I dreamt I dwelt in Marble Halls

With vassals and serfs at my side,

And of all who assembled within those walls

That I was the hope and the pride.

I had riches all too great to count

And a high ancestral name.

But I also dreamt which pleased me most

That you loved me still the same,

That you loved me

You loved me still the same,

That you loved me

You loved me still the same.

I dreamt that suitors sought my hand,

That knights upon bended knee

And with vows no maiden's heart could withstand,

They pledged their faith to me.

And I dreamt that one of that noble host

Came forth my hand to claim.

But I also dreamt which pleased me most

That you loved me still the same.

Marble Halls: Enya (1991)

Part Five: Awakening

The pre-dawn light flickered with lightning that heralded a storm approaching from the west. I awoke to the distant rumble of thunder rolled outside the cozy bedchamber where fire flickered on ancient stone walls. Turning toward the tall oriel windows, I jumped when I felt myself pulled against a warm, muscular chest.

"Good morrow, inimămea (3), you are a pleasure to wake up to." His voice was whiskey dark, and velvet smooth as it entwined around my senses and wound itself around my heart, which began to beat a languorous tattoo against my breasts.

His hair was midnight black and, when the long locks brushed my face, I smelled fresh herbs and cinnamon, his features obscured in the darkness of the approaching storm. Tentatively I raised one hand to trace his face, attempting to make a mental picture of my protector. Lightly catching my hand, he kissed the palm and nibbled on my fingers before grasping one and sucking it into his firm mouth. I gasped at the unfamiliar, yet welcomed heat that flooded my body. Wordlessly I beckoned more of this attention, for within the center of my being was an intense desire to love and to be loved.

He gathered me close, crooning reassurances in my ear when I jumped involuntarily at a particularly loud clap of thunder, I had been extremely frightened of storms as a small child and had never fully recovered from that fear, yet in his arms I felt…sheltered, protected…cherished, for the first time in my life.

He whispered words in his language that my ears were not familiar with, but that my heart understood. Dark things, forbidden things, erotic things as his thin, elegant fingers worked their way past the fastening of my night rail and coasted over my breast. Lips soft as eiderdown coasted down the side of my throat, hesitating briefly over my pulse point before working their way back up to my ear where he breathed my name "Evangeline…" and I came undone.

Grasping his face in my hands, I devoured his mouth…what I lacked in experience, I must have more than made up for with enthusiasm and passion, for he responded in kind…clutching me to him with an iron grip. Pulling away for air, he looked down at me with such tenderness that I suddenly had the intense desire to weep…who was this stranger? What was it about this man that made me long to give myself to him, and him alone, for all eternity?

"Let me love you, dragostea mea (4). Please…I will not harm you, this I vow." His voice was hoarse now, with desire and I found myself nodding agreement.

He closed his eyes and gave a shudder of relief before leaning down once again to take my mouth in a carnal kiss of nearly unbearable intimacy. His tongue gained entry through teasing strokes, then plunged in and plundered, debauched and heightened my own fever as it rubbed, dueled with mine and, with the softest of touches, his fingers branded my skin staking claim that I belonged only to him. My nightgown seemed to melt away with the fire burning between us, and soon flesh slid against flesh, the textures intoxicating to my senses.

His taste was spicy and exotic, his scent familiar, and yet so…so alien. The feel of his hardness pressed so intimately against me was dizzying, a veritable freefall of sensations moving through my bosom as I tried to pull him closer…and still closer.

Vladislav was stunned by the simple, uncomplicated passion he had ignited in his soulmate. Here…by the gods, here…was truly a treasure worth guarding for a lifetime. He loved her deeply already, and to see that she desired him greatly gave him hope that she might learn to love him in return. As he stroked her soft skin, he marveled at how small she was, yet perfectly formed for his adoration. He nibbled at the delectable skin alongside her neck, intoxicated by the light floral scent that was uniquely hers…was that lilac, or lavender? Giving a low hum of approval he felt her shiver delicately and smiled against the slow, dreamy beat of her heart, the heart that would one day be his.

It must be…or he would never survive, nor would she. One thing he would NOT allow to happen is harm to her…even if the harm came in the form of himself. Baring these dark thoughts from his mind for this one brief moment in time, he concentrated solely on her pleasure.

Finding the ties and fastenings of her gown was simple, as he had already had cause to become intimately acquainted with the garment the night before. In no time, the material had vanished leaving silken skin sliding along firm muscle. The differences were measured, weighed, caressed, adored. Breath hitched. Voices were raised in wonder, in praise, in passionate plea.

