===Chapter 6: Elements of Blood and Loss ===
Disclaimer: Check last chapter.
A/N: Okay, so I tried writing that seen, and it ended up sucky so I did it this way instead. HAHA! I've frozen! LoL. I could not post until March 28, 9:49 A.M. Sorry for the delay.
Forever Dreaming of You: All will unfold in later chapters, friend.
TearDrops: I know that was abit short, but this one's longer.
Raynee: But does she know that, I wonder? . . .
Lady Lestat: Yep, yep. Thanks for the review!
Ti Sly: Haha! That is a funny mistake! LoL. Well, sorry for that and thank you for liking my story!
Sinister-Darkness: Yep I'm a Christian and proud to say it. Thanks for the review, love!
Nerys stood back in Vaseria, walking out of the church. She was struck dumb, her face stained with tears. She was not sad, but amazed. She could hardly walk, her legs were so heavy with shock. It took several moments for her to get up on her horse. As soon as she did, however, she took off at a breathtaking speed back to what had been her home for 378 years.
When she reached the Fortress, the humorously large doors opened automatically for her, as she refused to let her demon fly in through the opening above. The mare was covered a sheet of sweat. A Dwergi servant took the horse back to the stable where it could drink and rest. As Nerys walked slowly through the hall, Dracula appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
"Where have you been?" He demanded. Nerys began to take off her cloak and veil.
"Vaseria," Nerys answered. This spun his curiosity. He leaned closer to her, taking the veil and cloak from her hands and handing them to a Dwergi.
"Why were you in Vaseria? It was not safe to go out when the sun is up, cloaked or not,' Dracula scolded. Nerys smiled in relief. He had not noticed anything amiss about her; the wind had washed her tears away, along with their stains, and her eyes were no longer puffy. She was surprised that he did not reach into her mind himself. But she supposed he didn't because he wanted her challenge: To seduce her with out hypnotizing her.
"I visited the church. It's been so long since I've been there. Now that I can, I suppose I will do it more often. And I am also unaffected by the sun," Nerys said, starting to walk. Dracula walked alongside her, their pace slow.
"And why would you visit the church? You may be immune to the holy icons, but you are still a demon of my will," Dracula stated calmly. He suspected that she would be immune to the sun. Nerys tried not to explode at the comment.
"The demon may live within me, yes, but I do not let it rule me." Silenced ruled for a while, as the two continued through twisting halls. Nerys looked over at Dracula, who was looking straight ahead.
"If you don't mind me asking, Count, but why did you drive that stake through my heart? And answer truthfully," Nerys asked, meeting his gaze when he looked over at her.
"I knew it would not kill you. Something protects you, Nerys, a force stronger than I. It also does not let me into your mind. I suspect God, but why he would favor you, little demon, is beyond me," The count said with frustration. Nerys wondered at her words. Protection from God, he said? Hmm . . . .
"You could have told me that before and I wouldn't have been angry with you," Nerys said matter-of-factly.
"I did not believe it myself at the time, so I did not voice it. I thought it was the Devil showing you mercy, but I dismissed it. The Devil does not show mercy, even to me," The Count added. Nerys nodded in understanding. It made enough sense. When Dracula looked away, she stared up at him. Lately, she ad found his presence great company, and enjoyed being around him, as he acted more civilized. He did not seem so arrogant around her anymore.
"See something you like?" Nerys snapped out of her reverie, the Count smirking at her. Nerys looked away and rolled her eyes.
"Pompous ass," Nerys said under her breath, just loud enough for him to hear, had he been human, but he wasn't human so he would have heard her anyway. He let out a chuckle in her direction. He grabbed her hand, turning her to face him. They stopped walking. He took both of her hands in his.
"But you wouldn't have me any other way," Dracula said, kissing her hands. Nerys lifted her hands from his, resting them instead around his neck. He in turn rested his hands on her waist.
