"This place should do fine for our new palace, don't you think?" Dracula asked, motioning everywhere.
"It's big enough," Verishka said, gazing down at her feet. The entire place was cold, but it was as if Verishka and Dracula were immune to it, being dead cold themselves.
"Well my dear, there are numerous chambers, do you wish to have your own or... we could always explore the master suite," he said suddenly in front of her, with a hand on her cheek. For no reason at all, a single tear rolled down her cheek and onto Dracula's hand.
"Oh darling, I know, it doesn't feel much like home yet. But don't worry, in a few years, when we're settled and when these halls are filled with the sounds of our children, then it will feel like home," Dracula comforted.
"Children?" she asked.
"We have some time to think about that, but for now, my dear, the sun rises and you look exhausted," he said.
"I am," she sighed.
"Well, I must admit I tire as well, let us find a suitable chamber for the day," Dracula yawned.
With one arm around Verishka's waist, Dracula and she walked up one winding staircase until they came to a long hallway. Once at the door, Dracula politely opened the door for Verishka and the two walked in.
The room was like candy for the eyes. It had deep red walls, with a slight wallpapered pattern, golden and black tapestries hung from the walls. There were tall candle sticks, both left at the bedside, the bed had elaborate dark wood boards, with fine black silk sheets, and it was a four poster canopy bed that had sheer black cloth draped at the bedsides. A fireplace was in the wall directly across from the bed, and the fire blazed seductively. Finally, an armor and dresser made of deep chestnut woods sat on adjacent walls.
"This should do, don't you think dear?" he asked.
"It's beautiful," Verishka said, turning around to face him. Cold as his eyes were, Verishka knew and saw the emotions that was behind them now: lust and desire.
"You know, our first night in a new house, I thought it might be nice for you and I to maybe spend the day together," he said, his face extremely close to hers.
"Darling, we sleep together every night now say what you mean," she said. Dracula pulled her close and kissed her hungrily, wrapping her in his arms and running his hands down her lean, well-shaped figure. Her lips felt like satin to him, her body felt like pure perfection, and he wanted to devour her in one fiery motion of love. Verishka however, felt like she was suffocating. He was starting to grind against her, and his kiss was extremely hard and not at all tender. He pulled away for a breath and Verishka seized that opportunity to pull away. She backed away, gasping for one breath of air. Dracula appeared slightly worried and took a step toward her.
"No, I'm sorry Dracula, I can't, I... I need to be alone, I just do," she said.
"As you wish my love," Dracula said, seething slightly, "I'm sure you know how to find me if you need anything," and with that he left the room.
More than anything she wanted to lay in the arms of that man all night. The man she fell in love with, the man who had loved her so much. Not in a million years was she planning on giving up on him, but now more than ever did she feel that the man she had married had died that day, and so had she. But why was she the one who was willing to try to save their relationship.
Feeling the exhaustion of daytime pulling at her, she slipped on a simple white silk nightgown, and drifted off to sleep.
Verishka awoke the next night. She felt extremely well rested and eager to explore the remainder of this gigantic fortress. When she got up, her eyes immediately went to a black dress that was laid across a chair. Lovely as it looked, what first came to her mind was: How had Dracula been into her room without her knowing? She got up and crossed the room to the dress and held it up to herself.
It was beautiful, black, harem-styled with a v-neck that went down in-between her breasts. The fabric was sheer and the portion that covered her stomach was transparent with flowers made of sequins. Long pieces of cloth trailed from the shoulders that were attached to her wrists and also trailed on the floor. Not that she could look in a mirror, but she could pray that she looked decent, for she had never felt so bare and revealed. It did fit her well and as she finished putting it on she noticed a note on the chair.
My darling,
I hope you slept well, know that I longed for your presence all day. I hope you like the dress. I know it will look stunning on you. Please meet me in the entry way.
Yours,
Vlad
Verishka crumpled the paper and tossed it into the fire. What on earth he wanted with her, she had no idea. Then, the thought hit her, she was his wife, why wouldn't he want to see her? That didn't make her any more eager to see him, but she headed for the entry way nonetheless.
When she finally reached the hall, Dracula was waiting for her with open arms.
"My sweet, I was right, you look positively radiant," he said, pulling her close with one arm.
"Thank you. May I ask as to the occasion for the dress?" she questioned.
"Well, I thought maybe out with the old and in with the new. And besides, do I really need a reason to give you things?" he asked.
"I suppose not," Verishka said, "but again, is there something you want to talk to me about?"
"Dear, I wonder, would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" he asked.
"Here? Now?" she asked.
"More or less," he said, snapping his fingers. Mystically, music started playing. It was an Hungarian melody, eerie and entrancing. Before Verishka knew it, she was in a golden ballroom, wearing a beautiful black ball gown with a matching mask and a short golden cape. Dracula was also wearing his traditional black, but also wore a golden cape and a mask.
The two began dancing, the same way that they had years ago. With Dracula feeling the way he had on their wedding night, that she fit perfectly in his arms. He pulled her close for another fiery kiss. She returned it wearily, as if in a trance. Dracula took a breath and lost concentration on the moment and in all faded, and they were back in the icy fortress.
"Why did you do that?" Verishka asked, shaken.
"Pleasure, my love, pleasure," he said, smirking.
"You need all of that to take pleasure in my presence?" she asked.
"No, but don't you think that we should use these powers to our benefit?" Dracula asked.
"How are we going to live here, Dracula? We can't leave, we're going to starve," she said.
"Well darling, only time will tell, and trust me, time is something we have a lot of," he said.