Vlad Dracula

Chapter 22

Vlad's heart pounded in his chest. Katrina's question was a direct hit. How could he explain the complexities of his feelings, the centuries of loneliness, and the sudden, overwhelming connection he felt towards her? He had to find a way to bridge the gap between their worlds, to make her understand without revealing his true nature.

"Time is a strange concept for someone like me, Katrina," he began, his voice low and steady. "Centuries can feel like moments, and moments can stretch into eternity. Love, true love, isn't bound by the limitations of human time. It's a connection of souls, and that can transcend any barrier."

He took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "I've lived a long time, Katrina, and I've seen many things. But I've never felt what I feel for you. It's a connection that goes beyond the physical, something that defies explanation. It's as if a part of me has been waiting for you, for centuries."

Vlad's voice trembled slightly as he continued. "I know it's hard to understand, and I don't expect you to believe me. But I promise you, my feelings are real. And I would do anything to protect you, to keep you safe."

He reached out and gently touched her face, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek. "I know I'm asking a lot, but please, trust me."

Vlad's heart was pounding in his chest. He had revealed more about himself than he ever intended, but he couldn't stop now. He had to be honest with Katrina, even if it scared her away. The truth would set him free, or it would destroy him.

"I trust you, Vlad," Katrina said softly. Her voice was filled with a mixture of fear and hope. "I always trusted you even when everyone around me told I am delusional, I believed you are not the monster they told you are.

Vlad's heart swelled with a warmth he hadn't felt in centuries. Katrina's words were a balm to his soul, a confirmation of the deep connection he felt towards her. He squeezed her hand, his grip firm but gentle.

"Thank you, Katrina," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "More than you know."

There was a long moment of silence between them, a profound understanding passing between their gazes. It was as if they were the only two people in the world, their souls intertwined in a silent conversation.

Finally, Katrina broke the silence. "So, what happens next?" she asked, her voice small but determined. "How do we break this curse?"

Vlad's expression turned serious. "I don't know the answer to that yet, Katrina," he admitted honestly. "But we'll find it together. We have to."

"Imagine telling all the Wattpad girlies that I got the man in my own Wattpad story. " Katrina chuckled remembering the novels about Dracula she read on Wattpad. 

Vlad chuckled, a sound that was foreign to his ears. The thought of Katrina as a modern-day Wattpad reader was a strange and amusing juxtaposition to the centuries-old vampire he was. "I suppose you have a point," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Perhaps I should thank you for rescuing me from a life of eternal solitude."

He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Katrina. "But seriously, this is a dangerous path we're embarking on. There are forces at play that we can't fully comprehend."

Katrina's demeanor shifted, her face growing serious. "I know," she said, her voice firm. "But I'm not afraid. As long as we're together, we can face anything."

Vlad felt a surge of warmth and admiration for her. Her courage and determination were inspiring. He reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

Vlad looked deep into Katrina's eyes, a mixture of admiration and concern filling his gaze. He had faced countless dangers in his long existence, but this was different. The stakes were higher, not just for him but for her as well.

"Katrina, you don't realize how much strength you give me," Vlad said, his voice filled with a sincerity that made her heart skip a beat. "In all my years, I've never met someone like you—someone who isn't afraid to stand by me, even knowing the risks. But I can't help but worry. This journey we're about to take... it could change everything."

Katrina squeezed his hand in return, her resolve unshaken. She suddenly remembers something, "Do you think that someone might be using Radu against you?" 

Vlad's expression darkened at Katrina's question, his brow furrowing in deep thought. The possibility of someone manipulating Radu had crossed his mind before, but hearing it from Katrina brought a new weight to the idea.

"It's possible," Vlad admitted, his voice tense. "Radu has always been... complicated. Our bond as brothers was once strong, but the years of separation and the influence of the Turks changed him. I never wanted to believe he would willingly betray me, but if someone is using him, it would explain a lot."

Katrina's eyes widened, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "Who would have the power to do that? And why?"

Vlad's gaze grew distant, as if he were trying to piece together a puzzle with missing pieces. "There are many who would want to see me fall, Katrina. Enemies from my past, those who fear what I represent, and those who would use Radu's resentment against me for their own gain. But one name comes to mind above all others."

"Mehmed," Katrina whispered, the name falling from her lips like a curse.

Vlad nodded solemnly. "Mehmed the Conqueror. He was once a close ally, but our paths diverged. He is a man of immense ambition and cunning, and if anyone could turn Radu against me, it would be him."

Katrina felt a chill run down her spine at the mention of the Sultan's name. "So, he's not just after you—he's trying to destroy you through your own brother."

Vlad's jaw tightened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "Mehmed has always been a strategist. He knows that breaking me is not just about defeating me in battle; it's about turning those I care for against me, isolating me until I have nothing left."

"But you have me," Katrina said firmly, her grip on his hand tightening. "We won't let him win, Vlad. We can stop this before it gets worse."