Once Upon a time in a world long ago where soulmates were linked whether by marks or dreams, there was a small werewolf kingdom ruled by a young king who had a small problem. He had no queen at least, not yet. But every night as soon as his head hit the pillow he dreamt of her, always in arm's reach with a smile on her face. Every morning when he woke he picked up pen and paper to draw her and what beautiful drawings they were, so life-like as if she could step right off the page. Over and over and over until his chambers were covered in these.
One day, just as the sun was rising over the mountains the king's best advisors sat in the great meeting hall of the castle passing around the latest sketch, drawn just an hour before.
"Surely this creature isn't his soulmate?" the first adviser, a chubby black-furred wolf with a bit of an overbite, scoffed, "Nothing like it exists in all the monster kingdoms,"
"That's not an it, she's a lady, Chadwick," argued a courtier, prying the crumpled sketch from the advisor, "She must exist somewhere, the king's taken ill"
"Ill?" the second advisor startled, snatching the sketch away without looking at it, "He'll waste away if she isn't found!"
"Impossible!"
"That's what you said when his father married the human!"
"Enough!"
The arguing group turned to the doors finding the king there in his night clothes, hands stained with dried ink.
"S-S-Sire, you shouldn't be out of bed"
"I said, enough!" Shaggy snarled, eyes flashing red, "I'll take that!" he held out a hand.
"Wait, wait," the second advisor, a white-furred wolf named Eli paused, getting a good look at the sketch before handing it over, "I know who this is!"
"You do?" the echo bounced around the room.
"Tell me!" Shaggy demanded, seizing Eli by his shirt, "Tell me now!"
The others had to pry Shaggy off, forcing him to sit in his place at the head of the table.
"As you all know," Eli began after catching his breath, "My trading business is a profitable one"
There was a group eye roll. Eli never missed a chance to bring up his business.
"In part because I'm not opposed to working with our vampire nebiors just beyond the mountains. I had the pleasure a few years ago to make the acquaintance of a Radu Dracula, a most hospitable man and-"
"GET ON WITH IT!" Chadwick growled.
"Right yes, anyway, this is his daughter"
"Her name?"
"I can't recall, she wasn't there Radu mentioned she was his only child, the very image of his late wife if I'm not mistaken"
"You like, remember all of that but not her name?!"
"Please calm yourself, Your Majesty," Chadwick spoke up, "I will personally meet with this girl's father and-"
"I'm going!" Shaggy stood.
"No, no, you're ill, you need to-"
"I am going and that is FINAL"
"Yes sir,"
"We leave within the hour"
"Understood"
"Eli, send a letter, like, tell them we're coming but don't say why that's like, best discussed in person"
...
Meanwhile, Christina was just getting up for the day, feeling as if she hadn't slept at all. Indeed, she'd spent the night tossing and turning dreaming of things she couldn't recall. Just as she had for a solid year.
"No, back into bed with you," Radu appeared in the doorway.
"But-"
"No, you look ready to drop"
Even though Christina wasn't a little girl anymore, Radu tucked her in, drawing the curtains closed.
"Rest now, I'll check on you later"
Radu returned to his study where he anxiously watched the clock from the corner of his eye while shuffling papers. It wasn't wise they told him to raise Christina himself after Alissa's passing. Hire someone or better yet, remarry they'd said. Try to have a normal child they'd added when they thought he couldn't hear.
No one will ever marry her.
The poor man, it's a good thing he's the younger brother or their bloodline would end.
An old maid for a daughter, the horror.
Although soulmates were common vampire nobility rarely found theirs, choosing marriages of comfort and convenience to better their family's social standing. Contracts were drawn up and signed oftentimes before the child's first birthday after which they were trained to be respectable members of court. Radu was the only one to ever break the contract. Meeting a beautiful dark fae with the other half to the heart on his wrist. But fate was a cruel thing, their second child coming much too early and much too small, dying in his mother's arms.
Alissa joined him three days later.
"Sir,"
Radu blinked coming back to the present, "Yes, Ian?"
