Valentine's Day - Dragobete February 24th Romanian Valentine's Day.

Hey guys! In honor of Valentines Day, I decided to do a Vlad/Leila oneshot featuring the Romanian Valentine's Day called Dragobete. I researched their customs and like how this turned out. Drop a review if you have ideas or opinions.

Leila stopped short as another pair of staff members made themselves look busy, as if she hadn't heard them whispering to one another before she turned the corner. This had been going on for a week now and for the life of her, Leila could not figure out what the big deal was. She and Vlad weren't fighting and they hadn't even snapped at one another recently. The staff weren't cold, like they were after the first and only time she broke it off with him. They seemed almost...excited, but then why would they make a point of stopping the conversation when she entered the room?

Was Vlad planning something and they weren't supposed to let on that there was anything out of the ordinary? If so, they were failing miserably.

The confusion plagued her until hours later when yet another pair of staff went quiet after she exited the gym. Having enough of the secrecy, Leila approached the women who now watched her nervously. "Hello, is something going on lately? Everyone seems really excited." She tried her best to keep any irritation out of her voice, for all she knew this could be some big misunderstanding and it would be embarrassing if she snapped at someone over it and it was then shown to be nothing serious.

The younger of the two nudged her older friend forward, the elder sending an exasperated look over her shoulder before answering the question. "We should have realised you wouldn't know ma'am. On February 24th is Dragobete and all the ladies with partners are atwitter with excitement for it."

Leila blinked, her confusion intensifying as she tried to remember if anyone had mentioned what Dragobete was. The elderly maid caught her confused look and rushed to explain further.

"We keep forgetting that you are from America, so you don't know our customs yet. Dragobete is the Romanian equivalent to Valentine's Day in your culture." The two women shared a smile while it all clicked into place for Leila. She was glad she hadn't overreacted now.

She hadn't thought about Romania having its own version of Valentine's Day, she had just assumed it was on February 14th like it was in the States. Truthfully, she hadn't even given the holiday a thought since coming to Romania.

Before she met Vlad it had been a depressing reminder of what she thought she would never have. Despite being married to Vlad now, she hadn't thought about celebrating Valentine's with him. Would he even want to celebrate this Dragobete?

Even if he did, she doubted he would care enough about the American equivalent to want to celebrate Valentine's Day. Her husband was many things, romantic generally wasn't one of them. He could be when he wanted to, but it was rare he was in the mood for it.

Shaking off the flash of melancholy, Leila focused on the ladies when they both turned to her in unison. "So what kind of flowers are you going to pick for the voivode?" The younger one had finally come out from behind her friend, she was practically bouncing on her toes in excitement to hear Leila's answer.

Giving them another bewildered look, Leila answered hesitantly. "I don't think Vlad would like flowers…"

The older woman lightly thumped her younger friend on the head, "Lisa, the voivode's wife doesn't know about our traditions yet. You have to explain them before asking such things or she won't know what you are speaking of."

The younger, now dubbed Lisa, dropped her head in embarrassment at her slip up. She recovered quickly though, her enthusiasm showing as she gushed about what seemed to be her favorite holiday. "I'm sorry about that ma'am. On other days of the year the voivode may very well not appreciate a gift of flowers, but it is different during Dragobete. During Dragobete it is tradition for couples to go out and pick spring flowers for their partners. After they exchange them, they celebrate with parties in the towns. Those who don't celebrate are doomed to a bad relationship, or so the myths say. Some of the older generation believe it, but most are just happy with a reason to dance with their lovers." She ended her sentence on a dreamy sigh, her eyes going far off as she thought on her own beau.

Her friend sighed, shaking her head in exasperation but Leila could see the fond smile pulling at her mouth. The lady turned to Leila and addressed her. "Excuse my daughter, she has recently become engaged to her iubi and is still in the honeymoon phase." Lisa flushed, snapping out of her stupor but didn't dispute her mother's statement.

Leila smiled and waved her hand dismissively, "It's no big deal, there's nothing wrong with enjoying the thought of a loved one." Lisa nodded enthusiastically while her mother smiled, humming her agreement.

Remembering her original question, Lisa refocused on Leila. "So what kind of flowers will you be getting the voivode? There are thousands to choose from in the fields."

Leila shrugged, "I don't know. I haven't seen what options there are so I'll probably just go and see which ones make me think of him." She hadn't meant to sound romantic, but going by Lisa's enamored sigh, it had come across that way without her meaning it to. The smitten look painted itself over Lisa's features again, pulling a wary chuckle from her mother. "This girl…" Her words would seem irritated to anyone who heard them, but her tone carried all of the affection and love she held for her daughter. The sound of it pulled on Leila's heart, the memories of her own mother faded but cherished all the same.

