I should warn you that this chapter gets very hot, and there is a sex scene. So yeah, I hope you're all reviewing!
Today was the day. The dawning of the rest of their lives. Vladislaus sat up in bed from a night of very little sleep. But still eager to move on with the day, he got out of bed and put on his traditional black outfit with an overcoat. Searching through drawers, he found his golden pin and pulled his long, black hair back. He glanced at himself in the mirror for a moment, praying that he didn't look sleep deprived. Luckily he did not, and content with his appearance, he left the room. Knowing that he would not see Verishka until later that night, he walked into the hall where a very large table was being set, and decorations being placed everywhere.
"A little nervous, my friend?" a voice from behind him asked.
"You know me too well Gabriel," Vladislaus said, turning around.
"Well, after knowing you since you were eight I would hope so," Gabriel said smiling.
"And how old am I now?" he asked.
"You're thirty three, I'm thirty, Verishka's twenty seven, that servant over there is twenty five, and if you need anyone else's age, don't hesitate to ask," Van Helsing said.
"You always could make me laugh," Vladislaus said with a smile.
Verishka sat in front of a mirror, gingerly brushing her long, dark brown hair, and browsing through her jewelry box. Looking at her face, she thought to herself, 'Surely, I cannot be the great beauty all men say,' Despite her doubts, that was exactly what Verishka was. Her cheek bones protruded just enough to not make her look starved, and her eyes were a perfect almond shape, with flawless dark eye liner around them, making her look slightly exotic. And she had the traditional Translyvanian dark hair. Eventually, she found what she was looking for within her jewelry box. A small, square-cut diamond pendant on a silver chain which she fastened around her neck. It had been a gift from the count from the past week. She had to force herself not to put on the engagement ring he had given her. For soon another ring would take its place.
Suddenly, she her a knock at the door before her father entered carrying a very large box.
"My beautiful Verishka, how are you?" he asked.
"Fine father, only a little nervous," she said.
"Maybe this will help," he said, setting the box down on her bed and opening it.
"Where did you get that?" Verishka gasped.
"It was among the few possessions of your mother's I kept, with you in mind," he said, proudly.
"Father, you really wish for me to wear mother's wedding gown?" she asked.
"Yes my dear, it would do me well," he said, leaving the room as if to ask her to try it on.
Verishka gently slipped it on. It was a perfect fit. Her mother must have been the same size as she was when she was married. The dress was of white silk, with a corset styled top. The sleeves became wider as the trailed down her arms. The bottom flowed gracefully to the floor, but was short enough not to trip her.
"Darling you look beautiful," her father said, coming back into the room.
"You really think so father?"
"Yes, you remind me of your mother, on our wedding day," he said, fighting back tears.
"I will miss you father," Verishka said, hugging him dearly.
"I know darling, but do not worry. We shall still see each other. And I know you will be happy," he said, patting her on the back.
As evening came over all of Romania, the nearest church began to fill with guest from all over the land. It was truly a beautiful night, with the sky black, but clear. Still in the early hours, with the rest for the taking, and the priest words lingering on the the minds of only two.
"Do you take this man?"
"I do."
"Do you take this woman?"
"I do."
There was a great deal of celebration afterwards. While at the dinner table, Verishka and Vladislaus rarely strayed from the conversation amongst themselves.
"My darling you look lovely tonight," Vladislaus said, caressing her cheek.
"Thank you my love. Do you not find all of this hard to believe?" she asked.
"Find what hard?"
"You and I, we are finally married," Verishka said with great excitement in her voice.
"Yes," Vladislaus said, pulling her in for a kiss. Neither of them caring who saw, which was nice compared to before. The deep passionate love that the two of them were engulfed in was blinding them from the piercing glare that they were getting from Gabriel Van Helsing.
Once the dinning room had been emptied, the guest were ushered into the ballroom where an orchestra was playing a haunting, Romanian tune. People immediately began to grab partners and dance. Vladislaus's strong, but gentle hand found Verishka's as he led her to the dance floor. As the dance began, Verishka followed him with an extremely large amount of poise and grace that surprised him. She had been so weak, but now, as their arms intwined and their feet moved slowly across the room, it was as if she had been doing it for her entire life.