"She's at the door"
"Send her avay"
"She's brought another contract"
"Burn it"
"But sir, no other-"
"I vill not see my daughter unhappily vedded to that, that-"
Every single day since Christina had reached marriageable age Elizabeth Regina Bathory-Easton came calling with a marriage contract in hand and every time she was sent away. Radu didn't care if his daughter spent the rest of her life at home as long as she was happy and safe.
Anything for his daughter.
...
Christina stared up at her ceiling until her father had gone downstairs. There were perks to having a tower bedroom. After he'd gone she got out of bed, relighting her bedroom candles and fireplace before turning to her wardrobe. Pulling it open she was greeted by an array of purple and black gowns choosing a simple plum-colored dress. Dressing quickly she pulled open her drapes gazing up at the moon big and bright in the sky.
"I wonder what sunlight is like?"
In all her seventeen years Christina had never seen real sunlight. The sun never rose in the vampire territory for the safety of their more sensitive members. Maybe one day, I'll see it, she thought, settling next to the fireplace to read.
...
Shaggy rested his head against the seat of the carriage. They had no idea what to expect when they arrived as such a guard had been assembled to escort him. Among the group were the advisors, Chadwick and Eli, three physicians, and a chef. Too much in his opinion but there was no talking the advisors out of it.
He was supposed to be reading letters or some such busy work but Shaggy couldn't bring himself to focus on anything. Too aware of the folded drawing in his pocket. Fingers drumming the thin book about the vampire nation and its inhabitants. The book he'd tried skimming only to lose interest, words flowing together into one inky blur.
I have to be somewhat knowledgeable, Shaggy encouraged himself opening the book again. Customs, settlements, history all bits and pieces too dull to engage with then again, studying had never been his strong suit. Oh, many hours had been spent hiding from his teachers until his mother had sat him down and explained that although mind-numbingly boring it was a necessary evil, to prepare him for his future. It had seemed so far away then but he'd been living it for the past year.
The sun never rises in the vampire kingdom.
Now it caught his attention but there was no further detail about how the kingdom was sunless. After skimming the history the book drifted from his fingers, falling onto the floor of the carriage.
The letters could wait.
...
His dreams were hazy. Shaggy could never tell if they were her real goings about or imagined events conjured by his love-addled mind but there she was, chocolate brown hair swept into a plait braid, a cat purring on her lap while she read. She looked up but not at him, through him to something else. He tried to speak but his mouth seemed to be sewn shut, rendering him unable to do more than observe. Watch as she moved gracefully through the room into the hall beyond, wings carrying her down the staircase and outside to a garden full of plants too large and colorful to be real. Rose blooms towered overhead in a myriad of colors, daisies, sunflowers, and carnations swaying in the breeze.
He followed watching her care for the plants, laughing and carefree.
But then the dream started to shift. Wind growing violent, plants wilting. Darkness smothering his vision.
Screams filled the air.
...
Shaggy jolted awake, hitting his head on the carriage ceiling. Looking around he found not much time had passed, he'd likely only been asleep for ten minutes, if that. The dream left him with an uneasy feeling that twisted into a knot of worry. Something was coming, he could feel it. While wrapped in thought he'd begun to sketch, hand moving almost of its own accord just like every time he awoke. This time however it wasn't a happy drawing. Rather when Shaggy dared a look he found her mid-scream, trying to flee from the same dark shadows that had overtaken him.
Chilled he hastily tossed the sketch from the window when no one was looking, letting the wind carry it away, hopefully, it would take the awful feelings with it.
Please, please, please be okay.
...
One week later they finally arrived. Peeking out the window Shaggy saw the manor as Eli had described. Stately gray stone with ebony trimmed windows almost reaching the ground. Between these were two heavy oak doors that opened with a shudder. Who he assumed to be Lord Radu stepped out heartily shaking hands with Eli.
"I vas surprised by your letter," Radu was saying, "Rooms have already been prepared"
"Thank you"
Shaggy chose this moment to step from the carriage after making sure he was presentable. It had been a long week, stopping wherever they were when the sun dipped behind the hills until it remained there.
