Chapter 7

Castle Dracula

Carpathian Mountains

Vlad pushed himself up to a sitting position. Watching her closely Vlad realized he had frightened her and caused her pain. It was the last thing he wished to do. Sliding from the foot of the bed he stood curiously looking her over, "Come, I have something to show you." He held out his hand and cupped his fingers moving them open and closed in a motion indicating she should give him her hand. She looked at him and then took his hand allowing him to her from the bed. With care and ease he navigated her to the door and out into a very spacious hallway. The hallways were wide enough she knew they could easily drive a car down them. Except in these hallways there were priceless antiques and delicate vases with an abundant array of floral arrangements giving the hallway a funereal look and smell.

Leading her down the hallway, they came to a grand staircase with polished mahogany wood and again in evidence a very elegant, very old rug runner that covered the steps and risers; he paused and nodded directly across from them on the wall, which hung a life size portrait of a man and woman. Both were regale and royal looking in their dress and their crowns they wore on their heads. Looking closer Vicki paled and then gasped; the man was an exact double of the man next to her and the woman was an exact double of her image. She stood lovingly next to the man; her hair was as dark as a raven's wing, darker than Victoria's, which held hints of red highlights. It was her eyes that made her more Victoria. They were the same hazel eyes with a storm tossed sky look to them.

She wore a dress of rich brocade with a golden embossed corset; the dress was the deepest richest red Vicki had beheld. Over her shoulders was an ermine trimmed cape with decorative coat of arms bearing an embroidered dragon. Upon that glorious thick head of hair which had been plated and curled into an intricate style was a veil of diaphanous material To complete the portrait of a royal couple was a delicate golden crown that was an exact duplicate of the heavier more prominent crown worn by the man. Vicki was thunder struck while peering at a portrait of her mirror image. In a soft voce filled with awe she spoke, "She. . . " Her own voice could not complete the sentence. "She . . ." She began again and finally he interjected.

"Looks exactly like you." He completed her sentence. He had carefully watched her reaction as she realized how much they looked a like. He smiled triumphantly. "She is you, her name was Princess Elizabeta of Moldavia, and she was my wife." Vicki blinked and looked down from the portrait. She could not bring herself to look upon another's features that must have lived in the 15th century and looked so much like her. Now this mad man was claiming to be over four hundred years old. That is what she estimated from the style of dress. It had to be from the mid 15th century. She was now caught up in fairy tales and this time she wondered when the white rabbit would appear and began to worry that the man known to her, as Radu was hopelessly insane. If that were the case would he expect her to play the role of his wife against her will?

Trying to remain calm she resolved she would try to escape and seek help from the nearest law enforcement agency. He turned to her and smiled. "You are Elizabeta come back to me after four centuries." He took her hand and kissed it, caressing it with each kiss he had placed on each finger.

Vicki began to back away from him and said very softly. "I am not your wife and you sir are quiet mad. I demand you release me this instant and seek help!" She attempted to pull her hand from his only to feel him tighten his hold on her hand. Jerking her close to him, he pressed their bodies together and threw his head back and laughed.

"You really don't believe me. That is fine, you will remember with enough time." Lowering his lips to hers he pressed for a deep and passionate kiss. Vicki did not respond and it must have annoyed him, because he released her, pushed her from him attempting to curb his arousal after holding her and kissing her. Speaking with an abruptness, "Come, back to your room. Katrina will be waiting for you. You must eat then dress and join me in the tribunal room or as you know it as a drawing room. We have much to discuss." His whole demeanor had grown distant and cold. She had not realized when he had released her she had staggered back putting some distance between them, pressing her fingertips to her lips, she felt the burn of tears brighten then blur her vision and she looked away so he could not see her weakened by his actions. Slowly she lifted her chin and looked to see he was studying her very intently. Then he lifted his hand to her.

Fearful of him, she put her own trembling hand in his and noticed his touch was in some respects like Barnabas, his hand felt cool if not cold. "You must understand Victoria, I am not mad, I am Vlad Tepes, Prince of Wallachia son of Vlad the second and a member of the House of Dracul. You are my wife, Princess Elizabeta and we are finally together at last." He had sounded so self-assured when he spoke those words that she had to believe he was completely lost to his madness. He pulled her into his arms and spoke in his native tongue, "Tu ești inima mea, viata mea, sufletul meu, dragostea mea pentru acum și în veșnicie." Vicki did not know how she knew it but she knew he had declared his love for her by saying 'you are my love, my life, my soul from now and eternity." She pushed against his chest trying to break his hold on her and he became angry. "Look at me Victoria, look into my eyes." The words were forceful and filled with command.

