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"I know this," I answered him shortly "But there is no solace in this horrible place" I sat in theand gazed down over the Arges River I was very angry and I directed er at him like a rapier I did not care if he beatacross otten all the terrors you inflicted upon otten," he said as he sat in a chair nearby He rested his hands upon his knees and gazed at hed bitterly and wiped away a tear "You killed me in this castle My family and me You tortured reen eyes resting on rets at all?" My voice was harsh and dereat evil here! You destroyed my soul and heart! Does this not burden you?"

In silence, he seeed "I did what I felt was necessary at the ti my head, I looked away from him "I hate you"

"I did not know you then, Glynis I did not understand your nature I treated you as I have the others I was determined to break you Create a perfect vessel to domy head

He continued: "I know that you have obeyed me only out of the fear of what I can do to what ree I needed to finally rew harsh at the word obey I felt his gaze resting heavily on iven er

"I had confidence in your fear of me I had confidence that you understood fully what I am capable of That I could and would destroy all you love to keep you in subhtly shook his head, his long hair falling around his face "But in retrospect…"

I dared not look at hith and your power I understand now that you are more of an asset than I ever dreamed I underestimated you and that was a terrible mistake"

"You, sir," I said tartly, "are a bastard"

He sames" My voice was clipped as I spoke to him "I will not be broken by you ever Do you understand that? I am more than your Bride I areed in a soft voice He stood and approached me

"Have you no shame for what you have done to me?" I asked him

"No, for I created you and you are a wondrous creation" His fingers lightly traced over my lips and chin

His tenderness frustrated me, but yet cal me in a manner I was not used to I cannot even describe his expression or his manner I continued to cry as I looked upon him as I once more raised my hand to wipe away the tears that fell so freely

In theledto each other

He whispered, "Be with me"

It was the first time he had ever asked me to lay with him, and I blinked ard to my own needs or eazed into his green eyes I saw need and compassion in his eyes for the first tiely, he was my only companion Slowly, I nodded and his mouth found mine in a torrid kiss

In all my times with Vlad, this is the one time I must admit I chose to be with him because ofs or to deceive him, but because I needed him

How can you hate someone so completely, yet find solace with hi was passionate, yet unlike any experience I had ever had with him For once he was tender and did not treat me as merely his instruentleness I had not known until that night

For once, I was not afraid of hiret His touch soothed me and, for a short time, I felt at peace with his sank slowly into my throat as he undressedme up, he released my throat to fasten bloodied kisses ontresses as he carried me to the bed where he had first bestowed asped as he licked my breast and caressed ainst my skin

I did not answer but helped higed across ht Once more he sank his teeth into me, this time over my nipple

Always exquisite and full of pleasure, his bite ainst his body

"Vlad," I moaned

He rose and kissed my mouth softly "You are mine Tell me that That you aremy blood, and he pushed me down

"Tell me," he said "Tellth firmly in my hand "I am yours," I lied

Whatever he saw inone ar, he opened me and pushed inside I remember the intensity of that moment for it is the only time I lay with him that I truly wanted him within me

In the aftermath, he lay with his face buried in my neck, his arms around my waist Our bodies were intertwined and I could feel ave me life slowly lost its power

The ere closed, sealed shut to keep out the sunlight, and the roohred hair as he lay next to me

"You are Countess Dracula in all ways, Glynis," he said finally

"I know this," I answered softly

"Do you?"

"Yes," I said, turning to gaze into his green eyes through the glooaze steadily "I do not think you do yet"

I had to concede this point I could not fathoers played with his long hair idly

"You are my wife and I will not share you with any other You are hed and tried not to think of Ignatius I did not wish to feel I had betrayed hiers ht, it comforted me