Chapter 5

(Preparations)

Dracula's point of view

I frowned as I stood at a window looking out into the back yard. It had been a week since Katie had seen Sam and she was still heartbroken. I had expected she would cling to me but she hadn't. Instead my dark haired beauty had fallen in to a very quiet state of being. Katie did whatever I told her without argument. If it were not for her walking around like she was in a trance I might be pleased.

Katie hadn't smiled since I'd brought her here and I hated it. Her smile was one of the things that had attracted me to her in the first place and I longed to see it again.

"Master."

I looked back to see Sedrick standing there. "Yes."

"Everything is prepared to leave in the morning as you instructed."

"Good. Have Lynn see that Sam is taken to the castle after we have gone. I don't want Katie to see him again," I ordered.

"Perhaps time away with you and out of here will lead her to you," Sedrick offered. I knew he was trying to give me a sense of hope. I nodded but didn't make a vocalized response. The blonde man bowed and quickly left my presence. I looked back out the window at my heartbroken bride.

"I'll help you forget him," I avowed to her from afar. I must admit seeing her in pain made me want to hurt my new fledgling but I refrained. It was I that had caused him to hurt her.

Katie's point of view

My heart had never hurt so much as it had these last few days. To be honest I don't even know how much time has passed since I saw the man I thought I'd marry being intimate with three other women. The very thought caused another tear to slide down my cheek.

"I'm so sick of crying!" I said angrily as a whisked the tear away. "I did nothing wrong!"

There was nothing more I would have loved to do than scream at Dracula, but I couldn't. The vampire had not even made any real demands of me. I was to bath and dress and join him for breakfast and dinner but that was really all. As hard as it is to believe the creature of the night had been very respectful of me.

I admit he had tried to make a move on me once but had abandoned it when I'd burst out crying. He hadn't tried again since and I was thankful of it. Hearing a noise I looked up to see a couple of the counts fledglings moving a few things out of the garden.

Curious of what was going on I decided to find out. I'd noticed lots of things being moved around since yesterday and was curious why. Getting up from the stone bench I'd been occupying most of the day I headed inside. If I couldn't find the man that had kidnapped me then Surely Sedrick could answer my curiosity.

I entered the house to see Sedrick heading for the stairs. "Sedrick?"

The blonde man stopped and turned to face me. "Mistress," He replied.

"Could you tell me what is happening?" I inquired. "I've noticed several things being moved today."

"We're leaving in the morning." I almost jumped as I turned to see the count standing calmly by a window.

"Leaving?" I questioned.

"Yes I have things I need to see to elsewhere," He replied. "You will accompany me to England."

"I don't have a passport," I told him.

Dracula gave an amused smile before saying, "It has been taken care of." I didn't argue and watched as he walked towards me. Reaching me he gently brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "He was never worthy of such beauty," He said in a gentle tone. "He's not worth the tears you have shed." I went to speak but the count spoke first.

"There will be no more tears," He said in a gentle but firm tone. The powerful creature cupped my cheeks in his cool hands. "When we leave here tomorrow you are to not look back. Look forward to the future, my Katie. I have so much to show you and teach you."

"I guess I don't really have a choice do I?" I replied sounding more defiant then I mean to.

Dracula either ignored my tone or understood it because when he spoke it wasn't harsh. "No, you do not," he agreed.

I don't know why but I started to pull away. Feeling his grip tighten I stopped. Dracula looked into my eyes and giving me a warning stare he said, "You will be introduced as my fiancé during the rest of our travels. You will not dispute this or argue about it. Is that clear?" I lowered my eyes and nodded. "Look at me!" He said harshly.

Surprised by his harshness I looked back into his eyes; fear suddenly began to run through me once again. "You will act every bit the happy bride is that clear?"

"Yes," I replied.

"Good," He said and released me. "This will be the last night you sleep in your own room. Starting tomorrow your place is at my said whether during the day or night. I will allow no form of grieving for the loss of the boy come morning." I gave a small nod and the creature of darkness walked away.

Author's Note: I know this is short and I'm sorry. I have however started the next chapter. I decided to separate this part from the next instead of putting them together which is why this chapter is shorter. The next one will be longer I promise. Thank you to all of you who Review, Add this story to Alert and Favs and of course for Reading! I will try really hard to get the next chapter up by tomorrow night. Oh and new characters will be arriving soon. =o)