Transylvania's Own: A Dance With the Devil in the Pale Moon Light
"I'm sorry, mother."I say for the fifth time, rolling my eyes as the last bit of sincerity drains from my voice. She continues to yell about how rude it was of me to abandon our guest. He wasn't our guest, he was hers used to make money off of me and I wasn't going to have it. I cross my arms over my chest and step up to her, staring into her cold eyes.
"Mother, for the last time, I'm sorry I left so abruptly and rudely. Now please, let it go"I say, walking around her and out of the room.
After waking up in my own room, I thought that the animal attack or even seeing the inside of Vlad's castle was a dream, but the tenderly healed section of my calf and my mother's anger proved other wise. I walk down the corridor, slowing down as deep voices seem to boom from my father's office.
"Father?"I call faintly, knocking on the door frame before stepping inside. He turns away from his guest and smiles, opening his arms to me.
"Oh my lovely daughter, I do hope your mother didn't give you much of a fuss."He says sweetly, kissing my hair before stepping out of my view of his guest.
"My dearest Illona, this is Mr. Maxwell Carver from Paris. He's come to escort you to the ball tonight."My father says, introducing me to yet another suitor. I back away slightly, arms wrapped around myself.
"Welcome to our kingdom Mr. Carver, but I'd much rather be escorted by a man I know."I say softly, curtsying before leaving the room. Flashes of Vlad flood my concentration as I walk down the stairs. I needed air. I needed him.
"Illona."My father calls, leaning over the railing next to Mr. Carver.
"My apologies, father."I say, curtsying again. "I'll think about it. I just need air."I say, grabbing my cloak and walking out. I tie my cloak around my neck and walk into town.
January 2, 1477
Dear heart,
Though you don't pound anymore, I know your function is still familiar. I swear to you along with my mind that I'll find a reason for you to beat again. A reason for you to function and make me just that much less of a monster.
When? I don't know. But right now, I need to focus on one thing.
Revenge.
~D
I read from the diary, hoping the notes from an another person's life would distract me from my own. They didn't. I find myself staining the pages with my tears before finally falling to my knees in front of a large tree. I tuck the book away again and lean back against the tree, breathing deeply to calm my nerves.
"Please tell me my eyes do deceive me, Princess. You are much too beautiful to be crying let alone here against a tree."A familiar voice calls softly, smoothly. The voice seems to sooth my heart, bringing the ease I've been searching for through my memories of Vlad. I look up and pull off my hood to look at the man, watching him step proudly into the shadows next to me. It was him. I stand quickly, wrapping my arms around his neck. I close my eyes, body pressed against his in desperation and tears slowly dripping from my eyelashes, breathing in his Heavenly scent and presence. I pull away just as quickly, curtsying and bowing my head.
"My apologies, Vlad. I've become rather over whelmed and your presence offers great relief. I hope I didn't offend you."I say softly, keeping my eyes down. He steps up to me, lifting my chin up to straighten my frame again.
"My dear, you could never offend me. I'm honored to relieve that amazing mind of yours."He says sweetly, taking my hand and kissing my knuckles. He pulls me in close slowly, trying to keep it in a polite and honorable manner, and kisses my hair.
"May I ask why you're so upset, Illona?"He asks softly, his voice adding a certain delight to my name.
"My father is setting me up with a man from Paris as my escort for tonight's ball. I don't want to spend the night with a stranger and I know in the pit of my stomach that if I do he'll make an unfair announcement about our engagement when I haven't accepted such an insult."I say softly, hiding my face in his shoulder. I felt like a child, but it was just so tired of all the arranged escorts and marriages.
"An engagement is a blessing, my dear. Why is it so awful to you?"He asks, pulling away to look at me.
"Because I refuse to marry a man I do not know nor love. Marrying for money or personal advancement is wrong. I want to be happy with my King and give this kingdom a ruler it deserves. Is that wrong?"I say, tilting my head slightly. He smiles faintly, touching my cheek.
"No, dear. It makes you even more beautiful and unique."He says, kissing my forehead.
"Long live the future Queen."He whispers. I smile and with, never wanting to leave his side.
