Into The Shadows, page 68
But there is no way. It must be done. See? I told you the dangers of falling in love with that human but you wouldn't listen! You never listen!
I thought I could be strong for her, he thought hopelessly.
And you see the repercussions of your choices?
I don't want to hurt her.
You won't hurt her, Vlad. Damn it, get a hold of yourself! She's just a human… just a senseless, pathetic, inconsequential human! Enjoy this, Vladislaus. She will give it to you willingly. Use her love for you as you had always intended. You've wanted a child for centuries, have you not?
Of course I have, he thought as he made his way out of the room, fully dressed, his expression unreadable. I've always wanted a child.
And don't you think this is the most perfect opportunity? Think of it, Vladislaus… she loves you. Hera loves you. We've established that.
Yes. We have.
And you would have asked her to be your wife eventually, wouldn't you?
Of course I would. I'd have it no other way.
Then this is just speeding the process along, Vladislaus. Take what you need from her now and if you must save her from death, you can turn her at the last minute, and then she will truly be yours forever. You have nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. She is a woman, and a willing one at that. She is yours.
The phrase sounded deliciously sweet in his mind and his eyes darkened as a newfound purpose surged through him, that need, though no longer painful, still oh so present.
Mine, he thought to himself.
He began to ascend the stairs, the scent of his heat radiating from him in potent waves. The servants who had noticed his emergence from the room never raised a word of protest as he headed into the direction of Hera's bedchambers. They all sank into the shadows, frightened of the power that was coming from their master, the set purpose and savage hunger in his darkening eyes.
Every light that met his shadow was extinguished.
The warmth in the palace seemed to freeze over as he passed by.
Darkness surrounded him now.
Nothing but sinful, licentious darkness.
It was frightening, and it was beautiful.
He was coming for Hera now and nothing in heaven nor hell could stop him.
XLV
To Lose Control
"What do you think of this one?" Emma inquired after she completed lacing up the bodice. She then took a step back, allowing Hera to look into the full body mirror.
Her smiles seemed to be getting wider with each dress she tried on.
The gown she had on now – after trying on at least two dozen already – was a stunningly fitted dark plum number, with off-the-shoulder sleeves and a tasteful neckline.
The housekeeper offered an approving smile.
"I think we have a winner," Jane commented. The human turned her head, her warm eyes bright and lively.
"Nearly two hours later! At last!" and Hera smoothed her palms over her stomach to her waist.
"I love how the purple brings out the red in your hair," Emma added.
"It is very beautiful," Jane agreed with a nod.
Hera turned to gaze at herself in the mirror once more, never having been so pleased with her appearance in all her life. She noted the tad bit of weight she had lost over the last year, how her once very soft stomach seemed a little flatter now. She wasn't sure if it was her body or the dress, but she felt beautiful.
Oh, if only this feeling could last forever.
"Would you like to retry any of the other dresses or have you made your choice?" the servant asked.
"This one, definitely," Hera said, earning an approving nod from Emma.
"Very well then," was Jane's reply as she continued to pick up the various articles of clothing that littered the room. "Emma, help Miss Garret get out of that dress."
"Yes ma'am," and Emma began to unlace the gown as Hera continued to admire herself in the mirror.
"Do you think he'll approve?" the human inquired absentmindedly.
"Who my dear?"
"The Count, of course."
Jane and Emma made eye contact for a brief instant, but quickly hid their looks of trepidation as they continued with their work.
"I'm sure the master will love it," Jane replied.
"He'd have to be mad not to," Emma added, earning a few chuckles.
"Yes. Although I wouldn't call our employer mad, Emma," Jane chastised, "you are right. He will be thoroughly pleased with your choice, my dear," and she watched as Emma helped Hera out of the dress, the human wrapping her bare arms around her front in response to the chill of the room, as both servants had insisted on leaving the windows open.
"I hope so," the woman said, watching as the dress skirt pooled at her feet, leaving her in little more than her knickers. She shivered when a sudden breeze blew through the chamber. "Although we are left with one more problem," she added.
"And what is that?" Jane wondered.
"What are we going to do with my hair?" Hera asked, her arms still wrapped around her body and she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. "Obviously I'll have to wear it up – though I'm not quite sure how."
"Maybe if we take this and pin it here, and then add some curls here," and Emma began to play with the mortal's hair, the two women discussing style options as Jane continued to clean. "Yes, I think that would work nicely," the maid concluded after some deliberation. "You could wear black diamonds, or amethysts, maybe a small tiara – the colors would work really well with your hair."
"I'll take your word for it," Hera said with a smile. "I'm so new at all of this – I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for all your help."
"Don't worry – once we have you looking the part, nothing else will matter," Emma insisted. "I don't see the master leaving your side for the whole of the evening. He'd probably be afraid of someone trying to steal you from him."
The mortal laughed.
"He better. It's going to be odd enough, being the only human in a party of vampires."