Eli stood at attention, suddenly remembering the reason they were there, "May I present King Norville"
Radu bowed deeply, "I am honored by the visit, Your Majesty"
"Please, I like, hate formality," Shaggy held out a hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Radu"
"Shall ve talk inside?" Radu indicated the open doors.
Inside was lit by candlelight, and massive chandeliers dripping crystal hung from the ceiling. Hardwood floors so polished they could see their reflections. Landscape paintings lined the walls of the entry hall, notably paintings filled with sun.
"My vife's vork," Radu explained, "She vas such a talented artist," Although he tried to hide it the sadness shine in his eyes, "Let's talk in the study"
Radu's study was cozy. A fire burning in the hearth cast a soft glow while the window behind the high-backed leather chair let beams of moonlight in. Shaggy took the center most seat on the opposite side of the mahogany desk while the advisers sat on either side of him.
Behind them, the rest of the party was shown to the servant's quarters in the back of the manor.
"I'm like, sure you're wondering why we've come," Shaggy began.
"The letter vas vague," Radu nodded.
"It would seem that well,-" Chadwick began uncomfortably.
Shaggy held you a hand to silence him. Instead laying out the recent, happier sketches, across the desk, "For a solid year I've only dreamt of her, it seems that my soulmate is your daughter"
Radu stared at the sketches in utter disbelief, "And you've come to take her avay?"
"No, no, not at all, I only want to meet her"
Chadwick swooped in, "After that we can discuss a formal courtship-"
"No"
"No?"
"That's right, no," Radu spoke firmly, "Christina is rather...sensitive about soulmates and has made it clear she doesn't want to find hers"
"But if they remain separated, he'll die and Christina...she'll be sad for all eternity"
"Exactly, just like me, I don't vant that for her"
"It's inevitable if their separated"
"You can't be serious"
"I promise, as sad as it is, we're telling the truth," Eli sighed.
"I vill hear no more of this today," Radu stood from the desk, "Please, you must be tired from your journey, get some rest and join us for dinner tonight"
...
Christina knocked softly on the study door an hour later. She'd heard their guests arrive but due to some terrible past experiences, she stayed hidden in the library looking through her mother's old sketchbooks. Only when the guests were in their rooms did she emerge, quiet as a mouse she crept through the halls.
"Is that you, Christina?"
"I brought tea," she gestured to the tray floating beside her, "I thought you might need some"
"Impeccable timing," Radu pushed away the paperwork.
"You seem stressed"
"Just vork, Dear, nothing to be concerned about" Radu replied taking a long drink, "Vhy aren't you in the garden today?"
"He's on the other side of the wall trying to talk to me"
"Vhy didn't you tell me?"
"I'm trying to ignore it"
Radu rubbed his temples, "If he's been nearby all day then he's seen the visitors arrive vhich means Regina vill be here..."
"Oh no," Christina inhaled sharply, "I'm sorry, Daddy"
"Don't apologize it's not your fault," Radu squeezed her hand reassuringly, "I'll have Ian and Maloc chase him off so you can go outside and tend the flowers, Okay?"
"Thank you"
...
Dinner was undoubtedly soon judging by the rich smells floating through the halls, and the bustle he could hear so clearly downstairs but Shaggy couldn't tear himself away from the window. It directly overlooked the garden where Christina happily walked, a basket full of blossoms in hand. Roses, red as blood, their scent almost overpowering but nothing could make him leave the window. Chimes rang through the manor, the dinner bell. Christina heard them outside, turning.
She caught sight of him, their eyes locking for several moments but she hurried away, as if spooked.
Don't go, he belatedly thought.
"She'll be at dinner, sir"
Shaggy jumped finding Eli behind him.
"I knocked," the werewolf shrunk under the displeased gaze, nervously adjusting his dinner jacket, "I thought you'd fallen asleep"
"Get out"
"Yes, your Majesty, my apologies," Eli nearly tripped in his haste to exit, clumsily shutting the door behind him.
...
