The woods where Ioan had disappeared were thick and dangerous. The locals said werewolves lived in the deep trees, and most would not enter. But Crina was unafraid to walk in, explore the vast unexplored miles, sit and think about Ioan and herself. She had never seen a werewolf; sometimes, she almost wished she would. Sometimes death would be preferable to this half-life. Now was one of those times.

She was sitting on the wide trunk of a fallen tree, her shoulders hunched and shaking as she sobbed. The dress was low on her shoulders and her arms were bare; she was going to freeze to death out here. Her hair was a shiny brown veil, flecked with the falling snow, hanging across her face, which was pink with the cold.

The clearing she was sitting in was large, the ground frosty and crisp. The trees were tall, narrow, almost grey. No leaves adorned the long, dead branches. There was a strange, light mist about the place, and the wind blowing through the branches created an unreal whispering.

Ioan had been unafraid of this place too. When Crina had met him, at the tender age of fourteen, they had made frequent visits into the quiet of the woods, enjoying their close, understanding friendship. Crina remembered their first kiss, here in this very clearing, on the day of her sixteenth birthday. They had made promises of love, promises to be together always...

"You broke your promise, Ioan," Crina whispered, her lips cold and slow. She gave a bitter cry. "Ioan!"

A twig snapped across the clearing. Crina looked up, startled, heart racing, and found herself staring at a tall, slender man. He had long, ebony hair swept back from a strikingly pale face. The eyes fixed onto her own were a dark, dangerous blue, almost black. A small smile twisted the attractive face.

"Good day, Miss." He spoke in a soft, quiet voice, yet it carried clearly across from where he was standing to Crina, who shuddered against her will.

She watched him adjust the thick black cloak he wore over black clothes and narrowed her dark eyes. "G-good day, Sir. How... how long were you watching me?" She swallowed, nervous.

"Long enough," he replied softly, reaching up to wipe some of the fallen snow from his silky black hair with a gloved hand. He stepped forward, walking calmly towards Crina, who froze in terror. She realised how helpless she was, and how scared she was of this man. He chuckled, and pulled off his cloak as he reached her, wrapping it tenderly around her shoulders.

"I... I..." she stammered, huddling into the warmth, staring up at him. She shook her head, remembering her manners. This man had just saved her life. "Thank you, kind Sir. What name do I call you?"

He paused a moment, then smiled gently. "You can call me Vlad, Miss."

"Vlad? I'm afraid it wouldn't be appropriate," Crina replied, biting her lip a little.

He hesitated, then pushed a loose strand of black hair behind his ear. "Trust me, Miss, it is better for you that I do not tell you my full name. Besides, you will probably never see me again." He smiled at her confused expression and sat down beside her. "What do I call you?"

"Crina." She paused. "Since you do not wish to share your full name, perhaps it would be wise for me not to share mine?"

But he wasn't listening. A strange, sorrowful expression had passed over his handsome features. "Crina..." he muttered, his eyes empty orbs.

"Yes, Crina," she repeated, nodding. "Crina Arany."

He shook himself out of his trance, and reached out for her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing it. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Crina. Now... would you like to tell me why such a beautiful young lady is out in this cold, dangerous woods, crying?"

Crina sniffed. It didn't seem right that she should open up to a complete stranger like this, but she had never seen him before, and he had said it was unlikely that she would see him again. Besides, she felt trust for him and the kindness he had shown her. "I am to be married to a man I do not love for money. And... and the man I d-do love, Ioan, is d-dead..." She broke off as a fresh wave of sadness overcame her.

To her great surprise, he swept her into his arms and held her comfortingly. She sobbed into his chest as he stroked her soft hair gently. "Come, come, child, it will be alright. Do not cry so..." His soft whisper was so relaxing it could have lulled her to sleep, and she felt her crying stop.

She looked up at him, reluctant to leave his caring arms. "Vlad... what shall I do? It is all hopeless... my heart is broken."

"When are you due to be married?" Vlad asked, his blue eyes fixed on her face, holding an intensity she had never seen before.

"Tomorrow," she said desperately.

Vlad smiled reassuringly. "Do not fret, Miss Crina. You shall go home, make merry, sleep well. Tomorrow you shall prepare to marry. But everything will be alright... I promise."

Crina couldn't explain why, even to herself, but she believed that somehow Vlad could make everything alright. Slowly, she nodded. "Yes. Vlad... however can I thank you?"

"Miss Crina..." he began softly, then shook his head. He brushed her cheek carefully with his hand. "Would it be too much to ask for... a kiss?"

Numb, heart beating like a drum, she shook her head and closed her eyes. Vlad's lips, soft as butter and surprisingly cool, touched her own lightly. Slowly, he deepened the kiss, holding her tightly. She was tingling, floating... his tongue slipped expertly over her own. She was disappointed when he pulled back.

"Go home, Miss Crina," he whispered.

She opened her eyes, shivering, a sudden wind whipping her hair around her face.

Vlad was gone.

To be continued.