Into The Shadows, page 22
Velkan would admit it.
He was worried.
To make matters even more complicated, it had been Anna who had first read the letter from the Count.
It read:
Seeing as I have been more than generous with your family, not only during the past few months by permitting you to keep Miss Garret under your supervision, but in regards to the fact that you continue to live and breathe, I have decided that we are overdue for a change in pace. It is my intention to make sure each side of the board is even, and considering the events which have recently transpired – and don't worry Anna if you have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure your brother would love to explain it to you – I hereby challenge a single member of the Valerious family to a duel. Your champion shall naturally be of your choosing. The stakes I wish to discuss with you in person.
Meet me this very evening on the outskirts of Visceria at sunset—no tricks, no weapons, and no villagers. Any violations of my requests will result in the immediate demise of Miss Garret, of whom this meeting is concerned. If you refuse to concede with my terms, then allow me to inform you that the next time you meet Miss Garret, she will no longer have a heartbeat, and she will call me master.
Upon reading the message, the entire Valerious manor had been in uproar, particularly after Anna had confronted Velkan about the "events which have recently transpired" part of the letter.
To put it plainly, Anna was not especially pleased regarding the secret affair between Hera and her older brother. She accused him of bringing dishonor to their family's name and how disappointed their father would be when he found out. But being under the strain of Hera's absence, Velkan lost his temper with his younger sister.
"Anna, when will you realize that we will not make it through this war?!" he had shouted at her. "You and I will not survive to get married, to have families of our own. Our legacy dies with us Anna, and I will not die without experiencing some form of affection or physical gratification from someone that hasn't already been paid! I do not love this complete stranger of whom I'm certain I will never have the chance to marry! But I do care about Hera and if you can't accept that, then you are more narrow-minded than the entirety of our ancestry!"
Needless to say, his speech had silenced his sister, at least for the time being. After spending a good hour or so separated from each other, she apologized for her reaction and decided to accompany him when he left to face Dracula.
"I care very much for Hera, Velkan, it's just – don't you realize what your selfishness has brought upon us?" Anna had expressed after they had pulled on their winter wear, heading out the door. "I mean, did you have to bed her? You knew what Dracula would do if he found out and he always finds out."
"I know, Anna, I know," Velkan had sighed. "I just wish you'd see what my sacrifice is doing for our family."
Anna had then sent her brother a strange look.
"You're not using her… are you Velkan?"
Although Velkan neither denied the accusation nor confirmed it, Anna refused to think the worst of her brother. He wouldn't go through this much trouble for a woman if she didn't mean something to him… would he?
Well, Anna suppressed the temptation to entertain the idea, and instead continued to trudge alongside her brother as the sun melted into the horizon behind them. It wasn't long before they reached the designated spot, finding Dracula standing in the snow in all his black glory, his three brides perched in the trees surrounding the area, Hera nowhere in sight.
"Where is she?" the prince demanded, taking a brave step toward the Count. "Where is Hera?"
Dracula remained motionless, his lips curving into a sneer, delighted with the predictable reaction of his rival.
"Your grace, I am most pleased to see you got my little note," he mused sadistically. The vampire then noticed Anna beside her brother and he cocked a brow. "And Princess Anna, too! I'll take it you've heard of the torrid liaison between your brother and Miss Garret?"
Anna struggled to stay as natural as possible. She was standing less than ten yards from her family's greatest enemy – few had ever done the same and lived to tell the tale.
"Yes, I've heard," she answered flatly.
The Count looked the princess up and down in a manner that made her dreadfully subconscious.
"It would appear the two of us were left out, my dear. Perhaps one day you and I may have an entanglement of our own," he teased.
Anna could feel the Count in her mind, his hypnotic gaze beginning to lull her into his spell, but the hiss of his brides up above kept her from moving toward him or even responding to his proposition. She flushed in embarrassment at how easily he had manipulated her thoughts.
