Chapter 4

Mistake

Marishka threw the feather because of the noise in the corridor. Looked like steps. Could it be Dracula? Blonde-haired bride breathed in to calm down. Then she took the feather again and continued her work:

"Life continued for us all. I saw that Van Helsing looked at me in some other way not like when we met first time. Warm flame was in his brown eyes. I knew he wants me. I loved Gabriel and he loved me. But there were two barriers - Holy Order and my dearest father of course. Cardinal could allow Gabriel to marry, so it wasn't too big barrier. Van Helsing sent a letter to Rome and was waiting for the answer. I prayed God for cardinal to consent. And one day my father called me to come.

"Maria, I have great news for you, my child!" – Father kissed me in forehead. I supposed these news were really good, he smiled happily to me.

"What news, father?" – said I and crossbreed fingers for happiness behind my back.

"One brave and good man asked for your hand. I expect you know him."

"Don't tort me, father! Who is he?"

"I think he really wants you to be his wife. He didn't ask for himself, his father did.

"Father?" – I was surprised. Gabriel didn't tell anything about his family.

"Yes, my child, this man is suitable party for you! He's name is …

In Dracula's father's castle:

"Son, you broke my old heart…" – started Valerie Senior.

"What had I done wrong this time?" – asked Walachia's prince tiredly.

"Nothing but those ferocious murders of yours."

"They should pay for my love's death!" – Dracula said in high tone.

"Of course, calm down, my son." – Old knight said it so as he wanted to explain child that he won't get toy he wanted so much. But Vlad wasn't a child, that's why he looked at his father angrily.

"Stop looking at me like that, my son. You are too serious. Try to understand: Lydia is dead! Nothing can back her to life! But we are here and our life shouldn't stop only because of the gipsy princess!"

Wise words of man that knows much about this life.

"So … what do you want from me, father?" – asked Vladislaus softly.

"I want you to marry."

"Oh, we discussed this topic so many times, father! I don't want to marry at all!"

"I have chosen a good girl for you! From noble family. You would be a lovely couple together!" – It seemed that Valerie Senior hasn't heard his son's words.

"What girl?" – asked Dracula with no interest in voice.

"Maria Anna Feranshi, Oleg's II daughter."

"WHAT! No! Never!" – shouted Vlad. He didn't want to marry his best friend's love. His father became furious:

"You can't refuse! You'll marry Maria! I gave word to Oleg!"

"I won't! I don't want Gabriel to suffer!"

"Think about yourself first, son!"

"They love each other! Why don't you understand!"

"I have no interest about them! You are my son and you'll do what I told!" – Old knight was despot in that moment.

"I'm not a child! I won't listen to you, father!" – said Vlad seriously.

"You are not my son anymore if it is so!" – shouted Valerie Senior. Dracula looked as his father hit him with whip.

"That's your choice, father…" – answered Vlad calmly and left the room. Bold action indeed! Dracula was too proud, too devoted friend, too independent to listen his father. Everything could be fine … but it wasn't.

My family's castle:

"That can't be father! I love Gabriel! We wanted to marry! – When I heard Dracula's name, I felt awe, bitterness and despair. It looked like a nightmare!

"Valerie Senior wants to see you as his son's bride, Maria!"

"Father! Remember what you said to my mother when she was dying! You promised her that I would be married by the man, which I would love! Don't broke your promise, father! – My eyes were full of tears. I had spoken so passionately that my dear father embraced me and said kindly:

"Calm down, my child. I remember Luciana's words. But, child, Van Helsing's job is killing devil's servants; cardinal could not to allow him to marry you. You may not be happy."

"I don't care, father! I love him so much!"

At this moment my father became severe:

"No! I won't allow you to break your life! I gave my word to Valerie and you will be prince's wife! Even if you both don't like it!"

I was crying on my knees but father didn't want to listen and to understand me … My life was crashing …

On the next night I left home invisibly. I wore cloak with hood, so nobody could recognize me. My plan was to ask Dracula for a help. I hoped that he would refuse from marrying me. I whispered a kind of a prayer and knocked the door of a little house near the Vlad's castle where servants live. An old wrinkle-faced woman opened the door and looked at me with surprise:

"Who are you, child? What are you doing here at night?" – She asked. I took off my hood and old woman recognized me.

"Young baroness, why are you here! It's too dangerous! Enemies are everywhere!" – She whispered to me, without stopping looking over the dark night. "I want to beg you for help!" – I didn't want to waste time.

"What's the matter, young baroness?"

"First: do you believe in real love?" – Stupid question, I know but I didn't know if I could trust her.

"You are asking me? Oh, when I was as young and beautiful as you, I was married by Mikhail. We were in love and got two children! But my dear sons were killed by Turks a year ago. The God had taken them from me and now Nicolas and Boris are on heavens, singing hymns in glory of Him!" – said the old woman and raised hands to the sky.

"So, you know that prince and I will be married soon?"

"Yes, but I don't think he is a good husband for you, young baroness. When he lost that gipsy girl; looked like demon possessed his mind. Oh, forgive me, young baroness! I'm an ignorant yokel!"

