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Chapter 30

The Journal of Countess Dracula

December 2, 1820

The Dosza Palace, Buda

The snowfall has not lessened, but has increased in its intensity. We shall soon be snowbound. Csilla has taken a turn for the worse as Vlad torments her in her sleep. I sometimes almost feel pity for her. Then I remember how coldly she sent my family to their deaths and it ebbs away. Adem has posted a guard at her door to watch over her. Another guard has been watching Katya, but she seems quite content to offer her veins to Laura. She flirts even more outrageously with Laura than she ever has with me. I am a little concerned that Laura is susceptible to Katya’s manipulations.

If only life were not so terribly complicated.

Meanwhile, I am terrified of what Vlad may do next.

“Do you think we should leave the bed tonight?” Ignatius asked soon after we awakened

“No, I refuse. ”

Buried under the covers in Ignatius’s arms, I didn’t want to slide out of bed and face the evening routine. I was content in the comfort of his embrace and did not wish to break it. Despite the threat of Vlad’s vengeance, I was happy with Ignatius. He is eerily adept at knowing exactly what to do or say to make me smile and put aside my fears. His fingers slid down over my bare back, a delicious touch that aroused me.

“We should feed tonight,” he reminded me. “We did not feed yesterday. ”

“We were busy yesterday. ” I brushed my hand over his manhood and made him laugh. “You do remember that?”

“Of course! It is difficult to forget when you do that. ” Tugging me onto his chest, he shoved the covers back over my head so he could see me. Smiling, he pressed kisses to my mouth.

A gentle knock on the bedroom door distracted us. “Yes?”

“Shall I draw a bath?” Magda’s said, sounding amused.

“Oh, I suppose, you horrible servant,” I called out.

Through the door, I heard her laughing. “I will return shortly. ”

Straddling Ignatius’s waist, I sat up, the covers pooling around my thighs. Pulling my hair over one shoulder, I pouted.

Ignatius lightly rubbed the sides of my legs as he bestowed a sweet smile upon me. “No fretting, Glynis. We will rise, feed, and have a lovely evening. I would like to visit with Laura and learn more about her. ”

“She’s boring. ” I was sulking, but I could not help it. He had spoiled me with his lovemaking. All the tension and fears of the last months were banished for a short while and I had enjoyed the feeling of contentment.

“Now, now, Glynis. Enough of that,” he chastised, though his tone was light.

“Is it so wrong for me to want to stay here in this bed with you forever?”

“I share the sentiment, yet we both know that is an impossibility. ”

I cast a dark look toward the heavily covered window. “It’s still snowing, isn’t it?”

“I believe so. ” Ignatius sat up, holding me close to his chest. He cradled me against him and compelled me to look at him with the touch of his fingers on my cheek. “Glynis, despite our difficult situation remember that I am here for you. I love you and nothing could have kept me away for long. Though I never lied to my Mistress, I did have to persuade her to allow me to come here to watch over you. She’s afraid, too, of what Vlad may be plotting in his absence. All I do, I do for you. ”

Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pressed my lips to his temple. His hands ran up my back to nestle in my hair. “I know, my love. I just wish for a simple life with you and Laura. ”

“You do love her, don’t you?”

“Desperately. She reminds me so much of May at times, but has my spark. I do admit to misreading her a bit. I had no idea she was a lover of other women and that was the reason she was so adamantly opposed to being married. I thought she was like me - a rebel against the suffocating rules of society. ”

“She is in her own way, my love. She just had one more reason to fight. ”

Nestled against his chest, I felt my sour mood began to dissipate. There is an aura about Ignatius that comforts me. Perhaps it is because he is so wise for having lived for so long.