"I had no idea you were such a magnificent dancer my love," Vladislaus said carefully dipping her before bringing her back up.
"I was also unaware of your obvious talent," she said.
When the dance ended an another began, Vladislaus and Verishka left the dance floor to be met by many people that they did not know, congratulating them. However once the masses of elderly people giving them best wishes died down, a large group of eligible women sprang up. Dozens of them pleading for a dance with the count to a point where, with Verishka's approval, he was forced to accept some of them. Although Verishka also had her fair share of men who longed for her attention, she couldn't help but laugh at the fact that she had just married, what was once the most desirable young bachelor in all of Vaseria.
Once Vladislaus had gotten off of the dance floor he suddenly said, "I have no idea why these women are all so fascinated with me."
"What's not to adore? You're strong, brave, intelligent, handsome, rich. Did I mention handsome and rich?" she asked.
"You did, and thank you," he said, wrapping her in his arms and kissing her. Then another woman grabbed him by the arm and pulled him onto the dance floor. He gave Verishka a pleading look that screamed "help me!" However Verishka could only laugh.
"Good evening Verishka," Van Helsing said from behind her.
"Good evening Gabriel. I am yet to see you dance, are you all right?" she asked.
"Oh yes, I'm fine. I'm just not much of a dancer," he said.
"Well, you'll have to excuse me, but I think my husband may need some rescuing," she said, making her way onto the dance floor.
"She gracefully wove her way through the crowd of people to the place where Vladislaus was dancing with the woman. At the right moment, when the dance required them to separate, Verishka moved in-between them and she and Vladislaus made their way away from the woman.
"I am eternally grateful to you my love," he said.
"Please, consider it my duty to you as your loving wife to save you from desperate women," she said.
"You'll have to excuse me, I just have to talk to some of my relatives for a moment. I'd ask you to come but, that would be too cruel," he said, kissing her again before leaving.
"I don't suppose that I might have this dance?" Gabriel Van Helsing asked.
"I'm not sure Gabriel. I'm getting tired and Vladislaus..." she began to say, but as she did she felt his hand on the small of her back and she had no choice but to follow him.
"Gabriel! Are you unable to accept no for an answer?" she said, annoyed.
"Well, I didn't think you really said no, more that you weren't sure," he said.
He wasn't that dancer that Vladislaus was. She could tell by the way her feet were now constantly being stepped on. He wasn't gentle, or graceful and Verishka was getting tired of it. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Vladislaus. The first thing that came to her mind was that she prayed he wouldn't be jealous. She had never seen him jealous before, so she wasn't sure if he was jealous or surprised. She guessed the first one. However she had never been so relieved when the dance ended.
"I see you finally got Gabriel to dance," the count said as Verishka came to him.
"Yes, and my feet are praying for it now," she said, in pain.
"My poor darling. It's late and our guests are leaving. Perhaps we should retire for the night?" Vladislaus suggested.
"That is the best idea you've had all night," she said, wrapping her arms around his neck, and kissing him. She then took his hand. The two of them walked up the stairs that led to the chamber that they would both share for the night. As the reached the top of the stairs, Verishka pulled him closer for a passionate kiss. During a breath, Vladislaus said, " Patience dear, patience. We are almost there."
Once they entered the room, Vladislaus picked her up in his arms, and caressed her lips with his. Moving towards the bed, Verishka found her senses going wild at first, before getting lost in a blur from his touch. As they both tore at each other's clothes, the fire blazed brightly before them. Finally, Vladislaus was able to look upon the naked body of his beloved, which seemed utterly flawless. He began to place hot kisses down her chest as she clung to his back, running her nails up and down it. With each kiss, her breath increased more and more as Vladislaus muttered her name between kisses.
With the feeling of her soft skin moving beneath him, Vladislaus finally gave in and let out a loud moan as her panting increased. His lips kissed her again, as her mouth opened allowing his tongue to caress the inside. Again, he heard her whimper as she arched her back, allowing the softest part of her skin to come into contact with him.
"I'm yours," she whispered.
"Mine, and only mine forever," he added.
"Yes," she moaned. He then held her tighter against him as he entered her. Their cries of ecstasy were only edging them on. He claimed her several times before the nights end. Around dawn, the two stated lovers fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.