Not wanting them to see her sudden emotional state, Leila smiled and bid them farewell. After she was alone in her and Vlad's room she sat down and thought on the new information she had.

So now she had a plan to go out and pick flowers for her husband, the one known as The Impaler, who put people on spikes in his front yard when they displeased him. A familiar unease settled in her chest as she considered all the ways her tentative plan could go wrong. Just because it was a Romanian holiday doesn't mean that Vlad would want to celebrate it, for all she knew he could think it was childish. After his disaster of a birthday, she wasn't sure she wanted to risk another verbal filleting anytime soon.

A small voice inside her reminded her that the only reason he had lashed out then had been the bad memories associated with it, he had even made a point of telling her later that he had no problem with the party itself. Just the date she had held it on. But the fear stuck tightly throughout the day. She couldn't get her mind off of the upcoming holiday or her plan for it.

Her off mood didn't go unnoticed, although instead of Vlad being the one to call her on it, as she dreaded, it was Gretchen. Her sister stood in front of her with a look of determination and one hand on her hip. "So what has you so distracted today?"

Leila eyed Gretchen warily, should she risk telling her sister? She wouldn't put it past Gretchen to blab about it to Vlad or anyone else in hearing range. Seeing the expectant look leveled at her, Leila made her decision.

"I'm just thinking of doing something romantic for Vlad, but I'm not sure how receptive he'll be." Just this once, she would trust her sister. If Gretchen did bring it to Vlad then she would never trust her with this kind of thing again.

Instead of irritation or disgust, as Leila half expected, Gretchen's expression softened. "His tearing into you before really FUBARed your confidence didn't it?"

A grimace twisted Leila's mouth, her dressing down and failure of a party had made the rounds almost immediately. The staff gossiped worse than old ladies, so it took no time at all before everyone knew. To her surprise, the same staff members that had been icy cold to her after her break up with Vlad had then been sympathetic. Now that her taste buds had evened out from turning, they had wasted no time in plying her with her favorite chocolate when Vlad had finally let her out of his arms.

The change in behavior had startled her, but before she could become too touched by their support she had reminded herself that they had been just as friendly to her before the sudden backstab too. It hurt that she couldn't trust them enough to like them anymore, but it would take time to not constantly question if their friendship was fake or not. Time which she now had in abundance, she reminded herself. Which meant there was time to think on this later and focus on her sister now.

"Yeah…" She wasn't sure what else to say. Gretchen was perceptive when she chose to be and this was one of the times she chose.

Arms wrapped around her in the next second, startling her before her sister's natural ocean scent hit her nose. It took her a second to process her sister's sudden hug, but she slowly returned it. They had been working on their relationship lately, but Leila hadn't thought she would get a hug out of her sister for a long time yet. It was a pleasant surprise.

When Gretchen pulled back, she swiped at her eyes quickly before speaking again. "Honestly, I think he'd be cool with anything you did. No one told me the details of what happened last time, but it sounded like there was special circumstances. If you do plan something for him, I think he'd love it."

Gretchen's reassurance went a long way in settling her nerves, and a laugh choked out of Leila at her next statement.

"And if he doesn't then we go shopping, binge ice cream, and vent about how much of an asshole your husband is." Her laugh brought a smile to Gretchen's lips before she pulled her into another hug.

"Well, I have a date, but if there's anything I can do to help let me know. Oh and if you're still worried about his reaction, you could just make it optional for him. Tell him what you're going to be doing and ask ahead of time if he wants to participate or not." Before Leila could comment, her sister breezed out the door again.

Shaking her head at her flighty sister, Leila considered her advice. She had a little over two weeks to figure out what she wanted to do for Dragobete, and she would need every minute of that time to fine tune whatever plan she came up with.

February 14th rolled around and Leila had a tentative plan in place, now all that was left was to use the next ten days to get everything ready. She had originally planned to get flowers and give them to him, but after some thought she had decided if she was going to do it, she would do it big. She would ask a staff member to bring a note to Vlad before she set her plan in action, if he decided to opt out of the more childish portion of the evening it still left the surprise she had planned for him which she knew he would like. And this time she was determined that he would actually get to enjoy it with her.

She was broken out of her thoughts when her husband himself walked into the room, thankfully she had already put away the evidence of her plotting.

Vlad sat himself down next to her on the couch, his hand flicking the open book on her lap closed before placing it to the side with the bookmark in it. Now that he had her undivided attention, he pulled her into a kiss that had her toes curling in her boots.

