Chapter 6
Castle Dracula Transylvania Romania
Nicholas followed the guard down a series of stairs to a dark and damp area that they affectionately called the dungeon. Walking quickly to the room indicated he stepped into the room and let his eyes glide over the room to land on the figure now chained to a wall, sitting on a small bunk bed shivering under a threadbare blanket. "Well, well, well, what have we here? Oh my is that you dear Angelique? It seems you have managed to upset the Prince and now he seems to think your head would look good decorating a pike at the front of his castle. Let me guess you had to meddle didn't you?"
Angelique was glad to see him but she was also annoyed that he had to find her in this condition under these circumstances. Thier last meeting earlier had been under a different set of circumstances and she had lorded her position over him while she paced the opulent surroundings of her bedroom. Now she shivered and wanted nothing more than to be allowed back to that room in the warmth of her bed. "I don't know what you are talking about, he walked in on me while I was casting a spell and he got upset."
"And whom, might I ask was the spell being cast over?" Nicholas thought the Count had seemed somewhat upset but also very distracted, the Count did not remember meeting him earlier in the week. He had declined the offer of a room and had taken more modest quarters in the village. He had thought perhaps she had tried to sway the count with her powers and he discovered what she was doing, which would account for him being so distracted.
"I was setting a dream spell on Vicki, that bitch. She was responding very well to it too and I almost succeeded in her falling down the stairs, the difference was she did not break her neck." Angelique looked very put out. She folded her arms over her chest shifted her leg and the clink of the shackle could be heard under the blanket and gown. She watched Nicholas roll his eyes and mutter under his breath something unintelligible. "What are you nattering on about now?" She huffed softly glaring up at Nicholas.
"You really don't get it do you Angelique?" He stepped to the bunk and sat down next to her. "You tried to kill the woman he believes is his deceased wife reincarnated. The woman he had fought a thousand wars and would wait a thousand years to be with and you tried to kill her and you can't understand why you are now chained to this wall in these deplorable conditions? I really thought you had more intelligence than that. Has that jealous rage of yours unsettled your mind as much as that count has gotten himself distracted over the very same woman we plan to give him, nice and neatly tied up and delivered to his doorstep?"
Angelique sighed softly looked down and was more than a little contrite when she muttered. "She is married to my husband, she may be pregnant by him and you expect me to be reasonable?" She shifted and began to pout huddled against the rough stonewall of her prison cell.
Nicholas was very put out, she had nearly caused a huge rift between Diablos and Dracula. Walking to the center of the room, he began to work his thumb and index finger over the onyx pinky ring he wore. "No, I expect you to understand how close you have come to being beheaded and having your head placed on the castle wall to allow the birds to pluck out your eyes and if you think that Diablos would save you from that, you do well to re-evaluate your own standing with him. This is an important alliance he hopes to make with the oldest vampire on this earth. "
"Nicholas, I am willing to continue this charade that Victoria is his deceased wife and giving her the memories through those prior spells and having her react is starting to bore me. I don't like her and had I been smart I would have killed her myself when she was at Collinwood in 1796. That would have taken care of all this nonsense of her and Barnabas being married and happily planning a family!" Angelique was now sounding more like the spurned lover she was and it was nauseatingly annoying to Nicholas.
"Here is the situation Angelique and you had better consider your next moves very carefully because right now I am the only friend you have in this situation. To begin with that is the very reason Diablos gave me authority over you and this situation. You can imagine he is very upset with you. Thus, my being here now. He knows you too well my dear. Only too well to know what you might do and he is not happy."
He watched her duck her chin and then sigh. She was in trouble with Diablos and now she was in trouble with Dracula. "Very well you may plead my position to the count and tell him, I am very apologetic for all the things he thinks I have done and will be ready to cooperate as long as I get to see Barnabas returned to as he was." She glared over at Nicholas noting his satisfied smile of victory. "YOU don't need to look so smug Nicholas. I want out of here and will do about anything to be put back in my old room."
Nicholas bowed to her and chuckled softly, "You know Angelique you get so much more with a little bit of honey than you ever did with the sting of the bee, now I will go see what I can do. He has offered me a room here and perhaps this time I shall accept his hospitality. Until then you might do well to remember whom you are dealing with and why we are here. If you don't think Diablos knows what is always going on with both of us, you had better re-think that opinion because right now he is totally focused on us and the success of this mission."
