The Vengeance of the Vampire Bride (17 page)

Warily, I examined our surroundings. We
were alone in the darkened street with no sign of Astir, Adem, the
guards or our belongings. I was relieved when Katya’s screams were
reduced to mere whimpering. My nerves had the best of me and I
could not endure her screams. The soft murmuring of the wind
through the creaking limbs of the oak trees was a familiar and
comforting sound. How often had I strolled with my dear brother,
Andrew, under these same trees listening to the night birds calling
out as the insects hummed.

“We could try to find the haven,” Magda
suggested.

“No, no. Astir would not want that,” I
replied. “It is best if we stay here. I am certain he would not
abandon us.” It was a lie, but I did not want Katya to begin
screaming again. I was not certain that Magda was as calm as her
voice implied for her complexion was quite pale and her eyes were
wide with fear.

The neighing of horses startled us. I
pivoted about to see Astir’s carriage emerge from the darkness. The
guards rode behind it with Adem in the lead. Behind it followed the
horse drawn cart bearing my family’s coffins.

“Adem!” I exclaimed in relief. “Where
is Astir?”

“Dealing with matters that do not
concern you at this time,” Adem answered as he swung off his
horse.

I clutched his arm, gazing up into his
scarred face. “We were attacked! I should say that most certainly
does concern me!”

Adem laid a hand over mine and gently
squeezed my fingers. “The assassin has been dealt with. His head
will be delivered to his enemies and Lord Astir shall deal with the
political fallout. For now, Lord Astir wishes for you to continue
to your destination and I am to stay at your side until I am
certain you are no longer in danger.”

“Am I in danger?”

“Chamuka was seeking out Vlad, not you.
But it is best that we be on our way.”

“Will others come after me?

Adem shook his head. “It has been dealt
with. Do not fear. Your husband has many enemies, but Buda is a
safe haven for you due to Vlad’s negotiations on your behalf. That
is why Astir sent you here. You are safe now in Buda.”

Unsettled by all the events of the
night thus far, I felt suddenly unsure of myself.

“Countess,” Adem said in a soothing
tone “do not be afraid. I shall be at your side.”

“As will I,” Magda vowed.

“Enter the carriage and we shall soon
arrive at the Dosza Palace,” Adem continued.

Dropping my hand, I glanced through the
trees at the burned remains of the home I had once loved. I had
nowhere to go but to the palace to be the guest of Vlad’s
whore.

“Yes, you’re correct. It is time to
deal with those who destroyed my family.” Calm and resolved, I
entered the carriage and we departed.

Chapter 12

The Journal of Countess
Dracula

June 13, 1820

The Dosza Palace,
Buda

My arrival at the Dosza
palace was rather anticlimactic after all that we had endured
earlier. Arriving in the dead of night and a week earlier than my
anticipated arrival resulted in Baroness Dosza not being in
residence. Brice, the baroness' butler and an Englishman, was
awakened and quickly set about ensuring that I would be comfortable
in a suite in the palace. I noted he was glad to see me, but also
nervous. He did not comment on our disheveled appearance, but
escorted me to my rooms.

“The Baroness instructed
the staff to prepare the Blue Suite for your stay before she
departed for the countryside to visit an ailing friend. It is
lovely and I believe you shall be quite comfortable here,” Brice
said in somber tones as he led my small entourage consisting of
Magda, Katya and Adem through the gilded hallways of the
palace.

The butler’s crisp English accent was a
welcome sound to my ears. It was not so long ago Brice had revealed
the truth of his mistress' complicity in the deaths of my family. I
had promised that one day I would rescue him from the Baroness and
return him to England. I intended to once I had avenged my
family.

“Blue is my favorite color,” I
replied.

“I believe your husband told the
Baroness of your preference before you departed Buda.”

Though his tone was neutral, his words
infuriated me. The Baroness was Vlad’s lover and she was eagerly
waiting for him to make her a vampire. I gained great satisfaction
in the knowledge that she would never be one of Dracula’s Brides.
During my time alone, I had carefully considered every option for
vengeance upon her and had finally settled on a plan. In my angrier
moments, I admit I had considered merely killing her, but now that
I had decided on a course of action against her, I could put aside
my anger.

Two maids walked before us wielding
huge candelabra that flung candlelight over the walls, chasing away
the shadows. The women suppressed yawns, having been rousted from
their beds. Behind me Katya let out several soft exclamations as we
strolled past marble statues of gods and goddesses, paintings in
ornate frames, and tables adorned with fragrant flowers. I suppose
our grand surroundings were a bit overwhelming to a peasant
girl.

After ascending a staircase guarded by
white marble sphinxes, we arrived at my new home. Brice opened the
door and the maids hurried inside to light the lamps. Entering, I
was quite pleased to find a very modern and comfortable set of
rooms. All the furnishings were a beautiful shade of pale blue
brocade with ivory accents. Standing in the sitting room, I was
thrilled to once again be in my true element. I was weary of the
inn and the dreary castle. I missed my home in Buda and the rooms
the Baroness had selected suited my taste perfectly.

“Don’t touch anything,” Magda ordered
Katya, who promptly glowered.

Adem began to search through the rooms,
opening doors, checking behind the heavy curtains over the tall
windows, and about the ornate fireplaces. Brice watched him with
curiosity as the maids hurriedly went about their
business.

Magda wore an expression of relief and
smiled slightly as we both peered into the bedroom. The canopy bed
was beautiful with its gilded posts and heavy velvet and silk
draping.

“It’s lovely,” Magda
whispered.

“I will have to thank the Baroness for
such exquisite rooms when she returns,” I said to Brice.

