Blood and Apples

Chapter 10

With a small yawn Snow could feel her body awake from slumber. She slowly lifted herself from the comfy mattress stretching her arms out, also discovering the familiar pain in her lower back as well.
She slightly turned to the empty spot next to her. Of course it was empty, Snow knew she shouldn't have expected any different but something from last night made her new. Snow gently ran her hand along the mattress where he had laid that very night. Looking further she noticed a new dress hanging on the wardrobe.
Quickly Snow sat up and walked to the dress. It's beautiful she throughly running her hand along the golden pattern of vines that intertwined on the lushes red gown.
She felt her heart to flutter at the new gift.

The time seem to flutter by before Snow put on her beautiful new gown and headed to the dining room. The large table had been set very similar to how it was when she first arrived and right down the other end sat Dracula with his signature smirk holding a glass of red wine.

"I'm glad to see you like your dress princess" he stated taking a sip. Snow could help but do a little twirl showing the dress from all angles.

"It is most beautiful" she giggled unable to stop staring at it. It had been to long since ware an appropriate gown such as this. Snow then took her seat at her end of the table.

"Is there any occasion to this act of generosity?" Snow asked.

"Are you saying not always a generous man?" Dracula asked placing hand of his chest in a fake offence which caused Snow to giggle. He loved it when she smiled, never realised how beautiful her being happy could be.
This was going to be hard after all.

"Actually my dear, I thought I'd let you have your last meal be extravagant as one you may have had being a princess" Dracula stated placing down his cup.
The room fell silent. Snow paused suddenly feeling herself shake in a way she hadn't felt in a long while. Slowly she lifted her gaze, her eyes filled with confusion and a little fear.

"You're going to kill me" Snow stated placing her knife and fork down back on the plate making a slight sound.

"Far worse my dear..." Dracula said standing from his seat and walking towards Snow. She didn't run or grab a knife, she merely sat there looking into his eyes holding the tears back with all her night.
He reached for Snow, kneeling before her.

"I'm going to let you go" Dracula said.
Snow never knew silence could be so loud. She looked at the count with more confusion.

"I don't understand?"

"You've served your purpose and wish not to keep you here any longer" his voice was monotone. He stood leaving Snow with too many emotions that filled her all at once, confusion, shock, sadness... anger.

"Is that all I was? A toy? ... a pet?" Her voice cracked at that last word, it hit hard as the tears finally fell. How could she have been so stupid of course she meant nothing to him. She was naive to think other wise.
Dracula turned away, he held himself up, it took all the energy he had.

"My servant will help you prepare to leave in the morning"

"If rather leave now" Snow almost spat standing up from her chair ready to walk away, she was quickly stopped when Dracula appeared in front of her, gripping at her arms tightly.

"Don't be daft, I'm not letting out in the forest at night"

"The only monster that could hurt me out there is in here" Snow replied pulling her arms away.

"If I'd known you were so eager to die, maybe I should just do you the favour" Dracula growled leaning closer to Snow. She stood her ground staring back at him as her watery eyes kept filling.

"I wish you would, might hurt less then how you've treated me" she spat.
Dracula let out an exhale as his expression slightly soften. He looked away from Snow turning his body so she was able to walk by him. And she did.
He remained standing there listening to Snow's feet walk away fast through the halls until he was completely gone.
Once the room fell silent again Dracula walked to his chair by the fire slumping in it. He listened to the fire crackle unable to think of anything but Snow's words echoing through his head.

"Master, I have escorted milady Snow White to the entrance of the castle" the servant spoke up. Dracula remained silent.

"Master, my I speak out of term?"

"I rather you didn't" Dracula responded but it did not make a difference.

"Milady Snow White seemed to lighten the castle with her presents, you even hadn't slaughtered a wondering villager in almost a month-"

"Your point?" Dracula slightly growled no longer wanting to listen about the princess.

"Why did you let her go?" The servant finally asked. Finally Dracula turned his unamused gaze from the fire to the servant.

"The last servant I had who spoke up without permission was fed to my wolves, should I remind you of your place?"

"My apologies master, I'll remain silent" the servant stated ready to walk away.

"She wouldn't have been happy here!" Dracula suddenly shouted stopping the servant in his tracks.

"I was keeping her here against her will, the way she spoke of the servant quarters at the palace made me realise..." the count paused his face softened as he turned back to the fire.

"She will never speak the same way about this place... or me" the servant was taken back, after almost centuries he never heard once Dracula's voice slightly break. He was hurting? Couldn't be.
The count let out a breath before standing from his chair walking over to the servant before placing his hand on his shoulder.

"Clean the table and feet the scraps to the wolves, I am going to rest"

"But master, it is still night?"

"Doesn't matter" Dracula responded wondering out if the dinning room, leaving the servant in quite a shock.