Vicki struggled against his hold and when he commanded she look into his eyes, she was drawn into the depths of his gaze. She felt her will beginning to dissolve and she found herself holding close to him. Her arms were going up around his neck and she was pressing close to him. Laying her head on his chest she spoke softly, "My love at last we have found each other." She felt him drawing closer and his lips upon hers demanding a return of the same passion he held for her. With the touch of his lips to hers Victoria was drowning in the passion she held for this man. Vicki was not sure what broke the moment; it was the hint of a scent that was more familiar to her than this man's arms. Her mind registered it, 'Jasmine.' Breaking his hold on her, she stepped back and looked around, the room was beginning to spin out of control and she knew she must have swayed on her feet because she felt herself swept up in his arms.

"It is all too new for you. You will rest, eat, and then join me in the drawing room."

Victoria's Bedchambers

Castle Dracula, Carpathian Mountains

Vicki had little appetite. The food that was delivered to her room was delicious; a culinary delight of braised beef in a wonderfully scented sauce, baby potatoes, and mixture of sweet and sour vegetables. Something she might have enjoyed more had the right partner been there to encourage her to eat. However, her companion for her meal was a sweet young lady that spoke no English and kept busy setting up her bath and the room to dress her mistress. The situation she was in would not allow her to eat. The ordeal had made her feel physically ill. Finally she tired of pushing the food around on her tray and sighed. Looking over to the bathing room she saw that a bath had been drawn and her maid was preparing to wash her hair and see her bathed, which for Vicki was embarrassing because she had always bathed herself.

Stepping from the tub, she found her body encased in a plush soft towel. Katrina helped her to the dressing chambers, which were an extension of the bathing chambers. Vicki was hoping for something light to wear. However, the plan had been to dress her in one of the dated dresses from the closet of the same type of clothing the lady in the portrait had worn. It would appear he was dressing her as his wife had dressed and was expecting her to accept the inevitable. Normally as in the case when she first wore Josette's' dress she had been excited and delighted to do so. However, this time it was not a charade but appeared to be something more surreal in that to complete this man's mad desires was to have her assume the identity of his dead wife and play out this elaborate charade.

The realty of the situation was disturbing and very frightening. The dresses appeared to be a perfect fit, much as Josette's dress had seemed a perfect fit, it was the same for Elizabeta's dresses. They actually appeared as if they were made for her. Katrina taking care not to hurt the stitches in her head carefully dressed her hair in curls and placed a small tiara on her head with a veil. When she had completed the chore of preparing Vicki for Vlad's approval, she had turned Vicki to look at her image in the mirror. Vicki peered at her image. If she thought she looked like Elizabeta before; this dress made her an exact double of Elizabeta. Katrina escorted Vicki down the grand stairs to a large receiving hall then to a large entranceway that led into a atrium from there was another room which was an entrance to a large room that apparently was his drawing room.

Drawing Communal Room Castle Dracula

Vlad sat in a large wing backed chair and like most furnishings in this castle, they were period and very well preserved. Ornately over stated to give one the feel they had been at one time throne chairs. Like most of the furnishings in this castle they were done in royal red velvet with satin trim. They decorated the room with their opulence and Vlad was at home in his surroundings. He was obviously some kind of an aristocrat and was wealthy or he could not afford this life style. She had to tread her way very carefully and escape this nightmare world his wealth had created. "Welcome home my love. I hope you enjoy what I have done to the place. Modern updates were essential in this new age." He had stood at her arrival and walked to her to take her hand and tuck it into the bend of his arm, and led her to the chair opposite the one he had just vacated. He could not take his eyes from her and this made Vicki uncomfortable. She refused to look him in the eyes and watched the floor, the fire, the room anything to avoid that disturbing look he had lavished upon her.

Vicki walked in the heavy gown with a modicum of difficulty as she took the chair he indicated. "I know how difficult it must be for you, and I hope to enlighten you as to what is going on." He stepped away from her and walked to stand in front of the fireplace. The fireplace was huge and it took up most of one wall. He chuckled softly watching her avoid eye contact with him. Resting his arm against the wide mantle he leaned against it with a casual air of arrogance that seemed appropriate for these surroundings. "You believe me insane; a mad man. I assure you my dear I am not. You must wonder at how I can claim to be over four hundred years old. I do so by the same means Barnabas Collins claims to be nearly two hundred years old."

Vicki's eyes flashed and she glared looking directly at Vlad. In quick defense she spoke, "You are wrong, Barnabas is not two hundred years old, and he is in his late thirties or early forties at the most."

