Chapter 4

Dark Ages, 1457. Not asking for an apology!

Her eyes dilated completely, making those beautiful lavenders almost gone. I knew she was afraid, 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. I tried my best to contain myself, she was injured and needed rest. I was a ruthless warrior and 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. I knew she meant about me and not those miscreants.

“Alizandra…” she was so innocent with those soulful eyes and genuine concern, although she was uneasy around me. She had such pale skin it would burn easily under the sun if not protected. 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 definitely had to leave and put 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 abruptly fetching her plate. She had barely touched it, besides the fruit and a little 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 somewhat 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. The night was calm 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. We were taken 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 they would come in hand for making people fear me, and I was right, I got to be called the devil. Now, I came across a puny girl who told me everyone deserves salvation, even a demon like me. I didn’t know for how long I walked, 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 breasts that I almost couldn't contain myself, and slide my hands up feeling the softness in my rough palms. 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 really 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. I was thrilled 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 completely 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 started to get dressed. She sat up holding her legs to her chest, and I was not going to 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 harshly, but who cared, I didn’t regret, not even a little.

“I’m not asking for an apology,” I heard her mumble, 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 defiantly 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?” then I heard Anton’s voice penetrated my thoughts.

“Yes, we'll talk about that, later.” and I went to her snatching some fruits on my way there. She took them gladly while we walked to my horse, I raised her to the saddle getting on right behind her, I was sure it would be a very long journey with Alizandra so close to me the way she was. She hadn’t spoken until now, and the way her soft body was tense against my own I couldn’t tell if she was overwhelmed or frightened.

“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.”

“Probably 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 about, I just let myself enjoy the closeness of her body, the perfume of her hair, and the myriad of new emotions that suddenly assaulted me, and for a ruler like myself, falling for a woman would be considered a weakness, but the 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, but the sound of their weeping was getting into my nerves.

“Listen! No more cryings or your fates would be exactly to 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 told her 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.”