A/N: I finally got this mother fing chapter written. It's taken the story in a completely different direction than I originally planned. Let me know if you like it.

Her night blossomed as every other, waking against her Master. In the unadulterated darkness , she could make out his features perfectly. She had grown to enjoy this time, peaceful and silent. For a brief moment she could imagine that she wasn't a vixen of the very devil. Though, this never lasted long. The moment his mind sensed hers was active Lord Dracula would awaken. As was the same with this evening.

His rich purr teased her ears, "Ah, my love it pleases me to find you with me this night."

"It is the same every night," She almost sighed, that is if her body still carried air, "You've not let me leave your side in the past half century."

"It is for your protection I do this."

Resting her head against his chest, not making a move to leave their gothic cocoon. Morriquinne nuzzled the soft fabric of his clothing. Fifty years was a very long time, at least to a young vampire such as herself. She had seen her father die first, then those she had known in her village followed… children she had tried to help had children of their own, most now had grandchildren. Though Lady Morri remained the same, the hands of time not marring her perfect features. Finally responding to her fated husband in a gentle tone.

"You know very well that I have accepted my fate. I long for my freedom, my lord."

His fingers stroked her cool cheek, brushing down her neck. Smiling when he felt her shiver at his touch.

"If you've accepted your fate, then why do you still resist my advances?"

A frown adorned her face now, and she moved to escape their tomb. Her gentle body language replaced with utter loathing.

"As I told you before, many times… I do not love you Vlad. I never will." Opening the lid to the coffin with ease she stepped out, a soft purple gown draping her frame, slender yet shapely and distinctly female.

His tone is more of habit than actual frustration, "Morriquine, I have given you everything you have asked for. I've been your puppet since I brought you to this forsaken castle."

"No! You have not given me what I ask."

"It is impossible."

Turning, to the elder vampire… pure sadness in her violet eyes, the emerald they had once been had long since faded.

"I do not ask for mortality, I know that chance came and went…" Dropping to her knees before him, "I ask my freedom, how can one ever love their master?"

Kneeling in front of her, he pulled her body against his. The once fiery red head submissively allowed this familiarity.

"How can I trust you will not cast yourself into the sunlight the moment I release you from my control."

"If you truly loved me, as you swear to, that would not be a question you needed to ask."

Silence falls upon the morose couple. The dark Count once more found the question in his mind… had he done the right thing. Forcing such a vibrant youth into the change. He almost felt a pang of guilt, he'd watched her spirit slowly fade into a distant memory over the past half century. Often he almost wished he could grant her, her former mortality. See the spark of life in her eyes once more. The joy she had previously taken at simple things. With a heavy heart he went rigid against her.

"Get away from me…"

The growl was deep, contained fury sounding in the phrase.

"What?" Looking up at her undead husband.

"Get out of my home," Releasing the confused Morriquinne, almost shoving her away from him, "I'll not have you in this 'prison' any longer" His tone almost mocking her. "You're so miserable here, living with your 'master' then leave this place. Do not return to me."

Her eyes widen, he'd grown angry with her before, but never like this. Resentment practically drowned the room. Remaining still, just staring at him, stunned. She heard the unmistakable roar that he was serious. His face distorting, his eyes almost white with lightening.

"GO! YOU ARE NOT WELCOME IN THIS PLACE ANYMORE!"

Quickly jumping to her feet, she made her way towards the door of the crypt, not taking her eyes off the volatile vampire lord before her.

"Vlad… I-"

Cutting her off quickly, "Don't speak. You wanted your freedom? Well now you have it. Everything has a price… including your freedom."

Too stunned for words, Morri stared at her "Master" for a moment. Gathering her wits about her, the time worn vampress straightened her shoulders. Rising to her full height, unimpressive as it was, then with a flourish curtsied to Vlad.

"As you wish my Master."

Within the time span of a breath she had left the crypt. Vlad could feel the very moment when she left, he could feel her growing distant from him. A sound echoed the chamber, unmistakable…. Vlad the Impaler, Prince of Wallachia was sobbing. The sorrow wracking his entire being. Vlad had never felt anything this strong in centuries, not even what he claimed as undying love for his young bride.

Transforming into the great winged beast, a heart wrenching wail of despair echoed in the crypt and throughout his dark fortress. Though his pain fell on deaf ears… Morriquinne's heart was already too far away to share in his anguish.

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Meanwhile, the now removed lady of the manor was within a chamber. Hers… her deathly husband had given it to her as a sanctuary, and he had vainly hoped as their boudoir. A place to share the love that he had assumed Morri would eventually feel for him.

Tearing apart the drawers and chests, seeking her former belongings she had brought with her on that fateful night so long ago. Her eyes were dry, this surprised her. She was finally losing everything that tied her to her previous life. Morriquinne was alone, abandoned even by the one that claimed to love her above all else. Tearing at gowns she had no desire to take with her, she desperately sought her leather book. The last item she had that reminded her at all of her father. Growing desperate and frustrated she sank against the large trunk, her face in her hands. She knew she should be in tears, she couldn't grasp why they did not come.

"He has taken everything…"

She remained like that for minutes… hours… days… she didn't know. If her husband was so desperate to be rid of her, her would come and dispose of her the moment his mind realized she was still within his presence. Although unaware of the time passing, she did not wait long. Like electricity up her spine she knew the moment he stepped into the room. Remaining still and silent she waited for the ax to fall.

"Morriquinne…"

The sound not audible to the human ear, but to Morriquinne it was as if he had shouted her name. Moving slowly, deliberately she faced him, remaining impassive.

"I was looking for my book-"

Cutting her off, "Please, my love, forgive me. I spoke to harshly--"

Narrowing her eyes it was her turn to cut him off, "No, you had your say Vlad. You're right, I am a burden to your grand vampiric empire. You should have cast me aside decades ago."

Rising, she strode towards him, pulling her hand back. He tensed for her blow, prepared for her anger, but instead felt her softly caress his cheek. A wistful look in her inhuman eyes.

"One last gift."

With that she rose on her toes, brushing her lips against his cold yet yielding mouth. She had never kissed him before. Any kisses he had stolen had been against her will. Morri fought the urge to wrap her arms around Vlad, though he did not. Holding her tightly, the elder vampire lost himself in her almost loving kiss, his fingers tangling in her soft curls. Although he held her tightly and willed her to remain in the passionate embrace she pulled away. The sadness in her eyes showing the pain that was now tearing into her very core. A single tear rolling down her perfect cheek.

"Goodbye, Vlad."

A/N: There you have it, now if you don't review that'll be the end of the damned story.