While she enjoyed his out of nowhere affectionate mood, it confused her. Generally he had a reason behind a sudden kiss attack. Narrowing her eyes playfully, she rested her head against his shoulder before she continued.

"Well someone is especially affectionate today, did I forget our anniversary? I could have sworn it was still a few months away." Her words had an undercurrent of humor, the tone making his lips quirk in amusement before parting to answer her.

"Am I not allowed to show my wife any affection?" He dropped his mouth to her neck, trailing light kisses across her shoulders. The warm brush of his lips sent shivers through her body, her blood heating up on instinct as his mouth traced the vein in her throat.

When she finally pushed words past her rising arousal, her voice was breathy. "Oh there isn't anything you're not allowed to do and you know it. But usually if you're this affectionate there is a motivating factor in it."

Vlad planted another kiss on her mouth, before pulling back to smile at her. "In this case you are correct, there is a reason for my actions. Today is Valentine's Day, I was unsure if you expected to celebrate it or not so I made sure to keep the day clear of work. If you don't celebrate it, we could still enjoy the day together." He stood up as he spoke, coming to stand in front of her. Before she could tell him that she would never turn down a day with him, no matter what day of the year it was, he pulled something from behind his back.

Her breath pushed out of her at the beautiful flowers he presented to her. The petals felt divine against her fingers and the scent was lovely without being overpowering. She said her thanks while trying to place why these flowers looked so familiar. Vlad answered that question in his next statement.

"I thought you liked these flowers in particular when we were walking in the indoor garden. So I picked them. I also had the gardeners plant more of them, so by next year there should be plenty more for you to enjoy."

Leila felt touched that he would do something so sweet, wrapping her arms around his shoulders with the flowers in one hand, she pulled him into a hug. Her thanks was lost against his shoulder, but his answering rumble assured her that he heard it.

His body heat seeped into her, relaxing her in his embrace until she felt like she was melding with him. When they pulled back, she looked around for something to put the flowers in.

"We can have a vase brought up from the kitchen for them. For now, leave them on the table and the staff can take care of them." She nodded, gently placing them on the table before returning her attention to him. He hadn't told her about Dragobete or the meaning behind 'him' being the one to pick the flowers. It furthered her determination to go through with her plan. He had done something sweet for her for Valentine's so he couldn't deny her the same right for Dragobete.

In the meantime though… Reaching over to grab one of the petals that had fallen off, she twirled it in her fingers. The silky smooth surface feeling delightful on her skin. Raising her hand, she traced the petal across his cheek, before running it down his chest. "I can think of a few things to do with this petal, if you really don't have any work today."

HIs eyes went green almost instantly, his mouth curling into his devilish smile before he scooped her legs out from under her. "I do indeed have no work, and I love the way you think, my lovely wife."

February 24th dawned bright and early. If Leila hadn't already known about it being a holiday she never would have guessed. Vlad gave no indication that there was anything out of the ordinary. He woke up, gave her a kiss and headed out for work as he always did.

Doubts bit at Leila's mind, if Vlad had wanted to celebrate it wouldn't he have mentioned it? Does that mean he didn't want to celebrate it or maybe he just didn't want to make a big thing about it? The questions just kept coming, sending her nerves into overdrive as the nagging little voice lept on the chance given.

Did you not learn from his Birthday? If he wants to celebrate he'll tell you. He isn't shy about what he wants, and this is no different. You're going to make a fool of yourself again and he's going to think it's stupid.

Leila ground her teeth as she tried to shake off the voice. Just because it had been right last time, didn't mean that it was now. She already had a plan in place and she was going to go through with it. If Vlad didn't want to participate in it then he would opt out at the start. She had planned for that too, so there was no reason to panic over it now.

Moving from the bed, she started to get ready for the day. If she stayed still any longer she was going to bin the whole thing out of nerves and she was determined to not let herself do that.

Once dressed, she headed toward the human's housing to meet up with Sandra. They were going together to pick flowers, but Vlad was under the impression they were going shopping to keep Leila's surprise a secret.

Taking a deep unnecessary breath, she smiled at Sandra while hoping it wasn't too obvious how nervous she was. As if in answer to her hopes, Sandra smiled reassuringly, "No worries Leila, the voivode will love it."

If she was still human she'd be flushing bright red, was it that obvious? Her thoughts were broken by Sandra grabbing her gloved hand and tugging her toward the car. "Come on, we need to go if we want to get to the shops in time."

