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Chapter 11

The Betrothal

Crash! Another fragile Chinese vase met with the wall and broke on tiny peaces.

"I HATE HER!" – screamed Maya, searching for some porcelain to give the way out to her anger.

Count declared about betrothal and with whom! Turned foolish wench! Maya couldn't restrain her emotions. She has always wished to get Dracula but that Victor's assassin destroyed everything. And besides she was invited as a honored guest.

"Why she! Why!" – moaned Maya, falling on the sofa tiredly. Still tears and screams couldn't help, just make her less beautiful and Maya cared about how she looked like. So she waved hand, making a kind of magic mirror in the air that could depict vampires, and smiled to herself.

"Well, I have a strong trump in the sleeve: I can seduce every man … I'm young and beautiful and always get what I want."

These words cheered her up and Maya opened the wardrobe, searching for something really sexy to centre all attention on her person.

"Will see how happy will you be on your betrothal day, Selina!"

Sel was sitting at the desk, looking at her reflection in the mirror, made by Angelica. She has already dressed up in a long white dress with a high cut on side and a low neckline, her hair was collected into a formal hairstyle and few values were on the desk, prepared to be putted on. It was an important night for Selin, but something worried her. First of all: she thought that it's not right to break the traditions with marriage of two turned vampires. Yes, count was an exception but she wasn't. Victor taught her all the rules and laws, and Sel has always thought that only the unquestioning subservience to the Council can fill her life with sense. Besides she was quite upset because only vampire aristocracy was invited. No friends, no familiars, only Valdemar, who disappointed her so. And that illness, which never left; pain in her abdomen and becoming sick every time she drank alcohol.

"Nervous?" – asked Vladislaus, who has just entered the room without being noticed by her.

"Yeah, a little … Maybe I'll sit here and you'll apologize for me?" – Sel pleaded with sobs in her voice. He kissed her lips gently and breathed:

"No …"

"But I don't want to see all those snobs, discussing me between drinks…"

"Well, I understand … Still I want you to be with me, as Valdemar will declare our official betrothal. And don't worry, I'm sure you'll surprise all of them with your beauty and …" He grinned wickedly, gazing on her up-down.

"And?"

Dracula grabbed her by waist, pressing her so close that their chests raised and fall in tact; his masterful hands ran down her perfect lines and stopped on her thighs.

"Stop thinking such things, count! I'm not your wife, remember?" Selina released from his grasp and stepped back, with an innocent look.

"Now, I've got to be your husband to allow myself this," – he kissed her full of mouth, exploring the area with his tongue, - "and this …" – he then let his hand to caress her groin area, under the dress. She didn't refuse, enjoying every second; she just knew that can't stop him. Count had a strange influence upon her.

"Oh, enough … what about the betrothal?"

"Why today? Alright, let's go. Hmm, by the way! Our honeymoon we'll spend in Transylvania. I want to show you my homeland."

"I'd love to! All vampires should visit Transylvania, it's a tradition, you know!"

"I'm glad you agreed, but now, a-a, put it on…" – he opened a flat box, he was hiding behind his back all the time. A beautiful gold pin, made like a rose of black diamonds, was there.

"Present? For what?"

"I thought it will go with your ring and earrings … Just try …"

Selin clicked it up and smiled warmly. Vlad just couldn't not to kiss her.

Their lips met once again … but in another way: gently, sweetly and lovely …

"We'd better to go …" – she whispered calmly, shaking up.

"Yeah, right … We're already late …"

The betrothal took place in Valdemar's manor and reminded a simple party of vampires like in Dracula's summer palace. Musicians played classical music and the specially invited opera-singer entertained the public. Vampires in fashionable clothes were dancing and drinking, but mostly discussing the betrothal, which was a strange and weird thing for them. Valdemar was quite depressed; he spoke less and every minute threw cautious glances on the door and marble stairway, hoping Maya wouldn't come. Poor boy waited for a scandal or something in such spirit from her, he had a very bad presentiment.

Meanwhile Maya appeared; well, it was hard to understand why she put on the dress, which is certainly didn't cover anything. It was bloody red with open back and two stripes of matter, going from her waist to the neck, bad hiding her breasts; slim legs were well-seen under the skirt, here and there interrupted by deep cuts. Her long dark auburn curls waved down, lining her perfect figure.

As usual Terri accompanied her, and as usual Maya got all attention of men part of vampires. Only her boyfriend didn't notice how she looked like, thinking about something caused him personally.

"Valdemar, where is the perpetrator of the triumph?" – Maya asked in imperious manner, searching the crowd.

"Selin and count will arrive soon," – he whispered, trying to seem self-confidently as the master of the party. But Maya acted better, flirting with five vampires simultaneously, while Terri settled close to the bar, with one wish: to get drunk and forget his sorrows.

