as she extended her hand to the drawing room. Which to her was immense and must have been some kind of communal room at one time. In the distance she could see a man with his back to her, he was of medium build and dressed impeccably in a black suit. His dark hair was swept back behind his ears.
Vicki could see he was speaking amicably to Carolyn and this surprised her. "Carolyn?" She moved towards her and saw the man straighten his back upon hearing her voice. Carolyn brightened and smiled stepping around the gentleman with whom she had been speaking. Stepping forward Vicki saw she too had been dressed in formal wear of red and her hair had been dressed in curls and braids.
"Vicki! Hello. Andréas said you were here and I was only minorly concerned when we were kind of bums rushed to this location but after arriving and having it all explained I am perfectly fine with our temporary vacation."
Vicki was not sure what she was speaking by saying she was bum rushed here. "Well to say I am pleased and surprised would be an understatement. I have been told this is my father's house." Vicki noticed the man begin to turn to face her. His voice was somewhat familiar and he turned with a sardonic smile on his face, Vicki's eyes widen and she shook her head.
"Quentin?" She spoke his name softly as the man smiled and bowed to her. He chuckled softly and shook his head. She was stunned then as quickly as she thought she was looking at Quentin she saw it was not Quentin but he could not be Jeremiah it was the wrong century. Blinking she thought her eyes were playing tricks on her.
"I think not, my name is Prince Drake Darkhart and very pleased to meet you my dear." He reached for her hand placing a soft moist kiss on her wrist. "Actually, this is my home and I have graciously invited your father and you to stay here as my guests. Your father is a very good friend of mine and a very loyal subject." His voice was soft and held a hint of the Romanian accent. His English was precise and correctly spoken but the accent still over shadowed his words.
Vicki smiled shyly and blinked looking at him and realized it was not Quentin or Jeremiah. He was of the same height and coloring as both men but he held a more aristocratic European look to his manner. "It is an honor to meet your highness. Vicki flushed and dropped a curtsey. Forgiven me for not giving you the proper respect upon meeting you." She could not help but noticed that he wore a coat that was decorated with the coat of arms of his family and held several ribbons and a sash under his jacket. With his hands locked behind his back he appeared every bit the prince and aristocrat.
"Ahh good everyone is here and am told that dinner is being served now as we speak. Shall we all adjourn to the dining hall." Prince Darkhart smiled and extended his arm to Vicki.
"May I offer you escort to the dining hall my dear?" He was oozing his charm as he cupped her hand over his arm and led her towards the entrance to the grand hall. "This is but one of the many castles that I own and I have allowed Count Petofi access to it for his use. He has been a loyal subject and a distant relative."
"Really? She glanced back at Carolyn being led to the dining hall on the arm of her father. "I suppose he and I are grateful that you are allowing him access to your castle and to allow him residence here is very generous of you."
Darkhart smiled inclined his head and spoke softly, "If it meant that I could spend more time in your very charming company I would give him the castle." He chuckled softly looking down at her with a knowing smile. "I hear that I am lucky in the fact that you are unencumbered and have asked his permission to call on you."
Vicki flushed deeply looking down at her feet kicking her skirt out as she moved towards a large ornate dining hall that held one of the longest tables she had ever beheld and noticed that it was set at one end. There were four place settings. The prince took Victoria to the one place setting at his right and held her chair, while Petofi held Carolyn's chair. The two men then seated themselves.. Vicki looked at the golden plates and the silver place settings. The room held an air or romance and old world opulence.
"I think I should tell you that I am seeing someone at the moment Prince Darkhart and well I appreciate the attention but fear I may have given my heart to this man." She spoke sincerely and with regret as she looked up from her plate to see a dark and ominous look filter over his face. As quickly as the look had taken his features he smiled a tight smile looked at her and spoke softly.
"You will forget him. He is a peasant and not worthy of your noble blood. I find that in this country and in this place you are worthy of my note and will allow me to pay your court and I have your father's blessing to do so."