At last, at last he slid between her open and straining thighs, her arms clutching him with desperation to get as close as possible. "Evangeline…" with that one word she broke, and he plunged in taking her cries into his mouth as they raced toward the pinnacle together.

3. My heart

4. My lovely one

Part Six: Acquaintance

I woke again in mid-morning, dazed and confused. My body felt bruised and languid, muscles soft and mind dreamy. Lazily, I stretched…sleek and spoiled as a cat after gorging itself on cream. A wide yawn interrupted the opening of the wide, thick oak door. A maid, as pale as death entered, and I was unpleasantly reminded of the girl who suffered mortal injury in the moonlit Inn yard. With a bob and respectful query of my health, she helped me into my only formal gown, an old one of my mother's…the pale green of the silk underskirt contrasted so beautifully with the deeper emerald of the velvet overlay.

The girl was a miracle worker when it came to my stubborn chestnut hair. Having grown up with harsh words from other catty girls…including my own father's wife and her spawn, I grew to despise its color, wishing instead for the spun sunlight gold of Margareta's, or the deep earthy tone of Luciana's brunette locks.

Soon, too soon…I was to meet him…my betrothed…Vladislav Dracula…the Voivode of the surrounding county. My knees shook as the maid directed me to the master's study.

Knocking on the thick door, I heard the husky voice of my heated dreams the night before bid me Enter, Evangeline…

Instantly dark and unbidden thoughts raced into my mind, bodies entwined in ecstasy, hips swaying together in a dance older than time. A hot mouth devouring the flesh of my most secret place, my soft silken petals damp with the dew of desire until my cries of fulfillment echoed in the night, then sweet tender kisses and cuddling in the big, soft bed.

Shaking my head to dispel all thought of such activity… a silken whisper entwined itself around my mind...It was but a dream…

I opened the door and entered.

The room was richly furnished, dark wood abounded, and luxurious tapestries lining the walls with color and texture. In the center of the massive room was a large desk, and behind it…a man.

His eyes were black as the night, and so sharp that I believed they could pierce flesh with one glance if he were so inclined. His slim, muscular build spoke of discipline and diligence. His hair fell in soft, silken waves of ebony along beautifully sculpted cheek bones that bespoke aristocratic heritage more firmly than a tree full of noble kinsmen.

He was larger than life. I hadn't known what to expect from the man who'd won me in a game of chance, but surely it was not this…he was not classically handsome, but there was something...magnetic. He drew me in like a moth to a flame, and I knew that if I wasn't careful…I could get burned alive in the process.

"Come, Evangeline…there is no need to fear. Come to me, I have waited…a life time…to finally meet you." His voice was velvet, rich and sinful, like dark chocolate. Deep, mysterious and luxurious…one that made me want to curl up with it murmuring in my ear forever.

Not even pretending that I could even have made another choice, I began to walk slowly toward him, as though mesmerized.

The weeks stretched by with plenty of opportunity to better acquaint ourselves with each other. Vlad…for so he insisted I call him in private, desired me to be comfortable above all else. I must confess that I was somewhat embarrassed with this…I was not accustomed to others taking notice of my desires and wishes. Vlad showered me with kindness and such regard…I confess to be feeling strangely when in his presence.

I have had very odd dreams lately, dreams I dare not repeat to anyone, lest they condemn my very soul…for I know that young ladies carry not within their bosoms the passions I feel for this man. I shudder to think of what he would do if he could read my mind…

He smiled at her naïveté, for he could all too easily read her thoughts and he thanked the Maker that she was chosen for him. For such a passionate woman to be so callously treated by a thoughtless parent, a cruel stepmother and her stupid simpering step-siblings…it had been impossible to have let such a warm, generous creature continue in these circumstances…even if she hadn't been his lifemate.

He broke into a broad, happy grin when she came sailing down the stairs, wearing a lovely peach colored gown he had purchased for her the week before in Prague, while he'd been away on business. That week was the first they spent apart and it had been the longest, and loneliest that either had ever known. Neither felt comfortable revealing this to the other just yet.

She reached the bottom of the stairs, shouting his name in welcome, her smile shining, eyes glowing…looking for all the world like a woman who was deeply, madly, hopelessly in love. He caught her up in his arms and swung her around, relishing her laugh, innocent and filled with joy.