===Chapter 7: Of Destroyed Balls and Passion Tantrums ===
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Van Helsing, Dracula, or anything related to those subjects.
A/N: Spoilers in this chapter! Do you hear me? SPOILERS! I apologize for any mistakes in my last chapter. I tend to do that a lot.
Liz Diz: LoL. Thanks for the review.
The Evil Platypus of Doom: I absolutely love your name! All in one day, huh? Wow, you seemed motivated. LoL. Thank you for your compliments and here is the next chapter!
Sinister-Darkness: I was frozen because I posted an A/N chapter for another story. Glad you liked that chapter, here is the next one.
Ti Sly: Me too, and it only gets hotter. Keep reviewing.
Lady Lestat: No kidding.
It was all nonsense talk, in Nerys's opinion. She didn't want to be queen, but if there had to be one, then she was right for the job. She just wished they would get this Ôcrowning' over with.
Nerys wore an elaborate navy gown embroidered with silver thread. The skirt was not too wide, but not tiny either. It was of satin, but the bodice was velvet. The skirt had silver swirls curling along the bottom, curling up and decreasing the higher they reached. It had a low, square neck and bell-like sleeves. It truly was a magnificent dress. Her hair was in a fancy, curly bun atop her head (like Anna's in the movie) and had some curls falling down her back. A silver mask adorned her face, so that only her blue eyes, pink lips, and delicate chin were visible.
When the readings finished, they placed a small, silver tiara on her head in front of her bun. The diamonds that littered it shone brightly under the many candles in the ballroom. Everyone in the room clapped as a waltz began to play. Almost immediately she was dancing with another vampire that she recognized.
"Marcellus! My friend, I have not seen you in so very long!" Nerys gave Marcellus a tight hug. Marcellus had light brown hair and eyes of the same color. He was tall like many of the other male vampires.
"How are Mahdis and Bairn?" Nerys asked politely. Mahdis was the vampire's wife and Bairn his five-year-old son. Marcellus had turned them both, claiming to no being able to live without them. He was very much the family man, but was extremely loyal to Dracula, just like every other vampire.
"Fine, fine. Mahdis has expressed great desire to visit with you again, and Bairn so misses his favorite aunt," Marcellus said with his light-hearted voice. Someone tapped on Nerys's shoulder, and the two separated.
"May I cut in?" Dracula said suavely. Marcellus bowed, muttering "my lord," and left to find his wife. Nerys resumed the waltz the Count.
"It seems they have taken nicely to me," Nerys commented.
"I think they have always known," Dracula replied. Nerys watched over her husband's shoulder as the gypsy princess was led in by another vampire. More people entered the room, all of them mortal, as the vampires had come early to watch the crowning ceremony.
"Do you believe that Van Helsing will show?" Dracula said, leaning into whisper in her ear, so that no one else would hear his uncertainty.
"I know it, and I have a feeling he will get what he wants. Not all of it, but certainly some of it," Nerys whispered in his ear, kissing his pierced lobe.
"Then I shall have to attend to the Princess myself. If you will excuse me," Dracula said, bowing to her and leaving to find Anna. Nerys walked to a table covered in expensive delicacies and glasses of blood and wine. Dracula always outdid himself . . . .
Nerys grabbed a glass of blood, content to watch the dancers, singers, and entertainers.
"My lady," said a voice from her left. Nerys turned to see a bowing vampire whom she recognized immediately.
"Mordecai, so good to see you, friend," Nerys said while Mordecai kissed her hand. Mordecai was a very dark person, and very high in status with Dracula. He had long, black hair that he tied at the name of his neck, thick, dark eyebrows, and tanned skin. He, too, was tall and was adorned in gold and black.
"Lady Nerys, it has been so very long, but now is not a time for formalities, as I must speak with you in private," Mordecai said quickly and urgently, pulling her into an empty side room.
"What bothers you, old friend?" Nerys asked with concern.
