Chapter 29: Here We Go Again
AN: Yes, I'm still alive over here. Severe writer's block coupled with depression makes for one not-very-happy author, which makes for longer time between chappies, which makes for not-very-happy readers. I'm really sorry about that, but all I can ask is that you guys just bear with me for a little bit until I start feeling better. Personally I think this chapter turned out like crap, but after many re-typings it was the best version and I don't think you guys could have waited much longer. : ) Don't worry, I have no intention of dropping this story, even if I am a little slow. Again, many apologies and cookies all around.
"You're taking an awfully long time in there."
I laughed to myself at the frustrated note in Dracula's voice. In reality, it had only been five minutes. I splashed happily in the tub, thoroughly enjoying the first real bath I'd had in a while. Cold mountain streams do not compare in any way, shape, or form. But I did hurry up.
Dressing, I wrung the water out of my hair and opened the door.
"You know, for someone who's over 300 years old, you sure don't have much patience," I teased.
"It depends on what I'm waiting for." He had a point, but I would not admit that to him while teasing him. Taking his hand in my smaller one, I looked up at my husband thoughtfully. Our relationship was so rocky: one minute I was yelling at him, the next we were engaged in playful banter.
In spite of everything I really did love him, and more that a little guilt weighed on my heart because of that. An angel in a relationship with a vampire was forbidden by the very nature of the species and the realm s they were affiliated with. I couldn't help but feel like I was betraying God in some way, though I was constantly asking for forgiveness.
"What is it?" I just shook my head with a small smile. My stomach rumbled slightly and I sighed in annoyance.
"They're getting hungry," I informed Dracula. He seemed confused at first, but when I pointed to my swollen stomach, he understood.
As he led me out of the room, he said, "I have been meaning to ask you about that. How is it that you can be so sure of their feelings?"
"Well, you can't exactly call it a mother's instinct," I admitted. "It's more like a primitive telepathic bond or something. At that, I can only sense very strong base emotions. And right now they're all annoyed because they're hungry." I rolled my eyes in annoyance of my own, provoking a laugh from Dracula.
"Well then, we mustn't keep them waiting."
I could feel their hunger pushing at the back of my mind. "Please don't."
As I ate, my the wheels in my brain were spinning so fast I was surprised my brain didn't explode. What was to be done about my current situation? I for sure wasn't going to just sit docilely and accept my re-capture. Oh no. I would not.
But how to get out? With no windows and a veritable labyrinth of hallways in this place, not to mention constant chaperoning, I was not going to have an easy time of it. One this was for sure: I was going to get nowhere with Dracula. I was constantly distracted around him, for obvious reasons. Maybe if I went back to the Brides' common room…
"If you wish."
I looked up, startled slightly. I hadn't realized that I had said that last sentence aloud. Panic set in. Had I said anything else? Then common sense took over once more. If I had mentioned anything about escape, surely Dracula would have said something.
If Marishka and Verona thought I was too quiet, they said nothing as well. It was a little easier to concentrate in their presence, but not by much. I thought up bad idea after impossible idea after ludicrous idea for who knows how long.
"Destiny," Aleera purred. I jumped, and forced my heartbeat back to normal. Aleera smiled for having frightened me, however briefly.
"What Aleera?" I asked shortly. I was in no mood for any of her games. There was work to be done.
"I need to…talk to you for a moment." She looked up at the other two Brides. "Alone."
Verona frowned. "Aleera, I do not think it wise –"
"I won't eat her, I promise." Aleera snapped. "I won't even hurt her a little bit."
Verona seemed satisfied by this, for she motioned for Marishka to follow her out of the chamber. I eyed Aleera warily.
"Just what exactly do you want?"
"Don't you know?" Her voice was falsely sweet. I had a half idea, but still shook my head. Aleera's face hardened. "I want you gone," her voice was edged with steel now. "You stole my Master and now you're expecting his children when all of ours hang lifeless from the walls. To say that you've been a thorn in my side is an understatement. I can't stand the sight of you, and I want you as far away from me as possible. I don't care how it's done. Death, escape, whatever. Even if I have to go so far as to break you out of here myself, so long as you never come back."
"Oh, and I'm supposed to believe you because you're just a good citizen trying to help out?" I asked scornfully. Aleera laughed harshly.
"Believe what you want little girl. I'm the only chance you have of ever getting to Rome." I still didn't trust her. Rule number one: Don't trust Aleera. Ever. After the experience with Nerilka I had vowed never to be that naïve again.
"Nothing you say can make me believe you," I stated flatly, crossing my arms over my chest.
"You want proof? I'll get you proof. You just worry that nothing leaks out or it'll be both of our heads." With that, she swept angrily out of the room.
I stood there in confusion. Something about that last remark made me want to believe her, even though I knew better than to trust her with anything. But she did have a point. If we were caught (not that I was going along with this, yet) she would be just as guilty as I and would share in my punishment, perhaps even more so because she masterminded the whole thing. In any case, the only thing I could do now was wait.
And wait I did. For two agonizing days I waited, each tense minute seeming like an hour, slowly ticking by. I tried to act normal but my mind would start to wander in the direction of worrying over the what-ifs and everything else that could go wrong. I slept fitfully and ate little. Desperate for some respite, I finally pleaded with Verona to show me the library, a familiar haunt.
Here at least I got some semblance of privacy, wandering around the bookshelves in a bizarre sort of game of hide-and-seek, trying to get out from under surveillance as much as possible. More often though, I would be found sitting in a chair with a book, trying to concentrate on the words but usually failing. The anticipation was killing me.
"You seem preoccupied."
I must have jumped a foot in the air. So wrapped up had I been in my thoughts that I had failed to notice Dracula's approach. Hence the surprise.
"What?" I willed my heartbeat to slow down. Taking a deep, calming breath I said, "Please don't do that." I put the book down and looked at him as he took the seat next to mine. "Did you want something?"
"Not in particular. You have just seemed unusually wearied over the past two days. Is anything wrong?" He seemed genuinely concerned.
I shook my head gently, with a small smile. "No, not really. It's just hormones I think." He looked at me dubiously. "Really, I'm fine. It'll pass within a day or so."
"Good. We will start travelling back to Romania the day after tomorrow." Dracula rose, kissed me lightly on the forehead, and left for another part of the library. His back was to me so he didn't see my cheeks flush. I hated lying to him, but it was necessary. That didn't stop me from feeling rotten about it anyway.
Later that night, Aleera sought me out in the Brides' common room. Verona and Marishka were off somewhere, probably feeding. The fiery vampiress thrust something at me. It was a roll of paper.
"There's you proof," she said in a low voice. I looked down to see a short letter written on it.
Destiny,
I know you have your misgivings, but trust Aleera to help get you out of there. No, this note isn't forged and, again, no I wasn't forced to write it either. Here's proof that this proof is real: You stole the window seat that I had wanted. That was really childish.
Damon
this"That's good enough for me, I guess," I told her. Only Damon had been around when I'd stolen his seat.
"Good. We need to get you out of here tonight, as in right now, before we start travelling. It is almost dawn; we'll have to move quickly.
I just nodded and thought,
Here we go again.
For those who are confused, here's the status of Dest/Drac's relationship: it's mellowed a lot, but is still tender. Destiny's view on Drac: afraid of what he's capable of at times, annoyed with what he does at others, but always she loves him. There, I said it.