Vicki felt the true reason for her being brought here was now being revealed and she was not sure if she should be afraid or flattered. What was certain that now that Carolyn was here she was at the mercy of these two men who had obviously decided that there would be no arguing about the attention. Feeling her stomach knot up she no longer held an appetite as the succulent meal was served beginning with a crab salad.
Darkhart noticed she had no interest in her food and knew she was upset. He sighed deeply. "You must understand something my dear Countess Petofi, in this land you are under my law and my rule. You will forget this man and you will assume the duties your father bound you to some years ago at your birth." He sat back and sipped his red rich wine and studied her over the rim of the expensive crystal goblet.
"Prince Darkhart, perhaps you should realize that Vicki is still adjusting to her new way of life. She did come from a small town and as a servant to our family she is probably overwhelmed by her new status and before there was you she had . . . " Carolyn was trying to diplomatically explain Vicki's reticent at being told what would happen with the rest of her life.
Drake held his hand up as a motion for her to silence herself and spoke with clipped and continued angry tones. "As much as I would like to respect your explanation Miss Stoddard, what you and she fail to realize and the only reason you still draw breath while here is that you are related."
Carolyn snapped her lips closed and looked confused. Finding that Collins backbone she folded her hands in her lap and leaned over her plate looking at Drake. She spoke in the same precise and clipped tones having not enjoyed being threatened. "How do you mean we are related?"
Andréas smiled looked indulgently at Vicki then to Carolyn, "Why my dear it is quite simple really. You and she are half sisters. Although you do not share the same fathers you do share the same mothers. Where you are a Stoddard born from a marriage between Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, Victoria and I would appreciate you calling her Victoria instead of that common name, is my daughter born out of wedlock by Elizabeth Collins."
Carolyn's eyes grew wide with astonishment and confusion. "How is this possible? I never knew mother had another child." Carolyn looked from Vicki to the Count and then to the Prince. She was stunned by the revelation.
"I believe I shall allow Elizabeth to tell you of the circumstances of Victoria's birth and subsequent raising in a common foundling home in New York. She was hidden from me for many years and obviously hidden from you as well. So shall we discuss this after dinner before all of us loose our appetite?" Andréas was dismissive of any further comment on the subject of Vicki's birth.
"Let us just say in the change of her circumstance there was an agreement made between our houses that Andréas' daughter would be bound in marriage to my father's first born son and that would be me. She is now of noble birth and as such is obligated by my rule and my laws and our contract." He looked and smiled at Petofi nodding in his direction.
At this point neither Vicki nor Carolyn had much of an appetite as they sat looking at the meal sitting in front of them. "Now as the ruler of this Principality I am ordering you to set aside all emotional outbursts or excuses for not enjoying a sumptuous meal that has been labored over and prepared for your enjoyment." His superior tone gave Vicki pause to want to run from the room and try to escape, she looked at Carolyn and could see Carolyn had the same thought.
"I might add that should either of you try to leave my castle without my knowledge or permission you will put your mother's life in danger. You see your mother is en-route to this location as we speak. She is also coming here as a guest of mine and the Prince." Andréas Petofi offered as an incentive to gain their cooperation. "I also want to remind you Carolyn and inform you Victoria that we do have David here and under my watchful eye."
Vicki looked with a note of panic in her gaze to Carolyn who nodded it was true. Feeling defeated and at a loss for what was about to unfold in her young life Vicki sighed deeply and tried to chew some of the meal before her falling into silence and becoming withdrawn. She now knew why she had been brought here and why she was now being held not as a guest but a prisoner in these very find surroundings of wealth and over indulged opulence.
The meal had become tediously long and she was hoping to be allowed to go back to her room once it was over but she learned that they had more of the Prince's and the Count's guests to meet from their inner social circle. Victoria was not wanting to feel social let alone spend any more time with either her father or the Prince all she wanted was to be with Barnabas and find some normalcy in her life.