"May I escort you to the Ball tonight?"He asks softly, pulling away slightly as one arm slips behind his back. He bows and offers me his hand, a devilish grin playing across his lips. I take his hand and smile.
"I'd be honored."I say sweetly, kissing his cheek. He smiles and straightens again.
"Oh my dear, the honor is all mine, I assure you."He says sweetly, kissing my hand.
"Though I do need you to promise me something."He says softly, just barely above a whisper as he steps closer, a mischievous gleam in his eye. I nod slightly, unable to find my voice in his oceanic eyes.
"If I escort you tonight, please promise me you'll never cry alone again. You're always welcome in my castle and a beautiful girl, especially a Princess of our beloved Transylvania, such as yourself shouldn't be alone."He proposes, his fingers twirling a single curl in my hair. I smile and blush faintly.
"Thank Vlad. I owe you so much, but i give you my word."I say sweetly. He smiles and chuckles faintly with a sense of triumph before kissing my forehead and bowing to me again.
"Let's get you home before the Queen worries."He suggests, offering me his arm.
He walks me back to the castle, talking to me about my stay in his own hauntingly beautiful castle.
"You love my home, don't you?"He asks with a softly smirk, brushing hair out of my face. I smile, blushing, and bow my head.
"You're eyes sparkle like the harvest moon at its mention, dear. May I ask why?"He says softly, his voice urging me to spill my secrets with a silky edge. Oh how I enjoyed it.
"I'm afraid your castle has been calling to me from a very young age. It's very beautiful and I wish I could've explored its grounds sooner, but alas I was forbidden from the premises."I answer, looking up at him as the sense of urgency overwhelms me.
"Oh Vlad, please. Please don't tell my parents. The Order will have my head."I say softly, tears flooding my eyes at the image. He shakes his head sternly, pain in his eyes at a forgotten memory as he wraps his arms around me.
"My dearest Illona, I wouldn't dream of it."He says reassuringly, though his voice held a protective sense of authority as if with a hostile underlying meaning. I look at him and curtsy. He takes my hand, leading me toward the front door, and kisses it.
"I'll..."He starts to say softly, whispering over my skin as if his breath formed the words themselves and let them crawl up my arm. That is until the front door opens to reveal my parents and Magdalene.
"Illona!"My mother calls angrily until she sees Vlad. He straightens, clasping his hands behind his back with a pleasant smile. My mother smiles flirtatiously and curtsies as my father bows. Magdalene is the one that frightened me. Her eyes were wide as they flickered between us, watching us in utter fear and disgust.
"As I was saying, my dear. I'll see you tonight."He whispers in my ear, kissing my hair and bowing to my parents before leaving again. I walk inside, ignoring the wondering glances of my parents, and straight to my room.
"Miss Arcos?"Magdalene calls, knocking on my chamber door before stepping inside.
"Yes Magdalene. Please, come in."I say softly, sitting in my window seat. She quickly, nervously, shuts my door and walks toward me.
"Illona, dear, you must stay away from that man."She says softly, fear in her voice. I look out the window at his castle, wrapping my arms around my knees.
"Magdalene please. Vlad is the sweetest, most genuine person I've ever met."I say, looking at her. Her eyes glass over as if she wanted to cry, but refused. I sigh and take her hand.
"I promise I'll be careful, but please understand. I'm happier with him."I whisper, pleading her to understand my heart's desire for him.
"You can't. Oh dear Princess, don't you see? He's a monster."She says, pulling away. I stand silently, heart pounding. She bows her head, knowing it upset me.
"I respect you opinion, Maggie, I always have but this man is strong all on his own. Not a monster. He saved me."I say, voice very low and harsh. She nods and pulls a picture out of a book covered in dust in the bookcase on the far wall.
"This is he, dear. I merely wish to warn you. He is a monster created from the blood of others. If you don't want to believe me, than at least be on guard around him. I beg of you."She says, her voice shaking before turning and walking out. I turn the piece of paper over in my hands and look at the picture. She was right. The man in the picture very closely matched the warrior knight in the painting in Vlad's castle. He wore the same medallion with the same haunting stare as the child. How was this possible?