tenderly lifted it until our gazes met.
Go and rest now, she said soothingly, and when night comes, you will rise again so that Vlad does not suspect. I doubt he will let us meet then, but I promise you that I shall do everything possible to convince him that you and Dunya must feed. And if he agrees, then you can give your supper entirely to her. Pausing, she brushed my lips with the lightest of kisses.
As for you, my darling Tomorrow, if it pleases you, we can watch the sun rise together.
The thought so gladdened me that I cried out, Oh, Elisabeth! I shall love you forever!
And at that, she smiled.
* * *
9 MAY 1893.
Once more, I woke to the sound of Elisabeths voice, and to the sight of her glorious face.
Last night I can scarcely remember, save that I was happy to see that, as Elisabeth had said, Dunya was still looking and feeling strong. This was a comfort to me, as I still felt guilt over not having invited her to yesterdays feeding.
Ah, but yesterday noon I remembered then and remember now, and each time I do, I blush. Last night I did not see Elisabeth; I suspect Vlad felt obliged to keep her in his presence for lack of trust, and for my sake, she would not disobey his order to eschew my company.
It is just as well I did not see her then; for even in Vlads presence, I would not have been able to restrain my joy at the sight of her.
My darling, Elisabeth said softly, and reached down into my casket to smoothe a hand across my forehead and cheek, as tenderly as a mother would caress her child. It pains me so to see you sleeping in thisthis contraption. Vlads limitations are not yours, though he might wish you to believe so. Will you not stay in my bed?
I will do whatever pleases you. I took her hand from my cheek and kissed it.
It will please me to have you with me.
Her statement pleased me, but in truth I listened to it with but half my attentionfor I was gazing beyond her at the unfettered window, and seeing there the first rosy rays of dawn streaming through pearl-grey clouds.
Eager as a child, I turned to her. Can we go outside? Now? I want to see it!
Its drizzling, I fear, and at any moment will begin to rain harder. She touched a hand to her carefully arranged golden curls as if the mere mention of the weather might ruin them.
I dont care! You can stay hereI just want to be out in it.
At the first three words, she tossed back her head and laughed indulgently, and remained smiling as I finished. Ill go with you, my dear. I had no inkling you felt so strongly. But if you wish it, then it shall be done!
And so I took her hand and climbed from my ghoulish resting-place, and together we walked the same path we had taken the day before. Her yellow silk dressing-gown and the dark blue satin dressing-gown she had given me rustled softly against the floor. As we walked, she turned to me, her expression one of unmistakable appreciation of my body, and said:
That looks quite beautiful on you, darling. You may keep it, and I want you to pick out some of my dresses for you to wear; Dorka can do any needed alterations.
You are so kind, Elisabeth! I felt literally aglow with love, as though my heart were a great furnace, kindled at last.
And you are so beautiful, my Zsuzsanna
At last we arrived at the great wood-and-iron door and pushed it open. I drew in a breath at once of the damp fresh air, and marvelled at the fine misting drizzle. Beyond lay a grey landscape, and a grey, clouded sky.
True, I was disappointedhow beautiful the drizzle would have looked, asparkle like diamonds in the sunshine. Even so, I was so glad just to be out-of-doors in the day that I stepped forward, wanting only to stand in it, to feel the cool water against my face, my skin.
But when I tried to run over the threshold and skip down the stairs, I cried out in even deeper disappointment; for, try as I might, I could not move farther than the doorway, held back by an invisible force.
I could not go outside. In bewildered
Go and rest now, she said soothingly, and when night comes, you will rise again so that Vlad does not suspect. I doubt he will let us meet then, but I promise you that I shall do everything possible to convince him that you and Dunya must feed. And if he agrees, then you can give your supper entirely to her. Pausing, she brushed my lips with the lightest of kisses.
As for you, my darling Tomorrow, if it pleases you, we can watch the sun rise together.
The thought so gladdened me that I cried out, Oh, Elisabeth! I shall love you forever!
And at that, she smiled.
* * *
9 MAY 1893.
Once more, I woke to the sound of Elisabeths voice, and to the sight of her glorious face.
Last night I can scarcely remember, save that I was happy to see that, as Elisabeth had said, Dunya was still looking and feeling strong. This was a comfort to me, as I still felt guilt over not having invited her to yesterdays feeding.
Ah, but yesterday noon I remembered then and remember now, and each time I do, I blush. Last night I did not see Elisabeth; I suspect Vlad felt obliged to keep her in his presence for lack of trust, and for my sake, she would not disobey his order to eschew my company.
It is just as well I did not see her then; for even in Vlads presence, I would not have been able to restrain my joy at the sight of her.
My darling, Elisabeth said softly, and reached down into my casket to smoothe a hand across my forehead and cheek, as tenderly as a mother would caress her child. It pains me so to see you sleeping in thisthis contraption. Vlads limitations are not yours, though he might wish you to believe so. Will you not stay in my bed?
I will do whatever pleases you. I took her hand from my cheek and kissed it.
It will please me to have you with me.
Her statement pleased me, but in truth I listened to it with but half my attentionfor I was gazing beyond her at the unfettered window, and seeing there the first rosy rays of dawn streaming through pearl-grey clouds.
Eager as a child, I turned to her. Can we go outside? Now? I want to see it!
Its drizzling, I fear, and at any moment will begin to rain harder. She touched a hand to her carefully arranged golden curls as if the mere mention of the weather might ruin them.
I dont care! You can stay hereI just want to be out in it.
At the first three words, she tossed back her head and laughed indulgently, and remained smiling as I finished. Ill go with you, my dear. I had no inkling you felt so strongly. But if you wish it, then it shall be done!
And so I took her hand and climbed from my ghoulish resting-place, and together we walked the same path we had taken the day before. Her yellow silk dressing-gown and the dark blue satin dressing-gown she had given me rustled softly against the floor. As we walked, she turned to me, her expression one of unmistakable appreciation of my body, and said:
That looks quite beautiful on you, darling. You may keep it, and I want you to pick out some of my dresses for you to wear; Dorka can do any needed alterations.
You are so kind, Elisabeth! I felt literally aglow with love, as though my heart were a great furnace, kindled at last.
And you are so beautiful, my Zsuzsanna
At last we arrived at the great wood-and-iron door and pushed it open. I drew in a breath at once of the damp fresh air, and marvelled at the fine misting drizzle. Beyond lay a grey landscape, and a grey, clouded sky.
True, I was disappointedhow beautiful the drizzle would have looked, asparkle like diamonds in the sunshine. Even so, I was so glad just to be out-of-doors in the day that I stepped forward, wanting only to stand in it, to feel the cool water against my face, my skin.
But when I tried to run over the threshold and skip down the stairs, I cried out in even deeper disappointment; for, try as I might, I could not move farther than the doorway, held back by an invisible force.
I could not go outside. In bewildered
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