A/N: This chapter is longer. Yays!

Ch 10

Amira woke up later that evening due to a pounding headache from crying so hard. She sat at and suddenly the night's past events flooded back to her. She was immediately disgusted at herself for displaying so much emotion in front of Dracula. He must think of me as a weak little girl. She let out a moan of hatred of herself and Dracula.

"Glad to see you're awake."

Amira screamed in surprise and fell out of bed. Dracula raised his eyebrows at her shock and let out a short laugh. Amira scrambled to her feet and glared at Dracula; of course, this did not have much of an effect on the Count.

"What do you want?" Amira hissed through clenched teeth.

Dracula adopted an innocent look as he replied, "I just wanted to see if you were alright." The innocent look was soon lost as the beginnings of a smirk appeared on his lips. "After your little fit earlier this evening, I was worried if you were going to be okay." Amira had to force herself to stop grinding her teeth in frustration.

"I'm quite alright, thank you very much. After all, it was just a little fit." Her eyes glinted dangerously as she said the last two words. "I need to take a bath, I feel unclean. Please leave me."

"Oh, I don't think I'm finished with you just yet." Amira attempted to brush past Dracula on her way to the bathroom but Dracula caught her arm and spun her into an embrace. He then proceeded to plant delicate kisses on the back of Amira's neck. Amira could practically feel the lust emanating from the Count.

"Dracula, please," she pleaded as she attempted to wriggle out of his grip. "Leave me be." But it feels so good, a small voice in her mind whispered devilishly. Give in to me, Amira, a stronger voice said. Amira pushed away from Dracula and backed into a chair causing her to fall backwards over the arm of the chair.

"Give into me, Amira," Dracula repeated out loud as he began to advance towards her slowly, sensuously. "You'll find me much more agreeable if you do."

"Stay out of my mind, Dracula," Amira snarled dangerously. "At least give me some small shred of pride and stay out of my mind." She jumped to her feet and rushed towards the bathroom. Right before she stepped through, Dracula appeared in the doorway. He leaned casually against the doorframe.

"Fine. I'll stay out of your mind. You will submit to me eventually; it will be much more pleasurable if I do it without mind control, I suppose." He disappeared as quickly as he came.

Amira returned from her bath sometime later feeling much better. She was still considering Zane's offer though. What if he's lying or tricking me? Or what if Dracula captures me after me escape? He would punish me much worse than the last time. But then again, this may be my only chance to escape. If I don't take it, I could be doomed to live under Dracula's control forever. And what was all that about my being dangerous?

Her mind bombarded her with questions and possibilities until she eventually blocked them out.

Amira sat in a chair and tucked her legs under her, still wondering what to do when someone knocked on her door. "Come in," she called softly. "The door is unlocked." Aileen opened the door.

"Count Dracula is requesting your company at dinner tonight. It will be in one hour. Dress nicely." And then she was gone.

She dressed slowly, choosing a black dress that fit her nicely. It was sleeveless and it had a V neck, but it wasn't very revealing, unlike most of the dresses in her wardrobe. After she was dressed she put her hair up, but left a few locks of hair hanging down. After she was finished looked herself over in the mirror. God, I look really good. She smirked and spun around. Her smirk dropped when she realized how arrogant she was acting. What's wrong with me? I never would have acted this way before Dracula kidnapped me. She left her room with a glum look on her face.

Dracula and Zane were conversing softly when Amira entered. They both stood up as she came in and bowed in unison. You would think this is scripted or something. When they straightened however, both of their jaws dropped at her appearance. "My precious Amira, you look absolutely stunning!" Dracula exclaimed. He rushed forward and led her to her seat.

Zane remained where he was standing with a small smile playing across his lips. He turned towards Amira and said, "You look lovely, my dear. I am honored to be graced by your presence." Amira raised and eyebrow at his statement, but soon forgot about him once food appeared on her plate. She immediately began eating, for she had just realized that she was extrodinarily hungry.

"So, Amira," Zane said conversationally after Amira was nearly finished eating, "Have you been considering my proposition?" Amira nearly sprayed out the wine she had been drinking in shock. Dracula tilted his head to one side with a confused look painted across his face.

"Um…yes I have." Amira replied nervously. "But we should really talk about this another time, don't you think?" Good god! Is this man dense? She looked meaningfully at Zane, but Zane either did not comprehend that she didn't think this was the best time, or he just chose to ignore her look.

"What proposition?" Dracula questioned. "What are you talking about?" He took a sip of blood from his goblet. "Are you two keeping a secret from me?" He smirked at the thought.

"Oh, just something Amira and I have been talking about." Zane replied. He grinned and laced his long fingers together. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, Vladislaus." God, Zane isn't only dense, he's completely insane! "Now Amira, have you decided yet?"

Amira coughed and looked around. Both Dracula and Zane were staring at her which made her nervous. "Well…I…um…" she stuttered, still not sure if she wished to escape with Zane or not. Finally she muttered, "No" under her breath. Zane leaned forward.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear you my dear. Could you repeat yourself?"

