That slightly awkward moment when I divert from my publishing schedule because I feel like it.
Enjoy the surprise update! And as always, please forgive the errors you may find within.
Chapter 14: Diversions
The sound of metal clashing in rapid succession almost sounded more like the manic rhythm to a difficult Chopin or Rachmaninoff piece. The swordplay was happening in a now very empty ballroom between Lucian and Afina who were being observed with great amusement by several onlookers – namely Dragoş and the Selkirk twins, Adnraste and Reunan.
"Come now, Lucian," Dragoş teased, "You're easily thirty times her age! Don't get bested by a woman!"
The twins laughed at the remark, only inciting Lucian's determination to win this duel. But Afina was fast – which was no surprise, as she was smaller in build and an attentive dueler. The Count had taught her well; that much was evident. Their thrusts and parries were quick and calculated, the sabers little more than blurs.
"Her footwork is magnificent! Just look at those lines!" Reunan commented. "Any idea of who trained Vlad?"
"Alrik did," Dragoş explained with a deep look of pride in his eyes as he watched his niece. "If only he could be here to see her."
"I'm certain Alrik would find something to nitpick on," Adnraste reminded him. "The man was a horrible perfectionist!"
"But you're easily the best archer because of it."
"You didn't have to deal with him, brother. To any onlooker, my form was perfection. But to Alrik, my back could never be straight enough. It was always 'don't slouch, Andie.'"
"Do you remember that one time when he strapped a flat board to your corset to keep you upright?" Reunan laughed. His sister folded her arms in indignation.
"I could have killed him."
"Vlad did that to me as well!" Afina chimed in, blocking Lucian's attacks with relative ease. "He had me practice for nearly five days straight with it on, no breaks for feeding or even sleeping. By the end of it, I couldn't lift my arms past my waist!"
"Alrik did the same thing to me!" Lucian exclaimed in surprise.
"You mean to tell me that Vlad got all of his teaching tactics from my father? How unoriginal!" she chuckled.
"But you can't argue with the results," Dragoş insisted, motioning towards her. "Lucian is well over nine-hundred years old and he can barely keep up with you," he said with a laugh.
"I'm getting too old for this," Lucian defended.
"Nonsense! She may be a mere child, but you were taught by the master. She was only taught by his apprentice. Come, Lucian! Finish the duel!"
Lucian offered a look of apology to Afina who merely smiled in response until he lunged toward her, his attacks increasing in their fierceness.
"Were you holding back on me?" she teased, struggling to keep up with him now.
"Maybe a little."
As the duel continued to intensify, Dracula entered the room with Vigdís, the two lost in their own discussion.
"Did Afina ever get the chance to talk to you?" Vigdís inquired in lower tones so they wouldn't be overheard.
"Yes, she did express her concerns about rushing into this."
"And do you agree?"
"I can understand her hesitation, but we've been planning a counter-offensive on the Order for centuries now."
"That's what I told her, but she said that there were weapons that the Order possessed that could seriously damage our ability to overpower them."
"She fears for the lives of the others."
"That is understandable, commendable even. The woman has spent the majority of her life without any kind of family, and then to run the risk of having it snatched away so quickly…"
"I told her that our sheer numbers alone would be enough to overpower them."
"I recently received a report that said the Order is anticipating our arrival and is in the process of clearing out the church, under the guise of maintenance. Van Helsing has also been called in from the field and is reported to return to Rome the day of our attack."
"How did they find out about our plans?"
"You forget, old friend, they have eyes and ears everywhere. Have you done checks on your staff recently?"
"There was one or two that went missing after the ball last week," Dracula confessed. "My man that has been in charge of my wines and blood storage – Tom is his name – he went missing. But I don't see him working for the Order. He and his family have been in my employment for several decades and I've compensated them all for their work."
"Is he human?"
"Yes."
"He may be the weak link."
"He wasn't privy to any valuable information, though. And Afina had mentioned that he had been missing for most of the evening. I assumed one of the guests got to him. I never could have imagined that he'd be a potential traitor. It is so unlike him."
