"You were my strength when I was weak

You were my voice when I couldn't speak

You were my eyes when I couldn't see

You saw the best there was in me

Lifted me up when I couldn't reach

You gave me faith 'cause you believed

I'm everything I am

Because you loved me" - Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

Vlad's Pov

Morning came like an annoying reminder. The sun rays trickled in the room. The birds sang there beautiful tune, almost woke me up. I snuggled into bed some more, loving the warmth it was giving me… until I felt it moved. I opened my eyes to see Lyall snuggled right into my chest.

I'm amazed at first. To think this beautiful angel is all mine. I caressed her cheek with my knuckles slowly. "All mine…" I thought, smiling. But my smile faded. She is not all mine yet, I have not bound her yet and there are… three problems that need to be dealt with. I lifted a strand of Lyall's blazing red hair and kissed it. "Soon my Inger, it will be just us…" I vowed. Having her love returned and to convince her to wear the iris ring was not enough for me. I must have her body and soul.

I kissed her forehead gently. "I love you.." I said softly. She smiled in her sleep and snuggled even closer to me. God I wanted her so bad! But… I must be patient. I will have her soon enough. I slowly got out of bed. I grabbed my white shirt from the floor and put it back on. I grunted uncomfortably and looked down. I was hard… I looked back up and turned to look at Lyall. She had a peaceful look on her face. She hair was all over the place and her nightgown had risen up to show her her beautiful milk cream legs. I felt myself twitch.

I grunted again. "I have to go, before I do something I will regret." I thought. I left the room to go to another to… relieve myself. After that I went into my chambers and got myself ready for today. I never let any of those women back into my chambers. Each of them had their own rooms. My room had a large king size bed with red drapes. A dresser with a mirror with gold trim and a wooden table and a chair piled with letters and books. This room always been lonely to me but not anymore. I can see it now. My Lyall sleeping beside me in the bed with our child in the middle. A happy family. I smiled at the thought.

Once I was done changing I called one of my servants to prepare my horse and that my army will be ready to travel. I wanted to say goodbye to my love, one last time but I know if I went back up there… I would never want to leave.

Lyall's Pov

I turned on my side and felt on the spot where Vlad was supposed to be. I opened my eyes slowly and saw that he was gone. The bed had a crease and it felt warm when I brushed my hands at the spot. "He must have left just recently." I sighed. I plopped myself back onto the bed. Grabbing hold of a pillow and covered my face with it and gave a loud squeal. I tossed and turned rapidly with a big smile on my face. I finally stopped and took the pillow off my face.

I just smiled like a madwoman. "God I can't believe this is happening!" I sighed happily. First me and Vlad were arguing and now he proposed and I said yes! I fiddled with the iris ring on my finger, still shocked it was still intact after last night. But after a moment of pure happiness a gnawing feeling came over me. "He just proposed to you, but he is also married. Not to mention that your both from different times." Said my inner voice.

"But it could all work out. I can stay here. Be his wife. Maybe… bear his children." I thought while blushing. "Yes, but you won't be the first wife and you'll ruin not one but two lives. Not to mention the children he already bears." My inner voice stated. I scowled. "Oh shut up inner voice." I mumbled to myself. I finally got out of bed and got ready for the day. Once I got ready I heard the sound of a horn being blown and men and horses walking away. I panicked and ran to the window. I open it frantically and stuck my head out the window. The wind blowing my hair all over the place. I can hear Vlad's booming voice over the high winds. I felt hurt that he didn't say goodbye but I guess this was for the best.

I wanted to cry but I couldn't… not anymore. I had no more tears to shed. I just leaned my head on the cold stone, listening to Vlad's voice grew fainter and fainter the further he went along with his men. Before he was completely gone, I whispered…

"I love you."

I didn't know if he heard it, god I hope he did. Then he was gone. I grasped the pendent in my hand and yanked it off my neck. Feeling the effects of the magic wear off. I lifted it into the air and let it fall down the tower to the ground with a small clunk. "Forgive me Elisabetta." I said. Then I turned and walked away.

(In the In Between)

Ghost Elisabetta's Pov

"AHHH! HAHAHA!" I screamed. "She betrayed me! That cunt really betrayed me!" I screamed even louder. I was staring at a dusty fountain filled with a shimmering liquid instead of water, showing me my puppet Lyall throwing away my precious pendant that I have given her. And after everything I have done for her! I have protected her! I have shown her kindness! And for what? Just to be betrayed.

I should've known that I shouldn't have chosen her for this task. But my dear husband was already attached to her so I thought she would be perfect. Maybe too attached. He was in love with her! This is all a great big mess! My human self was right to hate her! What a slut!

I clenched the foundation edge so tight my knuckles turned red. My hair swished more than usual in my watery prison. I looked away from the shimmering liquid to see that waves were forming around my room and the furniture was being tossed and turned in every direction.