Nicholas brushed his pants off turned and paused, "Angelique, I mean for you to think very hard and very long on what you plan to do when you come face to face with Vicki Winters Collins. You might wish to do well to know he will behead you and that I can assure you is very uncomfortable. You might think you can be resurrected but if you upset our master, then you will not come back nor will you be able to ever see your precious Barnabas again." He walked out of the cell and the guard closed the door with an echoing vibration down the hallway.
Old House
Barnabas and Vicki's bedroom
Daphne stood by Vicki's bed smiling. "Well we got you in bed all nice and comfy. Barnabas has put Quentin in Jeremiah's old room and I am in Millicent's old room. If you need anything, send Barnabas to get me. What you need to do is rest. I know you will feel like going to sleep but you need to stay awake a little longer." She patted Vicki's shoulder and turned to check the fire, seeing it was dying down, she walked over to the fireplace removed the screen and grabbed the poker. Stabbing the fire she smiled watching the flames lick up the in the bowl of the fire area. She watched sending the tiny embers burn out as they drifted in their little dying dance up the flue.
Turning she laid the poker back in its rack, replaced the screen and turned with a bright smile. "Now that should warm up the room soon enough and from the sounds of the wind out there, we probably have another nor'easter blowing in from Canada. Now before I go do you need anything?" She walked back to the side of the huge four poster bed and looked down at the pale features of the tragic looking figure that had become a good friend to her.
"No, I am fine, I guess I am a bit deflated to find out I was not pregnant. I was so hoping I was. I wanted Barnabas to be happy that we were going to start our family and feel the joy of a little life as it grew in me." She sighed and played with the satin ribbon on the blanket. "I suppose you were right earlier, we can try again, perhaps I am too anxious to have a child and it is not the right time." She could not help the sting of tears that made her eyes over bright. "I just had such hopes!" She bit her bottom lip. I suppose I could read, would you bring me the book on the dressing room table?"
Daphne bent over and gently hugged her dear friend, "It will happen honey, I know it will. Sometimes when couples quit trying so hard they do get pregnant and I am sure that is the case for you and Barnabas." Rising Daphne walked to the dressing room found the book she wanted and returned to the bed handing it over to Vicki. "Now you can go to sleep in three hours, but don't over exert yourself, if your eyes do not focus or you get a headache, send Barnabas for me right away." She smiled walked to the door paused pivoted and looked at the lonely sad figure in the huge bed and she almost seemed lost in the vastness of the bed. Daphne offered her friend one more encouraging smile and nodded to her, turned and left the room.
Vicki gave into the disappointment. The tears were flowing down her cheeks and she rolled into the comfort her bed offered and silently cried her into her pillow. Purging herself of the angst of not being pregnant and taking one final last sniff she shifted to her back and then sat up in bed, her eyes wide and her heart beating fast in her chest. He stood in the shadows of the room and she could sense him there and then he spoke "You know Princess you should not be so upset. When you are reunited with your Prince, you will have his children and you will live an eternity with him and them." Radu had advanced towards her and sat on the edge of her bed. He had been somewhat touched by her tears. He had felt her disappointment and a part of him remembered a time when he too had felt such emotions and how debilitating those feelings had been. He studied her and watched her draw her legs up to her chest and used her book as a paltry shield against his intrusion into her life and her bedroom.
"How, did you get in here? Who are you and why are you tormenting me?" Vicki gasped out those three questions as she dropped her book, reached for her book, and drug her blanket up to her chin to glare in defiance at Radu. "You sir, have no right to sit on my bed or be in my bedroom." Vicki watched the slow subtle smile etch its way across his face. He had leaned forward and captured a strand of her hair, his gaze going from her hair to her face he appeared to enjoy the satin feel of her hair between his fingers. Tracing a finger over her cheekbones he captured one single teardrop and pulled it up on his fingertip looking at the tear with fascination. He had ignored the fact she flinched when he touched her.
Radu glanced up still smiling while he rubbed her tears into his fingertip. "You know, back when I was there for the birth of your first son, I saw you in pain, in happiness and in love. Never have I seen you cry. I wondered if at the time of your death if you cried. I wondered when those Turks had sent that message flying through your window to announce the death of your Prince if you cried. I have heard many women cry, but just now watching you purge your grief into your pillow it was for me a new experience. One I shall keep with me for the rest of my life. He slid from the bed hearing voices outside the door. "Now, if you wish to keep your friends healthy, and your husband unharmed, I would not tell anyone I was here. I shall be back to tell you what your part will be in this newest device of my dear Prince Vlad." He put his index finger to his lips, smiled, wink and disappeared into the shadows. She watched with complete and absolute fear filling her very being the shadows swallowing up his figure.
