Chapter 17

Dracula hadn´t taken his hand back from her mouth yet as Anna felt the need to bite his thumb. Quickly he let go of her, taking two safe steps back. Shaking a finger at her he spoke to her like to a child: "Tsk, tsk, naughty little girl. Anna, dearest, have you never learned that it´s very rude to do such a thing?"

Anna slapped his hand away from her, spitting back: "Don´t try to lecture me, Dracula! What do you want?"

She eyed the dark blue mask that hided the half of his face suspicously. "Well, how do I look to you? I decided to join this little village ball. I can assure you they won´t recognize me", he then paused for a moment.

He enjoyed the unbelieving look on her face for a few seconds before continuing: "The next is a dancing test. I hope you are patient."

Anna looked like ready to explode. She could remember the Masquerade Ball in Vilcova palace all to well. The image of herself in the mirror as the only person with a reflection haunted her thoughts since the very moment it happened.

Dracula bowed deeply in front of her before holding his hand out to her. "Will you give me the honour of this dance?"

The gypsy princess rolled her eyes at his exaggerated behaviour and put her hand into his. "I think I have no choice?"

They walked out of the hidden place, her hand still in his. Anna was surprised that nobody noticed the stranger at her side. Maybe she had to believe Dracula this one only time. "How right you are, darling", he answered her question. At him calling her "darling" she glared into his dark eyes with a look that said everything to that.

A slow waltz was played at first. Dracula, acting like a gentleman put an arm around her waist while the other still held her (not gloved) hand.

His hand wasn´t that cold as she had kept it in her memory. In her mind she confessed the warm shivers it sent through her body.

The vampire, of course read her mind and smiled at what he sensed.

Their dancing wasn´t half as forced as it had been on the last ball. Still Anna didn´t know what he had meant with the mentioned patience. She could enjoy the waltz a little yet she wanted to stop again. But her legs just wouldn´t.

As the song ended Anna wanted to break free from his gentle but firm grip only to find it impossible.

"You see, Anna. Once again you´re a puppet on my string." Dracula leaned closer that his lips brushed against her ear. She could also feel his two strands of hair on her neck. "Dance, my angel", he whispered. With this he let go of her. But Anna´s eyes kept being locked on his as she walked back to him into his arms.

Just as soon as she couldn´t escape anymore he let his spell fall from her and a faster song began to play.

"You stupid...", Anna wanted to say as Dracula continued the sentence for her: "... bastard? Monster? There´s almost nothing you haven´t called me yet."

He smiled at the anger that built up inside her. She didn´t even know what kind of dance it was but with Dracula leading her she knew every step.

Within less than a second he lifted her up so that her legs were high in the air and twirled her around. Anna let out a cry of surprise. But he just let her down again and continued dancing as if nothing had happened. The princess was still shocked about what he had done but it somehow made her smile.

Far almost at the end of the song he did so again and this time Anna was prepared for it. She was lifted up even higher and laughed heartily as her feet touched the ground again. Everything seemed to stand still as she looked directly into his eyes.

Noone of them dared to say something until Anna ripped the mask from her face and did the same to Dracula´s.

Once more she smiled softly before they started dancing again. And it was no longer a fight...