After her father and Mara had left, Erinna decided to go see Miya; it would help her clear her head and make a decision. Not that there was one to make, her people needed her and as a princess, it was her duty to come through for them.

She knew what she had to do but had no idea how Vlad would take it.

When she got to Miya's cottage, she found the witch making a gown, probably for the feast that night. Erinna realized then that she had not thought of what she would wear.

"You look too glum for someone who should be glowing," Miya said to her after she had hugged her.

"I'm fine," Erinna said unconvincingly.

Miya looked at her for a second, shook her head then drew her by the hand to her small cozy library where most of their serious conversations took place. She sat Erinna down in a chair and made a cup of one of her foreign teas.

"Vlad brought this one for me from the islands," she smiled and handed it to Erinna.

"Thank you Mimi," she accepted the cup.

"Now tell me what's wrong. Were there any complications?" Miya asked as she sat down next to Erinna.

"Complications?" Erinna frowned without comprehension.

"The marking....last night. You two are from a different species after all and Vlad is not known for his control," Miya specified.

Erinna finally grasped her meaning and she choked on her tea, her face immediately turning red with embarrassment. It would have been a good time for the couch to open up and swallow her.

"Well?" Miya asked in a purely business tone.

"No, there were no complications," Erinna replied quickly, reluctant to discuss Vlad's anatomy or his prowess with a woman who was like a mother to him.

"Then why are you looking like you have received the death of a friend?"

"I'm just...I have to go to Ellingsdale and I'm not too happy about it. Does that make me selfish?"

She had gone for so long without Vlad in her captivity and had only been reunited with him the previous night. She did not want to be separated from him so soon.

Things were so good between them now and she wanted to enjoy the calm whilst it lasted. Who knew how much time they had until everything else started since they had now probably triggered the curse?

"You're the most unselfish person I know, never call yourself that. Why do you have to go to Ellingsdale?"

Erinna explained to Miya what her father had said.

"And what do you think?" She asked after getting the full story.

"I know I have to go. I want to help them; I just don't want to leave Vlad," she confessed.

"It'll be temporary."

"But still."

"Maybe he can come with you," Miya suggested.

Vlad in Ellingsdale? When hell froze. He would never agree and the elves would sooner vacate their kingdom before they let a vampire in.

Besides, he had his own kingdom to repair. The war had caused damage on it too.

"I couldn't ask him. He's needed here," she said.

"Have you told him?" Miya asked.

Erinna shook her head.

"Are you planning to?"

Erinna looked at Miya in disbelief as if she had offended her, "Of course."

"Well until you do, there's no need to worry about it. He won't like it but Vlad loves you. He'd do anything for you."

Erinna sighed, deciding to leave the matter. "I guess you're right."

"Now enough of this sad business, come see the dress I have for you for the feast," Miya smiled standing up.

"You made a dress for me?" Erinna gasped in pleasant surprise.

"I am amazing, I know," Miya grinned and took Erinna back to the room she had been working in when she'd arrived.

As she was about to pick up the dress, a knock came on the door.

"Who is it?" She asked Erinna.

Erinna frowned, the person's presence was familiar but the person wasn't anyone Erinna could identify by name.

"Someone from the castle, I think."

"These vampires, I never get any rest," the witch complained and went to the door.

"Yes?" Erinna heard her say to the vampire at the door.

"The Count sent me to collect the Countess."

"Well go tell him she has her own legs," Miya said rudely and Erinna pitied the poor guard.

"B-but ma'am she's going to be late for the feast," the vampire said.

"She won't," Miya said and slammed the door in his face.

There was another knock at the door and Miya shouted, "Go tell him I'll bring her to the feast agh."

Erinna laughed at her exasperation. She really could not stand vampires.

"Don't even get me started," Miya said, "But it seems like we have to get you ready soon. You can use my bathroom whilst I finish your dress."

Eager to see Vlad, Erinna didn't take long in the bath. She put on Miya's luxurious dressing gown and went back into the bedroom.