"These are dangerous times, Vladislaus. We're at the turn of the century and there's unrest not just in our world, but for the humans as well. Nothing is certain."
Dracula's eyes wandered across the room and over to the still dueling Afina and Lucian. He watched his protégé with pride as she blocked Lucian's every attack.
"Do you think we're rushing into this war, Vigdís? Answer me truly," he queried quietly. He felt her wrap her arm around his as she too watched Afina from a distance.
"I know you worry for her, Count," she replied. "We all do. But she is Alrik's daughter. And you have trained her well."
"Have I?" he asked, unconvinced. "She has been an excellent student; that much is certain. Her focus and attention to detail is impeccable. But is she ready for something like this? I'm not certain that she's ready for the real possibility that this could turn into a bloodbath."
"I believe she is," Vigdís answered. "And waiting another week or another month or another decade won't change that. Until the Order is eliminated, we are all in danger, her included. If you want to be with her, Count, without fear of retribution or destruction, the Order must be stopped." She squeezed his hand in reassurance and offered him a smile. "She'll be fine. All of us will be. We may lose some of our bloodlines, but we'll have the rest of eternity to rebuild again, and we'll have no opposition."
"Nothing is that certain," he reminded her. "But I hope you are right. I truly do."
"Have the last four-hundred years of your existence taught you nothing, Vladislaus? I am always right," she said with a grin.
The Count stood there for several long moments, watching the duel from a distance as Vigdís went to join the others. Afina was strong and clever – she could certainly hold her own. And nothing could kill her; of that much he was certain. The blood in her veins was both Áki and Dracul – she was his created creation. No, he was certain she would at least survive this.
But would he?
Dracula wasn't concerned about the Order. Even with their science and their God, they were no match for a vampire army. But what he was truly worried about was Van Helsing.
The vampire hunter was still alive – and to make matters worse, he also had managed to defeat Dracula not once, but twice now. Dracula couldn't even be certain if the man had earned back his archangel status and not knowing worried him more than anything else. In the past, resurrection for the Count was practically guaranteed. The only downside to being destroyed was starting from scratch when he awoke.
The cult of gypsies and witches he had employed back in the 1400s had been dwindling in numbers over the last four-hundred years. What if they never received word of his destruction if it happened? What if they couldn't get to his ashes in time? What if death this time around was truly permanent? He would never admit it aloud, but for the first time in his extended existence, he was actually fearful of just how uncertain his future was.
But with all of that uncertainty, there was one thing he was absolutely certain of – Afina. She gave him the courage necessary to face the ambiguity of what was to come because he couldn't imagine his world without her. And the benefits of this war certainly outweighed the risks. With the Order gone, nothing could threaten to take her from him. He could live out the rest of eternity with her by his side, conquering the world if they liked. The thought quickly brought a smile to his eyes and he found himself moving towards her absentmindedly, lost in his own daydreams of the future.
The duel between Lucian and Afina had become incredibly heated by this point. Lucian had grown weary of the fight, and with the elders all cheering for Afina, he knew he didn't stand a chance. Taking one wrong step gave her the perfect opening to deliver the finishing blow and the cold steel driving through his abdomen couldn't have been more welcome – even if it hurt like hell.
The dimly lit ballroom was soon filled with the sound of applause coming from the small group of onlookers. While Dragoş wrapped his arms around his niece, lifting her into the air and twirling her about, Dracula offered his hand to Lucian who was lying on the cool marble floor in an effort to recover from the exertion.
"You've trained her well, Count," Lucian commented, taking the offered hand and allowing Dracula to pull him to his feet.
"It's all still very fresh for her," he explained. "You were looking rather rusty."
"I haven't had a proper duel since Alrik was destroyed."
"Excuses!" Dragoş exclaimed, letting Afina go so he could wrap an arm around his wife who had just joined them.
"No, it's a fact," Lucian argued in good humor. "I'm positive that if this was a dancing contest, I'd have her beat! And Adnraste would have her at archery."
"I don't doubt that for a second!" Afina replied.