He cast an indulgent smile and shook his head. "I see he has kept his secret well." He pushed from the fireplace walked to the chair opposite her and sat down. He fell silent for a while as he continued to drink in her image, the beauty that had been found after four hundred years. With that statement done so sincerely he had to make sure that she was truly ignorant as to what Barnabas Collins really was and what he represented to him. A threat. He determined by the sudden flush of embarrassment to her cheeks, he not only found his Elizabeta but she as a virgin and she was totally ignorant of what and who he was and represented. Choosing his words carefully, he began to half-hearted argument with her in disagreement. "Barnabas Collins is nearly two hundred years old my dear, there is no other Barnabas Collins except for the one that resides at old house on the Collinwood Estate."

"That is impossible, he is the great, great grandson of . . . "

Vlad held up his hand and shook his head. "Hear me out and all will become clear to you." He was attempting to try reasoning with her. Vicki sat back; her head was spinning with this information. "In 1795, Angelique Collins. . "

Vicki sighed, "Was a witch, yes, I know, she tried to have me hanged as a witch, she made everyone believe I was doing what she was doing."

It was Vlad's turn to look at her curiously; he was very surprised to discover she had made a claim that would have made her appear to be as mad as she thought he was. "How is this possible? Would you have me believe that you were there?"

Vicki looked down at her hands and spoke softly "Because I was. I don't know how but I was transported back in time during a séance' and lived in the Collins house as a governess to young Sarah Collins and Daniel Collins. I was tried as a witch and was hanged, except when the hangman's nose was removed . . . "The retelling of her trial and execution was trying on her as she spoke her voice grew softer with each word. She was becoming more emotional with the retelling of this tale. "I was in Collinwood and I was told a young lady, the original governess for the Collins children had traded places with me. We assumed that I exchanged places with Phyllis Wycke, and when I was hanged she was the one that was hung and I came back to Collinwood."

Vlad looked down at his hands then up, " Now how interesting, so you would expect me to believe that you traveled through time. When you disbelieve that Barnabas or I are as old as I claim we are. Well I can assure you Angelique cursed Barnabas to a living death. He walks the night as a member of the undead, seeking to curb his thirst for blood. Your Barnabas Collins is the same one you met in 1795."

Vicki felt her stomach tighten and the hint of bile edged the back of her throat. She reminded herself he was obviously insane and this part of his world demanded he discredit Barnabas by claiming he was some kind of creature. She told herself that she needed to placate him, so her tone took on a soft inquisitive quality. "And you are like him?" Instead duplicity was not her art and her voice had grown hoarse with emotion.

"I was the first, I am Dracula, Prince Vlad Tepes. History was unkind and recorded me as Vlad the Impaler. I will not defend my actions to you now as I did not defend my actions to you four hundred years ago." He briefly brushed past the fact he had claimed to be a mystical creature called Dracula and was worried how deep this psychosis went.

Vicki raised a shaky hand to her forehead and rested it against the uninjured side. "This cannot be happening." She whispered.

"But my dear it is happening. I am the original Vlad Tepes born in 1431 and died . . ." he laughed out right and shook his head, "I have not died now have I? I live on during the night and sleep during the day." He was amused by the look of horror that briefly passed over her face. Vicki stood and positioned herself behind the fireside chair. Using its weight to lean against she looked around the huge opulent room. Easily, she could see that Collinwood's drawing room, foyer, den, dining room and kitchen could fit in this one room. If she did know any better the way he had it designed she would have thought it was the throne room. It was very elegant with rich priceless antiques accenting the room with areas for groups to sit and converse.

Obviously the fireplace was center stage and the focal point of the room. It was as tall as Vlad and she could put one of the estate cars inside it. She wondered if they had actually cooked in the fireplace at one time? It was decorated with teak and Italianate fixtures. The two fireside chairs were wingback and very old. Running her hands across the top of the chair, just by touching it she could tell that the material was rich and textured. Chewing her bottom lip she glanced up and noticed he was watching her. "Elizabeta would stand behind that chair and run her fingers over the chair, she said it made her feel safe knowing that this was her home and I was here sharing it with her. She was a Princess of Moldavia and never was there a more beautiful talented woman that ever lived." Vicki tucked her chin and flushed.

Feeling the chill of the evening creeping into the room she wanted very much to move closer to the fire. However, the fact he might rise and join her and thereby towered over her from the fireplace, she was shy and afraid of him. "Do you play?" He nodded to the piano in the corner of the room.

