Crina woke up, but she didn't open her eyes. She was so comfortable, so happy. She wondered when she had fallen asleep, and what time it was now. She pondered trying to go back to sleep. "Mm... Vlad?" she murmured sleepily.
When there was no reply, she slowly opened her eyes, sitting up reluctantly and looking around the room. Vlad had gone. The light rushing in was bright, clear. It was morning. Rubbing her eyes, Crina tried to focus her thoughts. She wondered where Vlad had gone.
Memories of the previous night washed over her, overpowering and rich. She longed to be back in Vlad's safe arms, but on the other hand she knew there was something almost sinister about this castle, and she wanted to leave.
"Oh, I need to get out of here," she moaned to herself, standing up and crossing to the window, feeling chilly and rough. Her hair was a tangled mess, her nightdress torn, her scratched face aching.
Blinking slowly, she thought of Ioan. Her beautiful Ioan; she had not seen him in her dreams that night. This thought chilled her deeper than the cold of the castle. Perhaps she was falling out of love with him. She knew she cared deeply for Vlad. She felt torn, unsure of what to do. Her feelings were running away with her.
There was a sudden, sharp knock at the door. Crina turned to face it, heart racing. "Vlad?" she called out.
The door opened, but it was not Vlad who stepped inside. A woman entered, a woman so breathtakingly stunning she seemed to make the air around her glow. She was rather short, slender but curvy, with long straight black hair falling around her pale shoulders. Sharp scarlet eyes shone out of her beautiful face; she wore a very revealing dress of exactly the same colour. She smiled coyly at Crina. "Good morning, Crina. I am Natasja."
Crina stared at her. She wondered if Natasja was some sort of servant, for she was clutching a tray of breakfast. However, she remembered thinking the same thing about Brianna, and wondered if she was in for another heart-wrenching surprise. "Good morning," she replied stiffly.
"I have brought you some breakfast," Natasja replied, cocking her head, as though inspecting Crina. "I also have some supplies to clean your scratches with, if you like."
"Thank you." Crina felt a little uneasy in Natasja's presence. She sat down on the bed and Natasja strode over, placing the tray down before her. Crina reached for the cup of tea, as Natasja bustled over the window and closed the curtains hastily. Crina found this strange, but decided not to comment.
Natasja returned, smiling, and poured a little green liquid from a bottle onto a cloth. "This might sting a little," she warned, wiping at Crina's scratched face.
Crina whimpered at the pain. It stung. "What is that?" she asked through clenched teeth.
"Just some cleaning liquid. It'll have those scratches healed quickly," Natasja replied, continuing dabbing at Crina's face, making her bite her lip to keep from crying out.
When Natasja had finally finished, and had settled herself on the bed beside Crina, Crina took a large mouthful of the warm, relaxing tea, then asked, "What are you doing around here?" She was positively dreading the answer. Natasja must be Vlad's lover.
"I live here!" Natasja said with a small laugh. "I am Vlad's wife."
Crina's jaw dropped. "H-his w-w-wife?" she repeated, numb. She must have heard incorrectly. Vlad was married to Brianna. He couldn't be married to Natasja too.
"Yes, his wife." Natasja definately sounded amused now. "You seem surprised, Crina."
"I am!" Crina breathed. She couldn't take this in. Vlad was married to two women? How had he convinced them to both be his wives? And what did that mean for Crina? She needed answers... then she needed to get out of here. "I need to see Vlad."
"He is currently busy," Natasja said crisply, her sharp eyes glittering at Crina. "Some problems with the townsfolk, you know, they're demanding your release and whatnot."
Crina thought of Cristian Farkas. Even he seemed loving and safe in comparison to this place. Shaking slightly, she said, "I want to leave."
Natasja threw back her head and laughed loudly. It was a strange, eerie sound that made the hairs on Crina's neck stand up. "That will never happen, Crina," she said wickedly.
"But-" began Crina heatedly, but Natasja cut across her.
"Do not argue with me, it has nothing to do with me. Now, Vlad wants you to be properly dressed for dinner tonight. He has ordered a full, formal meal to be prepared." Natasja rose gracefully.
"I'm not going!" Crina yelled. She was hurting, confused, trapped. She felt emotion build up at the back of her throat and swallowed hard and painfully.
Natasja was heading for the door. "I warn you not to defy Vlad." She sounded sincere, worried. "It will only end in pain. Now, you will find clothes in the wardrobe."
Crina stared in horror at the beautiful woman. Tears of heartbreak were filling her eyes. Vlad was playing mind games with her, he had to be. And she was falling for them, falling in love with him as he made a blatent mockery of her feelings. She wanted to be free of this place, free of everything, free with Ioan.
"Please-" she whimpered, tears splashing down her cheeks, but Natasja had gone.
Crina screamed.
To be continued.