"Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane." The Shawshank Redemption

Lyall's Pov

I was still blushing like mad whilst I was riding with Vlad. Feeling the warmth of his body and the muscles of his arms didn't help. He leaned his head on my shoulder, nuzzling his face into my skin. I blushed even harder.

"Vlad… you want to sit up straight? People will stare at you." I said while putting my hand on his head. Enjoying the feel of his hair. "Still soft as I remember." I thought. His only response was a purr, like a cat cuddling up to it's favorite owner. I didn't know where he was taking me but at this point I didn't care.

I just want to enjoy this moment for as long as I can. "We are here." He said whispering in my ear. I shivered in pleasure. I cursed my body feeling like this. I suddenly was lifted in the air and placed down on a cold, stone ground. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize that the horse stopped. I gasped in shock but then relaxed. I heard a bunch of people chattering and the sound of metal to metal.

"Vlad? Where are we?" I asked. I can feel him coming behind me and placing his huge hand on my shoulder. "My home." He said with pride. I tilted my head in confusion. I had so many questions. But before I can ask him anything he pushed the small of my back gently forward. We started walking together side by side. I felt our hands brushing against each other and every time a shot of electricity went through my body but I did not hold his hand.

Suddenly we stopped whilst someone yelled "Open the gate!". I heard the creaking of the gates open slowly. "Welcome home…" Vlad whispered in my ear. I sucked in my breath quickly. "Wait… my home?" I thought. "Vlad… what do you mean?" I asked. It sounded like he was going to explain but was interrupted.

"My lord! You have returned! Who is this girl?" Said an enthusiastic man. I went frozen in shock. Apparently Vlad did to. "He… he can see me?" I thought in horror. I slowly lifted my hand to my neck where I felt a cold chain with a heavy gem in the middle. "The pendent! I thought I left it back home!? Can this pendant... make people see me?" I thought with deep concentration. "My lord?" The man asked again. Vlad snapped out of it and coughed. His voice grew deeper than before. "I don't not need to answer to you." He said venom dripping in every word. I flinched at his tone of voice. He never spoke to me like that.

"Y-Yes my lord." The man stuttered. Then I felt Vlad's on my back again and we pressed on. I wanted to flinch away from his touch but I was too much in shock. As we continued forward I started hearing whispers from different people. "Who is she?"; "Is she blind?"; "Is she the enemies prisoners?". You think I get used to whispers about me… but nope. But one really caught my attention. "She must be one of his whores. The poor girl. She won't survive." One woman stated. I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Did he have woman while I was away?" I thought, my heart breaking at the thought. "But I shouldn't care… were not together… were just friends. He can have any woman he wants. Besides I'm not even from this time, it wouldn't work between us. Why would he even want something like me." I thought feeling my heart break even further.

"Were here my Inger." Vlad whispered. I jumped at his voice and looked up. "God I wish I wasn't blind." I thought angrily. I glared up at him. "Vlad, where exactly are we? It doesn't feel like were back at the Sultan's dungeon." I asked. Annoyance etched in my voice. "Inger…" he started but I interrupted. Pacing back and forth." And what do you mean new home? It's only been a year!? What the hell is going on!?" I yelled in frustration, angry tears running down my face. "Destul!"(Enough!) He yelled. He grabbed my shoulders, holding me in place. I flinched at his voice and touch. "Te rog, dragostea mea nu plânge. Voi explica totul. Lasa-ma." (Please my love don't cry. I will explain everything. Let me.). He told me while touching my face and clearing away my tears. I wanted to get out of his grasp. I tired pushing him away but he had a death like grip on my face. "I don't understand! Let go of me!" I screamed at his face. Everything was too much, too confusing.

He finally let go of my face but used his one arm and wrapped it around my waist and lifted me into a bone crushing hug. "It hurts." I thought with a grunt. I still struggled to set myself free. I pushed on his shoulders but he wouldn't budge. He was like a rock. He just stood there holding me. Burying his face into my neck whilst I had my temper tantrum. After maybe 10 minutes I gave up trying to escape but tears still streamed down my cheeks. When Vlad notice that I stopped fighting the people me away just enough to see my face. I felt his breath fan my face as he spoke. "Let me." He said huskily.

I knew what he meant. That he wanted to explain himself. So I nodded and let him talk. He explained how it has been 6 years since he last saw me but told me it felt like a lifetime. He then explained the war that is going on and how he was trying to claim back his throne from the Turks and his own brother. After he was done talking, he finally set me down to the ground but kept his arm around my waist. Afraid I may try to escape. It was very overwhelming. There was so much more I wanted to ask him, specifically about the women he has what I heard been sleeping around with but the words stop dead in my throat every time I open my mouth to ask. I looked like a goldfish gasping for water.

I decided not to ask him. We were silent for a good long while. Feeling the tension between us. He suddenly let go of my waist. I looked around in confusion and felt his presence in front of me and at my level. "Vald? Are you..?" I asked but he placed his huge hand on my face. " My Inger… please say something." He asked me. Desperation in his voice. I can feel his eyes penetrating my skin. I was about to open my mouth to speak but once again we were interrupted.

"Kneeling for a commoner. How dare you Vlad!" A woman shrieked. I felt like cold water was dumped all over my body. "I know that voice." I thought. I turned my body towards the voice. Vlad apparently kneeling before me sounded like he lifted himself off the ground and also faced the woman.

"Elisabetta… my wife."