Suddenly the music fell silent. Guests stared at the ladder, where the couple of the night was standing, greeting everyone. Well, women have seen the bride before, but how surprised they were to see not a severe warrior, beaten by life, but a beautiful lady, worthy to be among them. Maya was close to lose conscious and even indifferent Terri frozen like a statue. It seemed an angel with a devil visited them …

"Greeting you, count and … Mss Cale?" – Valdemar said with a trembling voice. Selina rose up a brow and smiled flirtatiously, but Vladislaus whispered to her: 'You're a queen of the night, my love, as I expected.'

'Maya seems to be quite shocked, I'm glad I'm here,' – Sel replied self-complacently, enjoying the effect of their arriving.

Meanwhile Valdemar ordered the musicians to play, and vampires returned to their deals.

And Maya 'moved over to approach'. First of all she asked Terri to dance with Selina, while she would enchant the count. Descartes obeyed, and then Maya took away her hair and moved to Dracula, grabbing him by arm tightly.

"How wonderful that you came! The Council is very surprised with your idea, dear count! But as for me … on my memory you had three brides… Is there a place for me in your heart?" – she said in the sweetest tone. Vlad released from her softly and said:

"I've thought better about you, Miss Fern, you're an older man, but acting and dressing like a whore, offering yourself … I'm disappointed."

"So, Terri, are you trying to distract me from count? Don't you jealous Maya to him?" – Selin sparkled eyes, while waltzing. Her partner bent her, with no reaction on her words.

"What happened with you, a?"

The older man got tired …

"Keep your minds in your pretty head, Cale."

"Wow! I'm frightened!"

He squeezed her hand, but she didn't even frowned, still it was quite painful.

"That's all you can do? Your idea of peace between mortals and immortals made you too soft. What foolish ideals you created …"

Who knows what Terri wanted to reply, but in that moment angry and offended Maya grabbed his arm and led away without looking at Sel, who felt how corners of her lips rose up in pleasure.

And Dracula snaked hands around his bride's waist, breathing deeply.

"What did you say to Maya?"

"Well, I've just underlined her manner of … dressing …"

"Really? That's it?"

"Forget about Maya, I'm begging you! It's our betrothal …"

Selin put hands on his chest and kissed his lips gently.

"Forgive me … I became very nervous because of the party and my friends' problems … But I'm really glad that we're together …"

"As I am …"

Meanwhile the orchestra played another melody, very familiar melody…
"Remember?" – he asked quietly.

"Yeah … a year ago, on Victor's acceptance …"

They didn't notice how started dancing. Vlad turned her around and then leaned down passionately. Selina felt so safe and protective as it was long ago, when he bit her. She could even remember words he said: "Don't be afraid … this pain will leave soon …I promise …"

"You didn't lie …" – Sel whispered, while he was waltzing her to the center of the ballroom. Most vampires were watching the dance, admiring their plastic art and grace.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing … Haven't you noticed, that everyone gaze?"

"I see only you …"

Selin closed eyes; letting him to lead … It was so pleasant to be the one with music …

When the music finished, guests applauded loudly, breaking the harmony rudely.

"Damn, I've almost forgotten about the party. Valdemar will speak soon…"

Sel smiled, but in the same moment her face was covered with crick: again that pain in stomach.

"I'll leave you for a moment," – she whispered and hurried to the bathroom without any explanations. Maya followed …

Selin washed her neck and face with cold water, releasing from the makeup. As Victor noticed: she didn't need lipstick or eye-shades, because she's beautiful without these attributes.

Well, Sel felt sick and squeezed her throat to change this pain on another.

"Feel unwell, dear?" – sang Maya, glaring at her with despise. Selin flinched, but answered with a smile:

"I'm so sorry, sweetie, forgive me."

Fern pierced her with eyes.

"Please, forgive me. I know it's hard when you can get every man except the best one. Poor thing."

"Ha! At least I have nature charm. I don't need to carry pistol to seem cool. Dracula is too changeable; he can't live with one woman. As you, a?"

"What do you mean?"

Maya put hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear:

"Name 'Gabriel' sounds familiar … as an innocent kiss near the club…"

Selin released sharply and left fast with Maya's laugh behind her back.

"Why so long, my love? You look exhausted … maybe we should …"

"No! Let Valdemar to start the ceremony!"

"Mr. Diamond, begin please!"

Servants brought goblets with blood of fifty-year endurance, even more intoxicating than wine.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Today we met here, in my family's manor to declare about the betrothal of count Vladislaus Dracula and Miss Selina Cale. These goblets we raise in their honor!"

Suddenly a bullet split the goblet in Valdemar's hand and the blood covered the floor.

Everyone looked at the balcony and saw …

"The Holy Order!"