"Bastard," Nerys mumbled, bringing the Count's lips down to hers, in a short kiss. It angered her that she fell so easily to him, even if he didn't hypnotize her. She growled against his lips, frustrated with herself.
"You thirst. Drink from me," Dracula whispered fervently against her lips. Without a second thought Nerys, diverted her lips from his and to his throat. She was so hungry; she had not had a full dinner last night. Her canines lengthened, digging into the Count's cool flesh. His grip around her tightened as she sucked his blood from him like an animal. When she had had her fill, she gently licked the wound, willing it to heal.
Dracula sighed. She had taken more from him then he had expected. But no matter, he healed instantly and most of his temporary weakness left him. The Count bent down to her, taking her in another kiss. He could smell his blood upon her sweet lips, and it intoxicated him, making him a tad hungry as well.
Dracula nipped her neck, drawing bits of blood. Nerys moaned, whether it was out of pleasure or pain he knew not, but either way he did not stop. He kissed her small wound, and it healed quickly. He kissed her once again, but this one was much slow, and this pleased both of them. They were both weak from their attack on each other. When they parted once more, the Count led Nerys to her room, but dared not enter himself. Her room was blessed and littered with holy icons. He saw she slept on her bed instead of her coffin.
Dracula found that he was not angered by this. Nerys was never much the type for a vampire, except her fiery temper and her disrespectful attitude. He figured she would sleep in her bed if she would continually visit the church. He would prevent her visits as much as he could, but he knew she would find a way to get there.
Dracula closed the door softly, tucking his first bride away from him. Now, it was time to send Verona and Aleera to find his lost pet.
Michael took Gabriel aside from the eternally joyous crowd.
"What is it, dear friend?" Gabriel asked.
"You are to be sent down to Earth, to defeat a great evil that the Great Betrayer will create in hopes of destroying the world. It has yet to be made, but the Lord sends you down soon so that you might be prepared for it," Michael said to his closest of friends.
"Not that I refuse such a great honor, but I must ask why me?" Gabriel asked curiously. Michael continued.
"The Lord did not tell me why he has chosen you, but he did say you would not be able to do such a deed on your own. He sends Danelle with you. He said that together, you could overthrow this powerful evil.
Van Helsing rose slowly from his dream. It had not been anything like his other dreams, but he knew it was of the same element. Danelle . . . . That was the name of the girl warrior in his other dream, but he had yet to find out who she was. His dreams were like a huge book: He could only watch on, never knowing what come next, but the story always came together in the end.
But right now, he needed to get Dr. Frankenstein's creation to Rome.
Nerys slept quite peacefully, a small smile on her face. She rolled to the left Ð and fell off the bed. She woke with a start, and a headache set it. The blonde raised a hand to her head, groaning.
Nerys stood up, rubbing her head and willing her headache to leave. It soon left her, but there was an echo of pain that still resounded in her head. She left her room and made way to the reconstructed lab. Dracula was there, ordering Dwergi around. Nerys remembered the last day's events, and knew that the next couple days were going to be hard for her.
Dracula spotted her and called her over. He wrapped his arms around her waist, and her arms wound around his neck.
"Verona and Aleera are retrieving the monster as we speak. Nerys hugged him tightly to her, burying her face in his neck. She could smell his sweet, candy-like blood beneath the cool skin. She kissed his neck softly, but would not let him go. The Count drew small circles on her delicate back. He didn't know why she clung to him so now, not that he minded, but there was work to be done.
At first Nerys hugged him in delight for the monster, but now she hugged, seeking comfort for their loss. She supposed he did not yet know, but he would any second now. Nerys began to cry into his shoulder, much to his confusion. As she was much shorter than he, he was practically holding her up.
"We've lost Verona. Oh sweet god, we've lost Verona," Nerys half-cried half-mumbled into the Count's shoulder. Dracula drew stiff at her comment and anger welled in him. His eyes turned from mysteriously dark to boiling red with rage. Once again, the mortal had taken something that was his that he cared for. He would kill Van Helsing, that he was sure.