Her shopping excuse she had told Vlad wasn't a total lie, the last part of her plan would need something she had special ordered and now had to pick up. Her nerves didn't start up at the thought of that part of the surprise. Not that it shocked her, the last part of the surprise was the only part she knew without a doubt Vlad would like. Sandra tugged on her arm to break her out of her thoughts again. Leila smiled in gratitude before focusing on her task, she was going to do this, no matter how Vlad reacted she could at least say she tried.

Vlad looked up as Sandra entered his office with a small smile on her face. He was surprised to see her, he was sure that with today being Dragobete she would have been out with her intended. Giving her his attention, he spoke. "Sandra, is there a problem?" Her smile certainly didn't make it seem like there was, but why else would she be in his office today of all days?

As he expected, she shook her head in the negative. "No voivode, no problem. I'm just doing a favor for your wife." Her smile had stretched into a grin, excitement coming off of her in waves, but her thoughts gave nothing away.

Vlad's concern disappeared to be replaced with confusion. What was his wife up to? Raising an eyebrow, he inquired. "Oh? And what does Leila need that she wouldn't come to me herself?" His wife loved stopping by to distract him in his work, not that he minded terribly, but that made her sending Sandra suspicious.

Sandra walked forward and held out a folded note with a pink rose. "She has a game of sorts set for you, but she said if you would prefer to skip the games I can tell you where she is. She has a surprise for Dragobete for you."

Vlad's curiosity immediately flared as his suspicions lowered. He hadn't thought Leila knew what Dragobete was, what with her lack of reaction this morning. He had briefly considered alerting her, but after their celebration on Valentine's Day he had considered the matter closed. She had certainly given him a show of her love then, so he had seen no reason to bring up the Romanian day for lovers.

Apparently she had decided to plan something for him after learning about it on her own. The thought sent warmth through him that had nothing to do with his heightened body temperature. After his birthday he had been worried she wouldn't try again, but here she was a few months later. It was relieving, to say the least.

He had a hunch what her surprise was, memories of the candles and flower petals she had attempted to set up before flashed in his mind. While the thought made him want to head to their room immediately, the mention of a game intrigued him. He would still have his surprise afterwards, and Leila put effort into this. The least he could do was play along.

Refocusing on Sandra who was patiently waiting for his response, he took the flower and the note from her with a shake of his head. "I'll play her game, there's nothing wrong with enjoying an evening that my wife has set. Now then, what is this game?" Sandra beamed at him, nodding enthusiastically before explaining the rules.

"It's a scavenger hunt. I was to give you the note and flower, the note is double sided with a hint to where the next note is and another flower. After you find the last note it will tell you where she is." So saying, she bowed before leaving to enjoy her Dragobete.

Once alone, Vlad traced the pink rose petals gingerly before reading the note. Leila's familiar scrawl wrote out, I admired you from the start, your strength and fortitude called to me immediately. I will never be more grateful for anything than the fact that we met.

A smile curved his lips at the sweet words. Apparently this would be a very personal scavenger hunt, he felt no surprise at that. His wife preferred sentiment over everything else so it made sense that the surprise she made for him would be rife with it.

Turning the note over, he read the hint. Where we shared our almost first kiss. His smile pulled into a grin, how like her. Making the hints have to do with the various places their relationship progressed.

He considered the hint, he remembered where he had kissed her the first time. It had been after he had saved her from the club fire and he had moved her to the room by his. But what was their almost first kiss? It clicked as he remembered the day she hemorrhaged in the gym. It had been the first time he had given her his blood. When she had slid her tongue against his skin the second time to taste him without his blood it had been all he could do to not pin her to the nearest wall and have his way with her. He had settled for tasting her, but before they kissed Maximus had interrupted.

With a quick turn, Vlad moved toward the gym. The thrill of the game running through his veins as he started his hunt. He had always enjoyed puzzles, and Leila knew that. It was most likely why she had chosen this form of surprise for him, she knew he would enjoy it.

Once he entered the gym, the flash of yellow immediately caught his attention. Another rose was tied to the rope she always exercised on alongside his next hint. Carefully untying it, he read. Most people have to search their whole lives to find a true friend, I'm lucky enough to have married mine. The words sent affection through him. While he generally didn't bother with pretty words, his wife excelled in them. He never tired of hearing such things and he would be sure to save the notes after her game was finished.

It also hadn't escaped his notice that each of the flower's meanings corresponded with the topic of the note. Pink for admiration and gratitude, and yellow for friendship. He couldn't wait to see what else she had up her sleeve.

Turning the note over her considered his next hint. The first time I proved my love to you after you claimed I couldn't love you.

