Chapter Three

Dark Ages 1457.

Her eyes widened and darkened, making those beautiful lavenders almost gone. I knew she feared me, but those men deserved the punishment they’ve got, and I would never let it pass. 

“Why did you say such a blasphemy? Everybody deserves salvation!” 

God, she made things difficult. She had hit her head and needed rest. I tried my best to contain myself, but if she kept saying those things and looked at me like I also deserve salvation, I wouldn’t respond to my actions. I had already lost my soul, I wouldn’t think twice to force myself and have my way with her, but she was different. She made me feel protective of her and other things I was not used to, and these things went to places I didn’t dare to talk about, and I knew she meant well about me and those miscreants. 

“Alizandra…” She had such pale and beautiful skin, my fingers burned to slide on it and feel its softness. My scrutiny was so obvious that she blushed and averted her eyes quite a few times, and every time, I felt my groin throb. I had to put a distance between us and set my mind onto the right course again. “Alizandra, it’s not your job to worry about me, or anybody else. I have to make plans with my men, and we leave tomorrow at dawn, so go to sleep and rest.”

I stood up, fetching her plate. She had barely touched it, besides the fruit and a bit of the bread. Her look was quizzical, and I just rotated on my heels and left. I couldn’t stay there, or I wouldn’t behave myself.

Anton came to my encounter and led me to the water site. When we arrived there, the execution had taken place. The view was gruesome and everything was quiet if it weren’t for some painful moans from those who still insisted on being alive. And no, I didn’t regret nor felt anything for it, since it was part of my daily life. It was a serene night and a bit chilly, and with a lot on my mind, I went for a walk to clear my thoughts.

I was about ten years old when the Turks kidnapped my youngest brother and me. They took us to their lands, and a lot of things happened there. Rebelling against them was my favorite pastime, and that earned me a lot of beatings. I observed all of their doings; they were masters in torture techniques, and I’ve learned every single one of them because I knew one day It would serve my purpose, I’d use against them and make people fear me, and I was right, I got called, the devil.

Now, fate brought me a puny girl who said everyone deserves salvation, even a demon like me. I didn’t know what to do with the feelings she awakened in me. I wandered for a long time, but when I saw I was standing in front of my tent, it was past midnight already and inside trouble slept, at least I hoped for. 

Getting into the tent I couldn’t help myself, and I’m sorry, but the soft light of the torch cast shadows on her body, and she looked like a sleeping enchantress with her long sinful legs, flared hips that set my imagination wild, narrowed waist and full luscious breasts. What to say about the neck? Long and delicate to brush my lips, smell her perfume, and leave there my mark forever, all framed by her long light chestnut hair.

Lord! What was I thinking? I felt my body on fire and I didn’t know what to do with it. Will she accept me? A devil? My way of life? I didn’t want to think about it at the moment. I didn’t even know if I wanted to keep her around. The only thing in my head was to have her in my arms. Maybe I could feel some peace. I undressed myself keeping only my undergarments and laid beside her gathering her to me.

It thrilled me when she didn’t wake up and snuggled herself into my chest. Right after, tiredness took me and I fell asleep with my face tucked into her beautiful hair.

The sounds of the men busing around woke me up to a stiffened woman in my arms, her eyes bigger than saucers, and I knew she wasn’t even daring to breathe. With a lot of effort, I let go of her and got dressed. She sat up holding her legs to her chest, and I would not think about her right now, I had to focus on the day ahead, but I never slept better.

“I’m not apologizing for holding you to sleep!” I said, who cared, I didn’t regret, not even a little.

“Did I ask for an apology?” I heard her say to herself. The woman had some attitude, and it seemed I appreciated this trait in her.

“Are you not afraid of me like the others?” 

“Should I be?” She looked at me with her chin up, and my blood rushed into my veins.

“Maybe you should!” I warned her. “You’re riding with me, I’m not letting you out of my sight. Poenari is a long way from here, and we have to be there soon.” Without preambles I left the tent, but I couldn’t concentrate and my eyes followed all her movements.

While my men took the camp down, she came out and found a small bucket with water, which she took and brought back inside with her. A few minutes later Alizandra appeared refreshed, examining her surroundings, and our eyes met again. I read on her semblance this crazy feeling was mutual, otherwise, why would she burn up red from neck to face and my heart thunder in my ears?

“Vlad? Are you all right?” I heard Anton’s voice penetrated my thoughts.

“Yes, we’ll talk about that, later.” I left him there with a smirk on his face and went to her, snatching some fruits on my way there. She took them gladly while we walked to my horse, and I raised her to the saddle, getting on right behind her, I was sure it would be an endless journey with Alizandra so close to me the way she was. She hadn’t spoken until now, and the way her soft body stiffened against my own, I couldn’t tell if it was astonishment or apprehension.

“How’s your head?” My concern was genuine, I didn’t want her in pain, if the situation was different I would give her some time to recover, but we had to go.

“It still hurts a little, but fine I guess.” 

“Relax, I won’t bite you.”

“Maybe not, but you’re taking me with you against my wishes.” And that was all she said to me before she closed herself in silence, but little by little she let go of her body and relaxed into mine. 

I didn’t know what to do or think, I just let myself enjoy the closeness of her body, the perfume of her hair, and the myriad of new emotions that assaulted me, and for a ruler like myself, falling for a woman could be a weakness, but my thoughts vanished when we got close to the castle, and she looked at me with those beautiful lavenders widened in terror.

“Anton, after you manacle all of them, bring the men around and lead their way, and let’s keep the pace.”

“Yes, my lord!” I heard Anton’s rough voice commending the men to bring forth the people.

“Listen! No more weepings or your fates would be the same as the ones inside the castle. Have I made myself clear?” Right there she saw the real me, I had no way of hiding.

“Who are those people? What are their sins?”

“Slaves, they will rebuild my fortress,” I said, matter of fact, and her pupils got bigger.

“Why do you do this to people? Am I also your slave?” The appalled tone she spoke to me almost made me ashamed of my actions, almost.

“They deserve what is coming on their way, and no. You’re not my slave.”