Previously named Morning After & When you Mess With The Wrong Elf.

Those of you who remember, know I always said these two chapters made me cringe. Anyway, I've tried rewriting them in a way that I can be at peace with. That's what was taking me long.

*****

Dracula opened his eyes, feeling the rising of the sun in the sky. Why the hell had he been sleeping during the night? But the oddness of his chosen time to take a nap was not what alarmed him.

What alarmed him was the difference in the air, the room, the very atmosphere. Even his nostrils were registering lemon verbena when he should have been smelling vanilla laced with jasmine.

With sick dread, The Count looked at the place next to him. His heart dropped to his feet as he saw who it was that was curled beside him. The implications of the situation took a physical form and he felt bile rising in his throat.

The upside down state of the room left no doubts about what had happened. Furniture was upside down and both their clothes were strewn across the floor.

He was immune to human sicknesses but in that moment a skull shattering, vision blinding headache pounded at his forehead. He didn't mind the pain, in fact he wanted it to shatter his skull apart. Even then, it would still be less than what he truly deserved.

How could he have done this? Less than 24 hours after she had opened herself to him and trusted him with her heart. He wanted to take Ingrid and strangle her to the point of decapitation for bringing this upon him but how could he even blame her for his own weakness?

He was the one with the mate. He was the one who should have known better. He was the one who had spent months grovelling for Erinna to give him her attention.

He was desperate for the mythological time machine or anything that allow him to go back to the previous night and make better choices. The night itself was still blurry in his mind but he didn't need anyone to tell him. Perhaps if he left early Ingrid wouldn't remember he had been there.

Quietly, he put the room in order and teleported to his bedroom, straight to the bathroom. He had already disrespected Erinna on many unforgivable levels but he was not going to force her to smell another woman on him.

He immersed himself in the water and waited for the proverbial cleansing but it never came. No matter how much he scrubbed, he could not rid himself of the feeling of being dirty and defiled. It brought back many memories that he would have liked to keep buried.

Hands, many hands touching him. A deep rumbling roar emanated from his throat and he felt himself losing control of his physical form until he gritted his teeth and thought of the one thing, one person who calmed him down: Erinna.

His anger receded and he sank back into his body. His shallow breaths decided and stone cold calm settled over his again. Without even lifting a finger, Erinna had managed to save her again. What was his life going to be like when she was no longer there to ground him and hold him down?

No, he would not think about that.

Quickly and with animal grace, the Count rose from the water, paying no heed to the mess he made as he stepped onto the wet floor. Ever confident, he was never one to hide his body but that day he felt so ashamed that without thinking about it, he found himself opening a cupboard he had never opened his whole life and retrieving a pair of pajamas.

With his shame not hidden, but better disguised, he stepped out of the bathroom into the bedroom. What he saw tore him. If he had been feeling like slime, it was time to feel lower than that because whilst he had been out giving what was not his to give away in the first place, Erinna had been waiting for him.

His heart broke all over again and he wanted to hide and hopefully fade into inexistence. It would not take away his shame but it would save him from the torture of standing in her presence knowing everything he had done. How would he even begin to tell her? He should just leave and not insult her by his soiled presence.

But then he realised that this might actually be the last time she looked at him like she loved him, like she cared for him, like she believed in him. Because that was how Erinna looked at him and it would be gone, all because of what a fool he had been.

He wiped his hands on his pajamas, as if that would wipe away his treachery and filth before he bent down and picked her up gently, cradling her against his chest, if only for the last time.

"Vlad?" She asked, sleepily.

Her voice was always throaty and husky when she was awoken from her sleep and curse him, but his body reacted.

A surge of hunger coarsed through his veins.

"It's me. Why were you sleeping on the couch, angel?"

"Was waiting for you," she answered with a yawn, her eyes still closed and her head leaning against his chest.

"You could have slept in the bed."

"Too big."

He turned over the covers and put her in, not knowing if he dared to sleep next to her after what he had done. But he needed to remember how it had been before he ruined it.

Earlier that evening, Erinna had asked him to remember and right then he knew he was going to remember. Remember how good things had been between them, how different they had been yet imperfectly perfect, how genuine she had looked when she had opened her mouth and uttered the words he had waited for thousands of years to hear from her lips.

Oh he was going to remember alright.

Sleeping in the pajamas was going to be intolerable. Clothes itched him, hence why he always slept without their burden but that day he got in the bed fully clothed. What comfort did he deserve after what he had just done?

Every torture device in Death Town would not be enough to atone him for the shame he had brought upon their bond.

Growing up, people had never expected much from him and that had not changed when he had become a vampire because at the end of the day he did what he wanted. But with Erinna, it was like even with all she knew about him, she still expected something better from him, demanded it even.

She always wanted the best out of him, even when they both knew it wasn't impossible. She had faith in him. More than anything, he couldn't stand to watch the moment when that faith, that childlike trust he had scorned in the first days but now valued above anything; would be shattered all because he hadn't said no.