Confusion briefly spattered through his mind, she had proven she loved him quite a few times but how would he know which was the first? It had to be something in the castle… As he reread the last half of the message it clicked. After he had told her she couldn't love him. That was after he had retrieved her from the boat after she had broken up with him. She had psychically connected to the various artifacts in his weaponry room to see for herself who he was. Nothing revealed such a thing better than reliving his choices and actions through psychic link.

The memory brought a grimace to his mouth even as he turned toward the armory. He had never expected her to go to such lengths to prove him wrong, but he couldn't regret her actions. There was no telling what would have happened had she not done so. Her near death had been what had made him realize the full extent of his feelings for her. They might not be in their current wedded state if she hadn't taken that action.

He shook his thoughts off when he entered the armory and his next hint lay perched on a familiar shield. The red rose looked both at odds and somehow fitting with the ancient shield. He had still been human the last time that he used it, the memory of the arrows raining down still fresh in his mind and his exhilaration after he had survived yet another volley of attacks.

Picking up the note and the rose, he read. I loved you even when it hurt to do so, but nothing made me happier than hearing you say it back. The reminder of his initial refusal to love her made a spear of remorse cleave through his contentment before he focused on the game again. He had long since proven his love for her time and time again, and he would spend the rest of their lives continuing to prove it.

The hint was considerably easier to understand this time, Almost done now, the place where we first bound ourselves together. It could only mean their wedding, which had been held in the main hall of the castle.

The statement about being almost done sent a thrill through him, until it settled as a low heat in his stomach. If his hunch was correct, he would enjoy the ending just as much as his current activity.

It was a short walk from the armory to the main hall and the brilliant orange rose immediately caught his eye, sending desire through his blood and confirming his previous hunch. The red rose stood for love and the orange rose stood for desire.

Bending to pick up the rose and note, he dimly noticed his eyes flaring green as he read. It never ceases to amaze me how you light me up with desire with the simplest actions. I'll thoroughly enjoy returning the favor over the next few centuries.

He couldn't wait to see what those centuries held. If he had a say in it, and he was determined that he would, the years would hold passion and love in equal parts for as long as they both shall live. Excitement spread through him as he turned over the final hint. I'm waiting for you, come and get me.

As if there were any doubts about where she was. He moved in a blur, his legs carrying him to where he instinctively knew Leila waited. The doors to their room had never looked more inviting. He stopped long enough to put the flowers and notes on the table in the lounge before pushing open the doors.

*From here on there be SMUT*

Leila laid reclined on the bed, which wasn't anything new as Vlad knew how much she enjoyed the feel of the sheets, but what was different and what made his eyes start shooting green sparks was what she was wearing. Nothing. Well, nothing except a long red ribbon that tied into a bow around her neck before leaving the ends to trail down her chest.

He could faintly smell her nerves but they didn't show on her face. A lopsided grin painted her mouth as she raised an eye at his frozen form in the doorway. Her voice had a teasing lilt when she spoke. "So are you going to come unwrap me or do I need to do that myself?"

In the next second he was across the room, kneeling on the bed, with both his hands buried into her hair. Their mouths met in a heated clash of teeth and tongue, no battle for dominance, but a sensual dance that they needed no music for.

Vlad pulled away long enough to rip off his own clothes, not caring as the fabric scraps fell to the ground behind him, before his hand trailed to the bow that sat neatly against Leila's throat. The fabric was soft to the touch, but when he tried to rip it he arched a brow in intrigue.

Leila spoke up, answering his question before he could speak it. "I thought you might enjoy the chance to tie me up, since I thoroughly enjoyed doing so to you before. So I special ordered the ribbon to be made out of the same fabric as the ties you used on me."

Intrigue melted into dizzying passion, a feral grin pulling on his lips. "I will enjoy this present thoroughly, I assure you."

He trailed his fingers up the trails to the bow before untying it, his eyes never leaving hers as he did. Once he held the long ribbon in his hand, he slid his free hand up to cradle her side. Guiding her backward, he leaned her against the headboard where he had been mere months ago.

The memory of how exquisit that experience had felt, the sight of Leila crouched over him with equal parts lust and love in her gaze, her tongue gliding across his chest to collect every last drop of blood she had drawn onto him, sent pure heat straight to his groin.

He would enjoy nothing more than to give Leila that same torturous pleasure. Taking her hand, he laid it against her side before repeating the process with her other hand. Wrapping the ribbon around her chest, he made quick work of tying her arms securely to her sides while leaving the lower arm and fingers able to freely move as they wished.

Sitting back on his haunches, he took in the sight of his bound wife with pleasure. She watched him with an equal amount of arousal in her icy blue gaze, but made no motion to hurry him along. Instead she purred, "Not going to go for a blood bag?"