"You may not be the only human present, Miss Garret," Jane interjected as Emma brushed Hera's hair. "There are one or two of the Count's inner circle who have taken on mortal companions in the past, and we've always accommodated them."
"I didn't realize affairs with humans were a regular thing."
"It's not – but it does happen. It's far less controversial than it used to be, that's for certain."
"What are they like? The Count's friends?"
"They're a collection of eclectic personalities," Jane explained tactfully. "No doubt before the ball, the master will give you a list of people who are safe to converse with and a list of those whom you should avoid."
"Like the baron," Emma agreed.
"Or the judge," Jane added.
"They sound rather ominous," Hera replied, now seated on the chaise closest to the fire as she watched the two servants finish tidying up the room.
"Once the master properly declares you, they'll keep to themselves, though from one woman to another, I'd keep my distance all the same."
"Especially since they've already heard about you."
"Heard about me? You mean the Count has talked about me before? As in to other people?"
"Of course he has!" Emma exclaimed. "After your stay with us, the master had been called on rather unexpectedly by a few of his inner circle and they could smell you all over him."
Hera blushed madly.
"Was it really that obvious?" she asked timidly, trying to hide the grin on her face.
"The entire house was in uproar," Emma said with a laugh. "Or at least, the mistresses were. Aleera took it the worst, however. I've never heard such nasty insults come from that woman's mouth, ever."
"Yes, well, I'm not a huge fan of her either," the human grumbled.
"As I was saying, several of the master's friends spent the next few days with him and I remember overhearing them talking about you," Emma explained, an almost impish look in her eyes.
"What did he say?"
"Emma, no gossiping," Jane warned.
"But it's not gossiping if it's about her," the maid insisted.
"You know better than to eavesdrop when the master has company. What was said was not meant for your ears."
"What did he say, Emma?" Hera repeated.
"It's not necessarily what he said, but rather what he didn't say," the vampire replied mischievously with a wink.
Hera covered her mouth in shock.
"You mean…"
"Emma, that is enough out of you," Jane asserted, trying to hide her amused smile as she pointed her finger at the girl in a futile effort to keep her silent. Emma's wicked grin informed both women that nothing they did would keep her quiet on the subject.
"Let's just say that his approval of you is profound, though it's remained mostly unspoken. But now the whole of his social circle has been aflame with the rumors and the assumptions and from what I've heard, everyone who is anyone is dying to catch a glimpse of the mortal woman who rendered the great Count Dracula speechless. We're expecting a particularly large turnout this weekend – all because of you."
Hera's eyes widened at this revelation.
"Really?"
Both servants nodded in confirmation.
"I don't know if I should be flattered or mortified right now."
"I'd try not to think about it too much, Miss Garret," Jane offered sympathetically with a disapproving look in Emma's direction. "Just know that the master cares very much for you. In the end, that's all that matters."
"True, but I don't know if I can show my face in public now that every single vampire in the Count's acquaintance knows about our sex life – even if he said nothing. I can only imagine what they're assuming."
"I heard a rumor on our way over last night that some of his old lovers are calling you the siren."
"Oh Lord," and Hera covered her face with her hand. "That's it. I can't go to the ball this weekend."
"I'm afraid it's a bit late for that," Jane chuckled, standing in front of her. "It's the curse of being with the master, or any man of consequence. They may try their best to be discrete, but nothing stays secret for long. Especially where Count Dracula is concerned. But, at least you may know one thing for certain – you are not another conquest to him, my dear," and her tone suddenly became serious. "He loves you, Miss Garret. Even I can attest to that. I've known the master for centuries and I've seen him in love – to varying degrees, anyway. But never before have I ever seen him quite like this. What he feels for you is powerful and real. You should feel privileged to have the love and respect of that man. And I pray you will never give him reason to regret you."
Hera smiled.
"I am not Ilona, Jane. You have nothing to worry about on that front."
"I know, child," the housekeeper said affectionately, taking the mortal's chin in her hand. "You're a good woman, Miss Garret – strong of will, but gentle, patient, and forgiving – which is exactly what he needs."
A comfortable silence lingered between the women for a few moments before Jane clapped her hands together and said,
"Now then, why don't you get dressed while we finish up?" and the servant offered Hera a robe before ushering her over to the changing screen as she draped the mortal's clothes on a chair.
As the two servants finished putting away the rest of the dresses, Emma broke the silence.
"So, you've heard what the master thinks of you. What about you?"
Hera laughed behind the curtain after pulling on her robe, in no hurry to dress. She then sat down behind the screen to remove the stockings from her legs, never hearing the door to her bedroom open, nor the small gasp that escaped the maid's lips at the sight of the individual who had suddenly entered in from the hall.
"I think Count Dracula is amazing," Hera began, pulling the garter down her leg slowly, lost in reminiscence, hardly aware that the Count had just crossed over the threshold.
Jane's eyes were wide in shock at the sight of her master, his very gaze making the housekeeper shudder.
My lord, what are you doing here? she asked him through her mind.
Dracula never verbally uttered a word of reply, but the darkness of his expression told her everything.