"Surely the Master knows of Gabriel Van Helsing and his plans?" Mordecai asked.
"He does," Nerys said, nodding her head and sipping the wine glass.
"Does he know that Van Helsing is in this very building at this moment, waiting?" Mordecai said, raising and eyebrow. Nerys's face hardened from her quiet, polite demeanor to that of stern and ready for war.
"Where is he?" She asked in a low voice, narrowing his voice.
"Up on the balcony, with another man, who is much smaller and costumed as a joker. I did not know if to kill him or not, so I sought you," Mordecai said as Nerys began to walk to the door.
"Do not let anyone know of this," Nerys called out to him, quickly leaving the room, blue eyes dancing dangerously. As soon as Nerys reentered the ballroom, she spotted Dracula about to bite the pale neck of Princess Anna. She almost called out, but Van Helsing beat her to it. He swooped down on a rope, scooped Anna up, and landed on the opposite balcony.
Everyone in the room removed their masks, showing their vampiric side. All the mortals were gone now . . . .
Dracula smiled up at Van Helsing.
"Welcome to my summer palace," Dracula drawled. Why the rest of the crowd dreamed about how they were going to enjoy their new dinner, Nerys silently made her way towards the balcony.
"Master, master!" Shouted young little Bair from another balcony of small children. Dracula you looked up at him lovingly, then to the side door he was pointing to. It burst open and a dozen vampires and Igor wheeled in Frankenstein. Dracula's smile grew. Igor sat on the monster's chest, a freaky, but happy little grin on his face.
"We have him, Master, we have him!" Igor called out. Dracula laughed in triumph. He gestured up at Van Helsing, Carl, and Anna.
"Enjoy yourselves!" Dracula called out, letting the vampires immediately charge towards them. The trio quickly took off at a run, but the were not fast enough for so many vampires. Nerys flew silently behind them, scooping them up and taking them farther and farther away from the coming vampires. At first Van Helsing tried to kill her, but noticed that she was taking them away from the vampires.
"Why are you helping us, Cinderella?" Van Helsing asked, out of breath. It was hard to breath when going at such a fast speed.
"I'm not helping you. I am not one of Dracula's minions, despite what you must think. Anna was not meant to be turned, and you weren't meant to die. You will suffer pain, but you will not die. Now go," Nerys said, flying back in the opposite direction. She managed to avoid the charging vampires.
Nerys felt an all too familiar jolt in her stomach, and knew something bad was about to happen. She flew into the children's balcony, managing to pick up the only three vampire children. She flew back into the open ballroom, and heading towards the main entrance. Just then, however, a deadly blast resounded within the palace walls, and the brightest of lights seeped into every room, killing as much as it could.
Nerys lay unconscious in her bat form on the ballroom floor, her burned leathery wings wrapped tightly around three children, covering them entirely from sight. One was dead, the other two were unconscious. The children seemed unharmed, but Nerys was burned to a crisp all over. That was how Dracula found her.
He gently pried her wings apart, lifting the two living children and lying them on the floor, He merely tossed the dead one aside. Dracula healed himself as he did so. The light had burnt him also, but he was quick to recovery. He did not know why Nerys was not healing. He didn't even know why she was burned, she had told him she was immune to the sun.
Dracula ran soft fingers over her wounds, healing them himself. As he healed her, Nerys slowly returned to her human form, her hair messy and her dressed torn from the claws of the scared children. He passed his hand over her eyes, and she woke.
"Are they alright? Bairn, Aleda, and Reidar? Where are they? Are they alright?" Nerys asked quickly with worry. Dracula turned back to the children, examining their faces, remembering their names.
"Reidar is lost. Bairn and Aleda live. Not many survived the blast, but some lucky few did, somehow," Dracula replied, helping her to sit up. Nerys was healed, but was still very weak. She was upset that she had not protected Reidar well enough, but at least Aleda and Bairn lived.