Vlad gripped her hair and pulled her head back, his mouth leaving burning kisses along her neck before connecting their mouths. "Not this time, but maybe later." So saying, he grabbed the end of the ribbon and flicked it sensually against her nipple. The motion pulling a harsh gasp from under him, "You've given me a wonderful tool to use, it would be rude to not include it in our activities to the fullest extent."

Leila's agreement was cut off by another breathy gasp, Vlad grinning devilishly as he idly flipped the ribbon over her other nipple before lowering his mouth to it. His teeth barely scraped the skin before her body shuddered underneath him. Her fingers gripped his ribs, urging him on. Ignoring that urging, he nipped the other nipple, enjoying her body quaking beneath him.

Once his venom had a chance to make its way through her chest, he slid the ribbon behind her back before tying to securely across breasts with the ribbon between them. Just tight enough to put constant pressure on the area he had bitten without causing discomfort. Her lower half ground up into his hip to showcase her enjoyment of the action until he pressed her back down into the bed.

"I'll drag this out later, I want you now." He brought his hands to her thighs before lifting them. Her brief flash of confusion fading into desire when he moved forward and rested her legs against his sides. Sliding his hands up her back, he shifted her to sit on the headboard's edge while resting back against the wall above it. His voice was a base growl against her leg, "Wrap your legs around me and be sure you have a good grip."

She wasted no time in following his command, her legs lifting to wrap around the points of his hips before tightening just enough to tug him closer to her. Once she was correctly positioned, Vlad lifted her weight and pressed her flat with his arms acting as a buffer. After a moment of consideration, he braced his arm behind her body and lifted her further up the wall until he was standing with one knee braced on the headboard. Freeing one hand, he reached down to grasp himself, guiding his length to her center before resting there with his tip pressing against the entrance. When he looked as if he were going to do no more, Leila tightened her legs and yanked him forward.

A strangled hiss came from him as he sank into her, the welcome tightness sending bolts of electricity through him as the new angle pushed him deeper.

Leila's eyes rolled back as he pressed ever further, his length pressing against all the right places as he hilted himself. The feel of him filling her completely sent a sound too wild to be a moan from her. The noise sending shockwaves up his spine.

"Leila, open your eyes and keep my gaze." Blue immediately met copper, the irises blown wide with green quickly overtaking them. A grin twisted Vlad's mouth as he adjusted his grip on her body, "Good."

That was the only warning she got before he pulled almost all the way out and plowed back in. Her back would have arched if he hadn't pressed her flatly against the wall before establishing his pace. Not quick enough to be painful, but just fast enough to make the headboard under them rattle into the wall.

His hips moved in a blur as he plunged deeper inside of her, the tight channel gripping him everytime he stroked inward. Gasps and moans cut off from her as he used her thighs as leverage to yank her forward to meet his every thrust, her thighs shifting to cradle his head as she climbed closer to her climax. Feeling the telltale tightening and pulsing, he sped up until each thrust slid her body up the wall an inch or two before dragging her off of him.

The tight cavern gripped him as if it were trying to stop him from leaving, the feeling pulling a hiss from him as he stopped trying to pull all the way out. Instead choosing to give shorter but faster thrusts, twisting his hip until he ground against her clit with every movement.

The new pressure was her undoing, with a choked scream Leila threw her head back and yanked Vlad against her. Her fingers left welts against his sides but held him in place while sending cascades of electricity into him.

Her tight and vibrating channel dragged him to his own orgasm, with a final thrust he buried himself deeply before ecstacy ripped through him.

Wrapping her into his arms, he laid her back down onto the silk sheets. Vlad shifted himself out from between her legs before pulling out. He wasted no time in untying the ribbon, moving it to the side for later use.

*SMUT ends here*

Nimble fingers immediately combed through his hair, curling the strands around her fingers before pulling him down for a kiss. The frenzied passion from before melting into a slower, all encompassing love that was portrayed with every brush of her mouth.

Vlad soaked it all in as he returned it with his own, sending his devotion and gratitude down the bond for her to feel as well. A sigh of pure bliss left her, his feelings coming through loud and clear. Separating reluctantly, Leila nuzzled against his neck as they both relaxed from their respective highs.

One content eye opened to meet his own as a smile curled her lips. "So how did you like your surprise?"

Vlad wrapped his arm around her back and pulled her to lay against him, shifting their positions until he was underneath her lounging form. Her head rested on his chest with her chin tilted up to talk to him.

He slid a kiss across her forehead, sending his gratitude and love as he spoke. "I loved all of it. I was unaware you knew what Dragobete was, but I am pleasantly surprised by what you came up with."