Escorting a subdued Carolyn and Vicki back to the grand room they found that several dignitaries had arrived and were mingling around the room talking in small groups and when the Count and the Prince entered with Victoria and Carolyn, they all bowed or curtsied to them. Prince Drake held Vicki's arm and took her around introducing her to Baron this and Baroness that, then there were the Lords Dukes and Duchesses and the Ladies this and there was she remembered one King of a minor Principality close to their home.
Vicki felt overwhelmed in the company of so much nobility. After they made the circuit of the room and she had been properly introduced to the others the small groups broke off into various positions in the room to stand and study the four standing now on a raised dais at the head of the room. That is when it dawned on Vicki that they were in what was at one time a throne room. The only thing missing were the chairs.
"Your highness may I please be excused? I am not feeling well and have found myself with a headache." She has spoken softly turning into him and to his ear to whisper her plea.
He smiled and patted her hand. "Not much longer my dear Victoria, then we all will retire but for now you are here to be scrutinized by the royalty of this country to see if they find you fitting to be named my bride and future wife. I would suggest for the sake of your mother's and half sister's and cousins continued good health you try to control your headache." He never let that smile break from his face as he looked at her and spoke softly into her ear appearing to give her a tender kiss on her cheek as he moved back.
Transatlantic Flight
Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked around at the comfortable looking cabin of the private jet. Sitting up she felt slightly off balanced and ill to her stomach. Mikonos handed her a glass of water as she sat up and caught her balance. "Small sips madam it will help with the nausea." His words were spoken in English but held a heavy accent.
Elizabeth took the glass and said softly, "Thank you." Sipping the water she waited for the nausea to pass. The other man in the cabin with her she had recognized as the one that had met her and given her the shot. "How much longer?" She asked as she peered from him to the one that had handed her the water.
"Another five hours Mrs. Stoddard. I suggest you rest, you won't have jet lag as bad once we arrive." Alexandros spoke with more of a British accent as he sat down across from her and looked at her with concern. "We regret we had to sedate you and we did not use as much as we used on your daughter but we had to sedate you to get you on the plane."
Elizabeth closed her eyes and felt the necklace laying heavy between her breasts at least she had been allowed to keep her necklace. "I understand. Andreas was always heavy handed with the drugs when he used them. I see no reason why he would not expect you to be as generous with the dosage as he was with dispensing it." She had sounded a bit petulant when she had spoken recalling that was how she was sure he had gotten her into bed with him. Sipping she finished the water leaned back and closed her eyes.
"I promise you the feeling will pass soon enough and you will feel less disoriented. I can assure you that as long as you do as the Count says that your daughters and nephew will be held in the highest regards and treated like royalty. All you need to do is agree with what he asks and do as he says."
That statement alone was enough to give Elizabeth pause for concern. "You mean as long as I just play his puppet I shall be safe and so will those I love?" Elizabeth's sarcasm did not go unnoticed by the man sitting across from her and she saw him smile and then nodded.
"I see you understand what is expected. He was very upset with you after you ran from him and then to hide his child from him was unforgivable but he has a generous heart and nature he will forgive as long as you allow the marriage between Victoria and the Prince."
Elizabeth felt her own stomach lurch and she turned looking for a toilet. Alexandros pointed to a cubical at the rear of the cabin. She jumped up and ran to the door making it just in time to dry heave into the stainless steel bowl of the plane's toilet. Feeling a damp clothe on the back of her neck she was grateful someone took pity on her and grabbed the cloth and wiped her mouth. Someone shoved a glass of water in her hand and she rinsed her mouth and spit it in the sink. Wiping her face again she sighed and closed her eyes. Gentling hands guided her back to her seat and helped her sit. "Just sit and relax it will pass I promise."
Elizabeth sighed, "I hope soon, this is dreadful. May I have some more water please?" Mikonos stood and got her another glass of water and moved to her handing it over. "Thank you. Small sips?" She asked as she took the glass with a small smile.
