The first thing Crina was aware of was extreme cold. Shivering inside Vlad's cloak, she opened her eyes, finding she was lying on a grand couch in a large, otherwise empty room. The walls and floors were stone, and a cold sharp wind blew in through the gaps in the large, smeared window and wooden door.

It only took a few seconds before panic set in. Where was she? Where was Vlad? Why had he brought her even though she had asked to be left?

She sat up, sick with the knowledge that this was her wedding day. She imagined her mother's anguish, Cristian's heartbreak, when they discovered she had been taken.

Crina felt tears well up in her eyes, but sleep washed over her once more, deep and warm.

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"Come into the woods with me," Ioan said.

Crina glanced at him. "Are you insane?"

His laugh was warm, easy. "Of course. Please come in with me, Crina. I promise there's nothing in there that could possibly hurt you- except myself, of course." He winked.

Snow clung to Crina's hair, which was scraped back into a bun. She was wearing a white shirt over black trousers, and large boots. She looked every bit the tomboy she liked to be, with wild eyes and loose hair blowing about her face. She shook her head at Ioan. "As if you could even come close to hurting me!"

Ioan reached out and tickled her neck fondly, watching her squirm and laugh for a moment. "See, completely helpless against me," he joked, the soft black material of his jersey brushing her neck. Then he was serious. "Crina, how long have we been friends now?"

Crina toyed with a loose strand of hair. "Almost two months."

"Exactly, two months. You're the closest friend I've ever had, Crina. I wouldn't even suggest taking you in the woods if I thought they were unsafe. Don't you trust me?" Ioan pouted in a way that was adorable.

"Of course I trust you," Crina responded with a bright smile. She sighed. "Alright, Ioan, I'll come in the woods with you."

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It was the scent of tea that roused Crina from her dreaming. Opening her eyes slowly, reluctant to leave Ioan, she found herself in the same room as before, still lying in Vlad's cloak. She found herself staring at Vlad himself, standing in front of her, holding a cup of tea.

He was wearing the same clothes as the night before, though he looked a little more ruffled, his hair a little tousled, his expression a little weary. As Crina blinked up at him slowly, he said, "Would you care for some tea?"

Crina saw that it was now mid-afternoon. People were probably desperately searching for her now. She glared at Vlad. "Where am I?"

"Tea, Crina, tea," he said quietly, still offering the cup.

"Can't you just answer me?" she demanded furiously. "You did this last night too! Tell me where I am, tell me what's going on!"

Vlad closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. He looked slightly sad. Shaking his head, he spoke softly. "You're in my castle on the hillside overlooking Vaseria. Chances are you've seen it before."

She nodded, taking in this information slowly. She shook her head. She still didn't know exactly who this man was or why he had taken her when she had begged to be left. In fact, she wondered why he was 'helping' her at all. It was all a little frightening, and as she realised all this she felt goosebumps erupt on her skin. "Why did you take me when I asked to be left?" she asked carefully.

A look of discomfort passed over Vlad's features. He smoothed it out quickly. "I think you should have some tea."

Anger burst inside of Crina at his soft, unhelpful reply. Violently, she knocked the cup from his hands. It flew across the room, smashing on the wall loudly. Tea ran down the stone, and a small pile of china lay on the ground.

There was a tense silence. Vlad's expression remained impassive, but for some reason that was more threatening. Crina knew she had gone too far. For a long time, neither of them spoke. It was Vlad who broke the silence. "Never do that again," he said quietly.

"Why not?" Crina whispered, half-afraid, half-defiant.

To her surprise, Vlad smiled widely. He lunged at her suddenly, one hand on each of her shoulders; not a firm grip, but a threatening one. He looked at her, his face an inch or so from her own, and she thought briefly of their amazing kiss before returning to her present fear. "Why not?" he repeated loudly. "Trust me, you do not want to find out!"

She was shaking. "Please..." she begged. "Please let go of me..."

He lingered close to her only a moment longer, then stepped back, the eerie smile and anger gone from his face. "You'd think you'd be a little more grateful," he observed.

Tears formed in her dark eyes. "Please tell me why you took me," she pleaded.

"You are not ready to know that yet," he replied lightly, his eyes smouldering.

His expression was intense, his eyes burning into her own. It made her nervous and excited and afraid, but she fought against it. "Who are you?"

"I told you. Vlad." His answer was pointless, but before she had a chance to say anything more, he was beside her once more. She did not beg him to leave her this time, as he pressed his lips against her own full ones passionately. She sat up, wrapping her arms around his neck as they kissed, scared and yet unable to stop.

He pulled away first. She bit down on her lip as he drew back. "Vlad..." she began, but he cut across her.

"Since you refused my tea, I shall send some food up for you soon. I advise you rest, since you are mentally exhausted. Do not fret, child." As he headed for the door, his soulful eyes once again gave the despairing Crina comfort.

She let out a strangled cry as he left, and lay back down, closing her eyes.

To be continued.