“She will be pleased to hear that you
approve. I know that she put a great amount of effort into
preparation,” Brice said in his droll tones. “There is a small room
off the bedroom for your maid servant per your request and another
room has been set aside for your guard. We were not expecting two
maid servants, so perhaps we could have another bed brought in for
her.”

“She will not be staying,” Adem
said.

Katya scowled at him, then turned
toward me, her gaze imploring me to let her stay.

“She is the servant of a friend and
will be returned to him shortly,” I said swiftly.

She pouted and crossed her arms, her
chin jutting out stubbornly.

“I see,” Brice said in such a tone that
I wondered if he truly did understand the situation.

“I have unusual hours if you could
inform your staff. I am not to be bothered during the day. I prefer
the night. I have a...delicate condition and the sun weakens me.”
Brice knew of my true nature, but the two household maids that were
turning down my bed and fluffing my pillows most likely did
not.

“I understand. I shall make sure you
are accommodated,” Brice answered smoothly.

“Also, if you could send word to the
Baroness that I have arrived early that would be greatly
appreciated,” I continued. “I would like to see her as soon as she
arrives. We have much to discuss.”

Brice inclined his head. “Very
well.”

“Also, could you have my family laid in
state within the palace chapel?” I would not be able to enter to
visit them, but it felt appropriate that they should be in the
house of God.

“Yes, madam. Of course,” he
answered.

The two maids finished their tasks,
took up their silver candelabras, and hurried from the room. Just
as they departed, Adem’s men entered carrying my traveling trunks.
Immediately, Magda instructed the men to follow her into the
bedroom with their burden.

“Thank you so much for your kindness,”
I said to Brice, dismissing him with a slight smile.

“It is a pleasure to serve.” He bowed,
then withdrew from the room.

As the door clicked shut, Adem
approached me. “The rooms are secure. All the windows have locks.
The drapes are doubled so no sunlight will penetrate. The only door
into the suite is that one.”

“She does tend to have hidden spaces in
her walls, Adem.”

“Astir informed me of that as well. I
shall examine all the walls and furnishing carefully. I do suspect
she would not dare to spy on you for fear of Vlad
Dracula.”

“She should fear me more than he,” I
declared.

“That she should,” he agreed with a
smirk. “I will escort Katya back to Astir’s haven then return
before the sun rises. You do need to feed, so you may take one of
my men.”

“I would rather stay with the
countess,” Katya grumbled from across the room. She was gazing up
at a painting of nymphs dancing in a grove. In some ways she
reminded me of the fae. She was beautiful, beguiling, and
dangerous. Her blood was sweet and she was willing to offer herself
to me, but my inability to control her mind would be my undoing if
I kept her about.

“You need to go with Adem,” I informed
her.

“Please! I beg of you! Do not turn me
away! I want to be with you! I want to serve you! And when Count
Dracula returns, I will give myself to both of you!” she wailed,
throwing herself at my feet, clasping her arms around my
knees.

Adem reached down to pluck her off the
floor, but I stopped him with a gesture. With a sigh, I took her
hands and pulled her to her feet. Tears glistened on her face and
her lips were trembling.

“Katya, listen to me. Astir has a
haven, a safe place full of wondrous delights. Vlad corrupted you
and I know your desires are not...” I faltered.

“Please, let me serve you. I know that
horrible woman hates me,” she said venomously, glaring at Magda as
she stepped into the sitting room, “but I swear I will serve you
faithfully.”

“She’s worthless. She can’t clean or
mend properly. She’s lazy,” Magda responded
dismissively.

Releasing Katya’s hands, I forced
myself to not acknowledge the heartbreak in her gaze. “Take her to
Astir, Adem.”

A dismal sob burst from the girl as
Adem took hold of her shoulders and guided her from the room. I
could feel her eyes upon me as she was led away and she wept
openly.

“She’s worthless,” Magda
declared.

“Vlad broke her. Corrupted her. It is
his sin that has festered in her soul and made her into what she
is,” I answered tersely.

“Yes, but that is not your sin. Why
should you be punished for what he has done? You cannot keep her
near you. She’s like a moth to the flame.”

The guards strode from my bedroom and
bowed. “Will you have any further need of us?” one
asked.

I was hungry and ill-tempered. “Yes,
find Enre and send him to me.”

They acknowledged my request with the
slight bob of their chins before departing.

“I shall arrange for your bath to be
drawn.” Magda also left.

Suddenly exhausted, I flung off my
traveling coat, bonnet, and gloves and reclined on the divan.
Perhaps it was the stress of the journey and all that had come
before, but once again I felt despair fill me. Despite being in the
home of my enemy that I would exact my revenge upon, I felt
helpless and alone. All my life I had desired to make choices for
myself in all matters of life. Now that I was free of Vlad, I found
myself adrift. I craved revenge against those who conspired against
my family, but I also felt the yearning for my home in England. How
lovely to see my brother Andrew and his dear wife once more! And
yet, if I were to leave for England, I would risk never seeing my
beloved Ignatius again. How I miss him! Yearn for him!

Feeling close to tears, I waited for
Enre to arrive.

Hunger was clawing away at my senses. I
wondered if Astir transporting me over such a great distance had
adversely affected me. Though I had yet to feed tonight, the hunger
seemed almost unbearable. I needed to feed soon before my temper
became any shorter and I committed a foolhardy act. I began to
regret sending Katya away as I waited for Enre. I was still furious
with him for being such an idiot and forcing my hand with Katya’s
father. I was not certain I could forgive him. Once I fed from him,
I would decide his fate for I felt betrayed by his
foolishness.

Enre arrived shortly thereafter,
nervous, pale, and unsure of my intentions. I motioned for him to
approach and he did so slowly. He clutched his turban in his hands
and lowered his chin as he stopped before me.