"Done?" She asked Miya.

"Almost."

After a few minutes, Miya held out the garment she had been making to Erinna. Erinna took it and thanked her. She returned to the bathroom and held out the flimsy piece of clothing but something fell.

It was not like anything Erinna had seen before, it was smaller than a corset and made out of a tough white material. Was this the new type of corset Miya had come up with?

Erinna shrugged and put her arms through the short garment that was so short it left half her midriff bare. But she guessed it didn't matter as the garment would be covered by a dress. She needed help trying the strings of the garment at her back to hold it in place so she asked Miya.

"This is more decorated than an inner garment should be," Erinna said noticing the intricate designs and the small emeralds Miya had sewn in on the garment.

"That's because it's not," Miya said ominously but her answer made no sense to Erinna so she brushed it off.

After the strings at the back of garment had been tied just the same way as a corset, Erinna returned to the bathroom. She picked up the dress...or maybe not.

What she had previously thought was a dress was not a dress. It was rather a skirt or maybe pieces of a skirt. After she had worn it, Erinna looked in the mirror.

What she saw both shocked and distressed her. She looked like what she imagined harlots looked like. Why would Miya want her dressed that way?

The small upper garment that left half of her stomach bare popped her bosom and left out more of it on view than she was comfortable with. Tne arms of the little garmet came to her elbows but failed to make her feel less naked.

She looked down her exposed navel to the equally ridiculous skirt. It was white and reached her feet and should have been modest but the scandalous vents Miya had put on it made it impossible to be.

There were two vents in the skirt, stretching from either side of her waist down her thighs to the hem of the garment on the ground. Lines of her thighs were visible and the sight shocked her. Dear lord she looked like a temptress.

"Miya what is this?" She asked in a strangled voice through the door.

She couldn't even leave the room. If she had thought Miya mentioning her wedding night was humiliating, this was much much worse.

"It's your attire for the night. You like it?" The witch asked opening the door.

Erinna quickly grabbed a towel and held it in front of her exposed body.

"Where's the rest of it?" Erinna asked shakily.

She couldn't imagine Vlad's reaction. She did not want to test him, especially after earlier. Miya might like riling him up and had no sense of self-preservation whatsoever but Erinna liked having everyone around her alive.

"That's all of it darling. Come on, let me see it."

"Miya I'm naked."

Miya rolled her eyes and grabbed the towel, leaving Erinna trying to cover her stomach with her hands.

"Wow. Even I had no idea. You look gorgeous," Miya marveled.

"Gorgeous? What are you talking about, Vlad will kill me."

Or someone. Someone red haired.

"Pshh," Miya rolled her eyes and dragged Erinna to the bedroom. She sat her on a chair and began doing her hair.

"I don't know what you're thinking but I could never go out looking like this."

"Why not? You have a beautiful body."

"That is not a reason."

Miya put an emerald necklace around Erinna's neck, emerald earrings in her ears and a matching tiara. As she looked at the mirror, Erinna had to admit she looked beautiful. If she didn't look below her neck that was. Miya was spraying some sort of spritz on her when there was a knock on the door.

Her heart stopped.

"He's here," she told Miya.

"Who?"

"Vlad."

Erinna didn't know where to hide as Miya went to answer that knock. She contemplated running back to the bathroom but knew Vlad would break down doors if he had to, to get to her.

"Where is she?" She heard him ask coldly.

Was his tone a tad bit annoyed or was it her imagination?

"Why hello to you too," Miya said.

"Miya I have no time for games."

"Ouch-!" She heard Miya complain and figured Vlad had pushed her out of the way.

"Erinna?" He called, his voice become louder as he came closer to the room. Erinna closed her eyes, her nails biting into the chair as she dreaded what was to come. Was it too late to flee the room after all?

"What. The. Hell. Do. You. Think. You're. Wearing?"

