Thank you for the reveiws :D I'm glad everyone is liking this so far. The next chapter will be up quick and that's when Nadia's ill fated adventure begins. Enjoy. . .

The next morning came bright and sunny, a beautiful day in the country of France. Nadia woke up with the dawn and sat out on the balcony with her robe wrapped tightly around her body as she watched the sun rise. She looked out over the green landscape, mist still lingered in the woods, and as she looked on she realized that she had been taking her home for granted. Despite the lovely day she was frowning and thinking. The night before had left her upset and scared, yes she was scared. The feeling Von Krohn gave her when he appeared was long gone but she still wondered about it.

"It had to mean something," she thought to herself.

She heard the door to her room open and stood up. When she went back into her room she saw her mother and a maid standing by the bed. Her mother smiled and they two embraced.

"Good morning mother," she said as she smiled and took in her mother's familiar smell of roses and warm spice.

The woman stroked her daughter's dark hair. "Good morning my dear. I have something to tell you but first, to dress you." She turned and went to the carved oak wadrobe, she was dreading telling her duaghter who was coming that day.

Nadia looked at her curiously and let the waiting woman begin to dress her. Her mother went to her wardrobe and saw the numerous gowns that lined the inside. She brushed a satin dress that was a deep pink and the waiting woman took it down to dress Nadia. While the woman did her work Marchioness Belmont spoke to her daughter.

She sat on the edge of the bed, "Your father is excepting a visitor today. Someone very important."

"And who might that be? Another suitor?" the young girl grinned while her corset was tied.

The Marchioness didn't like the answer. "Actually, the count was coming to call on him today." Nadia froze, her mother went on. "Count Von Krohn. He'll be here for luncheon."

Her daughter felt dread spread through her stomach,"What does he want to speak to father about?" She truly didn't want to know the answer.

"The Count didn't say exactly. Last night before he left with the other guests he told your father that he would be back today to discuss an important arrangement. The fact is, is that he's coming and we both want you to stay away from him."

Nadia came back to sit next to her mother, she looked at her with fear in her eyes. "Do you. . .well do you think he might be coming for. . .me? As a suitor?" The fright was clear in the wavering edge to her voice.

Her mother looked at her sympathetically, she brushed a strand of hair behind Nadia's ear. "If he does we will reject his proposal, we wouldn't give you to a savage like that." She smiled but it didn't seem to ease her child's fear. "But enough of that, just stay in your room when he arrives and don't come out until either your father or I come to fetch you. Don't look out the windows either Nadia. Now turn around and I'll braid your hair."

Nadia nodded and did as she was told. The room was silent except for her mother's humming while she braided her lush deep brown hair. When she was done she went to join her parents for breakfast. She greeted her father and he smiled when he saw her. Nadia was thankful that at least her father didn't appeared scared, it eased her own feelings. They ate in silence and her father had to call for a lute player to perform while they ate, it helped ease the suffocating tension.

The marchioness was quiet but the marquis tried to start up conversation with his wife and child, he didn't succeed very well. Nadia tried to help him carry on but she was so distracted by the thought of that monstrous man returning to her home. She saw in a parlor room with her mother while the father sharpened his sword by the fire place. Fortunately they didn't have to wait long for the man to arrive. Nadia looked at her mother and the woman mirrored her terrified expression, they both looked to the Marquis.

He retained his outward appearance of being calm. He went to the two and reassured them that he would send the man away as fast as he could. A servant woman hurried Nadia upstairs while her parents locked hands and went to greet their guest. The horrid man was waiting in front hall and had a smirk stretched across his pale skin, his blue eyes were dark and mysterious. The marquis acted gracious for the sake of his wife.

"Count Von Krohn, welcome back to my home," he bowed his head respectfully.

The count didn't return the respect. "As I said I have an arrangement to make with you," his voice rumbled with an arrogant tone.

A muscle in Marquis Belmont's jaw twitched at the insult of not being greeted. He shook it off and smiled, "Of course as you said. If you will follow me we'll talk in my study." He turned to lead the man down the hall and heard the boots thud behind him and his wife.

Once in the study Von Krohn went straight to the plush chairs across the writing desk. He sat down before the Marchioness and propped his boots up on the wooden surface, the Frenchman and woman were mortified at his rude indecency but they swallowed their pride and let him do as he pleased. The marchioness stood behind her husband while he was seated across from the count and watched them both carefully.

Her husband spoke first, "Now what is this arrangement you have found Von Krohn? You spoke nothing of it and left me wondering." His mood was obviously dry and straightforward.

The other man smiled broadly and looked at them with a deadly glint in his eyes, "I come simply seeking something that you possess." He stopped.

Marquis Belmont raised an eyebrow, "Oh? But I hear you are a very rich man with everything at your fingertips."

The count knew that the other man wasn't stupid. He expected the man to think that his daughter was exempt from anything he could have. He nodded once, "You have a daughter." He relished in the mortified expression on the marchioness's face. "She is very beautiful and I hear she is seeking a suitor. Except I come not to court her but to take her as my bride back to Saxonia. I will expect he-"

The marquis refused to hear more. He slammed his palms on the desk and quickly stood from his chair. "How dare you come to my home unannounced the first time, and then come seeking to take my daughter as your bride the next?! And without properly courting her first! I tolerated you last night and had you asked for anything else besides my wife or daughter I would have given it to you! But my daughter's life is not something you can take without a fight."

That was not what he thought he would hear but Von Krohn liked it. He chuckled and slowly stood up to his full height. He towered over the others with an imposing presence and saw the woman shrink against her husband in fear. The count grinned maliciously at them.

"The so be it. I want the girl and I will have her. I will be back for her and I will take her," his words were unwavering and firm. He turned from them and showed himself back to his stallion. Just as soon as he had come, he left.

In his wake the Belmont parents were left speechless. They knew he would return like he said and they know it would be their final stand. Marquis Belmont slowly sat down, his back ridged and his jaw set firmly. His wife took calming breaths through her nose and placed her hands on his shoulders to comfort them both.

"We won't run," the marchioness said. She knew there was nowhere to run, he would find them. Every tale of him hunting people always ended in his victory.

Her husband nodded, "There is nowhere in this world we can hide. So we have one thing left to do. When he comes again we will stand our ground and fight." He reached back and took one of her hands, he held it tight. "We will lay down our very lives to protect her."

Marchioness Belmont closed her eyes and nodded, "Then our lives are done."

She accepted her fate because she knew nothing would change it. She knew she and her husband were going to die.

Hmmmm...when to upload again. . .tomorrow night perhaps? Tune in for the next exciting chapter!