Chapter 2: Of Hollow Hearts & Souls
In a movement that seemed panther-like, Dracula exited the room to follow his wife. One didn't need to be immortal to know that in some unfathomable way, he had hurt her. Marriage had that effect on men, living or dead.
Dracula's P.O.VPerhaps it was the way I closed the chest, or the tone I used, whatever it is, my kislany (little girl) has been hurt by me.
Honestly, she is so hard to read. If she were the proverbicial book, her pages would be torn and frayed (A/N: Been listening to My Chemical Romance, have we?) or padlocked.
While many a mortal's mind opened many doors to me due to their pride and other infinite imperfections, Shirra was another story altogether. Of course, she did open a few doors to me-but to try and know her other innermost secrets was the equivalent to smashing one's form against a brick wall oftentimes.
Then again, she WAS a woman. All women are SUPPOSED to be mysterious (and damned infuriating to figure out)….
Fortunately, at the present time, I know EXACTLY where she is heading…
Being a lover of Literature, Shirra spent many hours in the Library when she was not with her husband. But now the written word failed to ease the doubts that were not unlike wild lianas, threatening to choke her. However, the silence in that place would be an ideal room to clear her head.
Shirra's P.O.V
As I close the heavy door on the outside world-and on the man I call husband, I realize I am too slow, as I feel a great force stop the door in mid-push, causing a crack to appear in the oak door.
"What's with you?"
"You loved Cordelia, didn't you?"
I ask him, looking down at his Hessian boots as if they were a rare find. I HAVE to know.
"With all my heart."
There is no insincerity in his voice whatsoever. Yet, I can feel an agony within, one that makes me pity him. Almost.
"And you took THREE women as your wives?
I have nothing against people remarrying if their significant other died before them. One HAD to move on, after all. But THREE?
"What do you want from me, Shirra? Do you intend to reopen old wounds again!"
He asks, no, roars, pushing the door with so much force it nearly splinters in our hands. I retreat as he advances towards me. Yet, fear is not in my heart.
"I want to know….what did you see in them?"
He stops.
"What did you see in Cordelia? In Verona? Marishka? Aleera…and me? What did you see in all of us, Dracula, that captured your hollow heart? And if you can, tell me this too…do you love me because I look like Cordelia…or because I look like myself?"
Silence falls upon us like Age-an irony since neither of us will age at all.
Meanwhile darkness falls….