"My My~ Someone is having a tantrum." Iona said sickly sweet. I whipped my head around to find the whore floating while sipping on some red wine. "What the hell do you want?" I hissed through clenched teeth. She then let go of the glass and slithered right up to me. "Well I felt a ruckus coming through this room and I wanted to investigate myself." She purred while caressing my face. I slapped her hand and started to pace.

She only smirked and continued to float without a care in the world. "I can't believe your calm right now." I sneared. She only blows bubbles. "You should've known that this plan would never work." Iona replied. "I thought she would be perfect!" I growled back. Iona only shook her head in disappointment. "Well she is not." She said. We both just stared at each other until I looked away and turn my back to her.

I bit on my finger, trying to come up with another plan. "She still has my mark. I can try to break her soul in order for her to obey me." I thought. Suddenly I felt a pair of arms wrapped around me. "My dear… it's time for me to run the show."'Iona whispered in my ear. She kissed me on the cheek tenderly. Before I could reply she used a piece of rope and wrapped it around my throat. I tired clawing her hands, the rope, anything to get me free. I felt her near my ear again, pulling the rope even harder. "You really thought that you were running the show… No no, I only let you think that. I am the one to exact revenge on my dear husband. You and many of the pawns were just a piece in my plan." She whispered, pulling the rope so hard that it felt like she was going to decapitate me. I suddenly felt my body become cold and feeling my lungs burn for oxygen. I was afraid now. So long in my prison I have never felt this.

"Who do you think created this room for you? Well I had a hand in it. You can't believe the lengths a demon would go to get out of this place." She laughed. I thrashed around in panic. Fearing what was going to happen next. But dear Iona wasn't done. "Oh, my dear. Don't fight. It will be good." She smiled on my hair.

(Warning: Rape)

All of a sudden one of Iona's demons materialize out of the bottom of the floor. Thinn looking thing. Has black holes for eyes and it skin looked like it was burn to a crisp. It's hands were so bony you thought they were claws. He started coming towards us. I screamed, but no sound came out. Only bubbles. "No! Stay away!" I thought in terror. I started wrenching on the side. Bile and blood spilling out of my mouth. My lungs screaming for air. Iona suddenly let go of the rope but the rope was still tightening it self without her. She shushed me and patted my hair in comfort.

"It will be good. Besides, my son needs a new friend." She comforts.I froze. I felt a movement from my back and felt her stomach swell. I screamed again, tears pouring down my face. "This can't be happening! This can't be happening!" I thought. I was so caught up with Iona that I didn't realize that the demon was already at my front, ripping apart my skirt. "No! No!" I thrashed around even harder, trying to get away. But Iona gripped my arms together so I wouldn't move. The demon lifted my legs and spread my legs apart. He bent his head down and started to devour my women hood with his long tounge.

I tried to move but I was frozen in place. I started to lose concessions from the lack of oxygen but then the ropes loosen their grip and I was able to breathe again. I whimpered. Bubbles escaping my mouth. I shivered at every lick he had given me. Iona moaned behind me. After a few good licks the demon pushed his long claw inside of me. I screamed in pain. While he was pumping me he lifted his head and I saw…

"Vlad?" I thought in shock. My eyes didn't deceive. It was actually my husband pleasuring me. My body relaxed without realizing. He pumped inside me even faster. When he started to pump faster, all the water drained in the room with a loud crash. We all landed to the ground drenched to the bone. But I was still lifted in the air by my husband and Iona. At this point I didn't care my husband was making love to me.

Suddenly the ropes righted around my throat again and I was reaching my climax. "Ah!Ah!Ah!" I moaned halved gagged. But all of a sudden Vlad pulled his fingers out of my women hood and licked the juices off his fingers. I whined. "No! Don't stop husband!" I shouted in my head. Vlad opened my legs even wider. Getting ready to penetrate. Iona can to my ear again. "Do you want it?" She moaned. I nodded vigorously. "Then scream." She stated. Then my husband transformed back into the demon. "AHHHH!" I screamed in horror.

Then he thrust himself inside me. "Stop! Stop!" I cried with every thrust. Iona only laughed at my plea and the demon just kept going without even looking or listening to me. It took them maybe an hour before the demon finally stopped. They dropped me to the ground. I hugged myself. Crippled and broken. The rope gone from my throat, leaving a long red line across it. Iona crouched before me. "Oh don't worry. He is not done yet. You think this was your prison before… it's hell now." She said with a smile. Then the water started to fill the room again and I was afraid. I didn't have the strength to move. I followed her with my eyes and saw on her hand the mark that I thought I gave Lyall. I cried in agony and shock.

"Let the games begin." Iona said disappearing while I was once again consumed by water and left alone with my rapist.