His voice cut through the room like jagged pieces of ice. The force of his anger suffocated the room and Erinna knew she had no one else but herself to blame. But it annoyed her that he had talked to her like that.

Sure the clothes were inappropriate but what she wore was entirely her choice. The only reason she didn't wear provocative clothes was out of consideration for him because she wouldn't like it either if he walked around half naked. But he was being overbearing and it was annoying her. So much for his 'I will not try to control you' vows.

"Miya what is the meaning of this?" He turned to blast at Miya before Erinna could talk.

"Leave Miya out of this, she has nothing to do with it," Erinna seethed, furious at his tone.

"I'm sure it has everything to do with her. You couldn't make something like this for yourself."

"It doesn't matter Vlad. What I wear is my business," Erinna said standing up.

She crossed her arms over her chest, more to cover her nakedness rather than as a defiant gesture. She had not wanted to wear the dress but she would do it to show him she did what she wanted.

"So you want to walk around naked now?"

"I never said that," she said, unable to meet his eyes.

"Vlad you're being ridiculous. The kitari is the traditional dress of your people. It's what everyone will be wearing tonight," Miya cut in.

"She's not everyone."

"But tonight is the night you're initiating her into the social life of your people. She already had a rocky start with them, tonight is her second chance. The kitari will show them she is accepting their way of life, that she is now one of them."

He was silent for moment, one arm across his chest and the other supporting his chin. After a minute, his eyes cut to Miya, "Can we have a moment?"

Miya raised her hands in surrender and left the room.

"Erinna what are you doing?" He asked, more calm now.

"No, what are you doing Vlad? I told you you don't control me."

He raked his hand through his hair, tugging it in frustration. "I know that but please, don't wear that dress."

"That's all you had to say. I never wanted to wear it anyway," she said her anger departing.

"You won't wear it?" He asked, as if not believing she had agreed so easily. She rolled her eyes inwardly, she was not entirely unreasonable.

"Miya is right. If it's part of the culture it would benefit me to wear it but if you don't want me to," she shrugged.

He walked to the window in silent thought. Erinna began tugging the strings of the top but his voice stopped her.

"Okay."

"Okay what?" She asked.

He came behind her and began trying the strings she had loosened.

"You can wear it. But promise me something," he said turning her around so fast by her waist that she would have stumbled had he not been holding her.

She came face to face with jet black eyes. His face was just an inch from hers and if she leaned closer, she'd be able to kiss him and spirits how much she wanted to. His lips looked so inviting.

"What?" She whispered, her heart beating fast because of his proximity.

In that moment she could have promised him anything.

"Don't leave my side tonight. Ever."

👫👫👫👫

Erinna walked with Vlad to the courtyard of the castle where the Gol was being hosted. Their hands were intertwined and Erinna would not have traded the moment for anything.

He was hers and completely hers. Love for him engulfed her and she hadn't realized she was projecting until he had pulled her closer and leaned down to whisper into her ear.

"If you keep that up Countess I might have to take you back to our chambers and do what I've wanted to do ever since I saw you in that dress."

Erinna's heart jumped at the prospect and her mind went wild with possibilities.

"I'm sure that would be inconvenient for the party planners. How would they explain the absence of the guests of honor?" She laughed shakily.

"I'm the king, I can do what I want," he winked at her and she rolled her eyes at his cockiness. But she didn't mind, she was just happy they were on good terms again. The night had been rocky.

They walked into the courtyard and all activity immediately stopped. Every creature in the room stood up to acknowledge their presence.

Not used to crowds, Erinna felt a little nervous about walking into the multitude before her. The courtyard was full to the brim and she could sense various creatures: vampires, humans, shifters and many more she could not identify.

Everyone parted for them and a long red carpet was revealed. It led to a form of raised dais. Majority of the platform seemed to be occupied by what looked like a giant flat couch or bed to Erinna. She could not tell for it was covered in red silk and surrounded by giant candles. Dark freshly plucked rose petals littered the surface of the silk material. Everything about the scene looked so....erotic.

