Crina pushed the lounge door open gingerly, looking shyly into the room. She found Cristian Farkas sitting by the small fire sadly, his green eyes fixed on the flames. Mrs Arany was sitting on the sofa, holding her twins tenderly, a tear rolling down her aging face. Elena was asleep, Danut looking soon to follow.
"Excuse me." Crina spoke quietly, causing Mrs Arany and Cristian to look at her. Mrs Arany looked furious, Cristian only hurt. Crina shifted her weight. "I'm sorry for running off. This... this is hard for me. Can you forgive me, Cristian?"
That amazing smile lit up his face suddenly. He stood up politely. "Oh, Crina, of course I can," he said breathlessly, rushing over to her and taking her hands tenderly.
"Look at the state of you, Crina," Mrs Arany scolded, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Where have you been? And wherever did you find that cloak?"
"Oh," Crina said, remembering her ruffled, snow-flecked hair and tear-stained cheeks. She ran a hand over the soft warmth of Vlad's cloak and it reminded her that there was hope, though from where she did not know. "I just went for a walk around Vaseria, and I met an old man who encouraged me to return."
"I am glad," Cristian beamed, squeezing her hands. He looked just like a small boy at Christmas, his eyes shining in excitement, bouncing on the balls of his feet. He turned to Mrs Arany. "Don't be too mad at her, Mrs Arany. I am just glad she returned."
Mrs Arany merely tutted and stroked Danut's blonde curls, but Crina could see she was pleased that Cristian was so awed by her. Cristian chuckled.
"How about that walk now?" he asked Crina. "Except we'll stay inside, in case you deem it necessary to flee from me again." He smiled teasingly.
Crina felt a pang of guilt. There really was nothing wrong with Cristian, and yet she was still sure their wedding would never happen. "If you like, Cristian," she said softly, with her best polite smile.
Cristian took her arm once more, and they left the lounge, walking slowly across the hallway to the stairs. Cristian sat down on a step and patted it. Crina sat beside him, looking at the floor. She was scared of getting too close to Cristian. It worried her how much she liked him.
"Oh, Crina!" he exclaimed suddenly, in a quiet affectionate rush. She gasped as his arms were suddenly around her, in a tight, tender embrace. He let go quickly. "I'm sorry," he said, his eyes teary, "but when it looked like you were never coming back..."
She looked at him, taking in his caring expression. "Cristian... I mean... don't get too attached to me... I'm not so special..."
"Not so special?" he said, and she was horrified to hear the emotion in his voice. "Crina, words cannot describe how special you are. I've only known you a few hours but I know I want to be with you the rest of my life."
She hesitated, wondering what to say next. Her pause was her downfall, however, for in that moment Cristian leaned across and stole a quick, chaste kiss. She felt a little angry, and his cheeks coloured as he pulled back.
"I apologise," he said quickly. "I can't help myself, Miss Crina."
She closed her eyes, reminding herself she needed to stay on his good side for now. Hating herself, she responded, "It's alright, Cristian, I really do not mind."
"I'm glad," he said. "We have many years of kisses ahead of us."
She repressed a shudder and forced a small smile. "Indeed, Cristian, indeed." She squeezed his fingers. "I cannot wait until tomorrow."
One of his hands, soft and smooth, brushed her warm cheek slowly as he stared into her deep dark eyes affectionately. "I am glad, my beautiful one." He chuckled. "I am a lucky man, Miss Crina."
Crina decided she had had enough of spending time with Cristian. She faked a yawn. "The hour grows late."
"It does indeed," Cristian sighed, smiling warmly. "Perhaps you should get yourself off to bed? I would not want you to feel exhausted on our wedding day, beautiful one." His smile widened. "It will be hard for me to let you go, even for a few hours whilst you sleep, but I shall try my hardest."
She forced a coy smile and rose elegantly. Cristian stood too and took her arm. "Would you like to walk me to my room, Cristian?" she asked politely, trying to look alluring.
"I would be delighted," came the smooth, soft reply. They walked slowly, in silence, up the stairs, Cristian glancing at Crina and Crina looking back at him with a little smile. It didn't take long to reach Crina's door, and Cristian stood before her, holding her hands.
"I must bid you goodnight," Crina said, hesitating before pecking his cheek hastily. She turned to enter her room, but he caught her and shook his head.
"Please, Crina," he said quietly, "allow me one kiss before you leave me." She closed her eyes as he kissed her hard. She couldn't help comparing it to Vlad's kiss... the excited way she had felt in Vlad's arms was not repeated in Cristian's. She wondered if she would get to kiss Vlad again.
Nodding as they drew apart, Crina quickly entered her room, closing the door behind her. The room was dark, illuminated only by the moonlight spilling in through the window. She leaned back against the door, head spinning. It had been such a long, confusing day.
Sighing, she slipped off Vlad's cloak, the soft silky material slipping pleasantly through her fingers and she folded it and placed it on the end of her bed. Then, she crossed to the window, looking out at the stars in the inky blue sky with a desperate look in her serious eyes.
"Vlad," she whispered, shaking her head. "Please don't let me down. Please stop me marrying Cristian Farkas."
After this, she slowly undressed, pulling off the beautiful dress to reveal her flawless, dark skin. She took her nightdress from her drawer and pulled it on, the cool white cotton comforting against her flesh.
She slid into bed, feeling suddenly exhausted. Licking her lips, she reached underneath her pillow and pulled out a long gold chain with an engraved medallion on it. She held it up to her face, running her fingers over it, feeling tears well up in her eyes. This had belonged to Ioan.
Crying quietly, she put it around her neck and lay down flat, drifting off into an uneasy sleep.
To be continued.