Vicki glanced over at the beautiful grand piano and nodded. "I am not very good. But I do play." Vlad stood and walked towards her and Vicki stayed her fear and stood her ground.

He smiled and extended his hand to her and waved his fingers. "Come, play for me." She put her hand in his and he could feel the warmth of her hand and lifted her fingers to his lips and placed a cool kissed them. "They are slender and long, a pianists fingers. I believe you are like Elizabeta, she did not think she played well. She did and she soothed the beast in me." He was trying to humor her with his glib compliment. He guided her to the piano, the long brocade skit brushing the parquet floor and the soft-soled satin shoes making little noise on the floor as she was guided to the piano. He seated her on the stool and then lifted the lid exposing the ivory keys. A sheet of music was sitting on the rack. "Please this piece was a favorite of my Elizabeta, please honor me and play it."

Vicki looked at the sheet music and laid her fingers on the keys and began to play. Her fingers lightly flowed over the keys with each movement and the hauntingly beautiful piece of music came to life under her artful play. She relaxed as she played the sweet and romantic song of ages past. Closing her eyes, she felt the music through her fingers and without having to look at the music the tune came to her with little effort. If nothing else she felt she had played this piece over and over so there was little or a need to look at the sheet music. She became lost in the piece. Eyes closed she felt a sense of security. Vlad watched her as she played and he was convinced his Princess was returned to him. He lowered himself next to her on the bench and watched her close her eyes and loose herself in the music. He looked down to watch her long slender fingers moved over the keys. He frowned as he looked at her hand and waited for her to finish the piece.

She ended the piece with a flourish. Sighing deeply she folded her hands in her lap. From the entranceway there came a clapping sound. "Bravo, beautifully played my dear." Vlad stood, turning he smiled and walked towards the older gentleman dressed in formal attire. He was very distinguished looking, with his silvery white hair. His eyes twinkled with delight when he looked upon Vicki sitting at the piano.

Vlad smiled widely opened his arms and went to embrace the older gentleman. "Ahh Count Rudolph, welcome old friend. Please come and meet Victoria."

Victoria stood with slow deliberate steps she walked towards the older gentleman. Her first assessment was that he was of average height and weight, but carried himself with such arrogance and authority that Vicki felt compelled to curtsy before him when she was within a foot of him and Vlad. Vlad smiled proudly watching her hold her humble position. The older gentleman reached a hand forward and cupped her chin in his palm. "Bella, she is as you said Vlad, she is so much like Elizabeta, I almost feel she has returned to us from the dead."

Vlad laughed and assisted Vicki to stand. "She does not have all of Elizabeta's memories but she is coming along nicely." Vicki stood awkwardly in front of the gray haired gentlemen. His strikingly intense blue eyes captivated her. He looked aristocratic with that meticulously groomed mustache and goatee. By just looking at him, Vicki could not determine an age, as he appeared ageless.

He felt his eyes began to tear up when he looked at the beauty before him. "I feel as if my little girl has returned home to her Papa. Come child sit with an old man for a while and let me drink in your beauty." Vicki felt drawn to the old man as he took her hand and hooked it through the crook of his arm. "When you sent me her picture Vlad, I could not believe my eyes." Vlad followed them to the fireside chairs and seated the old man in one chair while he escorted Vicki to another chair.

"Count Rudolph was Elizabeta's' father." Vicki knew better than to question him, he had after all shown her the versions of his truths of purporting to be nearly four hundred seventy years old. She sat in the chair and folded her hands demurely in her lap.

He looked at her and smiled, "Child do not be afraid, you are safe here with Vlad. He will take good care of you." Vicki tucked her chin and looked at her hands folded in her lap.

Once again, Vlad looked at her ringless finger and frowned. Turning to the long pull cord by the fireplace he tugged. On silent footfalls a male servant dressed in red livery entered the room and bowed to Vlad. He looked over at the servant and ordered, "Du-te adu inel doamna lui și o aduce la mine."

Rudolph looked at Victoria's fingers and smiled. "So, you think the time is right to give her Elizabeta's' ring?"

Vlad nodded and met the servant when he returned carrying a golden cask. Taking the cask from the man, he set it on the side table opened it and removed a ruby ring surrounded by diamonds set prettily on a wide gold band. Walking to Victoria's side he took her left hand and placed the ring on her ring finger. Once again she was filled with a moment of de-ja-vu when the ring appeared to fit as if it had been made for her. The stones weighted her finger and she looked at the blood red ruby and frowned.

"I . . . really don't think . . ." she tried to take the ring off and found it would not come off.