The morning passed quickly, as did the meal at noon. Before I knew it, we were all standing in the snow covered castle courtyard, the knights mounting their horses and preparing to leave. My father, wanting to give the count and I time alone, had stepped away to speak to a few of the other knights. Van Helsing kissed my hand politely and told me farewell, then stepped away leaving the count and I alone.

"Well Katrina, I suppose that this is goodbye. But only for now," he said smiling. "I will return to you as soon as the mission is over, I promise you that."

I smiled, looking into his eyes. I noticed something different there as he looked at me, but I could not tell what it was.

"I wish you luck, my lord, and a safe return."

The count looked at me for a moment more, then kissed me softly but passionately. I returned his kiss, not caring who was watching us.

After a moment we ended our kiss reluctantly, and the count caressed the side of my face with his hand. "Goodbye, my Katrina," he said softly, then turned and mounted his large black horse. He turned to look at me one last time, and I realized that what I had seen in his eyes had been love.

Then turning his horse, the count rode up beside Van Helsing, who I then realized had been watching me for several minutes.

I smiled and waved goodbye to him as they rode their horses through the castle gates.

I stood there in the castle courtyard for some time, watching all the men leave and then watching them fade from my vision. Finally my father walked over to me, and laid his hand on my shoulder.

"This arrangement hasn't turned out to be nearly as bad as you thought it would be, has it?"

I shook my head. "No, father. I suppose you were right…if I had to choose a man to be my husband, it would probably be one like the count."

My father smiled. "Yes, I thought that would be what you would say after some time with him." I looked at him. "I'm still angry with you for not asking me first. You could have at least asked." He shook his head, laughing.

"No my dear, if I always asked you before I introduced you to a suitor, you would never marry."

I laughed with my father as we made our way back inside the castle, wondering exactly how long it would be before the count returned for me.

Dinner that night seemed strange now that our guests were gone, and my father and I were the only ones in the large dining hall. I remembered what it was like to see the count sitting there, his warm smile and handsome face. I imagined that he was there with us, enjoying a warm meal, instead of riding through snow covered mountains to battle.

And there was still the possibility that he would never return to me. No matter how great a warrior he was, not even he was a match for fate. All that I could do was pray for his safe return, and also for Van Helsing's.

In the short time that I had spent with him I had grown to admire Van Helsing. He was definitely a very loyal friend to the count, and a very honorable man.

Life returned to the way it had been, and days went by just as they always had. Then weeks passed, months, and before I knew it it had been nearly five years since the count and Van Helsing left.

I thought that time would pass slowly but in the end it did not. I was nearing my nineteenth birthday when at last the count returned.