A/N: hey people... sorry, but watching "Phantom..." 3 TIMES in the cinema, getting all crazed up about buying the soundtrack, and been using a lot of my time playing the music for "Treasure Island" and having an completely empty head, as taken up a lot of my time, and i'm sorry if i have kept you waiting...
Sarrin - No, she most certainly DOES NOT see Vlad in Ronan... but she wish that it WAS Vlad...
thx for all the reviews...
Chapter XI
Not even centuries of anger, betrayal and uncontrollable wrath could surpass the molten feelings within Vladislaus Dragulia as he sat watching over a little cave which had the strangest sounds coming from it. This was his assignment.
The mere state of the situation angered him in more ways than one. And of course, he was even more cross with Ronan than he had been in the past. It went beyond hatred towards Ronan, when something reminded Vlad of him. And then this insane lust to se blood splatter from any open wound would overtake Vlad every time Ronan came to mind.
All this alone-time gave him plenty of moments to contemplate his fate, which made him feel the bloodlust. This made him think of numerous, no, countless ways of murdering Ronan. The most savage and bloody way would bring the most satisfaction; however, going down the intellectual line would deprive him of the war courts guilt-searching eyes.
Going savage in his mind, he wanted to bite Ronan, like a mad, ferocious dog with rabies. Vlad thought this biting business through for quite a while inside his head, and quickly decided that he would start with Ronan's face; his pretty face. First, he would bite a chunk of his cheek off. Then, perhaps, he would proceed to break his nose with his hand and then bite it to the bone. He would through roughly molest Ronan; little by little. Oh, and Ronan was certainly not going to be "long gone" if this came to pass, oh no, this would be cause of Death. Vlad sat so deep in thought about more vulgar actions, as more and more distasteful pictures slid past his inner eye, that he hardly noticed that his dinner had wanted a permanent return from his stomach. He graced the earth before him with different, still undigested foods. He felt sick about himself; so surprised at his own repulsiveness.
"I will NOT be a freak of Love," he whispered hoarsely, as he drew shallow breaths.
Another cascade of vomit flew out his mouth. He felt so disgusted with him self. He lay back down from his crouching position, and started getting some kind of sick-"spasms". His whole body shook from cols, or a short-termed fever that made him produce a thin layer of cold sweat over his visible skin. Then Gabriel came to mind. Vlad felt betrayed when Gabriel had left for his dear Cassandra's wedding, and the feel of betrayal still had its clammy hands on him. And even though Vlad might not be prepared to admit it, he was insanely jealous of Gabriel, and even Ronan. She was so innocent in all of this; like a little white lamb between the dragon's teeth. As the cold-spasms had another go at him, his thoughts travelled back to Gabriel. Silently, Vlad wept for himself, as he pulled his blankets tighter around his shivering body.
Soon, we were home. I could smell it in the air. The smell of burning logs, the smell of something sweet melded with the fiery wind of Transylvanian Carpathians. The look of untouched snow on the mountain tips. And though I always felt a welcoming sense towards the manor, a shadow was looming over it, and I was looking mystified at it, when I felt a hand close over my own, giving it a squeeze. I turned around to see Ronan kissing it. I smiled, and he returned it. I turned my face away to see watch the manor again, as a horse passed by, blocking my view. I was suddenly annoyed with not being able to ride a horse myself. I had a strange feeling of imprisonment about being in the carriage, and truth be told, I'd rather be riding up front, instead of sitting in here in these sassy frocks.
The door, however, was soon opened, and I as I took the hand of the man who had offered it, my heart skipped a beat, because it had been Gabriel who had so nonchalantly helped me out.
"Oh sweet mother of Jesus! Gabriel! I thought you wouldn't… thought that you couldn't come?" I said.
"I was there, briefly. I just had to watch you and I had to leave quickly. It was I who nearly made you fall in the church," he smiled.
I was a little awed that he stood here. I had somehow begun to think he had stayed away because of Vlad. Without more consideration, I embraced him as Ronan stepped out behind me. We walked to the front doors, and opened them to find a figure in there, back turned to us. It was Vlad of course, and my spirit soared, and I gaped.
"Ahh, Cassandra, and company…" he said turning, and I alone walked towards him, and heard him say "and traitor…" with his lips hardly moving. His expression changed to that of happiness, as he spread out his arms to embrace me, and I nuzzled against it, as if it this place would not be home without this man in my arms.
"Your guests… are soon here, then?" he said, pulling away, to hold me by my arms.
He was handsomer than ever, even though he looked a little bit pale.
"Yes, soon. The ball starts tonight. The servants have been warned and should have nearly everything, except the decoration, ready for tonight," I said, before lowering my voice. "Why didn't you come? You could have declined that mission. I heard that it was nothing big. Why didn't you come?"
He looked like he was in a tight spot. He looked from me, to Ronan, who had walked forward as well, and Vlad's parents right behind him, all with a smile, except Ronan, of course. He looked back at me.
"We will have to discuss this later Cass. Not now," and he was right.
He greeted his parents, and seemed happy to get their acceptance of whatever things he had been dreading. I thought of a loving father and mother, welcoming home their son. Now the decoration had to start, and Amadae agreed, but she sent me to my room to get fixed up for tonight. She had lots of ideas she wanted to try out, and so I surrendered to her maids again.
It was grand party, but I felt I wasn't able to enjoy it fully. My mind was far away, and I would very early want to go to bed. I felt bad, and sick. Maybe it was just nerves, but I was very tired, and retired very early. Ronan kept at it. As the English would say, he had his 'mates' over. They were very tiring, and didn't seem very sophisticated. Almost like some teen brats. I didn't even want to discuss with Vlad why he hadn't come. But that was inevitability, as I passed a balcony before the steps to the second floor.
"Cass?" he said, very briefly.
An almost agitated feeling overcame me, but I turned around, and walked through the glass door to talk to him. Or rather, let him talk to me, for I was not very respondent.
"Yes, Vlad?" I enquired, feeling dizzy.
"I'm sorry for not being there. Well no, that's a lie… I would rather than to see you marry yourself to… to waste yourself on him-"
"What! What are you talking about? 'Wasting'…?" I said, turning my back to him, gazing down from the balcony. I didn't want to listen to this.
"You do, Cass. You've got the appeal; the riches; the sweetness. And if you don't get to spend yourself, I fear that he'll get to waste you first, before you get the chance. I can wait… I think," he said, and I saw him leaning over the fence, staring deeply down into the ground below.
"What is it you speak about, Vladislaus? Why should he waste me? What is you are waiting for?" I asked, dizzy still, but curious.
"I am- oh God, Cass!" he said, catching me before I crumbled the whole way to the floor.
I felt really tired. I released myself from him and stood up by myself.
"There's nothing. I'm tired. Goodnight," I said, waiting for his reply. He searched me with an expression of slight concern. It hardened a little as he said:
"Goodnight," and left the scene. I dragged myself upstairs, and threw myself in bed.
A/N: RR, easy with the flames...