"Besides, I let her win," Lucian insisted, though partially in teasing. But Afina wouldn't hear it.
"You lie!"
"I most certainly do not! I let you beat me. That last step for me was on purpose."
"Well then I insist we go again!" she exclaimed, drawing her saber and pointing it in his direction. "I'm not one for sympathy wins. I am not a charity case. You don't have to preserve my feelings. Come! Defend yourself!"
"Oh no, I'm not fighting with you again!" Lucian replied, hands up in the air in defeat. "I've had my share. What I really need is a proper meal."
"You coward!" she laughed.
"Not a coward," Lucian corrected. "I just know how to pick my battles." He bowed deeply towards her. "And I'm not picking this one. Besides, I have a dinner date with Dorina that I'm running late for, so if you'll excuse me."
"Send my regards to Agnar," Dracula insisted as Lucian made his way out of the ballroom.
There was a comfortable silence that lingered in the room after Lucian's departure until Reunan clapped his hands together once before rubbing his palms.
"Now then, for the next match, I propose a duel between Afina and Dracula."
There were mutters of agreement and Dragoş was quick to second the proposition.
"Yes! Let's see if the protégé has surpassed her mentor," Dragoş agreed.
"This should be interesting!"
"Oh no, no, no," Afina insisted. "I'm not going to fight Vlad."
"What's the matter, Afina?" Dracula asked with a wicked gleam in his eye as he kicked up Lucian's saber from off the floor and caught it dramatically. "Afraid you'll lose?"
"No, you show off. I just don't like how you fight. You play dirty."
"Of course I do. This isn't a gentlemen's duel."
"You also don't fight for fun," she reminded him. "There always has to be some kind of prize or punishment at the end of it."
"It gives the duelists something to fight for," he defended.
"I'm not fighting you."
"Come, it'll be just like when you and I used to practice."
"Except this isn't Vaseria, and things aren't the same anymore. This," and she motioned between the two of them several times with her hand, "isn't exactly platonic anymore. I know how you work."
"Shhh! Afina, don't give it away. You'll spoil it for our guests," he teased.
"Oh stop pretending like they don't know!"
"You're always thinking the worst of me! Come, if you know me so well, what is this prize that is so scandalous, that you refuse to duel me."
"If you win," she explained dramatically, "that is a very big IF – you'll want a kiss. But not just any kiss, mind you, ladies and gentlemen. No. A proper one," she laughed. "Would you care to explain what a proper kiss is to the others, Vlad?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Are you quite finished?" he asked. She bowed her head towards him, still smiling as she motioned with her hand for him to continue.
"Please, astonish me," she dared him.
"Contrary to what you may believe, I don't want anything from you," he replied to the surprise of everyone. "Just the satisfaction that comes from knowing I've bested you." He extended his blade, pointing it towards her. "First to three hits – that includes scratches or actual stabs – wins. Agreed?" She nodded her head in acquiescence before sending him a suspicious look.
"Does this mean you'll fight fair?" she asked, crossing blades with him.
"Most certainly not," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes and he stepped forward to attack.
He went easy on her at first, his attacks reminiscent of when he was first teaching her, as he made comments on her parries, her form, and her footwork. Then the attacks became more regular as he advanced quickly, moving at a brisk pace that forced her to step back so she could properly block his blade. He thrust his blade suddenly and when she made a move to block it, he vanished before her eyes and she felt a sharp sting as the tip of his blade ran across her back, creating a long cut between her shoulder blades.
"That's one for me," she heard him say from behind. She quickly turned, her sword swinging towards his head but he blocked it just in time. Afina's movements were fierce and calculated as she channeled her every emotion into her movements. On the outside, Dracula remained perfectly calm as he reacted to each attack with expert precision, but inside, he couldn't help but be deeply amused by the concentration in her eyes.
With a single wave of her blade, it was she who suddenly vanished and he quickly turned around to meet her when then realized she wasn't there. He turned back around only to run into her blade, the tip driving through his abdomen.
"That wasn't very fair," he commented, but she merely smiled.