Dracula smiled at his brides' response and he tsked playfully.
"But it would appear we are overruled. My lovelies, keep the princess occupied will you? Velkan and I need to talk, one man to another."
Anna disappeared into the forest when Verona, Aleera, and Marishka took off after her, their cackling laughter echoing in the twilight air. Dracula then turned his attentions back to the infuriated prince.
"Where is Hera?" Velkan demanded once more.
"Who? Ah yes, your paramour…. She's right here," and with a wave of the vampire's cloak, Hera appeared beside the Count, seemingly unharmed, save her uncharacteristically blank expression.
"Hera!" Velkan shouted in relief and he took a step forward to retrieve her, when the Count raised a finger and the prince abruptly stopped in his tracks, unable to move.
"Ah, ah, ah… not so hasty, your highness," the Count drawled before taking Hera's hand in his and pulling her towards him, wrapping her and himself in his cloak so she'd stay warm. "You can have her back, but you and I need to talk first."
The prince called Hera's name once more, but she didn't even acknowledge him. She just continued to stare blankly ahead. Velkan soon realized that the Count had managed to obtain full control of Hera's mind. Although somewhere buried deep in her subconscious, she continued to fight him, any protestations on her part had become half-hearted.
There was no being free of Dracula unless he willed it, and what a terrifying thing to be a puppet on his string.
"She can't hear you, Velkan. She can't even see you," the Count taunted wickedly. "Her will is my own," and he wrapped an arm tightly around the mortal, soaking in the heat of her body and Velkan watched as Hera – as if possessed – nuzzled her face into the vampire's shoulder, crooning suggestively up at him.
"She's so warm," Dracula continued. "So full of life," and he stroked the woman's cheek tenderly with the back of his finger.
"Leave her be, Count," Velkan begged pitifully. "Just leave her alone."
"Now why should I do that, your grace? Why would I relinquish her to your care? Is it so you can take her home and keep her safe? Don't insult me, Valerious. You want her for the same reasons I do. Outside of your childish infatuation, she's nothing more to you than an object to satisfy your lust. You forget, I can see right through you!"
Velkan stepped back in surprise at the Count's accusation.
"That… that's not true," the prince struggled. "I love Hera! I'd die for her!"
Dracula's ears perked up at the confession and his smile turned malicious.
"Oh, you would, would you?" and he cupped Hera's cheek, still enveloping her in his cloak as her eyes looked longingly up into his. "Did you hear that my little spitfire? He thinks he's in love with you."
Velkan watched in a strange swirl of disgust, horror, and morbid fascination as the Count hovered his lips breathlessly over Hera's as though he wanted to kiss her. She whimpered when he didn't and the vampire leaned his head forward and started to run his lips over her neck softly. Dracula observed Velkan's reactions out of the corner of his eye as Hera clung to the front of his jacket, biting her lower lip suggestively when one of the vampire's hands splayed across her back. She arched into him in response.
"He'd die for you," the Count whispered into her ear, licking it with the tip of his tongue before lightly nibbling the lobe and the woman crooned a bit louder that time as if she were on the edge of oblivion and he was keeping her anchored to the ground.
Velkan could feel his blood boiling in jealousy as his family's greatest enemy touched and kissed a will-less and powerless Hera. Though he was certain she was being made to appear like she was enjoying it, that insecure part of him secretly believed that deep down, she truly was.
"Don't touch her, you monster!" Velkan shouted angrily, trying to step forward to do something, but he could not move his legs.
"Why not?" Dracula said, voice erotic and low as he allowed a good portion of Hera's bare shoulder to be seen and he closed his mouth over the flesh and Hera moaned softly as he placed love-bites all over the pale curve. "Are you jealous, Velkan? Jealous that I'm touching your property? She belongs to no one, little prince. She's supposed to stay neutral, remember? Are you afraid she'll grow tired of you someday? That she'll come to me instead?"
