Chapter 7

"That's not an end …"

I turned and saw him. Vlad was the same but his skin was pale and his eyes … I couldn't see anything in them. No emotions at all. That was awful. I was shocked. I covered my mouth with hand and looked at him not believing my eyes.

"Surprised, my dear? I came back."

"It can't be the truth! I saw how Gabriel killed you!" – I was close to swoon.

"Really? But I'm here and there isn't your hero on the horizon to save you." – He grinned. Vladislaus slowly walked towards me, I was so afraid and stepped back. I tried to escape but he blocked the door.

"What do you want from me! What had I done to you!" – I was crying and shaking in horror.

"Calm down, darling." – He took me by chin and turned my head slowly. I saw lust in his eyes and struggled, but he just laughed at my weak tries.

"Stop, my love, I don't want to hit your pretty face."

He pulled me on the bed and squeezed my wrists as I was still fighting with him. Dracula licked my neck and kissed my chest hungrily. I tried to shout for help but he covered my mouth with his hand, as he released my wrist, I tried to pull him off me. But he was so strong! He easily broke my tries.

"Please, release me!" – I mumbled.

"Of course, my dear."

Vlad's canines became longer and sharper; I swooned at once.

I awoke soon because of the instant pain in my neck. Dracula was drinking my blood! But I liked it … I felt pleasure when he was doing it; I pressed his head closer and moaned softly. He liked it but stopped soon.

"That's enough for the first time."

Then he cut his neck and pressed my head closer. I knew what he wanted and did it. Metallic and sweet taste. I swallowed his blood which was strange black color.

"Good girl … We'll be together for the whole eternity."

I nodded and breathed in deeply. Vladislaus got of the bed and came to the window. I fell asleep.

Nightmares tormented me. I saw Dracula's death and how Gabriel left me. I hardly opened my eyes and found that I was crying. I flinched because Vlad touched my face. His fingers were so cold.

"Slept well?" – He asked.

I rose and touched my cheek. Oh, my jaw pained so much! And I was thirsty. Vladislaus saw it and gave a goblet full of blood. I drank it and pain disappeared. I looked around. It wasn't my room. Black blinds covered the window, deep red silk covering on the bed on which I was lying, a wardrobe and a … mirror. (It is still in my chamber, looks like a taunt.) Gloomy and terrifying room.

"Where am I?"

"In the icy fortress. I brought you here three days ago when you were unconsciousness." – Said Vlad staring at me.

"Three days ago? I slept for three days?"

"Yes, your turning was long and painful, my bride, but now you are fine."

I remembered his bite and the taste of his blood. And my family …

"My father …"

"Did you enjoy?"

"Enjoy what?"

"His blood." – He smiled wickedly.

I shouted in horror and threw the goblet to Dracula. He caught it and waited what I shall do next. I got of the bed and came to window, Dracula said calmly:

"Maybe you'll change your dress?"

I looked at him furiously but he was right. My simple white dress was dirty because of my blood. I didn't answer, I took away heavy blinds and l saw that it was snowing. But it was spring! I didn't ask Dracula about it, I opened the window and breathed in the cold air.

"Where are you going?"

"As far as I can be from you."

He didn't like my answer and tried to stop me, but I flew away. My hell-beast form wasn't as his. It was white and weaker than his. I knew he'll find me soon. So I flew to Sigishoare. Night was quiet and people slept in their beds. I knew that I was separated from their life and problems. I had only one instinct: to kill. Suddenly I heard how Vladislaus arrived behind my back. He was calm but nervous because of my escape. Dracula whispered:

"Want to get back your previous life?"

"That's impossible. You ruined my life, happy now?" – I answered tiredly. Vlad didn't expect that I'll cause him troubles or disobedience.

"You miss Gabriel, don't you?"

"I hope he'll be happier than me."

"You love him?"

"You know the answer, so why do you asking?" – I turned face to him.

"Have you forgotten that I'm your master?"

"Master? Right. You decided it when killed my father!" – I hissed.

Dracula squeezed my arm and shouted:

"Don't forget your place, my dear!"

I sobbed and kissed his neck to show my submissiveness and for him to release my arm.

"Good. That's not too hard, really? We need to come back, my dear, the sun will rise soon."

"So what?"

"The sun can kill us. Let's hurry."

"Kill? Good idea," - I thought and didn't move from where I was standing. Dracula growled nervously and took me with him with force.

"You are so stubborn! But I like it."

I smiled to myself. I recognized Romanian prince.

My life changed. To survive I became hypocritical. With Dracula I'm naughty and childish but in reality I'm sad and lonely. He found another two brides – Aleera and Verona. Verona is the eldest and the wisest of us. She is like an elder sister for me. But Aleera … That red-haired whore! She kisses the ground which he steps! She is so wretched.

I sometimes visit my father's castle, but it's hard because Valerie Senior hunts on us as we hunt people. I have a habit to play with my food, and Dracula likes it.

Well, my life isn't interesting; Vlad uses us. If I could, I left him but he senses me. People not only in Romania know who we are and calls us Nospheraty in church books and prays and vampires in usual. Dracula found way to duplicate our specie. One witch Maya met with him and he gave her his blood. Maya perfected our specie. She and another four vampires could marry each other and have children like people. They are noble vampires. They subordinated turned vampires and werewolves but Dracula knows how to show them on their place.

I'm still thinking about Gabriel. Where is he? Is he happy? Does he remember me sometimes? Oh, ink is finishing. I guess that's not an end but … beginning of something new.

31.10.1465. Transylvania. Sigishoare village."

Marishka clamped her writings with tiny robber and embraced it carefully. She felt much better when free her emotions and feelings which she kept for a long time. She even didn't notice Dracula came into her chamber.

"Why are you alone, my dear?" – asked Vladislaus smelling aroma of his bride's perfume. Marishka flinched in fright, took the papers and ran out of the room. Vlad smiled and took the feather from the table. He didn't know what was she writing but didn't think that it's important. He opened the window and watched Marishka flying into the night sky. And snowflakes were falling, falling …

The end.