"No – this isn't fair," and she pulled her blade from his body before kicking his sword out of his hand and catching it, pointing both blades at him. "Now then, let's see, which of the five rules of the hunt did that just cover? Always have the upper hand and use the element of surprise? You need to work on being aware of your surroundings, Vlad," she teased and she flicked the edge of his blade once and watched as it scratched over his collar. "I believe that's two for me."
"And you said I play dirty."
"Oh this isn't playing dirty. I still have my clothes on," and she tossed him his sword, holding hers up in readiness.
"Is that an invitation?" he asked coyly, a dark look in his eyes.
"You wish," she replied, running her blade up and down his in a way that was almost suggestive.
Their swords clashed once again and those present in the room watched as the two moved with inhuman speed and agility. The movement of the blades was so quick, it had become nearly impossible to keep track of where and how they moved. The two taunted one another in an effort to get a violent reaction from the other, but no matter the tactic involved, both remained utterly focused.
It wasn't until the Count snatched a small dagger from Reunan' s waist that things took a turn. With an expert throw, the dagger soon found itself buried just below Afina's right shoulder, the distraction giving Dracula the perfect opportunity to reach out and grab her wrist so he could move away her blade.
"Don't you da –" she began, but before she could finish, his blade ran right through her abdomen and he pushed it all the way in to the hilt, sheathing it inside of her.
"I win," he announced smugly.
"You cheated!'
"There were no rules about using additional weaponry."
"That was a given!"
"You never stated it."
"Do I have to spell out everything for you?"
"I've always preferred explicitness."
"You are impossible!"
"And you lost," he teased, pulling the blade out of her. "Don't be a sore loser."
She grumbled curses under her breath but ceded, pulling Reunan' s dagger out of her shoulder and tossing it over to him, her glare still fixed on Dracula.
"You still did an excellent job, my dear," Dragoş insisted. "And not every fight will be fair."
"Perhaps not. Though contrary to what the Count thinks, I didn't lose."
"Yes you did, Afina. Just accept it with grace and move on. I am clearly superior. There is no argument!"
"Aren't you forgetting something?" she asked and she motioned for him to turn around. As he did, the others noticed the hilt of a small knife in his back. He managed to pull it out and realized the blade was his own. He hadn't even felt her pull it out of his boot!
Dragoş' cheer for Afina's victory was echoed by the others as they laughed and applauded.
"How do I know you didn't just now stab me with this?"
"Now, now, Vlad," she teased. "Don't be a sore loser."
His forced laughter which clearly illustrated his lack of amusement only made Afina's smile more wicked.
"You know I'll just punish you for this later," he replied, moving towards her as the others discussed their favorite parts of the duel, trying to determine when Afina had managed to thieve the small dagger and stab him without his realization. Dracula held the blade, just as bewildered as the others, the tip pointed in Afina's direction. She merely smiled at his words, bending her head forward towards the blade. He watched as she extended her tongue and ran it over the steel, lapping up his blood in one sensuous draw.
"I look forward to it," she said, her words low enough so only he could hear.
The look in her eyes sent a delightful shiver down his spine and any anger he might have felt quickly melted away.
"Garden. Five minutes," he whispered in his old tongue. She glanced briefly towards the others who were all still too busy talking. "Don't worry. I'll take care of them," he assured her. She excused herself from the presence of the others shortly thereafter and they all offered their congratulations as she exited the room. Dracula soon claimed he had business to attend to in his study and was to remain undisturbed, and his guests assured him that they were perfectly capable of entertaining themselves until his return.
When they were at last situated in the drawing room, concocting plans to go and treat Afina to the opera the following evening, the Count took the opportunity to slip out and into the gardens in the back of the house facing the forest-covered mountains behind them. The grounds of Vilkova had always been impressive; he had made sure of it. It was a century's worth of painstaking attention to detail and a vast collection of flowers, foliage, trees, and multiple fountains, water features, and a couple statues, romantically overgrown in some areas and trimmed and tended to perfection in others, creating a miniature Eden. There was no moon that evening, leaving the lights of the house and the stars above as the only light in the darkness – not that he needed the light. He could see just fine without it.