The vampire slid his hand over her exposed collar, his fingers tracing the protruding bone and her hands latched harder onto him, as if the pleasure his mere touch created was so great she could barely stand upright.
Velkan wanted to tear the Count to pieces and sink into the abyss of despair at the same time, and though he longed to end this vile scene, he could not tear his eyes away.
"Will you still love her if I have my way with her?" Dracula wondered darkly, and Velkan helplessly watched as the vampire smoothed his palm over the edge of Hera's blouse, moving it down to reveal a little more of her pale breast before taking the supple flesh in his large hand, the action eliciting a sound of profound approval from the woman.
Velkan would have rather died in that moment than to see this monster fondle the woman in his arms. The Count's behavior was indecent and cruel and Velkan finally fell to his knees in defeat just before Hera could kiss the vampire's lips.
"What do you want from me?" the prince despaired submissively.
That was exactly what Dracula wanted to hear.
He immediately ceased his touching and with a snap of his fingers, Hera fell silent and she cuddled mindlessly into his chest, her eyes closed as though she were sleeping.
"Two things, your highness. Just two things," Dracula replied as if unmoved by the eroticism of just a few moments ago. "The first—I do believe I challenged your family to a duel, and it would please me immensely if you accepted that challenge on their behalf."
Velkan looked up at the Count with suspicion in his eyes.
"And the second?"
Dracula's smile widened.
"If ever Hera's devotions change, if you break her heart once, you are mine."
Velkan didn't like the sound of that.
"Why would you care if I broke her heart?" he asked curiously, cocking a brow.
"Because that would mean she'd come crying to me, since she'd have no one else to go to. Come now, Velkan. Do try to keep up!" he mocked. "Although if you truly loved her, as you claim to, you'd have nothing to worry about. But you and I know better, don't we, little prince? If you break her heart, Velkan, you will come and work for me."
"I would rather die than help you!'
"All this talk of death, your grace. I'd be concerned if I cared an iota for your well-being," Dracula said with an apathetic sigh. "Why don't we discuss the technicalities at a later time? I do believe this duel is the most pressing matter at hand. The stakes shall be thus. If you win…"
"You leave Hera alone," Velkan instantly snapped. "You never touch her, speak to her, or anything of the sort ever again!"
"And if I win?"
Velkan was silent. He knew there was only one way to make this even, and the mere thought of it twisted his insides into nauseating knots.
"Are you willing to sell your lover to me, Velkan?" he mused. "But I thought you loved her?" Velkan stood, his gaze fixed on the unconscious Hera in Dracula's arms. "If I win this duel Velkan, Hera lives with me for the next seven months."
The prince's eyebrows shot up to his hairline.
"What?!"
"I think that's fair, don't you? After all, it was you who threw her into this mess, you who couldn't keep your passions in check." Velkan went to retort, but he snapped his mouth shut when the Count continued. "Seven months, Velkan, and she is to have absolutely no contact with you or your sister or any other pitiful member of your family. When that time is up, she will be free to decide which side of the board she wishes to position herself on… mine… or yours. I do believe that is rather generous of me, is it not?"
"But no one can defeat you," Velkan insisted. "My entire family has died trying."
Dracula shook his head as if he were disappointed.
"That is so like a Valerious to claim defeat before the battle has even begun – so eager to surrender when things become too difficult. A pity, really. Makes for no sport at all." Dracula looked down at the slumbering woman cuddled in his arms and he sighed. "I'll tell you what, little prince. You may bring whatever weapons you choose. Bring the entirety of your armory if you wish, but when I defeat you – and defeat you I will – Hera is mine."
"No. I will not have you make me look like a fool. We will do this the proper way," Velkan insisted. "You and I shall duel with swords. To make it fair, you cannot fly, disappear, or anything supernatural of the sort. It will be man against man. A test of skill."
"I agree to your terms."
"So it is done then. When shall this duel be?"