But not now, no, now he needed to comfort his brides, for they needed soothing. Aleera flew in the window, Princess Anna unconscious in her claws. She quickly dropped her and ran to Dracula, and Nerys stepped out of her way. She quickly wiped the tears from her face, walking over to the Valerious child.
"You didn't kill her, did you Aleera?" Nerys asked, checking the princess for a pulse. When she found one she stood back up and turned to Aleera, who now stood away from Dracula. Anger coursed through her, injecting her blood with adrenaline and strength.
"I would have thought two vampires could kill a mere mortal!" Nerys said with rage to her younger sister.
"He is tricky and cunning. We didn't expect his doings," Aleera countered. When she had arrived home she had expected her mother and sister to hold her and comfort her, not be angry with her.
"It doesn't matter!" Nerys yelled, causing the red-haired bride to take a step back. Dracula just watched the pair with curiosity, wondering what would come out of this. "You possess powers far greater than his, you should have killed the cursed Van Helsing and returned with the monster, not the damned girl!" Nerys shouted. Aleera also grew angry.
"I don't see you helping us! Always hiding yourself like God wouldn't see you if you never left the castle! It's time to face facts, sister, for you are as damned as us!" Aleera shouted, but immediately regretted it. Nerys pinned her to a wall in such a way that Aleera couldn't move an inch.
"I have many more demons than you do, Aleera. Don't talk about things you don't understand!" Nerys whispered dangerously. She sounded even scarier then.
"Oh but I do understand, Nerys, I saw you go to the church, I can hear you praying at night. You wear the cross as if it will save your soul. You may be able to bare the things we can't, but that doesn't mean you're saved sister! You think it will help, but it won't! God has forsaken all of us, including you!" Aleera shouted into her elder sister's face. In that instant, Nerys changed in such a way that delighted Dracula immensely. Nerys pushed Aleera harder against the wall, crushing her ribs.
"I am your queen, Aleera, and you shall not to speak me with such disrespect. I was first bride, and although I do not show it, I AM most powerful," Nerys said menacingly to Aleera, fangs bared. This statement made Aleera even angrier.
"You fool! Dracula is my only master and ONLY he has power over me," Aleera replied, letting her own fangs grow. Nerys was just about to say something but Dracula cut her off.
"Actually it's true. She has been named queen from the time when I turned her, but she chose to keep it secret," Dracula told Aleera. Both girls had jumped, forgetting that Dracula was in the room. Aleera looked at him pleadingly over Nerys's shoulder. He gave her a look something akin to 'You're on your own.' Nerys smirked. Aleera looked back to her.
"Then why do you show it now?" Aleera asked.
"Because it needs to be shown," Nerys said, releasing her hold on her sister. Aleera healed herself stepping away from the wall.
"Is the werewolf dead?" Nerys asked her sister, turning back to Anna.
"Yes," Aleera answered reluctantly. She wanted to be queen, to have Dracula for herself.
"Damn. Anyway, we still need the monster. Aleera, go and tell the Hunter that we trade the girl for the monster," Nerys ordered, filling her role as queen. Aleera growled, but flew out the window. Nerys ordered some of the Dwergi to take Anna to spare room and lock the door. They did as they were told. Nerys put a hand to her head Ðher headache had returned. Dracula slowly walked towards her.
"And the Queen of the Damned reveals herself," Dracula drawled, folding his hands behind his back. Nerys ignored him, ordering a cup of blood from a Dwergi, who went off to get her some.
"It is only fit that she gets her crowning at the coming ball, don't you think?" Dracula said, walking up behind Nerys and wrapping his arms around her waist.
"If she must," Nerys said, turning and leaving the room. On her way she grabbed the wine glass of blood from the Dwergi's hands, much like she had done to Igor.
A/N: I really don't know what to say, except sorry for any mistakes and REVIEW!