He made his way through the gardens with haste, though he was careful to master the anticipation swelling inside of him. Though he and Afina were almost always in one another's presence, it was the few stolen moments alone that he had really come to treasure. When he couldn't find her in the garden he looked over at the cemetery on the hill that rested on the outskirts of his property and could see her wandering between the graves. It didn't take long for him to catch up to her.
"I thought I said the garden?"
"Sorry, I got distracted and ended up here," she explained, circling a large statue of an angel weeping over a handsome looking grave. Her eyes were fixed on the face of the stone angel and Dracula took several steps forward so he could stand beside her. "Do you ever wonder if the angels weep for us?"
"I doubt it."
She looked over at him, the slightest of smiles tugging at the corner of her mouth.
"When I say angels, I'm not automatically referring to Gabriel Van Helsing, Vlad."
"Gabriel may have been an archangel, but it would be a stretch to say he behaved like one."
"What exactly did he do to lose his memories?"
"I honestly don't know, but he was fallen long before that ever happened."
"What made him fall from God's grace?"
"A woman."
Afina chuckled.
"How typical. Let me guess," and she started walking again, "was she some kind of evil creature? A demon, perhaps? A succubus? A witch or sorceress?"
"My second wife, actually."
Afina halted mid-step and turned around slowly to look back at him.
"The one he pushed out of a window?"
"The same one. He blamed me for his fall afterwards and then proceeded to destroy everything I had dedicated my life to creating – my household, my country, my kingdom – all of it."
"It must have been more than that. You forget, I know Van Helsing personally. He doesn't strike me as the vengeful type."
"He used to be much more proud than the man you know now. Was always very self-assured – a curse of sorts, being the left hand of God."
The two were seated on a bench now, overlooking the grounds of Vilkova that was lit up like a beacon in the night with a slumbering Budapest in the valley below the mountains.
"Have you ever thought about forgiving him?" she asked carefully.
"I did once," he confessed. "But he and I are beyond that now and we both know it. The only way this will end is with blood."
"His or yours?" she inquired, her voice soft and timid, as if the very question pained her. He noticed the inflection in her voice and he took her hand in his as if to reassure her.
"His," he answered emphatically. "I have bled enough in this feud. It's his turn to suffer."
"But what if…"
"No ifs, Afina. I will not die at his hand a third time."
"I just… I don't…"
She couldn't seem to get the words out, but something in him knew what she wanted to say and his eyes softened as he gently placed two fingers beneath her chin, raising her gaze to meet his.
"You worry too much," he whispered gently with a smile.
"Can you blame me?" she asked as his hand held the side of her face. "First it was Craven and his coup, now Tom's suspicious disappearance and the Order knows we're coming. And after living my entire life thinking I was alone in this world, I suddenly have a family I could lose, and I don't think I could bear it if I lost y–"
He stopped her fretting by pressing his lips against hers rather unexpectedly. She tensed at first out of surprise, but soon eased into his kiss and into his arms as he pulled her closer to him, his hand smoothing along the curve of her back. He then tenderly rested his head against hers, relishing in the silence.
"You know, it's strange," she breathed, her eyes still closed. "You have this wonderful ability to make me forget what I was worrying about in the first place."
"I've been told on several occasions that I have that effect on people," he teased, kissing her lips ever so gently. He felt her hand rest on his thigh as she leaned into him, returning his kiss.
"Then please, continue to distract me. I'm so tired of thinking."
No musical influences for this chapter - more like a scene. I was watching Die Another Day (a James Bond movie from the Pierce Brosnan era) and there's a fabulously choreographed fencing/sword fight scene between Brosnan and Toby Stephens and I thought it would be fun to see Afina and the Count duel since I did "skip over" Afina's year of intensive training with him. But as always what I intended to write ended up taking a life of it's own.
Whatever. I'm over it.
Reviews are always appreciated! A special thanks to Riona Winters and invisible reader for their reviews of the last chapter!
We're three chapters away from the conclusion of this story! *gasp*