"Although I'd love to do it now and get it over with, I've always been a bit of a romantic. I will grant you the next three days to spend with your lover, your highness. Three days to prepare. Will that be sufficient for you?"
Velkan nodded.
"You are too generous, Count," he replied sarcastically with a theatrical bow.
"I know."
With some minor maneuvering, Dracula lifted Hera up into his arms, her disheveled copper hair looking like a waterfall of lightly curled rust over his elbow. The Count placed the unconscious woman into Velkan's arms.
"Three days, Velkan. In this very spot. I think twilight will be a sufficient time. And if you value the lives of those in your family, as well as this little spitfire," and he ran the back of his finger across Hera's cheek, "you will be on time. Miss Garret is to be with you, just in case you lose."
"I refuse to lose against you, especially when so much is at stake"
Dracula merely smiled.
"We shall see, little prince. We shall see."
He then took a step back and unleashed a roar, summoning his brides who returned to him instantly, flying above him in the air. Anna eventually came limping back towards the clearing, appearing to have been tossed around a bit. Dracula stared hard at the prince, disgusted with the fact that his prisoner was now in Velkan's arms once more.
"Three days!" he reminded him before shifting into his beast form and taking off into the night, his brides following close behind.
Three Days.
Hera finally awoke early the following morning. Her head throbbed and her body was a bit stiff, but she was in one piece with no damage done to her person. Velkan was seated on the edge of her bed, illuminated in the morning sunlight that was streaming into the room through the windows, his smile – the most welcoming sight she had seen since she had left this place.
"Thank God, you're alright," he sighed in relief as he took her hand and kissed it ardently.
Hera beamed, offering a dreamy sigh as she continued to lay in bed, her headache slowly drifting away as Dracula's hold on her dissipated into nothingness. She rubbed away the dull ache in her head.
"What happened?"
The smile on Velkan's face lessened somewhat.
"What do you remember?"
Hera thought about it for a moment.
"The last thing I really remember was waking up to the sight of these two glowing circles of blue. After that is so vague… like a dream…" she answered in a far away tone. She then looked over at Velkan who was staring intently at the hand that rested in his. "Velkan… what's going on?"
He remained silent for a moment or two before finally finding the courage to look up at her, the guilt in his expression profound.
"Hera, please forgive me," he began, and then he told her everything.
The Count was alone in his office, hidden away within the icy confines of Castle Dracula. He was sitting lazily in the chair behind his desk, his feet up on the table, and a light-weighted saber balanced perfectly on one finger. He had full confidence that he'd win the duel tomorrow.
Velkan's small lifetime of swordplay would never hold up against his four centuries of experience.
With a flick of the wrist, he managed to flip the blade up into the air, the hilt landing directly into his hand.
"Are you nervous?" a familiar voice inquired from the doorway. He didn't need to turn his head to know who it was.
"No Marishka, I am not," he answered simply.
"Let me guess. You are so confident in your skills to the point where you feel above the need of practicing," the bride mused as she sauntered into the room, taking a seat on the edge of his desk.
There was a side of Marishka that very few ever saw. Most saw the spunky and wanton blonde that she was. What many never got to see was the intelligent female behind the jewels and lavish clothing, and it was times like these that Dracula truly was grateful he had sired his "lioness," as he liked to call her.
"Like I said, Marishka, I am not nervous." He glanced up at the beautiful woman on his desk and his lips curved into a devilish grin. "However, if my sword-mistress has any pointers she'd like to give me, I'm open to suggestions."
Marishka blushed slightly – at least, as much as an undead creature could blush – and she offered her hand. He placed the hilt in her palm and let the blade slide between his fingers as she pulled it away, a suggestive gleam in his eye.
"I've watched Prince Velkan duel before. He's disorderly," she began. "Becomes overconfident far too easily. If you play with him first, make him feel like he has an advantage, he'll get lazy and you can attack him when he least expects it."