"Aleera's dead," Nerys whispered. Dracula nodded his head sadly. They had lost many loyal people.
"Why did you burn?" Dracula asked quickly. He didn't really ask, he more like ordered her to answer.
"I am immune to the vampire's sun curse, but even human's burn, my Lord," Nerys replied.
"We should take everyone back to the Fortress. There they can heal in peace," Nerys said, picking up the two living children. Dracula nodded again. Between the two, they managed to get all of the living vampires to Castle Dracula. It was a long while before any came to. Young little Aleda was one of the first.
She moaned from her position on Nerys's bed, and cried out for her mother. Nerys was at her side in a second, not wanting her to wake up Bairn, who too slept on Nerys's bed. Nerys had put away all of her holy artifacts earlier. She quickly picked the child up, taking her from the room.
"Shush Aleda; we don't want to wake Bairn," Nerys said quietly. Aleda nodded, resting her head on Nerys's shoulder. Aleda had long, curly, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. She was only three when her parents turned her, and now she could only be of eight years, although she eternally remained three. The young girl was still in her ball gown.
"Where's mummy?" Aleda asked as Nerys walked her through the castle. Nerys hesitated. How was she supposed to tell a three-year-old that her parents were dead?
"Mummy and Daddy, are gone for a while, darling," Nerys answered. Aleda accepted the lie.
"Where did they go?" She asked innocently.
"North," was Nerys's immediate answer. If they were anywhere, they were in heaven.
"When are they coming back?" Aleda continued with her parade of questions. Nerys didn't like the reminder of the deaths last night, but you can't just tell a kid to shut up.
"I don't know, darling." Nerys found the room where Dracula was, conversing with some of the older, vampires that had woken. She placed Aleda down, and continued into the room. The adults closed the subject at their appearance and welcomed them. Everyone but Dracula bowed, muttering "my lady." Aleda curtsied to Dracula, ad Nerys when straight to him.
"Her parents are up north," Nerys informed Dracula, who nodded.
"Come here, child," Dracula beckoned Aleda to him. A wide, innocent grin appeared on her face, and the other adults could not help but smile. She ran to her master and full speed, and Dracula was fully repaired. Just as the girl was about to crash into him, he swooped her up into his arms and onto his knees. That was one thing that had terribly confused Nerys. How was this monster so good with children? But that was one of the reasons his fledgling loved him: He knew how to act around the young and was very good with them.
"Aleda, child, are you hungry?" Dracula asked. He smiled when he saw her fangs lengthen and her eyes glow, the little girl shaking her head furiously. Suddenly the little angel had become a little demon, and she was getting to get restless with the thought of feeding. Dracula turned to one of the adults.
"Dorjan, take the girl to feed. You will find food in the basement," Dracula said, finally letting the girl go. She transformed into her bat form and flew over to the calm Dorjan.
"Come one, Dorjan, let's go! Faster, faster! I'm hungry!" Aleda whined, tugging the elder vampires sleeve, trying to drag him. But he was to heavy for her, and she began to whine more. Dorjan ignored her whining and, grabbing one of her wings, pulled her back down to walk with him. The other vampires soon left as well. The two sat on one of the couches, facing each other.
"We do not have enough food to feed seven adults and two children," Nerys said.
"Is that all there is? Nine?" Dracula said, resting his head on his bride's shoulder, his arms around her waist. Nerys stroked his sleek hair with on hand, while the other slinked around his shoulders. This was very much not Like the Dracula she had grown to known. He hadn't even acted like this when she was alive.
"You are not acting normal, my Lord," Nerys said with concern.
"I do not feel normal, wife," Dracula mumbled into her shoulder. Nerys paused her hand over his head mid-stroke. He hadn't called her that since he had turned Verona.
"Then how do you feel, husband?" Nerys asked, continuing to stroke Dracula's head.
"I want to feel sad, but I can't. And that makes me sad, and it becomes an ongoing cycle," Dracula said into her neck, frustration evident in his tone.
