Forgive me for the corny song title, but it was the only one I could think of. Breaking these two up is one of the hardest things I've had to do. I really get emotionally attached to my characters.
They did have a lot of time. All the time in the world. They had time to go out, and do things provided it was after sunset. Due to their need to be able to leave and hunt, the devil gave them second forms, with which they could fly. To Dracula, a form that was terrifying; with huge muscles, claws, a monstrous face, and gigantic wings. For Verishka, a more lean form with silver skin, red eyes, and pointed ears. They both took to flying naturally, but with that ability came a price. They were no longer invincible, the bite of a werewolf could kill them, and their sired vampires could be killed by silver stakes, holy relics, garlic, and sunlight. Now that vampires had the gift of flight, that made them the most feared creatures in all the world.
As the years went by for the king and queen of the Damned. Five years after their arrival at Castle Dracula, they received word that Verishka's father had died. One year later, Dracula's father did as well. Verishka barely grieved, and Dracula seemed pleased by the news. It became apparent on Dracula's seventieth birthday that time could no longer touch them. Verishka look a day over twenty seven.
With the passing of time, Verishka felt her emotions leave her. She generally stopped caring for much of anything, and was unsure if she could still love. Love was not something she had found useful throughout the years. Although she found little use for love, she was certain she could feel, at least sorrow, pain, fear, and definitely fury. She and Dracula had been honest in life, being vampires only worsened their already wild tempers. Still, she was uncertain whether she could love, and Dracula seemed to refuse trying. As a powerful darkness grew inside both she and Dracula, they spend less and less time together. It bothered Dracula seeing as Verishka was beautiful, charming, witty, and he longed for her at his side when ever he met with other noblemen to show her off. Verishka, however, felt quite the opposite. She felt as if Dracula's love for her had faded. And so she hardened her heart to his romantic trickery.
With their extremely handsome fortune they were able to buy property all over Europe. It was only recently that they had bought a palace in Budapest. The palace was beautiful, with golden halls and floors. Dracula had decided that they should hold a ball to show off their new property to the nobles and had commanded Verishka to be at his side that evening.
The year was 1575. Verishka stood up. She was on top of the tallest structure she could find in Budapest, looking out onto the horizon. That was where she spent many of her nights; on rooftops, gazing outward, but more importantly without Dracula. Realizing what time it was, she walked over to the edge and stepped off. The building must have been one hundred fifty feet high. She let herself fall for about twenty feet before turning into her hell beast form and flying towards the castle. Although she wasn't fond of the way she looked or the way it mutated her voice. The wind in her face, the feeling that as a mortal she had longed to experience.
The flight ended much too soon for Verishka as she landed on the balcony and smoothed her dress out. It was red velvet with a cream silk bodice. It had a square neck line and was cut very low. One of Dracula's gifts to her. She barely owned anything of her own anymore as he was always showering her with gifts. But she had tired of his games to keep her with him long ago. Her hair was down, the way Dracula liked it. Almost everything he had her do seemed to be to please him, and that saddened her.
Sensing that Dracula was angry, and wanted her to come to him, Verishka walked down the hall to his chamber. Once she entered, she saw the door to the stone balcony was open, and so she stepped outside. Dracula was leaning against the stone railing, looking out over the city. She stood behind him for several moments before he spoke, "I have done everything I could think of to make you love me," he then turned around to face her, "and yet still you deny me the one thing I ask in return, your love and trust."
Showing as little emotion on her face as possible Verishka spoke, "Why should I give you that which you have denied me?"
"Verishka, I've given you everything I can, you know that," he said.
"Ha! Jewelry and gowns? You could lavish me with all the riches in the world Dracula, but you would still never give me love. I know we are damned, but have you even tried to love?" she asked pain stricken.
They both paused, and in that moment a pin dropping could have been heard. Neither one of them was sure what to do or say.
"Come here," Dracula said holding out a hand. Verishka knew he couldn't and would not kill her, so she took it and he pulled her into him. Gazing down into her auburn eyes, he spoke, "If I told you I love you, would that make it all better? Is that what you want to hear?" When Verishka didn't reply, he pulled her into a hungry kiss, holding her tighter than ever. As he realized that she wasn't returning the kiss at all he pulled back.
"Now you refuse to return my kisses?" he asked, aggravated.
"Was it not you who said that we could feel nothing? Then what's the point of kissing?"
"You know, perhaps I should find another bride that will please me more than you. I have found others who are more worthy and who would show more gratitude and respect towards me."
For years, Verishka had known about women that he supposedly kept with him, and she hadn't cared. But by actually bringing them up, and saying they were better than her, killed Verishka inside. She felt stabbed by jealousies blade, and now she was bleeding. Not wanting to hurt her, Dracula immediately regretted saying that. Just as he was about to apologies, Verishka retaliated and snapped, "You should, it would make my existence easier; not having to tolerate your monstrous behavior!" Dracula moved too fast and she couldn't react quick enough. He threw her from him, through the door, and the room to a point where she crashed into a mirror that hung above the bed. The shards of glass went everywhere as she collapsed onto the bed. She desperately tried to heal herself, but soon Dracula was on her again, on top of her, his eyes glaring.
"That was a very foolish thing to say Verishka! I thought you knew better than to anger me!" he snapped. Knowing that she couldn't get Dracula off of her by arguing with her, she began to cry letting tears run down her face.
Suddenly, his expression softened and he began to comfort her.
"No no no no no, shhhh," he said, caressing her face, "do not fear me, it's all right." Verishka sighed, how quickly he could turn from man to monster and back again. Dracula got off of her and began to walk towards the door, once he reached it he paused for a moment and stopped.
"Why don't you freshen up a bit and meet me in the ballroom in ten minutes?" he suggested, as he left the room. Much as it sounded like a suggestion, it was a command. Verishka laid there for a moment, shocked at Dracula's reaction. Now, 'How he flees to the ballroom,' Verishka thought to herself. She would have liked to talk to him, about perhaps the way in which he had just thrown her into a mirror. But she knew he wouldn't talk about it.
For only a few more moments she laid there before sitting up. A cold, hard truth hit her in the face: their love was gone. They were either too cold or the devil would not permit it. But nonetheless she had to get away. The one thing in life she had been so sure of: that she would love him forever, and always want to be with him, was no longer true. Now she wanted one thing and had the opportunity to get it. What she wanted was freedom from Count Vladislaus Dracula.
She knew she had little time before he came looking for her, so she hurried to her chamber and threw all of her jewelry into a bag. If she needed money, it could come in handy. She then changed back into her traditional black, harem styled dress and put her black cloak over it. As she crossed the room she open the wardrobe to reveal dozens of gowns, most of which Dracula had given her. With her fists clenched, she slammed the wardrobe doors closed. The gowns weren't really hers anyway.
With her bag in hand and her cloak fastened, she stepped onto the balcony. As she was about to step off, she stopped and looked back. Did she really want to leave? Leaving was killing her because deep down she knew she still loved him. But she could not live with someone that made her that miserable.
"Goodbye Vladislaus," she whispered as she spread her wings and took to the sky.
She knew he would be mad and follow her. But at that moment all Verishka could think to do was to get as far away from there as she could, as fast as she could.