Chapter 45

Dracula let her see everything. He watched her, as Anna turned her head from side to side. He was more than excited, how this was going to end. What would she do when she awakes? Would she be mad at him? Probably yes. And he also started to have his doubts about the Truth-potion. It wasn't working anymore, he was sure about it. But how far did it change Anna's mind that she started saying things like 'I love you' to the one who had been tormenting her and her family for centuries?

She at first saw how the pact was made. Everything was very foggy and seemed more like a vision than a dream. Anna saw how he was abandoned by his family, even before the deal with the devil was made. The images started to whirl around. Then she had to watch how he had to learn everything about being a vampire himself. How experiments failed and which injuries he got. She saw his first kill and how disgusted he had been by it.

Once more the vision blurred and then turned into a large ballroom. A couple, both with raven black hair married among hundreds of bloodthirsty vampires: the turning of his first bride Verona.

Between the meeting of the other two brides, more killings followed. With horror Anna recognized family members.

As she saw how thousands of offspring died she felt pity for him. The dangerous and disgusting vampire babies died away like little flies, unworthy to live.

The part she had feared the most came very late in comparison to the rest. Anna could see herself as a child of only a few years old and how she had met him then for the first time. Instead of killing her rightaway he had spared her life as if she hadn't been a Valerious. She saw a brave princess fighting at Van Helsing's side against Dracula's brides, while she had feared these creatures of the night. Her own brother and her precious Gabriel both as werewolves. Because of Dracula!

How she danced with him at the ball ... how he had captured her numerous times, mocked her, forced her, hurt her. She couldn't believe her eyes as she saw a lifeless woman in the dark dungeons of Castle Dracula, unconscious, both wrists broken.

Then all the times he had brought joy to her life. When he had saved her, almost as often as she had been close to death. And the happiest moment in her life: When Vlad had brought Lara to her.

-------------------------------------------------------------

"Take me in your arms, Vladislaus. I need you", Anna whispered in her sleep.

Dracula looked at the dreaming princess. Or you should better say: stared. These words were just the ones Lara had told him of. And these words made his icy heart melt. He sat down beside her and wrapped his arms around Anna. If she knew what happened with her right now. What was he feeling now? Love?

Anna slowly opened her eyes. The vampire saw tears. "Why did you show me?"

"I had to ... Anna, you can't keep believing that I'm the misunderstood man. I'm a vampire. A vampire", he said and stroked her cheek gently. Before he could push her away she had wrapped her arms around his neck once again.

"I don't care!", she sobbed and kissed his cold lips.

Dracula was almost shocked. "Does that mean ...", he trailed off. His heart made a large jump, hope shining in his deep brown eyes. He held Anna by her upper arms and stared at her with amazement. This beautiful woman made him feel human.

She nodded smiling. "I love you, Vlad. And I want to become your bride." She had never been more sure.

"Anna, but can you just forget everything I did to you?"

"I can not forget it. But I can forgive ... Do you still want me as your wife?", she asked shyly.

"Of course I do, how can you question that? ... I love you, Anna. With all my heart!" He then leaned in to kiss her passionately, his tongue slightly teasing hers. The vampire put his arms tightly around her. This feeling was completely unknown to him. How could he ever thank Anna for rekindling his heart? He already prepared a wedding in his mind. The princess would become a countess and forever be at his side.

Only Lara interrupted the kiss and his thoughts. "Ergh! Mommy, this is disgusting!", she complained and held her little hand in front of her eyes.

Dracula shook his head. And in perfect union he and Anna said: "This is love."

The End