During the next few weeks, I began to feel more comfortable at Valerious Manor. Vladislaus, as he insisted that I call him, showed me around the castle and village. Within a few days of my arrival I could find my way around well.

The castle was very spacious, with an enormous armory and library, and a dining hall to seat hundreds. I found that Lord Valerious was much like my own father, and he treated me very kindly.

During my third week there, I sat with Lord Valerious and Vladislaus in the dining hall one evening. The two of them were in conversation, and I was finishing my glass of wine, not paying much attention to what they were saying. And then Lord Valerious said something that caught my attention.

"Lord Van Helsing should be arriving tomorrow evening, just in time for the feast."

"Yes, so I have been informed," Vladislaus answered. "His 'urgent business' must have not taken him very long."

He looked over at me, and I realized that I had been listening to their conversation very obviously.

"Is something wrong, my love?" he asked.

"No," I answered giving him a smile. "I did not know that there was going to be a feast, that's all."

Lord Valerious nodded. "It is to celebrate the recent victories of the Order. I believe that your father will also be attending," he added with a smile.

This of course made me very happy. Although I felt more at ease in my new home than I had, it would still be comforting to see my father again. I had not seen him in almost four weeks, and I missed him greatly.

Even though I had my own large chamber, that night I stayed with Vladislaus as I had since I arrived. As I lay in his arms, he kissed me softly, and I closed my eyes enjoying the feeling. He breathed in deep the scent of my hair, which smelled of lavender and roses.

"I love you, Katrina," he whispered into my ear.

I smiled and opened my eyes to look into his. "And I love you."

I realized then that I always had loved him. But I could tell that for him, hearing me say those words meant everything.


I awoke late the next morning, alone in the large four-poster bed. I took my time getting dressed, and decided to wear a lovely cream-colored gown that the count had given me.

As I had expected, the guests that would be joining us for the feast started to arrive by noon. Many of the knights arrived still in full armor, and looking as though they had not long been out of battle.

Van Helsing arrived early in the afternoon, as I was making my way down the great staircase in the entrance hall. I watched him enter the castle and be greeted warmly by Vladislaus. As I continued down the staircase I saw him look up at me and smile.

"I see that your lovely bride has joined you here," he said to Vladislaus as I reached them.

The count smiled. "Yes, I just couldn't leave her behind. She is the world to me." He lifted my hand and kissed it softly, looking deeply into my eyes.

I smiled, and felt myself blush slightly.

For the rest of the afternoon Vladislaus was kept busy greeting guests. I did not know many of them, and when I had a chance I excused myself and went into the enormous library. The count's family had obviously collected books for centuries, and there were tons of things that I had never read.

I picked out a book that looked interesting and took a seat next to the fireplace. I had only been reading for a few minutes when I heard the library door open.

It was Van Helsing, and as soon as he noticed me he stopped. "Forgive me, my lady, I did not mean to intrude." He backed away and started to leave, but I stopped him.

"No, my lord, there is no intrusion. Please, come in." I smiled as he closed the door and walked into the room. "I was getting a bit lonely, to tell the truth."

He smiled and nodded. "Actually I was wanting to find a bit of loneliness, which seems very difficult with all of the guests arriving."

"Oh. Well, forgive me if I am intruding upon you," I said with a laugh.

Van Helsing grinned, and for a moment I could not take my eyes off of him. "Oh no, my lady. I prefer your company to anyone else's. May I?" he motioned to the seat beside me.

"Of course," I said, in my mind running back over his last words.

For what had to be well over an hour the two of us sat and talked. We discussed many things, from weapons and horses to our childhoods. There was something about Van Helsing that made me calm and relaxed. It was not that I had never felt like this with the count, but only that I felt it more with Van Helsing.

At last we checked the time, and I realized that I was running a bit late getting ready for the feast. Van Helsing and I left the library, and I made my way up to my chamber.

When I arrived, I found Vladislaus there waiting for me.

"Where have you been, my dear? I've been waiting for you for quite some time." He did not seem irritated, and I was glad. He was a very patient man, or at least with me.

"I'm sorry, my love. I was reading in the library and lost track of the time."

I don't know why I did not tell him the whole truth, but for some reason I thought better of it. He simply smiled and nodded.

"Yes, you are so fond of that library." He stood up from the chair he had been sitting in, and picked up something wrapped in paper, handing it to me.

I smiled, looking at the package. "What's this?"

"Open it, you'll see," he said, walking around the room but still watching me.

I pulled off the paper, and unfolded what was inside. It was a lovely gown, made of a rich deep blue velvet and trimmed in gold. The bodice had very detailed stitching in gold thread of roses, and the skirt was full and flowing, with layers of golden fabric under the blue velvet. It was sleeveless, with small golden tassels on the shoulders.

It was absolutely stunning, and had to have cost a great amount. I was speechless, and continued to stare at the gown.

"Well, what do you think?"

I looked up at him. "It's wonderful. Where on earth did you get it?"

He smiled. "I had it brought from England. I wanted you to have the most magnificent gown tonight, since you will already be the most magnificent woman."

I smiled at him, unable to say anything. Then I put my arms around his neck and kissed him passionately.

"Will you put it on for me?" he asked smiling, his arms still around me.

I grinned. "Of course."

A few moments later I had slipped off my dress and into the gown, and Vladislaus laced the back for me. It was even more beautiful on, and once again I was speechless. This time, however, I was not the only one.

I stood in front of the mirror admiring the gown for a while until it was time for the feast to begin. Vladislaus and I went down to the dining hall together, and I became aware that I was being watched by nearly everyone. This continued for much of the feast, and the enormous dining hall was filled with knights of the Holy Order.