One of them had been watching her. Trying to figure out what she was, perhaps? Judging her? No, she shook her head, that hadn't been it. It wasn't a cold look nor was it revulsion but she couldn't place it. It lingered in the back of her mind as she dressed for dinner choosing a lavender satin dress with silver dragons on the skirt.
I'd much rather take dinner up here.
But her father had asked that she join them, explaining that their guests would be here for a while. So she brushed her hair out, brushing it behind her shoulder. With a final glance in her full-length mirror, she headed downstairs.
The dining hall was lit by the same chandeliers, the candlelight reflecting off the polished stone of the walls. Radu stood with the guests near the door, waiting on her. Their quiet conversation ceased upon her entrance.
"Gentlemen, may I present my lovely daughter, Christina?" Radu proudly beamed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Christina," Eli bowed, "I'm Eli, this is Chadwick," he motioned to the black-furred werewolf beside him.
"Charmed, Milady"
Christina curtsied, keeping her eyes on the floor out of nerves, "It's an honor,"
if these were the advisors her father had told her about then that meant the one watching her through the window was the visiting king. Her mind whirled with questions. Mostly why? Why? Christina preferred to stay out of her father's business but something seemed off about this visit.
Why?
"This is-" Eli started to introduce the king only to fall silent when he stepped past him.
"Please," the king took her hand, lightly kissing it, "Call me Shaggy, the honor is all mine"
"Shall ve sit?"
...
Dinner was going well if a bit quiet. It took everything in Christina to keep her hands from shaking though she suspected she wasn't doing as well as she hoped. Why did dinner have to be a multi-course affair? A painfully formal multi-course affair. Worse, they were only on course two.
I really miss my room.
The men paid her very little mind, caught up in discussions of business except for Shaggy who was still watching her and doing a very poor job of hiding it. Sadly, this didn't bother her as much as it may have. Christina was far too used to being stared at by anyone and everyone who visited.
Shaggy was about to speak but the front doors banging open drew everyone's attention.
"Milady! You can't-" Maloc shouted running after their intruder.
"Vell, vell, vell," Regina slammed open the dining hall doors, Drew right on her heels, "Interesting company you keep, Radu"
"Regina, you vere not invited, please leave," Radu coldly replied, "Vhat I do in my own home is no concern of yours"
"Aw, still grumpy Christina has no callers?" Regina feigned sympathy, "That's an easy fix" She pulled the marriage contract from her sleeve.
"You were asked to leave," Christina stood, eyes flashing purple as she slapped Drew's hand away, "Do not make me ask you again"
"Aw, what are you going to do about it, Princess?" he reached for her again.
She slammed his wrist on the table, resulting in the sound of shattered bones, "Don't touch me, Drew"
"Mother!" Drew whined cradling his wrist.
"Leave!" Radu growled, "Now"
"You should be careful of your furry company," Regina remarked dragging Drew towards the door, "You could regret it"
"May I be excused?" Christina asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"yes"
"Thank you"
...
Why hadn't he spoken earlier? It would look bad if he rushed after Christina but he desperately wanted to!
"I apologize, gentlemen," Radu was still clenching his jaw, "That was uncalled for, please don't let it spoil our evening"
"Who was that?" Chadwick asked.
"Regina, she vas my betrothed but that was before I met Alissa. Vampires don't break marriage contracts, it's much more of a bisness I vasn't happy about it but then Alissa fell into the parlor, dirty and tired she'd run through the voods to get to the portal before it closed," Radu was smiling now, someplace long ago and happy, "I vas only letting her stay to get on her feet or at least that's vhat I told everyone but..." he quieted, eyes growing sad, smile fading, "Ve told Christina this story so many times vhen she vas little, but seeing vhat's happened now that her mother's passed on..."
Complete silence.
...
A few days later, they were no closer to convincing Radu of the danger of keeping Shaggy and Christina separated. Eli took this chance to further his business leaving Chadwick to stand in while. Shaggy took a stroll around the grounds to clear his head purposely staying clear of Christina's garden. Otherwise, he'd make a fool of himself. So, he stuck to the orchards marveling at how well the fruit-laden trees flourished under the moonlight. The nightmares were becoming more frequent, and his sketches were no longer happy. Instead, they were chilling, almost vomit-inducing, meeting the flames of the fireplace as soon as they were completed.