"I said no!" Amira shouted. She calmed down and repeated herself. "I said no."

It was Zane's turn to tilt his head to one side and act confused, however, he replied calmly, "I see. Well, I that settles the matter I suppose." He then smiled brightly and turned to Dracula. "So Vladislaus, unfortunately I cannot stay very long; I'll be leaving the day after tomorrow."

Dracula frowned but replied, "I am sorry to hear that, my good friend."

Their conversation continued for several minutes until Amira stood up to leave. "I'm going to take a walk." She then walked out of the room.

"I fear that I must retire, my good friend," Zane stated. "It has been a long day for me and I wish to sleep. Goodnight."

"Good night Zane." Dracula replied. The Count leaned back in his chair and placed his legs on the table while he thought of what proposition they could possibly be talking about.

Amira was waiting for Zane outside of the dining room. She immediately rounded on Zane the moment he walked out. "What the hell was that about!" She demanded. "Did you get dropped on your head as a child!"

Zane smiled thinly and replied, "Well, it was getting incredibly dull in there; all Dracula was doing was watching you eat." Amira was mildly disturbed by the fact that Dracula was staring at her. "I decided to spice things up a bit!"

"Spice thing up? Spice things up! He's never going to let up about this, you know!"

Zane cackled evilly. "I know! That's the best part."

"You bastard. You fucking bastard!" Amira exclaimed. "You have a sick sense of humor, Zane." And with that she stormed off in an incredibly bad mood.

Zane rushed after her and touched her on the shoulder. Amira spun around and shouted, "What!"

"You're overreacting, my dear child," Zane stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "I was just having a bit of fun." He smiled warmly at her. "You must realize that you need to keep your temper, it could get you killed one day if you don't. But I am sorry if I hurt you, I act without thinking quite often."

"You know everything though. You should have seen this coming."

Zane looked up at her and laughed. "Yes but sometimes I ignore the things I know. I like to put caution to the wind."

They continued walking together in silence for some time until Zane asked, "Why didn't you take my offer? Do you not trust me?"

Amira laughed, "No, not really." Her laughter died away as she considered his next question. "I…I…I don't really know why I said no." she replied. "You and Dracula were staring at me and it got me nervous, so I just said no."

Zane gazed at her thoughtfully. "So do you wish to stay with Dracula and become his bride?" he questioned.

"I, well, no." she said. "I mean, Dracula is an incredibly good looking man, and he has a reasonable amount of manners, I suppose. But he is also a bloodthirsty demon, and I never really feel safe around him. I don't want to be with a man I can't trust."

"I see. Well, my offer still stands, and will continue to stand until I leave." They stopped at the doorway to his bedroom chambers. "I do hope you will reconsider." Zane opened the door and stood in the doorway. "I bid you good night, my dear." And without another word, he disappeared into his bedroom chambers and shut the door.

Amira continued walking down the hall until Dracula suddenly appeared in front of her. Amira jumped in surprise and nearly fell down. "Terribly sorry to surprise you like that, Amira." His eyes glinted with malice. "Here, let me steady you." He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "Let's go on a walk shall we?" Amira didn't even bother to answer.

"So what have you two lovebirds been up to?" Dracula asked.

"Oh nothing much, Count. We were just making out in the hallway before he went to bed." Amira replied sarcastically.

Dracula smirked and looked down at Amira. "Oh my, I haven't been replaced, have I?" He exclaimed with mock surprise.

"Replaced? Ha!" Amira laughed mirthlessly. "There's nothing to replace seeing how there was nothing between us in the first place!"

"Oh really? I wouldn't be so sure about that." He slid her over so that she was in front of him and began kissing her neck. Amira felt shivers go down her spine, she wasn't sure if it was from joy or disgust from being touched by this man.

"Please Dracula." Amira moaned. Dracula wrapped his arms around her stomach and pulled her close.

"Say my name." he whispered in between the kisses he was still planting on her neck.

"What?" she asked.

"Say it. Say it and I shall let you go." He continued to kiss her as he moved his hands slowly, sensuously over her body. Amira involuntarily let out a moan of ecstasy.

"Dracula…"

"No..."

Amira paused, idly realizing that she had never said Dracula's first name aloud before. She slowly mouthed his name silently before whispering it aloud, "Vladislaus…" Dracula smiled against her skin and placed one last kiss on her neck before disappearing.

Amira was left in a disheveled mess. She slowly smoothed her hair out and waited for her heart to stop beating so fast. She stood there for a moment more before realizing with a shock that he had somehow managed to undo her bra without her knowing. Her face reddened with fury and embarrassment as she rushed to her room and slammed the door behind her.

A/N: R&R my faithful readers, R&R.

A/N: Oh, and don't think that Dracula is being stupid. He hasn't forgotten about the "proposition". ;D