"What is he? Who is he? What did he mean?" These were but a few of the questions she had about the mysterious man in her room just now. Sliding up in her bed, she clutched her book and looked to the door waiting to see if Barnabas would join her shortly. The door opened but it was her mother entering the room with her father.
"Victoria darling. I am so happy it was nothing more than bruises and contusions and a mild concussion. You had me worried and you missed your Thanksgiving Day meal. I had Mrs. Cook put a plate for you in the refrigerator and she promises me you can have it for lunch." Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed where Radu had just sat. George walked to the bed and placed a hand of comfort on Liz's shoulder and smiled down at his daughter.
"Baby, Daddy is here if you need anything. You know how important you are to me?" He stepped around Liz, bent down, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "What I want is for you to get better soon. I am looking forward going Christmas shopping with you. We have a present to pick out for someone special." He turned to wink at Elizabeth who blushed and chuckled.
"If that is the case, then she has to come with me to pick out a gift for someone special to me too." They appeared to be jockeying for her attention and time to help each other pick out a gift for one another. Vicki smiled and nodded. "I promised Julia and Daphne that we would not stay long we just wanted to make sure you were okay. Most the family is down stairs and they want their turns to come up to make sure you are not on death's door. So, for now as parents we got first peak." He kissed her forehead again and stepped back to let Liz kiss her cheek.
"I am down the hall in Naomi's room my dearest one. George is in Joshua's room and if you need us you just send Barnabas to come get us." Liz stood bent and gently hugged her daughter one more time. "I love you." She whispered softly in her ear. Stepping back she turned with George and they walked to the door with one last backwards glance. Exiting out the door Vicki felt exhausted.
"You handled that very well my dear Princess. Just remember we are everywhere and we can take your family and end their lives anytime we wish. You will learn more of what is going on when there are not so many around." Radu had stepped back into view. Vicki studied the man with the aristocratic nose, the wide dark eyes, the shock of dark hair that brushed over his forehead. His body was small built but compact and very muscled. He held an unspoken air of command about himself and he studied her with a knowing smile and a narrowing of his eyes. "Just remember if you say anything about my being here, someone will die." Once again he drifted back into the shadows and disappeared.
Vicki felt her mind swim with an abundant amount of fears, questions and finally resignation that something was about to happen and she obviously had no control over what was unfolding behind her back. Slowly, she got out of bed, placing her feet firmly and flat on the floor, getting her balance she walked and staggered the last place she saw him, this strange man that seemed to be plaguing her in her home and her parents' home. Walking to the last spot he disappeared she held her hands out looking to see if he was just hiding in the darkest recesses of the shadows in the room. There was nothing there.
Turning she sat heavily on the chair. Closing her eyes she sighed deeply. "I must be imagining this?" Lifting her palm to her face, she rested her elbow on the arm chair sitting back she closed her eyes. She felt a hand curl over her shoulder and she smiled, covering the hand with hers she spoke softly. "I love you so much."
"That is really sweet of you to say Princess. I have always loved you. You were the epitome of what I wanted and always hoped I would have once the wars were over." Radu was behind her again. His fingers curled cruelly into her shoulder and she winced. "I just wanted you to know I am not a figment of that over active imagination I really am here and I am watching you and that loving family of yours." As quickly as the pressure was there it was gone from her shoulder. The door opened and Penny, Jason, Thomas walked into the room. The boys were the first to come over and squat down next to her.
"You know now that you are our sis, we gotta watch out for you and we have to pester you unmercifully. It is our inherit right to be pestering brothers and make your life miserable or uncomfortable." That was Thomas. He leaned forward to hug her and then kiss her cheek. "You belong to us now and we can torment you and make your life an unending hell if we choose to do so."
Jason stooped down on the other side. "Did Penny ever tell you about the yuk?" He winked at Penny who had started to giggle and slapped her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.'
"Oh my goodness no! Jason not the Yuk!" She had removed her hands and watched helpless as Jason bent in close to Vicki's other check and pretended her was going to kiss her and instead he licked her cheek from the bottom of her neckline to her eye.
"Eww salt, you been cryin' sis? No need now I just Yukked ya." He chuckled as he watched her smile and wipe his yuk from her face.
Vicki blushed and shook her head. "I am not so sure I am ready to be your sister Jason, if I have to be given a tongue bath by my little brother!" She chuckled softly, and then gently stroked his face with her fingertips. "But for making me smile, I give you a reprieve and another chance."
"Oh good I am so glad I have been given a reprieve!" He looked at Penny, "You better not tell her about the other rituals we have for tormenting you squirt or I will double up on them." He stood up followed by Thomas and they stepped back to allow Penny a chance to sit with her sis.