Leila threw him a grin of triumph, but underneath that happiness he caught a whiff of relief. Suddenly reminded of her previous nerves he had scented, he tightened his arms around her to form a cradle against his chest. "I especially enjoyed the notes. I may not excel in pretty words but you my darling, are adept with them."

Usually he didn't flatter her so plainly, but he knew that the sentimental portion of her surprise would be where the worst of her nerves were centered around. If all it took to boost her confidence was a few, truthful words then he was more than happy to speak them. With any luck now that she had some success in these matters she wouldn't hesitate to try again in the future.

Leila curled closer into his throat, sending amusement through him at her immediate response to being complimented. If she were still human he knew that she would be bright red, but her scent announced her embarrassment just as well.

Not commenting on her choice of hiding place, Vlad stroked his fingers through her hair as he considered the notes she had made. She had done her best to make his Dragobete the best it could be, now it was his turn to return the favor.

"Leila, since it is Dragobete and we appear to be celebrating it would you care to go into town when the celebrations start?" She picked her head up to look at him in surprise.

"That sounds nice, but I have no idea what all happens. What kind of celebration is it?" Curiosity and excitement sparked in her eyes, pulling a smile from him.

Vlad knew that would get her attention, "There will be games, music and food in various booths around the town. I will leave the choice of what we do up to you, as this will be your first time enjoying a Romanian holiday. I haven't participated in the Dragobete celebration before, but I have hosted the party more times than I can remember."

Confusion tempered Leila's curiosity, "Why didn't you participate? Everyone made it sound like it was a really important holiday to you and your people."

Vlad's smile hardened, but his fingers never stopped stroking against her back. "Dragobete is a holiday for love, and as you know I never loved any of the women I had previously bedded. They were all greatly disappointed when I refused to celebrate with them. It is also why I made a point of playing your game. Even if I hadn't wanted to, which isn't the case, I still would have because rejecting your actions on Dragobete is similar to rejecting you."

Warmth rolled through Leila at his words, but one thought stuck out until she hesitantly asked it. "What about when you and Clara were married?" Vlad glanced down at her, wary until he realized she was just curious.

A gusty sigh breezed from him, "When Clara was alive a majority of my time was spent trying to keep our country from being overtaken. The one time she inquired about going out to celebrate during Dragobete I refused. I told her that I was the Prince, therefore it would be seen as childish for me to be celebrating when I could be strategizing."

His remorse over his cold actions rang through his words, making Leila drop a kiss to his chest. "What changed your mind now? You're still the Prince, after all."

Vlad squeezed her side in return for the kiss, "Every year after her death I watched couples dancing during Dragobete and enjoying themselves while imagining that it could have been us, had I not refused her. I regretted not going with her when she asked, the missed opportunity burning me for years. When I married you I fully planned on not making the same mistake again."

Leila kissed him, she couldn't change anything of what had happened and if she was being honest she wouldn't even if she could. Instead of thinking on the impossible, she did what she could do. "I know it's selfish, but I'm glad I got to be your first in this. Everything else we do you're old enough to have done already multiple times over. It's nice to not be the only one going through something for the first time."

Vlad's mouth quirked as the remorse faded, "It's not selfish anymore than my own happiness at being the one to take your virginity was. There is pleasure in knowing you are the only one to experience something with your loved one and it's nothing shameful."

Shaking the thoughts off, he pressed her closer into his chest. "Rest now, Leila. We will go to town soon and join the celebration."

Vlad and Leila walked the town's main road arm in arm, Leila keeping her hand firmly in Vlad's to not cause an accident with the packed crowds around them. The street was lined from one end to the other in booths selling food, toys, games, clothes and anything else someone could imagine.

Leila looked at all of it in wonder, the vibrant colors almost hurting her eyes as she tried to look everywhere at once. Vlad's chuckle made embarrassment flush through her at her childish behavior, but before she could apologize, Vlad tugged her closer for a kiss.

When he pulled back, he grinned down at her. "It is nice to see you so exuberant, our relationship has been turbulent from the start but memories such as this I will cherish in the coming years." If Leila could flush she'd be bright red at his words, instead she curled closer into his arms in agreement.

Curiosity ate at her as they passed yet another booth with dragon memorophilia. "How come most of the booths have a dragon theme? Dragons are cool and all, but it seems to be a must for each booth to have at least one thing that looks like a dragon."

Vlad's mouth quirked, "That would be because my family's symbol is the dragon. It is a nod of respect for them to have something with that symbol at each of their booths. Although some incorporate it into more of their products."

A humm came from Leila, she glanced around at the variety of goods only to almost trip to a stop when her eyes landed on one of the smaller booths. A laugh choked out of her as a delighted smile spread across her mouth, immediately catching Vlad's interest.

