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“I do not understand. ”

“You choose not to understand,” he responded irritably.

I closed my eyes with a sigh. He was most likely right, but I was too exhausted to think. “Then you should toss me away. ”

“Do not be foolish,” he answered with a snort.

I smiled at him coyly as I felt his fingers tracing over my features.

“Sleep, Glynis,” Vlad said softly.

Perhaps he willed it upon me with his power or I was just that weary, but as soon as his words faded I was sound asleep.

That night, my last night in the castle, we did not sleep in the chapel with the Brides. We slept intertwined, as husband and wife, in my chambers, and I remember, as I fell asleep, I truly felt as though he were mine and I was his. It was a strangely terrifying and comforting thought simultaneously. I wondered how I could find comfort with someone I hated.

I dreamed of my mother that day. I dreamed of her sitting by the bed, whispering that she loved me, and that my time would soon come. I dreamed of her kissing my forehead and feeling her tears on my face.

“Cara mia, be strong,” she whispered. “Do not forget what he is. What he has done. ”

“I will not,” I promised her in my dream.

She smiled sadly at me then faded away as dreams tend to do.

I slept on in the arms of my Master.

Chapter 35

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright - Continued

The terrible events of my last night in the castle haunt me as I sit and write this. I still feel my hands trembling as I put pen to paper. But I must tell what happened next though it breaks my heart, and my tears will not stop flowing down my cheeks.

Soon after rising, Vlad left the castle. He had a horse saddled for him and two guards on horseback waiting in the courtyard. I followed him out, uneasy with the events of the night before. I hated to see him leave and he would not tell me where he was going.

“I will return soon,” he promised.

I sighed, pouting, my fingers playing with the sash of my blue gown. “I wish to go with you. ”

“My errand is none of your concern,” he answered firmly.

To my dismay, I felt more intertwined with him than ever before. As he slid an arm around me and leaned down to kiss me, I turned my face up willingly. The bond between us had strengthened. His kiss was tender, yet passionate. It held the promise of something more.

“Return soon,” I said when he released me.

“I shall. ” He swung up onto the black horse, his long cloak settling around him like wings.

Then he rode off on another of his mysterious errands.

Upon reflection, I do not believe he ever would left me alone if he had realized what would happen. Furthermore, I do not think he would have believed it would ever occur. He had a tendency to always believe staunchly in his own abilities and power. I do not think he believed someone who loved him would defy him.

The first few hours of the night, I did not see the sisters. I sought them, but could not find them. I wanted to make amends, but they eluded me. I felt their presence, but every time I entered a room I was certain they were within, they were gone. It was possible they were clouding my mind, considering they were much older than I, but I soon grew frustrated with the game and retired to my room.

As I waited for Vlad, I made sure all of our things were well-packed and ready for our journey. Vlad had assured me that we would leave the castle in the early morning and journey by day toward Vienna. His mysterious errand was necessary, he told me, and had refused to divulge details.

I wrote a bit in my journal, then attempted to read a novel Vlad had purchased for me. It was difficult to read a romance novel and not think of Ignatius, so I finally put it away. Despite my night with Vlad, I yearned for Ignatius. The mere thought of him made me ache.

Fidgeting, I walked back and forth in my room, anxious to be gone. Feeling quite betrayed by the sisters after I had begged Vlad to return and save them, I was a bit out of sorts.

When Ariana came to my room and timidly knocked on the door, I was immediately excited.