"Yes, small sips or you will be back in the loo." He offered a kind smile as he reseated himself. He felt sorry for the woman she was a grand dame in her town but where she was about to go she was small fish to what she was about to face. He found her endearing and wondered what made her so special to the Count. He had never shown any emotions to the many other women that had graced his arm or shared his bed, why this one?
He knew to inquire would be next to a death sentence. All he knew is that he was expected to do what he was told or he would face watching them put his sister to death before him. This he could not allow and so did as he was instructed. He could see why they wanted the other two women that had been taken to the castle but this woman and the small boy was a bit much and he was worried. He knew other small children that had been brought to the castle had disappeared and never been seen again and only wondered if they had used them as sacrifices. The problem was not even a bone had been found after they disappeared.
Not wishing to pursue his thoughts he sat back and watched her face get more color and noted that Alexandros was studying her and he must have had the same questions that were plaguing him now. He found the first one to be a fighter and full of resistance and could not see her succumbing to any demands either by the Prince or by the Count.
Closing his own eyes he allowed his body to relax and drifted off into a light catnap.
Collinwood
Barnabas stood in front of the window overlooking the front gardens of Collinwood. Quentin sat nursing his brandy and his ill humor was growing with each passing minute. It had been six hours since he knew Elizabeth had been taken and the authorities were upset that now she and Carolyn along with David were missing.
Laura stormed into the drawing room in a full rage. "Just what the hell do you think you are doing Quentin? What is the idea of taking David away from his mother and keeping him from me?" Her eyes were flashing with anger and she was in a full blown snit.
Quentin looked dispassionately at his ex lover. "I have done nothing to keep your son from you Laura, you know that. If I had would I still be here?" He sipped his brandy and watched her glare at him and at Barnabas.
"Then why the hell don't you tell me what is going on?" Laura folded her arms over her chest and glared at Quentin.
"If you must know Laura, David, Carolyn Victoria and Elizabeth have been kidnapped by the same man and when I tell you who it is you will be more upset than you already are." He stood and moved to pour himself another drink.
What are you hiding from me Quentin? You had better explain that statement and leave nothing out if you expect me to help you out of this new mess." She waited and watched a sudden dawning of appreciation cross his face.
"How could I expect you to help with this Laura when you want to send your own son to your god Ra?" He turned and glared at her with contempt ignoring the now curious gaze of Barnabas.
"Because David was not going to be the sacrifice this time Quentin. How could he be since he is your son and I could not bring you to him!"
Now this was a curious bit of information that immediately caught Barnabas' attention. He folded his arms and waited to see what other secrets would unfold. Watching the two square off. He had suspected she was a witch but did not know to which deity or power she had pledged. Where Angelique had given herself over to the undergodling Diablos, it would seem that the Collins had inherited another witch only this one was tied to an Egyptian deity known as Ra.
"Now you would have me believe he is mine because we dallied with each other at your insistence? Just like when you took me to Ra the first time and expected me to throw myself into the pyre and you took my son with you at that time?"
"I thought you would be over that it has been over one hundred years since that occurred Quentin, you would think that at this time you would have learned that you needed to trust me enough to know there is very little I cannot ask from my power. Now tell me what is going on."
"Yes cousin Quentin do tell us what is going on. I am just as curious and as for you, I remember you now." He narrowed his gaze at the woman before him and then she now recognized the sad eyed youth who had been there the day she had arrived with her then husband Ezra Stockbridge.
"I suppose you would remember me vampire, I see you have made it to this century after being locked away for over two hundred years in that crypt."
Hearing her accuse Barnabas of being a vampire Quentin knew who it was that had killed his beautiful daughter and he turned rage burning in his eyes. "YOU! YOU KILLED DAPHNE?" He charged Barnabas locking his hands around his throat intent on killing him before the night was over.
This ends Revival Season Two The Book; stay tuned for the next chapter and the next Revival Season Three The Book Redemption.