Chapter 14
Today would be the day I was to leave. Today was the last time I would ever expect to see Velkan again, and Anna as well. I thought of this as I gripped the post of the bed tightly, as a servant woman tightened my corset, as I was being constricted more than was comfortable. To me, as with every other woman, this was the most agonizing time of the day. The handmaiden tugged once more, most violently, before finally tying it into place. She finally backed away, looking satisfied at her work.
"What traveling gown would you like to wear, miss?" she asked me, as I turned, holding my stomach. The Count's hands I could still feel there, as if he had just visited me moments before. Wearing this almost seemed to me to be some sort of barrier for me. It set boundaries, boundaries I knew I would never allow that demon to cross again. I smiled as best I could before responding.
"I would like the sea foam green gown, with the gold bustle at the back." I replied simply. The servant woman smiled, satisfied with my answer. She nodded in assent and quickly produced the gown from the closet, admiring its many intricate folds.
"Here you are, miss." She said. I approached her and allowed her to dress me.
"I have left your hat on the bed, miss. Would you like me to leave you?" The woman asked, after she had finally dressed me. I said quietly that I would be perfectly all right. The woman smiled. "I will have someone pack your belongings." She said. I nodded in reply and she looked to the floor, bowing slightly and leaving me in silence.
I walked towards a full-length mirror I had found. In there I began to inspect myself, making sure everything was perfect, I would expect no less. My hands traveled over the bodice of my gown, down to the skirts, straightening every wrinkle. My eyes softened as I looked at myself in the mirror. This would truly be the last time I would ever see them. My part in the Valerious story would be soon over. I should be happy, but I was not.
I looked away from the mirror and walked towards the vanity table, taking my brushes and perfumes. I quickly hid them away in one of my bags, making sure to put that away as well. I left my clothing for the woman to do herself. So occupied I was, I almost did not notice a small gleam from the corner of my eyes.
My eyes shot towards the sparkle, surprised. I didn't realize I had left anything unpacked. I walked directly towards the source, and to my astonishment, I found the blue diamond. My heart jumped into my throat and I felt myself go pale in surprise. I had hoped it was only a dream, a nightmarish dream. Now I found it to be nothing but truth.
I picked up the diamond with half a mind to take it and throw it from the window, to never see that foul thing again, but the beauty of it called out to me to keep it. My mind could not help me, so conflicted I was. The Count had given it to me as a gift. Should I accept such an offering? He had spent countless generations killing his rivals, butchering them and their kin. Did I have the heart to spit on their memory and accept something that mocked my own family's sufferings? I glared at it angrily. I took the diamond and laid it back on the table, hoping to forget it.
'Take it…' I heard someone murmur. Shocked, I turned about the room, confused. I found no one. 'It was a gift for you.' I soon realized who it was. The person I hated most.
"I will take nothing from you." I said angrily under my breath. "To take such a gift is to dance on my family's name!" I could hear him laugh. His voice seemed to grow stronger with every word he spoke. When it came again, it sounded almost angry, threatening.
"You will either accept my humble gift to you," he said, his voice almost booming. "Or I will never cease to pursue you and your family. I will consider it an insult if you do not do as I order." I heard his chuckle. "Consider it a sort of talisman, a protector." He continued. I heard his dark laugh, and then I heard nothing more.
Looking down at the necklace, it seemed to glimmer and shine more than it had only moments before. Taking his warning to heart, I took it and hid it within my skirts, feeling its weight against my leg. Quick steps approaching my door alerted me suddenly. I spun and found the door opening suddenly.
I turned to see Anna, fully dressed, standing at my door, a surprised grin on her face. I narrowed my eyes in confusion. She took a moment to speak. "I have good tidings to bring to you, Christine. Your cousin has come for you." She said. I smiled, hiding the darkly foreboding feeling that soon began creeping into the depths of my soul. "He is asking after you, come." She said, holding her hand out for me to take.
I approached carefully and took her hand. She led me through the hallway, down the stairs and to the main drawing room. In there I found William, the man who I had not seen in days. My hand tightened around hers, surprised to see William so soon. I glared at him with a mix of happiness and anger shining in my eyes. He looked away somewhat guiltily. Anna released me after a moment, and quickly went to stand by her brother.