"Don't think about it! I don't want to marry him! And he doesn't want, too! That's our fathers' idea. But if I'll talk with him I know he'll help me!" – I cried with tears in my eyes.

"Calm down, child." – The old woman pronounced these words like a mother, which I lost. – "I'll help you to see the prince Vladislaus. But you need to wait; there is a battle in Carpathian valley. When he would return I will lead you to his chamber."

I nodded and she let me in her house. It was rather small but very comfortable. Only two rooms, lighted by candles. I sat at the table and looked over the room. There was an enormous knife on the table near the sword. These simple weapons were for protecting. War made women stronger. Everybody had weapons; for example: I hid a dagger in my corset. The woman was knitting and I was heeding for every noise and, of course, waiting …

Suddenly I heard horses' hoofs and understood that my time had come.

Old Elena took a torch and beckoned me to follow her. We came into the castle. It was richer than my home. When we going through the corridor, I saw a portrait of a severe looking man with dark eyes that were looking almost like Dracula's.

"That's Vladislaus II, prince's grandfather. Prince Dracula looks like his grandfather more than his father supposed." – whispered the old woman.

I looked at the portrait once again and saw that Old Elena stopped near the big wooden door.

"Come in, young baroness. Prince is here. Oh, God's mother Maria, protect this child." – She blessed me and went away.

"Amen." – thought I and carefully sneaked into the room. How foolish I was when entered the room! That was the biggest mistake in my life! I ruined several lives besides my own. It's so hard to write about it even in the diary. Well, I have to do it …

I remember his chamber. It was dark even in the morning because of the maroon blinds. There was a big bed (A/n: of course!) covered with silk deep red coverlet. Some pictures on the wall which I couldn't consider in flickering candlelight. It seemed that Dracula was a part of this room. He was as mysterious as his chamber. Vlad was standing on the middle of the room and trying to take off his black armor which was covered with blood of enemies and maybe friends. Some dents were on it here and there. His hair was collected into a 'ponytail' but some framed his face that became paler after the battle. Vladislaus looked at me with surprise but before he asked me what am I doing in his chamber, I felt on my knees opposite him and started my speech:

"I came to ask for your protection, sir! I know you and Gabriel are the best friends! We wanted to marry but …"

"Calm down, milady. Calm down. What do you want for me to do?" – He asked softly, helping me to rise from the floor.

"Can you stop our marriage?"

Vlad became sad:

"I had already argued with my father about it."

"And …?"

"I don't think he liked it. But I can't stop our marriage, milady. My father gave a word to Oleg. I'm so sorry. I don't know how to explain it to Gabriel… Funny, isn't it? I don't want to lose father and my best friend…"

My eyes were full of tears and cried. Dracula doesn't like to see women crying. He tried to calm me down and pulled me closer to him. At this moment my amber eyes met with his dark orbs. I felt despair, disappointment, hopelessness … Emotions filled my heart. I wanted to die. In Vlad's arms I was in safety, only he at this moment could protect me from world's cruelty. Something happened to me. I placed hands on his neck, pressed him closer and kissed him passionately. Dracula looked at me with surprise and murmured:

"Maria, we mustn't! Think about Gabriel!"

"I don't care!" – I couldn't control myself. I kissed him again but more deep and hungrily. What happened with shy innocent girl who I was? I needed only to feel his touches on my skin. Vlad kissed me back continuing kissing my neck and chest. But I wanted more. I took off his armor easily and fondled his well-toned chest feeling every muscle. Vlad is a passionate lover. He uncorded my corset slowly, kissing my chest. I moaned in pleasure and he liked to hear it. Vladislaus finally took off my black dress and looked over my body. I worked faster and unbuckled his pants taking them off with my legs. Then I pulled him on bed and sat on the top of him. Vlad fondled my bosoms, abdomen, and inner thighs and finished in the groin area. I moaned softly feeling his masterful hands on my body. Then he rolled over and now was at the top. He didn't do anything just stared at me:

"Think about Gabriel, Maria. We can stop now." – He said.

"You mustn't stop now! Go ahead!" – I became mad: Vlad saw lust in my eyes and made my desire real. His tongue explored my mouth and then went down. He discovered my body and kissed me again. Then he entered me. He moved passionately maybe too passionately. He hurt me but this pain was sweet. I kissed him again and again. It was my first time with man and he was so hot. I became fond of his movements and his gentle lips. My passionate lover helped me to quiet anguish. He didn't stop for three hours. Dim light of the moon illuminated our naked bodies. I put my head on his shoulder and put hand on his chest.

"You think that's right?" – asked Vladislaus playing with my wavy hair.

"What right?"

"Everything we have done."

"Of course that's not right. Who cares about it?" – answered I skittishly.

Vlad smiled sadly:

"Gabriel will kill me."

"And I betrayed him…"

Dracula kissed me deeply. I knew that I'll have to charge for my mistake. But it would be tomorrow. We were together now. Two lost hearts, two painful souls to quiet pain and to send the whole world away.