My father had arrived earlier that evening, and I enjoyed being with him during the feast. Van Helsing was sat with us also, and he too could not seem to stop looking at me.

I traced my hand around my neck, feeling the other gift that the count had given me: a necklace covered with pearls and blue jewels to match my gown. He seemed to enjoy giving me gifts, and since I had arrived at Valerious Manor I had received a gift from him nearly every week.

We finally finished our meals after some time, and Lord Valerious gave a speech. It was quite lengthy, and when he had finished it had already grown late.

Afterwards most of the men followed Lord Valerious into another room, where they discussed matters pertaining to the Order. Many of the women retired for the night, but I did not feel tired in the least. I decided to take a walk and went out onto one of the castle's large open balconies.

It was a clear, still night, with a sliver of moon rising into the star filled sky. I leaned over onto the carved stone balustrade and looked down at the river far below. It was an amazing view, and for a while I stood looking at the moonlit mountains and forests.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Van Helsing. He seemed surprised to see me, and then he smiled.

"Forgive me once again for bothering you, my lady. Apparently we think of the same places when we want to be alone."

I laughed. "Yes, we do seem to." I turned back to look at the moon. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it?"

Van Helsing came to stand beside me, looking at the river and mountains as I did. "Yes," he answered. For several minutes we were both silent, and as I watched Van Helsing I could tell that something was wrong. He seemed far less cheerful than usual, and something was on his mind.

"Is something wrong?" I finally asked him.

For a moment he was silent, then he turned to look at me. "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"No, of course not," I answered, wondering what it would be.

He glanced down, and then into my eyes. "Did you want to marry Vladislaus, or were you forced to?"

I was startled at this question, but I answered him.

"He did not tell you?"

Van Helsing blinked. "Tell me what?"

I looked up at him. "It was all arranged."

He shook his head and finally spoke. "No. Vladislaus never said anything, but that the two of you were to marry when he returned."

"Yes," I said. "I was fourteen when my father offered him my hand in marriage. I was furious that he didn't ask me first, but there was little that I could do."

For a moment neither of us spoke. Then Van Helsing broke the silence. "So you never wanted all of this." His tone almost sounded sad, but I could not tell. I did not answer him, and at last he turned to face me.

"Katrina, there is something that I must tell you. I know that I should not, and that what I long for can never be, but I have to say this." He paused for a moment, and then said the words that would change our fates.

"Katrina, I love you. I always have, since the day I first saw you. You were no more than twelve or thirteen, and I did not want to force you to marry me."

I did not know what to say. Inside was a whirlwind of emotions, and I did not know what to think or feel.

"I swore to myself that one day when you were older I would return to you, and try to win your heart," Van Helsing continued. "But a few years later I realized that it was too late. Vladislaus had stolen your heart, or so I thought."

Tears began to fill my eyes, though I do not know why. "At first I did not want this. I cried and thought that I could never be happy with a man I had never met. But then I got to know him, how kind and caring he is, and all that changed."

Van Helsing shook his head, looking out at the mountains. "I love my friend, he is a brother to me. But there are dark things about him that you do not know."

"No, do not do this. Please, Gabriel, I do not want to hear lies."

Van Helsing looked at me. "I would never lie to you, Katrina. I love you both, and I would never hurt either one of you. But there are things that you should know."

I looked away, and he continued. "He is not always so kind and patient, Katrina. He has a much darker side on the battlefield and away from your eyes. I have seen him do things that no God-fearing man would do."

I shook my head, tears now streaming down my face. "Why are you telling me this?"

He looked at me, his eyes full of concern and compassion. "Forgive me, Katrina. I would never wish to upset you or hurt you in any way. I only thought that you should know the truth."

I continued to cry silently, and allowed Van Helsing to take me in his arms. For several minutes I cried into his shoulder, neither one of us speaking.

At last I pulled away and looked up at his face. Bringing his hand up, he wiped a tear from my cheek. Then he leaned over, and I felt his lips touch mine. He kissed me softly and slowly, as if we had forever to share a kiss.

And then I heard footsteps on the stone balcony, and an abrupt stop. I pulled away from Van Helsing, and turning toward the footsteps I felt my heart almost stop.

There stood the count, a glass of wine in his hand, and a look on his face that cannot be described. I watched the emotions on his face, from pain and sadness to extreme anger.

"Well, well," he said through clenched teeth.

Van Helsing let go of me and stepped toward him. "Vladislaus, it's not what it seems, allow me to explain--"

"IT IS EXACTLY WHAT IT SEEMS!" the count roared. "I find my best friend and my wife in each other's arms, and you would tell me that it is not what it appears?"

Van Helsing took another step toward him. "Please, just let me explain…"

Vladislaus struck him hard across the face with his fist, and Van Helsing fell to the ground at my feet.

I looked down at Van Helsing and then up at the count. "Please don't…don't do this I beg you…"

He looked at me for a moment, and I could see the pain of betrayal in his eyes. Then he looked back at Van Helsing, who had stood up once again, blood on his face.

"I don't need your explanations, my friend," Vladislaus spat. "Tomorrow morning we will see once and for all who is the better man, and who deserves to die."

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "No, don't do this Vladislaus, there's no point in it--"

"Be quiet!" he snapped at me. "You have caused enough problems already my dear."

He had never spoken to me this way, and I began to sob uncontrollably.

"Tomorrow morning, Van Helsing, first thing."

He then walked over to me and took my arm firmly, leading me away. "Come, my dear. I think that you and I need time alone."

I looked back one last time to see Van Helsing, blood running down his face, and sorrow in his eyes.