The palace was filled to the brink with magnificent and wonderful things. Lavish colors decorated the entire room amongst the statues and other figures, and everywhere there were people dressed to resemble a summer evening. Amazing performers with spectacular costumes could be seen above the crowd, who was dancing gracefully to the beautiful music of the orchestra playing in the back. Dracula entered amongst the blur of masked faces with a disguise of his own--a black cloak outlined in silver matched his slender wavy mask.

He looked around at the dancing couples about him and eyed the single girls standing and talking along the side tables and walls. As he was about to choose one, he noticed something out of the corner of his eye, and turned to see a beautiful maiden waltzing with the king of the gypsies. He stopped to admire this enchanting figure, and the notion of those other girls slipped his mind.

I wore a deep purple dress with a black train that shimmered in the light every time Marlus turned me. My hands and back were bare along with my slender neck, save for a thin amethyst necklace. My hair was put up except for a few locks around my face. He caught a glimpse of my deep, brown eyes under my feathery mask and moved in.

The song ended with a bow, I took off my mask, and Marlus was about to take my hand when a man approached between us.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" the stranger asked and bowed as the music started up again with a new song.

"Why certainly, my lord," I replied.

Marlus went off to find a new partner as the stranger took me, and we fell into step with the other dancers. I gazed into the eyes that looked back at me from the black and silver mask on his pale face. Our hands and feet moved in time with the music perfectly and gracefully; his touch was gentle, but suggested something more.

"You are a fine dancer, Count." I told him.

"So you know who I am," he answered back as he removed his mask.

I twirled out and he brought me in.

"Yes, I believe it was fate that brought us together here."

He spun me around, clasped my body in front of his, and we walked forward a few steps.

"Only God could have created the angel I have before me. Tell me, my darling, what is your name?"

I turned to face him as we began a waltz. My left hand was on his shoulder with my other in his grasp. He had a hold around my waist and we danced across the room.

"It is Riana, dear Count, and I would like a few words with you."

"Then speak to me, and I shall listen," he spoke softly into my ear.

I felt his fingers caress the back of my neck and then I found myself lowered down and looking up at him, but he wasn't looking back at me. He suddenly seemed alert, and I thought something was wrong as he brought me back up. The melody ended, as did the dance, and his attention returned.

"I am afraid I must leave you now, but we will meet again, my angel."

He kissed my hand, turned, and walked off quickly. I stood there as if in a trance, when Michael approached me from the side in gentleman's garb and a white mask.

"Lady Riana, I didn't expect to find you here! Where is King Marlus?"

"It's such a surprise you're here as well. Marlus is probably off dancing somewhere."

"And who was that gentleman you were with just a few moments ago?" he asked in a more serious tone.

I stared directly into his eyes. "Someone you know," was all I answered.

He looked around him as if expecting to find Dracula right beside him; I shook my head.

"You won't find him here, Michael. He's already gone," I put an arm out to calm his restless behavior.

"Damn," he cursed under his breath. "He knew I was here, and now I'll really have to watch my back."

"Just be careful and you'll be fine. I'm going to be leaving now, but don't do anything I wouldn't do."

We said good-bye, and I went off to go find Marlus as a black shadow fleeted across one of the high windows and disappeared into the night sky.