Leave us, he commanded.
Emma knew better than to disobey an order and she retreated without a single protest, but Jane put up more of a fight, understanding the consequences of what would happen if she left Hera to the mercy of the Count – especially in his current state.
Master, you must leave immediately! she pleaded. You have barely a half-hour more to wait and then it is done. You are so close, my lord. Please, don't do this to Miss Garret. You love her. I know you don't want to…
I said get out, he repeated, several lights in the room extinguishing, the temperature in the bedchamber dropping a degree or two as his anger and desperation hitched, the color of his usually brilliant blue eyes darkening considerably.
But my lord… Jane went to protest.
Now, he growled into her mind, the overpowering scent of Hera's flesh tempting him into insanity.
No one would deny the demon what it wanted.
Hera was his… and he'd have her now.
Jane nodded reluctantly, bowing her head to him, submission in her stance, but her eyes were still filled with beseeching.
Hera remained oblivious, chatting to herself now, since now no one was listening.
"I love him, Emma," she continued to explain as she leaned back in the plush chair, her robe, which she had loosely tied shut, slipping open and off her shoulders a little. "He's so…I don't even know how to explain it."
Jane took one last woeful glance at the screen behind which Hera stood before exiting from the room in dutiful silence, sealing the two in behind her. Dracula soundlessly locked the door after the housekeeper's exit before turning his attention to the dressing curtain where Hera's voice was coming from.
With the bending of his will, the windows began to close of their own volition, one at a time as several of the candles on the far side of the room were snuffed out as the Count's shadow slinked ominously across the wall.
"There's something about him that draws me in every time, something I can't quite put my finger on," the human went on, remaining unaware that the Count was now her only audience as the two female servants were long gone.
Dracula draped his cloak over the chaise by the fire before removing his boots silently, willing the mirror to turn just slightly so he could see Hera behind the screen. The vision she presented only aggravated his already dangerous appetite.
"I remember the first time I met him," she recalled aloud. "Despite the fact that I was petrified beyond belief, I still felt strangely connected to him. One look and I was lost. I sometimes think it was that darkness of his. I remember it being so…" She paused, searching for the right word as she stood up from the chair behind the screen, seemingly oblivious of the Count who was now leaning forward in his seat by the fire. "…so enticing," she continued. "He has this devastating sexual appeal to him. I mean, all I have to do is look at him, and I get so… so achy."
He watched as she leaned against the wall, one foot on the seat of the chair as the robe she was donning slid to her elbows, her hand smoothing over a thigh as her eyes fluttered while her other hand played over the laces on the front of her corset – each movement slow and deliberate, as if she knew he was watching.
What he didn't know what that she was indeed aware of his presence.
Jane's silence had been one thing, but her suspicions had been confirmed when she noticed the altered angle of the mirror and the sudden reemergence of that peculiar scent – his heat – that had entered the room just after the housekeeper and maid had fallen silent. It was now saturating every fiber of her being, and little did she know that with every inhalation came a muting of reason as all sense and rational thought were gradually pushed back into the remote corners of her mind, making room for the onslaught of irrational lust that now hijacked her brain.
"I want him so bad, it hurts sometimes," she whimpered, staring at the screen, fully aware that on the other side her lover resided, his eyes undoubtedly attentive, ears hanging on to her every utterance.
"When he's around me… I feel… I feel…" Dracula watched through the mirror as the hand on her leg ran up from her knee to her inner thigh – slowly, leisurely, torturously – "… I get hot," she crooned. "All over… especially here," and he watched as her hand slipped between her legs.
The vampire blew out a lungful of air as quietly as he could, staring with widened eyes as her fingers lightly caressed against the lace of her panties, eyes closing in pleasure as a light, heady hum vibrated behind those lips of hers.
Dracula was no stranger to the sometimes brazenly sexual behavior of the gentler sex, but never had it affected him in the way it did when he watched Hera do it. He had to touch her, had to get inside of her. The curse demanded it, and even the somewhat rational man inside of him did as well.
With three large strides, he crossed the room and pulled the dressing curtain away, staring down at Hera who was still leaning against the wall, that glorious fire in her eyes. He didn't know if it was in response to the scent of his heat or in response to him, but whatever it was, he had never seen that look on her face before and a shuddering breath escaped him.
She looked positively ravenous.
"I thought you were busy this evening," the young woman said innocently, her voice a bit huskier than intended, hands still smoothed over her exposed thighs as if she knew that he wanted to touch her.
"I… I was…" he stumbled, eyes helplessly drawn to her bare legs.
The Count had never seen them in the light before. They weren't long, but they were strong, smooth - just as they should be; with milky thighs that were made for cheeks to graze. He wanted to be between them more than anything in the world, but he couldn't seem to move. He just kept staring, paralyzed as his eyes moved lazily over her body in repeated sweeps, the lights in the room dimming dramatically as his brain drowned in desire. The pale beauty of her skin in the dimming light had hypnotized him; never had she looked so stunning, so sensual before.