"You guys can go, send in Carolyn, I am sure she would want to see Vicki too." She wagged a finger at them both. "I would be on my best behavior if I were you, we might have to plot together to get back at you both."
The door burst open and David came bounding into the room, the look of concern and fear was written on his face as he looked the room over saw Vicki and made a beeline right for her to throw himself against her chest and hug her tightly. "You did not die! I thought you might have broken your neck! I did not want you to die Vicki honest. I got you as a cousin and now I don't want to loose you!" He held tightly to her. "Father says I can stay in my room tonight to be close to you."
Vicki smiled and gently brushed his hair from his eyes and peered into the concern that edge his eyes. "I am not dead, don't plan on dying and I did not break my neck. I just will be black and blue and I have a concussion and I cannot go to sleep for a few more hours. I am very happy you will be close by my dear cousin David." She leaned forward and lightly kissed his forehead.
He slid his chin up and smiled, "I love you Vicki! I love you very much. Good night." He pushed back and was gone before Thomas and Jason could exit the room. When they got to the door, Carolyn was there watching David dash down the hallway to his room.
"Well goodnight to you too David." She called and chuckled and walked past Thomas and Jason into the room. "So where is the little drama queen?" She had been chuckling and that took the sting out of any harshness that might have been perceived by Vicki as a derogatory comment made against Vicki. Walking to Vicki's side she slumped down on the footstool at her feet and lifted her feet and began to gently massage her feet. "So Julia said you were not pregnant. That you took it really hard?" She continued to gently massage her feet and looked with sympathy to Vicki then to Penny who looked down knowing how much it had meant to Vicki. Penny and Vicki had talked about her possibility of being pregnant and how she would take Sarah's old nursery and turn it into her nursery.
Vicki felt the thickness fill her throat and she nodded. Looking down she let out a shaky breath. "I guess I have been so stressed and I am late I thought perhaps it was because I was pregnant. I suppose that was hopeful thinking."
Carolyn the practical one spoke softly, "You can keep trying, I hear it's a lot of fun to just keep on trying. I just hope Cousin Barnabas has the stamina to keep up with you." She giggled that annoying giggle. Most would have found Carolyn's statement crass and unfeeling to the predicament Vicki had just found herself in.
Vicki knew her sister well enough to know she did not think before she spoke. "I am sure he could wear me out before I wear him out. "She spoke confidentially with sisterly heartfelt feelings to her sisters. She even managed to blush as she thought about the marathon love making sessions they had paced themselves through and during their honeymoon. The passion between them had continued when they got home.
This caused Carolyn to laugh, "Well there you have it. You two just need more practice and I bet you will be preggers in no time sis!" She finished massaging her feet, stood up and stretched. "I am going to the Blue Whale they are opening late so that those of us that still want to dance and party can go and have some fun, you coming Penny?" She bent and kissed Vicki's cheek. "Maybe I will meet my Mr. Right there tonight!" She stood and looked at Penny.
Penny leaned over and kissed Vicki's cheek. "Well I better go and make sure the Mr. Right she finds does not manage to put our not so innocent Carolyn in the mother way thereby becoming Mr. Wrong!" She laughed and shook her finger at Vicki. "You rest! We will see you tomorrow my sweet big sis!" They both left the room and Vicki closed her eyes and sighed and waited for Radu to show again but the door opened and Maggie and Joe came into the room.
"Hey, I heard you were doing acrobatics off the landing of the Collinwood main staircase, I heard that it was Stairs 1 Vicki 0." Joe chuckled and walked over to look down at the dark circles under her eyes. She managed a weak smile for him and watched Maggie punch his arm.
"Hey now that was not very nice!" She admonished him, turned with a sweet smile for Vicki. "We just wanted to see if you needed anything to and to let you know we will be at Collinwood while it seems most the family will be here." Maggie slumped down on the footstool that Carolyn had just vacated and she leaned forward and took her hand. "So, you let us know and we will be right here."
Vicki accepted another round of kisses and closed her eyes. She heard the door opened and the soft footfalls of her husband as he approached her. "My dearest one. Should you not be in bed?" He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to their bed. She looked into his eyes and smiled.
"I would rather be in bed with my husband. Make love to me Barnabas, make love to me all night long and don't let me go." She whispered against his neck as he laid her on the bed. He looked into her eyes and smiled. Capturing her lips he kissed her deeply and passionately.
"If that is my wife's wish who am I to deny her request." He whispered against her lips.