Greetings and slatutations everyone! I would like to thanks everyone who commented on the last few chapters, and I hope that you enjoy this chapter. Please don't forget to leave a comment or send me a message on your thoughts about the story so far.
When she woke up the next night, Marishka looked over to her right and saw Dracula still asleep, with his arms in a tight embrace around her. She smiled and cuddled up closer to him. She then decided to let herself fall back asleep when she suddenly felt hungry. She then opened her eyes and tried to wriggle free from Dracula's hold. When she couldn't, she started to contemplate if she should wake her master up, or if she should wait. She was going to wait until she started to feel starved. She then turned on her side.
"Master?" Dracula didn't move. She then started to nudge his shoulder.
"Master, please wake up." He simply grunted. She then started to look around to see if there were anything she could do. She then thought of something. She started to outline his lips with her index finger, but Dracula didn't stir. She then kissed him as hard as she could. She looked down at his eyes to see if they were open. She saw that he was wide awake then.
"Wanting more already?" he asked her with a smile on his face.
"I couldn't think of another way to wake you. I need to go out for a bit."
"What is it that you need?"
"I am…..thirsty, I think that is the right term."
"Yes, but you fed yesterday. Your body should be fine for a while."
"I know, but I can't help but feel that I need to go feed." Dracula then released his embrace of her. Marishka then slid out of bed and went over to where she had removed her clothes the night before. She then went to the window. Vlad was right behind her. He then called Verona to him so she would join them. Over the years, he had found a way to have her come to him without calling for her out loud. He and Marishka then leapt out of the window into the cold night air. They were shortly joined by Verona. They then headed to the village.
Marishka started to fly faster and faster almost out of reach of the others. She then flew above the town and let out a fit of laughter. She then swooped down and flew through a roof. The people inside looked at her and then ran out screaming. Marishka then flew after everyone; young or old, she didn't care who she killed. All she knew was that she was hungry. She was shortly joined by Verona and Dracula. Dracula was pleased to see that his new bride was not afraid to cause havoc. He then knew that it was time for them to return back to his castle in Transylvania. He then swooped down and picked up one of the older men in the crowd and drained him. Verona chased after a little old lady.
Marishka first fed on a young man. After she had finished with him did she realize how hungry she actually was. She then saw a woman with a baby in her arms, cowering in fear. Marishka then remembered how she felt when Verona said that her children were unable to live. She became filled with rage and flew towards her. She picked up the woman and bared her fangs at her. As she sunk her fangs into the woman's neck, she not only heard the cries of the woman, but also to high pitched wail of her child. Once Marishka finished with the mother, she tossed her aside and then quickly sustained her hunger by draining the child. She then flew next to her master, who was admiring his newest bride's work.
"Let us return my lord." Vlad then looked at Verona who was less than ten meters away from them. He then let out a roar that pierced the night sky and was echoed by the sound of Marishka's giggles of amusement.
When they got back to the castle, Vlad turned to his brides.
"Be prepared to leave in the morning. We are going home." Verona had a look of joy come over her face while Marishka looked confused.
"What's wrong Marishka?"
"Is this not our home?"
"This is merely a second home. Our true home is back in the master's homeland, in Transylvania. We will leave in the carriage in the morning." With that, Vlad summoned two servants and told them to make ready for their departure.
While Verona packed her belongings, Marishka watched her through the door way.
"What's it like?"
"What's what like?"
"Our other home."
"It is in the mountains, the view is breath-taking, at least it would be if we breathed. You can see everything for miles. It is so high up, that there is an eternal snow."
Marishka started to picture it in her head. She then left Verona and started to walk around the castle corridors, thinking about Castle Dracula. While she was walking imagining what her new life would be like, she was interrupted by one of the servants.
"The carriage is ready, my lady."
Marishka then followed him to the stables, where the carriage was. When she got there, Verona and Dracula were already there.
"I know that you can walk faster than a mortal," Verona said in a teasing manor. Marishka smiled and rolled her eyes while resisting the urge to stick her tongue out at her and then glided up next to Dracula. Vlad then opened the door to the carriage and motioned for Verona to get in.
"I am sorry my dear, but I did not expect to be bringing back another upon my return. You will share my coffin." He then had Marishka step into the carriage. He waited until she was in his coffin before he got in himself.
It took them a day and a half to get back to Transylvania. When they reached the gates of the castle, they arose from their sleep, with Verona in her own coffin and Marishka with Dracula. Dracula was the first to step out of the carriage and held an arm out for each of his brides. He then led them into the castle. Marishka was awe struck with the size of the castle and became even more amazed at the inside of it. Once they reached the grand hall, Marishka looked up and saw Verona's children.
"What are those?" she asked as she pointed directly up. Verona looked up and then started to get emotional. She started to weep onto Vlad's shoulder. He then stroked her hair to comfort her.
"Those are our children. I hope to one day find a way to bring them to life, but until that time…." He then looked down at his youngest bride who was looking over at Verona. She then pulled her sister from her master's arm and pulled her up to the ceiling with her. Marishka then stood with Verona by her children for the majority of the night. Vlad retired to his study and started looking thorough the book that he had left open on his desk. He started to read from the place where he left off. He continued until dawn. He then returned to the great hall to show Marishka to her new room, who was still on the ceiling with Verona. He casually walked up to them.