Just as he felt himself relax, taking a bite out of a particularly juicy apple a shrill scream tore through the air making his blood freeze.
Christina was screaming.
...
One minute she was watering her mother's beloved dragon-blood roses the next she was yanked away, a hand roughly pressed over her mouth.
"I wonder how much fairy wings go for?" the voice gravely with a foreign accent laughed.
Twisting out of her attacker's grip Christina screamed for her father. Without her wand, left on the writing desk in her bedroom, she had no defenses.
"Now now," the stranger cackled, knife gleaming at his side, "Just let me take what I came for and I'll be on my way"
"CHRISTINA!" Radu was racing outside but he was on the far side of the manor.
Paralyzed by fear she couldn't make herself move. Backed into the corner Christina trembled.
"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Shaggy tackled her attacker, knocking him away before pounding this faceless fellow into the ground until he was out cold. Once the adversary was down he turned to the trembling hybrid with her hand pressed over her heart, "Did he hurt you?"
"No," the word was scarcely a whisper.
Radu had arrived, all but crushing Christina against him while ordering the befuddled servants to scour the grounds for the entry point.
"What happened?" Chadwick and Eli were last to come running onto the scene, the former had fresh ink spilled down his shirt while the latter still clutched tightly to the map he'd been reviewing.
"Daddy," Christina's voice was muffled, "I wanna go to my room, please"
Study, Radu mouthed to his guests before escorting Christina inside, "It'll be okay, dear"
"He wanted my wings, Daddy"
"Shhh"
"Sir?" Chadwick questioned.
"Get cleaned up,"
"Yes, Sir"
...
An hour later in the study, Shaggy had yet to calm. The attacker had been tied up and was being held in the cellar until Radu saw fit to question him.
"How is she?" he asked as soon as Radu was seated.
"Terrified," Radu shook his head, "Ian found vhere the vards had been disabled but was unable to tell me vhen it happened-"
"Surely you aren't implying-" Chadwick began only for Shaggy to silence him.
"No," Radu assured, "I've only called you here to apologize for the fright and to thank you for saving my daughter"
"Of course"
Any comments from the advisors were stifled when Shaggy stepped on their feet.
This was not the time.
...
Two days after the incident Christina couldn't bring herself to go outside. Not even to her garden. The flowers were no longer safe. Suppose someone else got through? Suppose they managed to chop off her wings? So, she hid away in the library among her mother's paintings using their sun-filled imagery to imagine herself far away. Sitting close to the fireplace, she tried to focus on the book in her lap but memories of her faceless attacker kept floating through her mind, putting her on edge. So bad was it that she jumped at the sound of the door opening, her book hitting the floor with a soft thunk.
"My apologies, Lady Christina I like, didn't know you were in here," the king appeared in front of her, retrieving the book from the floor.
"No, you simply startled me, Your Majesty," Christina weakly smiled, accepting the book, choosing to ignore the tingling jolt that went up her arm as their fingers brushed.
"Please, call me, Shaggy, I like, despise my title, may I join you?"
"Please," Christina indicated the empty seat next to her.
Shaggy had fibbed. He had known Christina was in the library, everyone did. It's where she felt safest Radu explained. But, the horrible nightmares had not subsided, the morning sketches still met the lick of the flames in the hearth. No one needed to see those. Something else was on its way. Something else aimed to hurt Christina and while Shaggy was forbidden from telling the beautiful hybrid why he was there, he could at the very least, protect her from whatever came their way.
"You like adventure stories?" Shaggy looked at the cover of the book in Christina's hands.
"Very much, Mother used to read them to me before bed," Christina smiled wistfully, "Do you like to read?"
"I like, don't really have time anymore and I was much more of a tree-climber"
"You must be kept very busy"
"Always"
"May, may I ask, what's the sun like?"
