Or maybe he was a lookalike? Impossible, but how did Clyde end up here? She then remembered what Livia had told her. Their real king Dracula had been assassinated by the witches, and the current one was fake, a human. The major question she couldn't figure out was how he was turned into a vampire, and how he was brought to a new dimension.
She racked her brains, then he spoke beside her, "You don't seem fine, or am I scary?" he said sarcastically, and her attention diverted to him.
"I know you as Dracula, but what's your actual name," she asked, sitting up.
"My, oh, my, you are now interested in me," he took her hand and kissed it, "Let me introduce myself sweetheart, am Rocco Leonidas, call me Nidas if you wish," he smiled, revealing his short fangs.
"Nidas, I'd like to be alone, in the Queen's chambers," without another word, he called for Livia, and escorted her to her room. She sat on the bed and felt strange.
"Close the door, Livia, stay here for a while," she did so, and sat next to Mia.
"Is something wrong Mayana?" she asked with genuine concern.
"Uh, you told me he isn't your king Dracula, but do you know how they captured the human and transformed him into Dracula and why?"
"Everything was kept a secret from us, but rumours were that the evil witch is the only one who can access the portal to the human world, so she must have captured the poor boy. We don't know exactly why she chose him, but I bet the human is kind of special...he has something other humans don't, everything is done with a purpose right? Out of topic but, wow, Dracula is handsome," she blushed at the thought of it.
Mia didn't care about his looks, she had to save him, "I think this Dracula doesn't remember anything that happened to him, otherwise, he wouldn't be so relaxed."
"In fact, Mia, that reminds me, that evil witch wiped off, his memory, he is now under her control, our previous Dracula was rebellious, hence wiped off. Every memory of our previous Dracula by her. Due to her powerful magic, he made him believe he is the king. Also, our previous Dracula's name was Rocco Leonidas, not him. You seem so interested in him, do you like him? He looks young," she said mischievously, Livia seemed to have fallen in love with him.
"Come on Livia, now you don't hate him?"
"I...don't know, but there's no difference if I hate or love him, he only wants you. You have no idea how long the naughty Dracula has stayed without touching a woman. Yesterday night, I took him wine, and he tried to take advantage of me," she blushed hard, "but then he pushed me on the floor suddenly saying am not pleasurable, he does not want any other woman. I guess he needs you."
Mia had never seen this side of Livia, she often seemed serious but after seeing 'Nidas', her cheeky, naughty side took over.
"Am just inquisitive by nature since I was a child, do you know where the witch stays?" Livia, being talkative, didn't find her questions annoying, she loved story making and indulging in rumors.
"She is a mysterious woman, she is so powerful, no one knows where she dwells, but she comes in meetings in the palace wherever there is one, and vanishes. No one knows how she looks like behind the cloak and long black hair. Their aim is to find the Golden Saki, as I said,I bet she is an ugly woman, you should show up in front of her to make her feel uglier." she said in disgust.
"Thanks Livia for giving me company."
"Sure, anytime, also, if you want to find out more, go to the library in the palace on third floor to gain more knowledge about us, vampires, to ease your inquisitiveness," they both giggled, and she left.
****
For 28 days, Dracula was rarely in the palace, and if he was, it was only a little bit of time. She evaded him all the time by locking herself in the room. Their scheme to attack the human world was more intense, as the portals weakened. It meant that Mia was acquiring powers, since the day she shattered his strong magical metallic wrist band with just a pull.
She never went to the library and Xander never visited her again. She was busy 'patrolling' the palace, looking for clues, the maids thought she was weird.
Livia often narrated unnecessary stories to her but she didn't pay attention to any of it. She already turned 17 days back, and wondered if Greta, Zane and Liam were still sane in spite of her disappearance.
She missed Greta's motherly love, Zane's cute dimples when he smiled and comforted her during hardships, Liam's intelligence and understanding.
****
On one night, Mia's door creaked open and she sensed it. Her hearing ability became stronger than usual. When she opened her eyes, a tall figure stood next to her bed, as his gleaming grey eyes looked at her with lust.