"My dears it is time to retire to our chambers. Verona will you take Marishka to her room?"
Verona wiped away her tears. "Yes, my Lord."
She then took Marishka to her room. When they got there, Marishka opened the door and gasped. The room was covered with silk tapestries and gold stings of beads. Marishka ran over and looked through the wardrobe and through the jewelry box. She pulled out a pair for gold earrings and a gold necklace.
"Are these mine?" she asked Verona.
"Everything in this room is yours. It is your room after all."
Marishka smiled at the treasures that she held in her hand. She then looked up at Verona.
"I don't know how I can ever thank you."
"It was not me who arranged your room for you. It was the Master."
"How can I ever repay him?"
"I think you know the answer to that."
Marishka then looked down at the floor and blushed. She knew it was a stupid question. She knew what her master expected from her.
"Now my sister, I bid you farewell, until tomorrow."
"Good night."
Verona closed the door as she left the room. Marishka then walked towards the window. She sat down and looked out over the horizon. As the sun started to rise, it let out a small beam of light towards her. As it hit her hand, she started to feel it burning. She moved out of the light quickly and looked down at her hand. There was a hole that emitted the smell of burned flesh. She then touched the hole and felt pain. Then the hole started to vanish. As her skin grew back, her eyes grew wider. Once her hand was as it was before, she ran her finger over where her injury had been. There was no trace of it being there. She then headed to her coffin and slept peacefully.
The next 100 years passed more quickly for Vlad than the previous years did. He had his two lovely brides at his side. Both had bore him many children, but still none had lived yet. He started doing even more research to find a way to bring his children to life. He would spend night after night looking for anything that would awake them. Verona and Marishka had grown closer and were still able to share their master. When Marishka had her first children, Verona comforted her and helped her get through the new mother's pain. Marishka loved her sister dearly, but was starting to grow lonely. Dracula saw this in her facial expressions. He had Verona spend more time with her, but to no avail, she was still in a deep depression. Dracula then decided to confront her and see what was to be done.
"What is troubling you my dear?"
"Oh…nothing my lord."
"Come now, you think that after all these years I still do not know when you are upset. I can sense your feelings; tell me what is causing you so much pain?"
"It just seems empty in our home. I feel alone at times."
"You have Verona and myself, and soon we will have our children at our sides."
"I know Master. I love both of you unconditionally; it's just still feels empty in this big house." Dracula then thought this over and noticed how she was right. It was rather empty. There was something missing, he just didn't know what. Then he got an idea.
"I think I know something that will cheer you up, but first bring Verona here; I want both of you to listen to this."
Marishka quickly ran off towards Verona's room. When she got there, Verona was sitting on her bed reading a book.
"Come quick, the master has something he wants to tell us." Verona laid down her book and the two ran off to hear what Dracula had to say. When they returned to his study, Dracula called them to him. They both obeyed without any objections.
"It has come to my attention that this house seems too empty," he said to them. Verona looked curious while Marishka became embarrassed and looked at the floor.
"I think that it is time for another family member, except this time I want the two of you to pick her. She will be your sister." Verona looked shocked, as did Marishka. The two then looked at each other and back at Dracula.
"Master, are you sure?" Marishka asked.
"Yes, this seems like a big decision. Are you sure you do not want more time to think on this?" Verona asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Why do you question my judgment?" Dracula asked in an annoyed tone.
"I just want to make sure that this is the right decision."
"I appreciate your concern, but I have been thinking this over for some time, before Marishka brought it to my attention."
Marishka blushed an even brighter shade of pink than she already was. She then looked down at the ground and waited for her master to start speaking again.
"I do not wish for my brides to be unhappy, so go, find your new sister."
Marishka squealed with joy and threw her arms around Dracula's neck. She then started kissing his face fervently, but Verona remained in the same spot. Dracula noticed this and after returning Marishka's kisses, he walked over to her side.
"Marishka, will you leave me with Verona for a little while."
Marishka knew that it was not wise to argue with him, so she reluctantly relinquished her grasp from around his neck and quietly glided out of the room.
"Why are you not happy? I am only doing this for you and Marishka."
"I thought I would be enough, but when I saw you make her part of our family, I thought that you did not love me. I don't know if I will be able to go through that again." She then lowered her head.
Dracula then lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes. He saw the resemblance of a tear start to form in her eye. He then wiped it away and pulled Verona into a loving embrace.
"I will always love you and have a special place in my heart for you. After all, you will always be my first bride." He then kissed her forehead. "Do not worry, this is all for your happiness. Now go, and choose wisely my dear."
She then gave a faint smile and rested her head on his chest for a minute. He stroked her hair reassuringly and then sent her on her way.
During the next few weeks Marishka and Verona went throughout the village, looking for their new sister. They were starting to lose hope of them finding their new sister, until one night, Marishka found exactly who they were looking for.
Cliff hanger! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I will be updating as soon as I can. Leave a comment with ideas for future chapters, or what you liked/disliked about this chapter.