"And who's to say you can't feel? You ARE sad, you have shown it because you have never acted like this in my presence. You are passionate about what you speak for and believe. Do you not have to have a heart to have passion? And though you may not admit it, I know, if you didn't, that you very much loved Verona, Marishka, and Aleera. Who is to say you have no heart?" Nerys said deeply, wisely, pulling her husband up to look at her. She framed his face with her small hands, making him look her in the eye.
"The Devil," Dracula groaned, trying to put his head back in the comfortable place between Nerys's neck and shoulder, but Nerys had a strong grip and held his face steady.
"The Bible says," Nerys began and Dracula rolled his eyes. ÔThe Bible' he thought. ÔShe reverts to the Bible.' Nerys shook his head, and he did not roll his eyes again.
"You know everything in the Bible is true, otherwise you would not be so strong against God. Now, the Bible says: ÔSatan was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father it.' So many lies has he told you, Vladislaus!" Nerys cried out, feeling tears well up behind her eyes. His eyes changed when she said his name. She not said his name since he had turned her.
"The Devil cannot tell you truth, because there is no truth in him! Don't you see? Your heart stopped beating because you told it to. You were told you had no heart, you believed it, and now you don't because you said so," Nerys continued, tears strong and burning her eyes. A couple slid down, but she ignored them.
"It is so simple husband. If only you saw that you can have much, much more without this emptiness. You don't have to live such an empty, pointless life. Look around you! You lead these people to nothing! If you are not killed, then you will only live until Judgment Day, and then you will be banished to Hell, and then even the Devil's son will be tortured in all means possible, without relent and without the release of death, for you are already dead. What say you to that, husband!?" Nerys said, trying not to drown in her own tears as they flooded her face. Why didn't he Ðwhy couldn't he see?
Dracula sat watching his only wife, not knowing what to do. Her words hit him hard, and the tears that stained her face were proof to how passionate she was about this, how right she believed she was. His other brides had sobbed, but he they were always doing so to show they were sad, but they couldn't produce real tears, so they racked their bodies trying to make them. But Nerys, no these were not fake tears. And it shocked him more than he thought anything would.
"Wife . . . . It is not that simple. I gave up on God and he gave up on me. That's how it is and that's how it's always going to be. You don't understand," Dracula tried to calm her, but obviously, it didn't work.
"No! You don't understand! The good Lord always forgives! He will forgive you of your sins, as he has done mine, and you can e free from this demon that possesses you! ÔFor You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant mercy to all those who call upon you!'" Nerys continued, not letting him get away from her. He didn't want to, but he began to wonder. Why did he have to live without feeling? Wasn't everyone given feeling? Technically he was still alive, one-way or another, so why couldn't he feel also? But Dracula didn't want to think about those things.
Dracula pulled his wife onto his lap, burying his face in her neck, and she hugged him tightly, the tightest she had ever held him. Neither persons knew why she acted so. She had declared hate for him when she was turned, and she had only been acting differently these times around. Again, neither knew why, but both liked the change.
Dracula held his only bride tightly, not wanting her to leave. He knew she wouldn't, but he didn't care. She started mumbling to herself, and Dracula tried to catch what she was saying, and found she was praying. Praying for him. He sighed. When would she learn?
Nerys didn't know why she was amazingly passionate about this. She had been so near him for so long. The life she remembered when she was life had turned out horrible, and then he cam and Ôsaved the day.' It was hard to remember happiness without Dracula. True, they fought constantly and she claimed to hate him, but he was all she had left, and she would NOT lose him. And in this very moment, our heroine realized she was in love with the dreaded Count Vladislaus Dragulia.
Part of John 8: 44
Psalm 86: 5
A/N: So did you guys like her ÔSalvation' passion tantrum? Took me a while figuring out how to word it. I hope that fills your imagination Ôcause I am very tired at the moment. REVIEW!