Velkan remained standing by a large and ancient bookshelf, glaring daggers at my cousin. I knew not why. When he noticed my gaze on him, Velkan looked away and smiled at his sister. He had dressed as well, in his best finery, his hair freshly washed and combed to perfection. He was also clean-shaven which proved Velkan had taken a lot of pains to present himself well. I turned my attention to William once again.
"Hello, William." I said coldly. He smiled.
"I am glad to see you well." He answered simply in return. I looked to Anna and Velkan; they were quickly making their exit, leaving us alone. I heard the door click quietly shut behind them. William's eyes followed them as well. "I have been looking all over for you, Christine!" he whispered angrily when they were gone. I looked away from him, somewhat guiltily.
"All you had to do was stay in the province, William, and not run away at the first sign of danger. It would have been simple enough to find me." I answered coldly. He glared at me angrily, a mix of shock and confusion in his eyes.
"What made you think I left you behind?" he asked, hurt. William did not even attempt to make a move towards me. Nor I towards him. "And why do you speak to me in this way? You have never acted this in this manner before…" he said quietly to himself.
"You left me at the mercy of those demons." I said simply. His eyes widened in shock. "You left me here alone, and disappeared." He looked away. I approached him, tears almost shining in my eyes. Dracula's face still burned in my memory. I longed to extinguish it.
"I saw him." I said almost maddeningly. "I saw him." He looked at me, somewhat confused.
"What has happened to you? Who are you speaking of? Whom did you see?" he asked quietly. When I did not answer, he took my shoulders and shook me.
"The Count." I said simply. "He came. He has vowed some sort of revenge against us." I said simply. William looked away. He already knew of what I told him. He quickly changed the subject and turned it towards me once again.
"He hasn't hurt you, has he?" William asked. I shook my head and quickly produced my necklace, showing it to him.
"He gave me this." I said simply, allowing him to take it from my hands. William's dark eyes lightened with a shocked look on his face. "What is this?" I asked. He did not respond, perusing the diamond in his hand.
"A family heirloom we thought to be lost for generations. It disappeared some time in the 1500's after the burning of our first ancestral home." He said quietly, turning his gaze back to me. "How did he come by this?" he asked.
"I haven't a clue." I said simply. William turned the diamond over and over in his hands, questions beginning to quickly form in his mind. He quickly shot his gaze to me.
"Why did he give this to you?" he asked. "Why you, of all people?" he ventured further. I looked away from him with guilt. When I did not respond, he continued further. "Why didn't he kill you when he had the chance?" I turned away from him and ignored his questions, not wanting to tell my cousin how intimately the Count had spoken to me, how he had touched me: how I brought to him memories of Charlotte Aveire. Instead, I changed the subject.
"My things will be packed soon." I said simply, heading to the door. "I hope to be home presently." I continued. William followed me to the door, staying my arm.
"Why won't you tell me?" he asked quietly. "How can I help you if you won't tell me what happened, what he told you?" he said. I smiled at him.
"I will, when I am free of this place." I answered. "Please, let us go as soon as possible. I would rather not talk of it now." I continued. It took a moment before he replied. I heard him take a deep breath in annoyance.
"Alright, but I expect to hear the whole story when we are alone." He responded. I felt him release my arm, and I opened the door, finding my things in the main hallway, ready to be packed into the carriage. William followed behind me his steps soft and light. I found Velkan and Anna by the exit, expressionless grins on their faces. My cousin cleared his throat before coming to my side and taking my hand.
"Thank you both for taking such good care of Christine in my absence." He said, trying his best to sound enthusiastic. I knew he felt the same fear as I did, the same fear that once again the Count had rekindled his old vendetta against our family. I sensed it in the way he spoke, his false bravado he always wore when he feared something he knew he could not control. I saw Anna and Velkan nod their heads in acceptance.
"It was our pleasure, Sir William. It was an honor it was to have Miss Aveire in our home for as long as we did." Velkan said. My eyes looked longingly to him, but he did not notice. I looked away and concentrated my gaze on my shoes. An uncomfortable silence ensued, my cousin and I looking at the two Valerious siblings.
"Well, we must be off. My mother and father are probably worried sick." He said. He whistled loudly, and two footmen entered the house, taking my belongings and carrying them out into the carriage. My heart began to quicken its beat, knowing I would not see Velkan again. I heard William lean his head down towards me, whispering in my ear.
"Come, we must say goodbye, Christine." He murmured. I looked up at him and smiled the best smile I could. He slowly began to lead me towards Anna and Velkan, as a guard would lead a prisoner. In moments we Aveires stood opposite the only other family who had any inkling of the immense hatred one Count shared for each of us.
