The movement in and out of the castle on the next few days was harsh. Vlad didn’t stop for one minute and his men came and went at all times. I spent my days practically alone if it wasn’t for Liana. He would join me for dinner and our nights were full of passion until the morning came and I’d wake up alone. And he didn’t let me in fully into his world. He put me in some sort of limbo and it was maddening.

“Vlad? What’s going on?” I had to ask one night while we were having our dinner. “You seemed to be preparing for a war.” I was already growing to know his ways, and when he got himself in a heavy silence I knew he was pondering on what to tell me and I wouldn’t get the whole truth out of him.

“Liz, I chose to rebuild this castle because as you can see, it’s not big and it’s on top of this precipice almost impossible to suffer an attack,” then he stood up and extended his hand to me. “Come, I want to show you something,” I inspected him a little suspicious and put my hand in his letting him lead me through the castle. We went downstairs where they stored weapons, provisions and supplies, then we headed to the chapel, once inside we stopped at the darkest corner.

“Why are we here, Vlad?”

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few days, but you are protected here, like I said this castle is strategically built on this hill, but if something go wrong this is an escape route.”

“But…”

“There are no buts, Liz. Listen to me carefully. Just move these shelves, and it will open for you. Don’t wait for me or anything, come here and leave. Do you understand me?” I nodded to him, and he embraced me and I could feel the worry pouring from him.

“Look, you can’t ask me that. The same way you worry about me, I do about you. It goes both ways, you have to understand.” I tightened my hold on him. I didn’t want him to go and I didn’t know what to do.

Everything was too quiet and it was unnerving, my anxiety was hitting the roof, and I knew something was about to happen because everyone was acting out of character. Autumn was upon us, as the dusk was coming quick since the days started to shorten and today had been chilly and dull, just like my mood. Suddenly, I heard from afar frightened screams and cries, only to be replaced by angry shouts and yells. The cling of metal matching metal, blow after blows and a few explosions made my stomach churn and I felt a pang in my heart that knocked the air out my body when I realized what was happening. Those were the sounds of a combat, people were engaged in a fight. He was there, fighting.

What could I do? The only thing possible to me at the moment, so I ran downstairs to the chapel, and on my way there the smell of smoke hit me, the village burned down. I lit up the place and fell on my knees in front the altar, tears streamed down my face, I just couldn’t control it and I prayed. I prayed for him, I prayed for the enemies and the villagers. Why people would behave like that toward each other? Maybe that was a question I would never have an answer. I don’t know for how long I stayed there bent to the altar, and then more screams, painful agonizing ones that drove me to cover my ears with my hands trying to muffle them. It didn’t work that much, then a mortifying silence followed through and heavy and fast footsteps came in my direction, my heart stopped in my throat and I covered my mouth to contain my scream when a shadow blocked the entrance. As a result, my body just collapsed as relief washed in waves over me, I felt a sudden heaviness and I couldn’t move when I recognized the man underneath all the blood, dirt, cuts and scrapes.

“Vlad…” a violent sob escaped my chest, and he was onto me in a second. Holding me in his rough and strong arms. I placed kisses all over his face and once I got to his mouth I kissed him dark and heavy. I didn’t care how dirty he was, not even a bit. He was alive and well and that was enough for me, and another sob escaped my lips while kissing him.

“It’s ok, Liz. It’s over,” he assured me and got me from the floor bridal style and carried me upstairs. I was so shaken with fear and sudden anger. I knew something was cooking up, but not this bad, and he didn’t warn me. He left me in that freaking limbo!

“You can’t do that to me again. You can’t!” I couldn’t help myself, I was behaving like a whiny baby, but I was so emotionally exhausted I just didn’t care.

“I can’t promise you that, draga mea**! My life has been forged by fights, combats and war.” I notice the bite of regret in his voice.

“I’m not talking about that! You have to trust me, you have to tell me how bad things are going to turn before they happen, Vlad.” when he put me on the bed I saw him wince, and I forgot all about my pitiful tantrum as I went to him and brought him to lay down. “You’re hurt!” I said as I began to assess the injuries.

“Liana! Liana!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

“I’m fine, woman! It’s not all that!” he muttered trying to dismiss me.

“Yes, miss?”

“Please, bring me fresh water, rags and healing herbs. Hurry!” As soon as she saw the urgency in my eyes she ran out of the room.

The smell of blood and dirt stalled the air. I was so desperate to find the wound or wounds I just didn’t have the patience to take him out of his clothes, I grabbed the knife from his scabbard and ripped his clothes to shreds, not that would make any difference. Then I found about an inch deep cut on his right shoulder and another as deep on his ribs, not to say all the small cuts on his arms and face.

“Vlad, these are not small wounds!” I told him. “Your face is a mess.” Liana knocked at the door, letting me know she had prepared what I asked for. I thanked her and took everything close to the bed. I cleaned his face with the wet cloth, when I was about to take care of his beard he gripped on my wrist.

“Don’t mess with my beard, woman! You’ll get yourself in deep trouble if you do it.” and I saw what seemed to be a slight smile playing on his lips and mischief dancing in his glassy eyes, probably due to the pain from his battered body. I shook my head, who would imagine he was so found of that mess on his face.

“How am I gonna address the cuts?” I chuckled softly at him, and he gave me a serious look. “Ok, fine.”

“You’re beautiful when you laugh.” he could barely leave his eyes open anymore.

“I say the same about you.” and he stared at me with wonder in his eyes before he slips into unconsciousness, and I got busy working on his wounds.

**My precious. My beautiful in Romanian (for women).