Her heart thumbed with what she could not describe and she tilted her head to look up at Vlad but he was staring straight ahead.

'Vlad?' She said nervously in his mind.

Suddenly she was not sure what she had signed up for.

'Relax.'

Relax? His people had set up a bed which she did not think they were expected to just sit on and he was telling her to relax? Vlad had saved her from a public consummation of their wedding night but did that mean they would have to do it that night?

Erinna told herself to calm down. If she knew anything about Vlad, it was that he would never make her do any intimate thing she was uncomfortable with.

Besides, just a few minutes back he had been having a feat about her clothes, having her intimately exposed to the whole vampire population was something he would never do. But then again, he had a case of wanting to prove to everyone she was his.

He offered her his arm and together they walked. With him at her side, it was easier than she had anticipated. As they passed, people bowed in respect. A band began playing as they reached the front and Erinna was glad for she hoped it would drown the sound of her pounding heart.

"Va-creatures of Transylvania and beyond, let me present to you, the people who are the reason for this gathering. We all thought it would never happen but indeed, here it is. Let me announce to you Lord and Lady Dracula, or rather Countess as I am always told to say," Alexander who was presiding over the event announced from the front.

She saw Vlad roll his eyes at his friend's over the top introductions.

Vlad and Erinna greeted the people and Erinna thanked them for the wedding then Vlad rushed her off the stage, not at peace with everyone looking at her in the kitari. But Alexander had other ideas for them. He ordered the band to play a song for the new couple.

"I'll kill him," Vlad muttered.

She laughed remembering how he had said he hated dancing.

"Leave him alone. He is just messing with you."

"He goes too far."

"No, you are just too serious. Come on, dance with me," she said and took his hand, dragging him to the dance floor.

He suddenly stopped and pulled her back such that she landed right in his arms. Her hand went to his chest to steady herself and she sharply inhaled when she felt the bunched muscles of his chest. He was not smiling or showing any particular expression on his face but it still devastated her nonetheless.

His dark deep eyes bore into her, the heat in them stroking the fires within her. The air around them suddenly became charged up and Erinna feared and anticipated the dance they were about to have with the same vigour. She took a shaky breath and allowed her feet to move when the music began playing.

There was nothing extraordinary about either of their dancing skills but just the fact that they were doing it together made it magical.

The crowds melted away and everything faded into the background until it was just the two of them. Neither of them noticed when other couples joined them on the dance floor. They were too caught up, too immersed in each other's presence to see anything else.

The way they danced this time was different from when they had had their first time together. It was more daring, more sensual and more intimate.

Vlad guided her along the floor, without pushing her around or overwhelming her. His hands on her were strong and firm yet gentle. The merest touch, the slightest whisper all set her body on fire. Sensations she could not describe overtook her body and took her back to the night they had just spent together.

As they continued to dance, Erinna lost control, lost all inhibitions and gave herself up to joyous abandonment. She ceased to care about proprietary and just surrendered to the moment.

Sensing her desire to let go, Vlad granted her wish. His dancing became more provocative and erotic. It was a dance of the soul, of the body and of the heart. Lovemaking was what it was.

At one time, he whirled her around such that her back was against his front in perfect alignment. Purely on instinct, she shimmed down his body and back up, her hips moving at their own accord. She heard his groan and couldn't keep away the happy smile.

A thousand times he would lift her off her feet and every time she would anticipate his movements and move to counter them with her own.

Her chest brushed against his as they danced and it elicited the most intense of reactions in her. She became unaware of the other dancers except Vlad and her. His eyes and his hands was all she could feel. She gasped when he drew her closer such that she felt the evidence of his excitement.

'You seem to be enjoying yourself for someone who hates dancing,' she said to him telepathically, her eyes twinkling with laughter.

'That happened the when I saw you in that kitari," he said, his head dropping to her neck and inhaling her scent, his teeth just brushing her skin.