Chapter 5

The duel

I awoke early in the morning in unknown room. I was naked!... I remembered about the previous night and understood the whole weight of my mistake. I betrayed my true love! Pain and hate to myself filled my heart. I sat on bed, crying bitterly. Suddenly I saw a letter near me, where Dracula was laying. Yes, it was his handwriting:

"I so sorry, Maria. Forget that night. It was our awful mistake. I'll cancel our wedding. I promise."

How sweet it was! Vlad wanted Gabriel to be happy with me. He was a good friend, indeed. Torments of conscience tore me. How could I forget about Gabriel! When I remember about it now, my heart tears on pieces.

But I was still in Dracula's castle. I found my dress and put it on, after what I sneaked out of the room. Old Elena met me and helped to leave the castle without anyone's notice. She didn't ask any questions and I was very grateful to her. Then I locked in my room and spent there two days, when I wasn't asleep I was crying but I didn't eat and drink. I really wanted to die. My dear father knocked the door several times; first he shouted and then just pleaded me to unlock the door. I remained deaf to his words and to the whole world in fact. But one day Gabriel came. Father allowed him to talk with me. I didn't want; I couldn't peer into his eyes; but his voice was so soft:

"Maria, my love, please, open the door. I worry about you so much!"

How could I resist him! I took tears away and let him to come in.

"Marishka, what happened? You were crying?" – asked Gabriel touching my face gently. My eyes were red because of tears but tried to decline.

"Don't lie, my love. I know something had happened."

I didn't look at him, not to his kind and warm brown orbs. Gabriel kissed my face gently, I knew, he was waiting for the answer. I peered in his eyes and …

I told him everything …

I hated myself for everything I had done … I betrayed his love!"

Marishka stopped writing. Memories were so strong and painful that bloody tears fill her amber eyes. She was sitting without moving, just looking at the flame of candle. Marishka took tears away as two years ago when she was a human and continued writing, that was even harder than she thought.

"Gabriel's face became paler than usual. His eyes were covered with ice, at least they seemed so. He pressed me closer and stroked my hair, while I was crying on his chest. When I quieted down, Gabriel said:

"Don't worry, Marishka, all will be fine. There is only one way to complete this … problem"

It looked dangerous and not good at all.

"What way?"

"The duel." – He said in a hard tone.

I couldn't believe my ears!

"Is it a joke!"

"You think I can joke in this situation, Maria?"

"No, but … Dracula is your best friend!"

"He was my best friend." – He said coldly.

"But … It wasn't his fault!" – I wanted to protect their friendship.

"You protect him! He raped you!"

"He didn't want! We both guilty in it!"

He shook his head slowly. Of course he blamed Vladislaus! I am just a woman! How could I protect myself!

"Gabriel, I'm begging you, don't make such awful mistake!" – I felt on my knees opposite him, begging, pleading and humbling.

"Calm down, I will never forget myself if I'll become a reason of your tears!" – He said softly and helped me to rise. I embraced him, pressing his closer never wanting to let go. Gabriel touched my skin gently and said:

"Maria, I can lose everybody's confidence, Vlad's friendship, and my life in fact, but I'll never leave you or hurt you. You are everything for me, the whole world!"

I remembered his words for all my life.

We looked at each others' eyes and forgot about everything. We were alone in this world. We were in love.

Suddenly, everything stopped. Gabriel gave me a quick kiss and before leaving the room he said:

"We'll be happy together, my love, I promise. But first I must to ruin the barrier between us."

I knew what barrier he beard in his mind. I throw myself on the bed and cried for several hours. I couldn't do anything at all and I was so scared!

I wanted to stop it. So I put on my cloak with hood and left the castle without anyone's notice again. I didn't know where would they fight but soon, on my luck or failure I saw two knights on horses. One in black armor and second in usual grey with cross on his shield. They jumped of the saddles and denude their swords. They couldn't notice me as I hid in the nearest forest. I had a good vision and saw everything in details. Knights came closer to each other and walked for a circle. Gabriel made a riposte and the duel began. I heard swords' ringing in my chest. I was breathless and afraid for them both. Their fight became faster. But suddenly Dracula throw his sword on the ground and pronounced louder than always but in a calm voice:

"I don't want to fight with you, Gabriel! You are still my best friend!"

"You betrayed me, Vlad! I love Maria more than any and you …!"

"I'm so sorry, Gabriel. Forgive me, my friend! You will be happy, I'm sure."

"No… When I would kiss her she will remember your kisses! When we would be in each other's embracers she will compare you with me!" – Those were the last words that Vladislaus heard from his best friend.

Gabriel poked Dracula's chest. My cry mixed with ravens' which flew into the sky feeling the scent of the murder. Vlad was lying on the ground which was crimson because of his blood. He looked at Gabriel and said words which pursued The Left hand of God in his nightmares.

"For what?..."

And the last Walachia's prince closed eyes.