Chapter 6

Marisa moved into the room and Vlad turned to her and said, "Ia amanta ta în camera ei și să se pregătească ei pentru pat."

The pretty maid curtsied to her master and spoke softly with a deep respect born mostly from fear, "Da, Înălțimea Voastră."

Rudolph sighed and watched as Victoria was led from the room. "And what of this Collins did you get that situation addressed?"

Vlad frowned and moved to sit by the fireside. "No I fear he may become a problem. He had his own plans for my Elizabeta. I saw them together and he had already marked her for his mate. I could not let that happened so I brought her here before I was able to advise him of the rules and the council he must abide."

Rudolph frowned, "Does he know she is here with you?" Vlad stood and paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back and head bent.

"I believe he knows I have taken her. I do not believe he is aware that I have left the country with her."

Rudolph watched as the male servant from earlier entered with Rudolph's' coat. Slipping it on he turned to Vlad and clasped a hand on his shoulder. "I would guard myself well Vlad. If he has tender feelings for her, then I am sure nothing on this earth will stop him from coming here to take her back."

Vlad followed Rudolph to the front entrance. His chauffeur awaited outside; the stretch limo with the door open. Because the evening had grown into the early morning, the mountain air had dropped in temperature.

"I will take great care old friend. Now we have our Elizabeta back, our lives will be complete."

Rudolph hugged his son-in-law and moved down the stairs to his car. "I will see you tomorrow my dear son. Do take care of her."

Vlad turned to peer up at the front of his castle. It was an impressive sight. The accent exterior lights light up the six level building. He admired the structure having personally seen to the construction of his home he had been careful to address every need and every facet of security.

Even by this day and age standards his renovations still catered to his needs. The windows were bullet proofed, the towers still stood strong for anyone to stand watch for an approaching army bent on his destruction.

The balconies were reinforced with bars to keep out any intruders. Stylishly arranged to secure and keep safe what he treasured the most which was his Elizabeta.

His particular attention at this hour was drawn to a set of balconies that showed a sliver of light from the closed curtains. "I must go and see her before she retires for the evening."

He turned and hurried back into the castle. Pausing to speak with his butler, "Anton, am nevoie de tine pentru a posta mai multe gărzi în jurul castelului și asigurați-vă că prințesa este blocat în siguranță în camera ei." Giving Anton instructions to post more guards, he heard the reply he expected from his staff.

"E ca și făcut Alteta." Anton assured him that he would see to it reassured him, he moved towards the stairs.

The grand staircase Vlad moved up the left side and down the long hallway to the end and opening the door to the suite of rooms, he stepped inside and peered around. "Victoria?"

He had expected to see her in the large ornate canopy bed. The curtain rustled and then she stepped through and closed the door behind her. Vlad felt his world spin. Dressed in the white lace and satin gown, her long dark hair trailing over her shoulders, Vicki was the image of Elizabeta the night he left to go to war.

He felt he had to tell her of his love for her and how beautiful she looked, speaking from his heart he spoke, "Printesa mea, esti inima mea, lumea mea, viata mea Tu ești frumusețea am visat timp de patru secole."

Not realizing he had spoken in Romanian. To his amazement, he watched her as her eyes glazed over and she spoke to him in his native tongue, "Prințul meu, vă țineți inima mea, dragostea mea."

Then shaking her head, she stepped to the chaise and sat on its edge. "What did you just say and what did I say?" She looked up at him surprised at the words she had just uttered in perfect Romanian.

He moved to sit next to her and picked up her hand and kissed each finger and then her palm. "I said, My Princess, You're my heart, my world, my life. You' are the beauty I dreamed about for four centuries. Then you said, " He kissed her fingers, "My Prince, you hold my heart and my love."

He leaned in to kiss her and she recoiled from him. "I don't know why I said that. I . . ."

He turned her face to peer into her eyes. "See me, my love. See me and know me."

Vicki felt herself pulled into that gaze and her world was spinning out of control. Pulling back and standing she looked around the room. Its opulence was overwhelming as much as that stare had been.

"You have a strong will." He stood and moved to stand in front of her. "You are Elizabeta, you may fight it now but soon you will remember."

Putting his hands on her arms he peered down at her. "You are tired. You must rest we have a busy evening tomorrow." He bent to place a light kiss on her lips and then on each cheek. "Dream of me my Princess." He held her for a moment longer, then turned and left the room.

Vicki rushed to the door and arrived in time to hear him lock the door. Pulling on the door she pleaded with him. "Please, don't lock me in."

Hearing him walk away, she turned, putting her hands to her face she began to cry. "I have to get out of here." Moving back to the balcony door she moved out and peered out over the front lawn.

Perfectly groomed and cultivated. Looking down she gaged the drop would be 30 feet, peering around for something to try to climb. The walls were barren. Moving back to her room, she went to her bed and sat on its edge.

Hopeless and alone she laid down and cried herself to sleep, her last thoughts were of Barnabas and how much she needed him and cared for him.

In her sleep she dreamed she was in the old house and Josette was there. "Do not be afraid. Don't."

Vicki began to plead with her, "Why? Is Barnabas coming?"

Josette turned and moved from the room by passing right through the wall. "Josette, please come back. Please!"

Vicki woke up and sat up. "He is coming." Feeling a sense of hope and peace, she gently laid back on her bed, no longer feeling the soft mattress was clinging to her sucking the life from her. Vicki fell asleep with a sense of happiness as she let her dreams lead her to Barnabas.