"I thank you." I said quietly. I cleared my throat. "I thank you for all you both have done for me. If not for you, I would have surely not known what to do…" I said. I looked to Velkan. "Thank you." I whispered. He smiled weakly at me. Reaching his hand out, I took it gratefully, holding it firmly within my own. We remained that way for a few moments. And a long silence ensued, growing more and more uncomfortable with each passing moment. William looked between us, his suspicion growing with each passing second.
" Again, I thank you both, but we must be off." William said after some time, his eyes drifting to down towards our hands. I still held Velkan's tightly, for dear life. As I did so, a terrible feeling began to close itself around my body. A feeling that declared if I were to leave now, a dreadful consequence would soon follow. Anna and William glared at us both in confusion.
I reluctantly let go after a minute, allowing his hands to slip through my fingers. I felt a slip of paper in my hand as I did so. I dared not read it now. I hid it as best I could. I looked up at him with a question on my lips I dared not utter, and noticed his quiet smile.
William took my hand and quickly began to lead me towards the door, out into the open. I took one final look back at my protectors; the only people who I felt would be able to help us in our final hour of need.
William led me to the carriage and opened the door before me. I looked inside at the comfortable interior, as if it were a cell. I looked back at William and saw him smiling at me. He took my arm and helped me into the carriage, and as he climbed in behind me, I stole on final look at Velkan and Anna, the two most intriguing people I would ever meet in my life. My hand tightened around the slip of paper Velkan had given me, the only tie I had left to him.
Anna and Velkan slowly began to wave as the door was shut behind William. The footman quickly walked around the carriage and climbed onto the carriage beside the other man who held the reigns. I heard them call the horse to action, and I slowly began to feel the carriage move. I looked away from them to my cousin, who looked at me happily. I felt his hand tighten around my own. The carriage began to quicken its speed. I turned my gaze back towards their home and found Velkan remained outside alone, watching our departure. We turned suddenly on the pathway and I saw him no more. It would be three years before I would see them both again.
As we rode off, towards my home, a feeling of apprehension began to grow on my soul. I knew this was not the end of our dealings with Dracula. There would never be an end. I looked up at William, and saw him looking forward, his gaze brave and unyielding. He would need much more than bravery and strength to deal with the things that were to come. I looked down and found a revolver. He came prepared. I slid closer to him, wanting to feel his warmth. He smiled momentarily at me and took my hand again. I had never felt him release it.
"Are we to go by ship or by train?" I asked. He looked at me, smiling.
"Train." He responded. I nodded and saw that he still held in his hand the necklace. His knuckles had grown white with clenching it so tightly. I looked up at him again.
"Has he ever stopped hunting us, William?" I asked, so simply. William looked back at me, a fearful gaze in his eyes. He slowly began to smile.
"You remember all those years of sword fighting and weapons training I had as a child?" he asked. I looked at him, confused. "You remember how tirelessly they worked me?" I nodded my head. He smirked.
"Then that should be answer enough for you, dear cousin." He said simply. "In all these years, he has never ceased." Those were the final words I heard him utter in the carriage. We never spoke of that subject again.
A/N:
So what did you think? I loved this chapter. I have no idea why, though. There really wasn't any real romance here, but I was planning on leaving this story off here and writing a second half, what do you think? This whole part of the story served almost as a prologue, I could say. William once again popped in, which I was intending him to, and I especially loved his personality, I put it across exactly the way I wanted it to be!
About the ending: I was just wondering whether I ended the chapter strongly enough. I'm not really good at that, and would especially love it if you let me know how I did! I would love some constructive criticism! I'm forever trying to strengthen my writing skills!
Countess Alana: I hoped you like this chapter!!! Let me know what you think! Sorry I wasn't online last night, we got carried away with movie night! Dracula has definitely gotten a huge part in this story, bigger than I thought there was going to be!! I hope you like what I've written so far! Please let me know what you think of William's character!
Widow Dracula: I appreciate the reviews!!! I always welcome them!!! I'm glad that you think my story was so very well written, and feel honored to have gained your respect! I truly do like the story you have written, it was very very well written! Please let me know what you think of this chapter! Your constructive criticism is always welcom. By the way, I was also planning on having the brides make their appearance soon, since you seem to know a lot about them, your help would be greatly appreciated!