It was the 29th day since their deal, but Dracula couldn't wait any longer. She sat up and straightened her night gown. "What do you want," she knew exactly what the man wanted, and she quickly regretted her question.
He yanked her to him, and with a swift movement, he pinned her against the wall, his hand holding her waist, and the other clutching her two hands above her head. He stared deeply into her green-blue hazel eyes, then to her red moist plump lips.
"I've reached my limit, the deal is over, sweetheart," he brought his face closer and kissed her! His cold lips smacked hers and she became still, trying to process what was happening. Everything had escalated so fast. She remained unresponsive to the kiss, and before he knew it, he was kneed above his groin. He hissed and let go of her, cursing. She ran like a predator being chased by a prey.
"My sweetheart, I love this game of chase," he smirked and walked, looking for her, as she had bolted out of the room like a mad cheetah.
He saw her enter the library, it was huge but it was easy to find her in seconds. Her scent was easily detectable, he jumped and landed right in front of her.
"Its so rude for a princess to run away from her prince. Why are you doing this to me, do you know I could just gobble you up here little munchkin?" he approached her slowly, and she unexpectedly stood still.
'Little munchkin?' Wasn't that what Clyde used to call her? Did it mean he still had part of his memory?
"Clyde, do you know me?" she asked him and the vampire stood thoughtfully.
Suddenly, he laughed boisterously, "now my little munchkin is looking for excuses to run away from me. It doesn't matter because I'll find you. Would you care for a headstart?" he paved way for her gentlemanly.
When she didn't move, he forcefully dragged her out of the library, into the nearest room, and locked the door. She panted heavily and looked at him pitifully.
With a sudden quick movement, she was on the bed, and he ripped her dress near her breasts! She did not fight, and this made him happy. Maybe she finally accepted him.
"You don't know for how long I've waited, I know I've broken the deal, but its almost midnight, that's why I've been passing time for midnight to reach, just a minute and the deal would not have been broken. You see little munchkin, I don't break my promises."
All of a sudden, he started choking, his shiny grey eyes started turning red with tears. Mia was puzzled and she froze. He held his neck, as he coughed, then he coughed out blood! He fell on his knees on the floor and a tall muscular figure stood behind him.
He approached Mia, carried her in his arms, opened the window and jumped, she instinctively held his neck. Mia felt overwhelming happiness surging through her, he actually kept his word. She once thought he had abandoned her since her only purpose was to die. She shut her eyes to prevent tears from escaping her eyes, as a cold breeze penetrated to her bones. She shivered.
He stopped leaping, remembering she was a human who could become sick so fast. He removed his shirt and put it on her. It was oversized and surprisingly warm. He revealed his muscular torso, and she looked away shyly.
"No...Xander... Please put your shirt on, you'll get sick, and someone might see you," Xander noticed her reaction and sighed, he wasn't even naked but the girl was acting as if he was.
"Don't take off my shirt, I'll be responsible if you get a cold. There aren't human doctors over here and the right herbs to treat you. Climb on my back." he stooped to her height, so that she would get on him easily, but the girl looked blankly at him.
He pulled her towards him, but she resisted. " B..bu... But Xander, I can walk," she stammered.
"I know you can walk, but you'll get tired, the distance here is long and there aren't any carriages around." she then agreed after what seemed like an eternity. She blushed hard and felt a little guilty he did all that for her sake. Since she met him, he had always been so gentle with her. But why? He was soon to kill her, or maybe it was out of sympathy because of that.
He walked with quick agile strides, occasionally asking her if she was fine with the pace. His skin was smooth but with taut muscles, she hoped she wasn't too heavy to worn him out.
"Xander, am I heavy?" She was concerned with his heavy breathing.
"You are as light as a feather," he said and continued with the journey.
They finally stopped at a familiar house, he knocked and quick footsteps approached the gate. Mia climbed off his back, with her cheeks burning red.
"Who is it?" came a small girl's voice.
"We're back," he said, and the girl opened and quickly ran towards them, hugging Xander on his leg. A smile crossed Mia's face looking at the tiny orange haired girl. "Sophie, did you forget about me?" the little girl turned and ran towards Mia.
"Am glad your boyfriend saved you from Dracula," she said excitedly.