"You've never seen it, have you?"
Shaggy realized that could be a mean question, especially since the answer was painfully obvious but, Christina only nodded with a wistful smile, "Never, Mother promised she would take me one day but..."
"It's big and yellow and so bright you like, can't look at it directly. It sets every night and rises every day, the sky turns colors during those times"
"It sounds wonderful"
"It is but nighttime is wonderful too, you can like, count the stars or look for constellations,"
Christina began to speak but there was an awful crash.
"What was that?" she startled.
"Shh, I like, have a bad feeling"
Suffocating silence hung over them, only broken by heavy shaking steps that drew closer and closer. Another faceless being emerged from the shelves a rough sack in its hands, bulging with books and knick-knacks lifted from the shelves.
"Put that down," Radu ordered upon arrival, "And turn yourself in"
"'Fraid I can't do that," the nasty voice rumbled from the robber apparent.
Radu leaped to attack only for the robber to dash for Christina, "Make a wrong move and-"
His threat was cut off as Shaggy leaped into action throwing the burglar to the ground with a fierce snarl, "DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!"
Radu dragged the incapacitated robber to join his buddy.
"I-I don't understand where they're coming from," Christina trembled.
Shaggy wanted nothing more than to hold her close and assure her she was safe. That he would never let anyone or anything hurt her but he restrained himself. The library doors slammed open once more, Radu crushing his daughter against him.
"Are you okay?"
"mm-hum, I want to go to my room,"
"Alright"
...
For the next two weeks, Christina remained hidden in her room, door locked and curtains drawn. In fact, she only opened her door quick enough to accept a glass of tomato juice as her only meal. So, Shaggy was stuck silently worrying about her while stuck in meetings where his advisors uselessly tried to convince Radu of what would happen if Christina and himself were separated. The horrible sketches hadn't stopped, convincing him that something else was on the way. But what? Why? All these attacks on Christina and it HAD to be targeted at her. But, who was responsible? Desperate to clear his head, Shaggy paced the manor almost colliding with one of the staff.
"I'm like, so sorry," Shaggy easily steadied the small, mousy-looking vampire, "I wasn't paying attention"
The young girl in a maid's uniform glowered at him, "I need to bring the princess her dinner, excuse me"
Something wasn't right. Something gave him a sense of foreboding so he stopped the next member of staff he encountered. The butler was considerably warmer asking what he could do.
"That maid," Shaggy pointed to the girl who was disappearing up the staircase to Christina's room, "How long has she worked here?"
"I believe she just started today"
"And, forgive me if this is an odd question but does the household often refer to Lady Christina as a princess?"
"No, Your Majesty although she is one she doesn't use the title-"
"So, staff only refers to her-"
"As Lady Christina, why?"
But Shaggy was already thundering up the staircase, yelling for Eli to find Radu. He pushed the maid, who now held an empty tray out of his way and internally begging for forgiveness busted down Christina's door. She was seated in a chair before the fireplace, glass of juice raised to her mouth but his sudden entrance had made her pause with surprise. He snatched it away just as Radu arrived.
"Vhat do you think you're doing?" he was still worked up from the meeting himself, "Thinking it's okay-"
"Forgive me, Lord Radu," Shaggy spoke firmly, passing the glass to him, "But this has been poisoned, I can smell it"
He had smelt it earlier too but had dismissed it, too distracted by the odd wording.
"It looks fine to me"
Now, the butler arrived, holding the maid by her collar, "Sirs, I caught her trying to sneak out, back to the Easton Estate if I were to guess based on the uniform"
The maid had dumped her black uniform for a crimson one. There was only one family who demanded their staff wear that color. The tainted liquid was tossed into the fire causing it to jump and put off a foul-smelling odor as Christina burst into tears all over again. One little second later and she would've...she couldn't even finish the thought.
Overcome with his anger Radu seized the maid by her throat, "Give me one good reason I shouldn't kill you as you tried to do to my daughter?"
"You're more than welcome to," the vampire remarked, "No one's going to believe you, you have no solid proof against my employers, it'll be your word against theirs"
"Get her out of my sight," Radu pushed her into the butler, "I shall deal vith her later!"