Her hand tightened momentarily in his, before she turned pleading eyes to him. "Can we look at some of the booths?" Even if he had a problem with it, her eyes would have caused him to agree. It was rare that she asked him for anything, and this barely counted as a favor.

"Of course, that is why I offered to bring you. If you see something you'd like to bring home with us, alert me." Leila nodded before tugging him behind her with their joined hands. Her excitement both amusing and intriguing Vlad as he allowed himself to be pulled through the crowd that made a path for them once they noticed who he was.

What had gotten her attention and made her so excited? The answer came when she pulled to a stop in front of one of the smaller booths. All of the merchandise was styled with his family's dragon, but what had caught Leila's attention was the small dragon plush. They were barely bigger than the size of his fist, but the detailing on them was impressive.

The shopkeep, seeing their interest, made his way over. "You like those plushies? My daughter makes them for fun and she told me to sell them at my booth. They've been mostly overlooked as of yet for the more extravagant items available."

Vlad chatted with him as Leila looked over each of the plush dragons, keeping an eye on which ones she showed the most interest in as she browsed. One in particular seemed to have caught her attention. Ending his conversation, he wrapped his arm around her side before questioning her. "Is there something you would like to buy?"

She bit her lip, obviously wanting to say yes as she picked it up to show him. "Maybe. They're all cute, but this one kind of reminds me of you." She handed over a dark red dragon with his family's emblem stitched onto the front. It appeared as if one of the wings had been repaired, the stitching clumsier than the others. The shopkeep's thoughts announced the reason for that before he spoke up, "Oh, my apologies voivode. That was one of the first dragons she made and I meant to take it out of the lineup due to the tear on the wing."

When he went to take the dragon, Vlad waved his hand dismissively. Glancing down at Leila, he asked. "How does this one remind you of me?" Besides the emblem, he couldn't see anything that would resemble him.

Leila ducked her head before shrugging sheepishly, "For one, its eyes are similar to yours when you turn your lights on, the green stands out nicely with the red scale. That and the torn wing kind of reminds me of your scars."

Vlad took another look, paying more attention to the points she mentioned and mentally agreed with her assessment. He never would have noticed if she hadn't pointed it out, but now that she had planted the thought he couldn't unsee it.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he gestured for the man to ring it up. After a moment of hesitation he did, offering to wrap it for them. Leila refused with a slight shake of her head, holding it closer to her chest protectively. The shopkeeper chuckled under his breath, but didn't say anything as he finished the transaction.

When they walked away from the booth, Leila had the dragon cradled against her side with the hand not in his and a beaming grin on her face.

She looked happier with that dragon than she had on the occasions he had given her jewelry, to his amusement. It shouldn't surprise him that his wife would enjoy such a thing, her tastes tended to lean more toward the odd or sentimental than things with monetary value.

Dropping a kiss to her head, Vlad glanced over at the dancing area when the music began to start up. Squeezing her hand, he nodded to the dancing area as he spoke. "Shall we join in the dance?"

Leila grinned, her excitement plain to see before her smile dropped into a frown. "I don't know how to dance beside the one you taught me for our wedding."

"These dances don't require any knowledge of the music before hand, I believe the term commonly used is 'freestyle'." He waited as she considered, pulling her lip in between her teeth absentmindedly.

His mouth caught hers in the next instance, nipping her lip before going on to plunder her mouth. She never noticed when she bit her lip, but it was impossible for him not to notice. When he pulled back, he smirked at his wife's dazed look. He never got tired of putting that look on her face.

Leila shook off her daze, glancing nervously at the dance area again before nodding. "Okay, but I might wind up stepping on your feet."

A chuckle broke from him as he tugged her toward the couples getting ready to dance. "After everything I've survived over my five centuries of life, you stepping on my feet won't be the end of me."

When they reached the ring, the couples went silent with shock. All eyes locked onto them, incredulous stares leveled at Vlad and his presence. He ignored them, instead choosing to pull Leila against him. After a moment, everyone went about their own business again while excited whispers broke out about the voivode and his wife.

Leila chuckled after looping her arms around his neck, the dragon resting against his back as her cheek found its normal spot against his shoulder. "You'd think you being here was a sign of the apocalypse with how they're reacting."

"It is a long standing fact that I do not participate in this event, so for them to see me here is quite a shock." Leila hummed her agreement as they swayed to the music. This dancing was much nicer than the formal ones they did at his parties, the lack of heels hurting her feet making it even better.

Maybe she could convince Vlad to dance some more once they went home, because she could definitely get used to this.