Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN: Sleeping Beauty

Nathan

Hunger blossomed in the pit of my stomach by the time I awoke. Soft, plush fabric rubbed against my legs as I looked down and realized that I was tucked into bed, in a room that wasn't mine. I sat up and turned on the light as the brightness stung my retinas for a minute. When my vision became clearer, it occurred to me that I was holed up in a bed and breakfast. How odd, I thought to myself.

Swinging my legs over the side I got out of bed and found my clothes freshly cleaned and folded in a chair that sat in the corner. Instead, I went to the bathroom and flicked on the light as I caught a reflection of myself in the mirror. I looked like hell that's for damn sure if not a little bit pale. I touched the corner of my neck and saw no bite marks. Hmmm. Guess I let Dracula take more of my blood than I should have. Lesson learned.

An antique rib cage shower called my name as I turned on the valve and marveled at how amazing the water pressure felt against my skin. I could stay in here for hours and never get bored. But sadly I did have to get out and return to the land of the living at some point. Even if that point was today. After I got dressed, I left the room and headed downstairs to the sound of someone cooking in the kitchen.

A little old lady with a beehive hairdo, shriveled pink lips and a curved spine that made her look like the Hunchback of Notre Dame worked tirelessly over a hot stove. While the smell of bacon and eggs made my stomach growl even more. I moved to the table just as she turned around carrying a plate of hot food. Our eyes met and in that moment I thought she was going to drop it. But luckily for her, she didn't.

"Goodness graces boy you look whiter than a ghost. Here, have a seat and I'll fix you something to eat. Only then will that put a little bit of color back in you."

"Thanks. Uh, where am I exactly?"

"Where in the mountains dear at the Cerulean Cove Resort & Spa in Transylvania."

"Okay. But how did I get here?"

"A very handsome young man brought you in a few nights ago. Said he had to leave on urgent business and would be back tonight."

"Dracula." I muttered. "Where did you go?"

Setting down a steaming hot plate right in front of me and already my mouth was watering to the point of overflowing. I dug in and shoveled down the whole thing as if it were my last meal on earth. The old lady smiled and asked if I wanted more as I shook my head yes. Soon after my second helping of food, a knock pounded on the door. The old lady excused herself walking out of the kitchen slowly while I went to the sink and rinsed off the plate so she didn't have to.

But when I emerged there he was standing over by the welcome desk as I walked up to him.

"Good evening," he said.

"Where have you been?"

"I had some things that I needed to do."

"Mmhmm. Urgent business."

"That's correct."

"Then why am I here? And spare me the 'you need to be protected' speech. I've heard it all before. What's really going on here Dracula that I don't already know about?"

He sighed, running his fingers through his dark hair. "Perhaps we should discuss this in your room."

I lead the way as he followed before shutting the door to my room behind himself and sat on the edge of my bed. I looked out the window and realized that it was just after dusk. How odd. I didn't realize it, let alone what day of the week it is.

"After I drank your blood a few nights ago, you fell into a deep asleep. A minor side effect caused by the blood loss. And after I healed you with a few drops of my own blood, I decided to dwell into your mind and tell you the story about how I became a vampire."

"I remember." I admitted. "So Dahlia really is a witch whose sole purpose is to see you suffer."

"In a manner of speaking. But frankly there is another reason to the story. A darker reason, actually. My family once owned all the land you see in Transylvania. I became king after my brother and father were brutally murdered at the hands of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. But before I could take it back Dahlia cursed me and forced me to sleep for centuries until the day came when I could rise and take back my family's throne."

"So that's what you've been doing all this time? You want to kill the King of Romania."

"It is my God given right to take back what should be rightfully mine!" He snapped urgently, but relaxed. "The man is a mystery. Nothing seems to add up after all the files I've looked through. Which leads me to believe that Dahlia is in league with him."

"Do you think she might have made him into an immortal?"

Dracula shrugged. "It's possible. But I don't have any proof."

"Alright. So then what's the plan?"

"I'm going after him. I have a tip from a friend that he's staying somewhere in London."

"What about me?"

"You're staying here."

"Fuck no. I'm going with you."

"Nathan," he growled. "Please just do what I ask."

"No! I'm tired of being made out to be the victim here. Now I am going with you and that's finale."

"I will not ask again."

"Then make me a vampire"

"What?!" His eyes shot to mine in an instant. "No. No, that is out of the question."

"But I can help you. For weeks all you've done is protected me and put me in hiding like I'm in some Witness Protection Program. Well I for one am sick of it. I love you Dracula. And nothing you can say is going to make me change my mind"

I watched as he stood up from the bed and came toward me. "Fine. I will take you. But I still won't be turning you into a vampire."

"We can discuss that later."

"Much later."

A couple of hours later we were bound on a flight to London England with nothing but the clothes on our backs and a couple of hundred dollars squared away in my back-pocket. We sat in Coach but paid no attention to the romantic comedy that played on the small screens in front of us. Except for the relaxing drinks I felt very much at ease with everything that's happened. But there was one thing that constantly kept pressuring me in the back of my mind. Why won't Dracula turn me into a vampire?

Author's Note: Hey guys! So I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry it took me so long to update. I just wasn't feeling it. And I apologize for the gaps in between the paragraphs and dialogue. I don't know why it's doing that. Anyways, remember to Vote, Comment & Follow for more future updates. :))