"Yes, Sir"
Christina slid to the floor, still sobbing. They were trying to kill her because she wouldn't consent to marriage. Nowhere was safe anymore.
"I think it's obvious, drastic measures have to be taken until I can gather the proof ve need to put Regina and her son on trial"
"Daddy?"
Radu snapped out of his thoughts, "Christina, go down to the kitchens and have chef make you tomato soup, okay? Maybe she'll make you a nice dessert too"
"I don't want to go down there by myself"
"IAN!"
"Yes, Sir?" Ian tripped into the room, from the state of his clothing it was evident he'd come from tending the garden.
"Escort Christina to the kitchen, please and stay with her"
"Yes, Sir," after dusting himself off the best he could he took Christina by the arm, guiding her from the room.
"Come vith me," Radu quietly ordered motioning for Shaggy to follow.
...
Once again they were seated in the study. Shaggy directly across from Radu with Chadwick and Eli on either side of him.
"Given the recent..events I've decided it would be for the best if Christina goes away, somvhere Regina cannot reach her and as long as she remains in vampire territory she von't be safe"
"What are you saying?" Eli pressed, a smile slowly stretching across his face.
"She's to go vith you," Radu ignored Eli, "Regina vouldn't dare set foot in a verevolf kingdom but there is to be no mention of this soulmate bisness to Christina, do you understand not one vord?"
"But-" Chadwick began only to be silenced by a withering glare from Shaggy.
"I understand," Shaggy nodded, "I wouldn't dream of upsetting her and I like, promise Christina will be well taken care of"
"Good, now, I've got to tell Christina"
...
Upon reaching the kitchen, Radu found Christina nibbling on a slice of gingerbread, the withered skin of a tomato on her plate.
"I know it's improper, sir," the chef began, wiping the sweat from her face, "But, she looked like she needed somethin sweet"
"That's alright," Radu assured, "I would like to have a vord vith her in private..."
"Of course"
Christina was startled when he sat down beside her, hands still trembling, tear trails not yet dried on her face.
"You're sending me away aren't you?" she asked quietly, "So they can't hurt me anymore?"
"Yes"
"I wish Mother were here"
"Me too"
"I don't want to leave you alone"
"I'll be fine, Christina, I'm going avay myself, to stay vith Dracula, he's going to help me gather evidence to put those two avay"
"Then where am I going if I'm not going to Uncle Dracula's with you?"
"That's vhat I was going to talk to you about you're going vith our guests vhen they leave tomorrow"
"But, but, why?"
"Because Regina vill never set foot in a verevolf kingdom, just think of it like an adventure, like your stories, doesn't that sound grand?"
Christina didn't respond, mind reeling.
"It von't be forever dear, you'll be home before you know it, I promise"
...
Early the next morning, long before any of their nebiors would be awake Christina found herself dressing for a journey. Choosing to wear a simple purple dress with long sleeves and a pocket big enough for her wand. Tying on her cloak she turned to give the small trunk packed the night before a final check. A handful of dresses in varying shades of purple, her extra cloak, her diary. Everything was there, she started to close it when there was a knock at the door.
She froze, ice shooting down her spine.
"Christina, it's only me," her father eased open the door.
"I'm sorry-"
"Don't apologize, I understand, I've brought you something I vant you to take," he held out a tightly wrapped bundle.
"But-but-but this is your music box," Christina stammered when she managed to unwrap it.
"And now it's yours, I know you'll take good care of it"
"But, Daddy I can't-"
"One more thing although I should've given this to you forever ago"
Now, Christina noticed the book tucked under his arm, "Is-is that-"
"Your mother's spell book, she vanted to pass it onto you vhen you vere old enough, I'd say you are, my vonderful grownup girl"
"I don't want to leave you," Christina's voice cracked.
"I know but you're so strong and ve'll vrite until you come home"
"Daddy-"
"Please don't cry, Ve'll see each other soon"
Christina hung onto her father until the very last moment.