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Authors: Jeanne Kalogridis
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revelation?
The diamond brilliant gleam of anticipation in her eyes quickened my own excitement. Yes, of courseif silence is to my benefit.
Oh, it shall be. I have returned only a portion of Vlads power to himI lied and told him I could only accomplish it in increments, for I wished to know his true intent before I restored him completely. I do not trust him. But I can see that you, Zsuzsanna, are possessed of a good, honest nature; therefore, I shall restore you to full vigour this very hour.
I clapped my hands together in eagerness, though the act took a great deal of effort. And Dunya too?
As you wish. I have no doubt that she, too, must be deserving, if she has won the affection and loyalty of one so worthy as you. But here is the condition: You both shall perceive your restored beauty, and your strengththough to Vlad you will both appear as you are now. But you are neither to speak of your restoration, nor indulge your reclaimed powers in front of him. Do you swear to this?
I do, I answered, smiling for pure joy. I knew it would be difficult to keep from striking Vlad a mighty blow, or flaunting my greater abilities before him; but I was desperate to regain the life I had known. I would have sworn to anything.
Excellent, she breathed, then glanced round the vast, cold room. Darling, lie down.
I moved obediently towards the casket, but she shook her head. No, not there. That is too gruesome a place, and we want no reminders of death! On the bed, Zsuzsanna.
Together we moved to the rooms far end, where a narrow, long-unused bed stood near a window. I drew back the heavy curtain surrounding the bed, and lay down upon the grey homespun blanket covering an ancient, lumpy mattress of straw.
Elisabeth followed and knelt beside me, then patted the unyielding mattress with a groan of pure indignation. Zsuzsanna, this is a servants bed! She looked round the chamber with dawning realisation. He has put you in the servants quarters!
I sighed. I know
No more for you, my darling! When you come with me, you shall sleep on pure down, in silks and satins and grandeur befitting a queen!
When you come with me
Had I a heart, it would have begun to beat faster then, for the notion that I should live with one who truly cared for meand was so exquisite to beholdevoked a thrill of anticipation. Had I understood her aright? Was she truly suggesting that I break away from Vlad, and go to live with her?
Was such a thing possible? I had always believed that Vlads fate and his power were inextricably bound to mine; that if he perished, I should too. At least, that is what Vlad himself had told meand I had always believed him. Had I suffered here needlessly in this desolate castle because he had lied?
Any anger I felt at Vlad was eclipsed by hope: perhaps he bad lied to me, but that fact was actually more comforting than the thought that he had not. If I could break away from him, abandon this grim castle without fear and go with this amazing immortal woman to enjoy all that the grand cities of Europe have to offer
Do you mean, I whispered, that I am not obliged to remain with him? He has told me that my existence depends upon his; is it
Before I could utter the word true, Elisabeth countered angrily, Believe nothing he has told you! There is no Devilbut the Prince of Lies lives, and his name is Vlad. My dear, I have known him almost three centuries, and I know his selfish mind: he made you as you are not because he was lonely or because he loved you, but because you flattered him, appealed to his masculine pride. And if he has told you that his destruction will bring about your own, it was only because he wishes to keep you enslaved by loyalty.
At this notion, I began to weep, for the truth was that I had worshipped him slavishly when I was alive, and there were still remnants of girlish adoration in my heart. To think that his motive in Changing me had not been love
Ah, sweet child, dont waste your tears over the likes of him.
The diamond brilliant gleam of anticipation in her eyes quickened my own excitement. Yes, of courseif silence is to my benefit.
Oh, it shall be. I have returned only a portion of Vlads power to himI lied and told him I could only accomplish it in increments, for I wished to know his true intent before I restored him completely. I do not trust him. But I can see that you, Zsuzsanna, are possessed of a good, honest nature; therefore, I shall restore you to full vigour this very hour.
I clapped my hands together in eagerness, though the act took a great deal of effort. And Dunya too?
As you wish. I have no doubt that she, too, must be deserving, if she has won the affection and loyalty of one so worthy as you. But here is the condition: You both shall perceive your restored beauty, and your strengththough to Vlad you will both appear as you are now. But you are neither to speak of your restoration, nor indulge your reclaimed powers in front of him. Do you swear to this?
I do, I answered, smiling for pure joy. I knew it would be difficult to keep from striking Vlad a mighty blow, or flaunting my greater abilities before him; but I was desperate to regain the life I had known. I would have sworn to anything.
Excellent, she breathed, then glanced round the vast, cold room. Darling, lie down.
I moved obediently towards the casket, but she shook her head. No, not there. That is too gruesome a place, and we want no reminders of death! On the bed, Zsuzsanna.
Together we moved to the rooms far end, where a narrow, long-unused bed stood near a window. I drew back the heavy curtain surrounding the bed, and lay down upon the grey homespun blanket covering an ancient, lumpy mattress of straw.
Elisabeth followed and knelt beside me, then patted the unyielding mattress with a groan of pure indignation. Zsuzsanna, this is a servants bed! She looked round the chamber with dawning realisation. He has put you in the servants quarters!
I sighed. I know
No more for you, my darling! When you come with me, you shall sleep on pure down, in silks and satins and grandeur befitting a queen!
When you come with me
Had I a heart, it would have begun to beat faster then, for the notion that I should live with one who truly cared for meand was so exquisite to beholdevoked a thrill of anticipation. Had I understood her aright? Was she truly suggesting that I break away from Vlad, and go to live with her?
Was such a thing possible? I had always believed that Vlads fate and his power were inextricably bound to mine; that if he perished, I should too. At least, that is what Vlad himself had told meand I had always believed him. Had I suffered here needlessly in this desolate castle because he had lied?
Any anger I felt at Vlad was eclipsed by hope: perhaps he bad lied to me, but that fact was actually more comforting than the thought that he had not. If I could break away from him, abandon this grim castle without fear and go with this amazing immortal woman to enjoy all that the grand cities of Europe have to offer
Do you mean, I whispered, that I am not obliged to remain with him? He has told me that my existence depends upon his; is it
Before I could utter the word true, Elisabeth countered angrily, Believe nothing he has told you! There is no Devilbut the Prince of Lies lives, and his name is Vlad. My dear, I have known him almost three centuries, and I know his selfish mind: he made you as you are not because he was lonely or because he loved you, but because you flattered him, appealed to his masculine pride. And if he has told you that his destruction will bring about your own, it was only because he wishes to keep you enslaved by loyalty.
At this notion, I began to weep, for the truth was that I had worshipped him slavishly when I was alive, and there were still remnants of girlish adoration in my heart. To think that his motive in Changing me had not been love
Ah, sweet child, dont waste your tears over the likes of him.
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