And Miya, she was going to be disappointed in him. It didn't bother him much though, he was used to people being disappointed in him, they expected him to always screw up but Erinna...he couldn't stand her disappointment.

"Why are you wearing your clothes?" Erinna asked, moving closer to him and laying her head on his chest.

The pain he felt from that small action was worse than when he had first met Ingrid and she would torture him by suffocating him repeatedly with invisible weights. This was worse; it went deep down to his soul. Don't touch me, I'm filthy, he wanted to tell her but the courage deserted hin.

"Go to sleep," he told her because every second he lay there next to her, the urge to just come clean and divulge all he had done became overpowering.

She kissed his jaw and her breath became even, letting him know she had drifted off. But he didn't sleep a wink. His mind kept going through the previous night, trying to piece details and come up with what had actually happened. Her sleep was also disturbed he could see, she was not exactly thrashing but her breathing was irregular and her heat rate too fast and erratic.

Erinna had never had nightmares in all the time he'd known her. She sometimes had unpleasant visions, sometimes of people she didn't even know but never nightmares.

****

Erinna's eyes shot open when a firm hand jerked her back to consciousness. Her heart was beating a mile a minute and she was afraid it'd jump right out of her chest. Cold sweat laced her brow and she knew if she rubbed them together, her palms would be moist.

But worse than the physical symptoms, was the sinking feeling in her stomach. She was cold and shivering but a deeper fear existed in her mind, a fear that no one else could see. The chill did not stop in her bones but penetrated right to her soul.

Something was very wrong, she didn't know what but was sure whatever it was, it would rock her world. She wouldn't be the same after all of it. It scared her when she didn't get visions; these instinctual feelings of oncoming trouble always left her rattled.

Her body and mind would let her know trouble was coming but the fact that she didn't get visions meant she couldn't guess from which direction it'd come from. She never knew what to expect.

Her breath was becoming more choppy and she could hear Vlad from the periphery of her mind but she had to concentrate on breathing before all the panicking choked her.

"Erinna."

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe ou__

She was conscious of Vlad dragging her to the window but wasn't actually aware of moving her feet. The fresh air made it better and she focused on Vlad's voice telling her to inhale and exhale. After two minutes, the worst of the panic attack was gone and she could breathe better.

Vlad brought her a glass of water and she drank it steadily, not wanting to shock her system and choke. That would have been embarrassing; she'd already vomited in front of Vlad and was determined not to make it a regular occurrence.

"Better now?" He asked, his hand under her chin, tilting it up so she was looking in his eyes. His dark eyes, in a face with perfectly aligned features.

She took a moment to appreciate that he was actually hers. From those expressive, bottomless eyes to the proud nose, to the sensual mouth, to the harsh jaw line, the wide shoulders, the sculpted chest, the defined stomach muscles, the powerful thighs hosting one of nature's proudest treasures in between to the very end of his imperfectly perfect feet, marred by years of harsh work.

All hers.

And that was only the outside. What that strong and virile body encased was much more stronger and virile than the outward appearances. Vlad had one of the wildest, strangest and most passionate spirits she had ever met. Nothing about him was halfway, whether love or hate. He gave it his all.

"Better," she nodded, licking her lips to stem the desire awakening in her. It was not the time.

"You had a nightmare?"

She shook her head because she actually didn't know what had happened.

"Tell me what happened."

"Not what happened but what will happen."

"It can't be Diana, Alexander brought you the necklace," he reminded her touching the delicate piece of jewelry around her neck.

"No, this is much closer to home. Someone will betray me."

***

After a few more hours of restless sleep, Erinna woke up. She was alone but that didn't really surprise her. She didn't like it but it didn't surprise her. Vlad was a king and he couldn't spend his every waking moment with her even though she wished for it sometimes.

She especially needed him then, her whole body seemed to long for his touch and presence. Was it the blood moon or she was just becoming addicted to him? She didn't like mind linking because it also exposed more than she was prepared to give away, otherwise she might have sent him a telepathic message to tell him to come straight back.

Deciding to use her time alone for something more productive, Erinna got up and continued her search through the books Miya and her had picked from Vlad's private library, hoping to come across something that would hint at an unbinding spell to release Vlad from his curse.

After the incidents with the witch, Erinna now knew Diana would stop at nothing until she had avenged her husband. It was better to get the curse out of the way before Erinna ended up being the girl who unwittingly killed her mate.

At first she had been afraid that if she broke the curse, Vlad's feelings for her would shift and he would somehow wake up from his stupor but after what he told her the previous night, she genuinely believe he really loved her. He had done so even way before Diana had come into the picture.

Thinking about him made Erinna realize the whole day had passed and Vlad still had not returned. Where was he? She was in the middle of pondering all this when the door opened, revealing Alexander.

"Tiger?"

"Alexander! It has been long since we last talked."

"I know, I just came to make sure you're....are you ok?" He asked.

There was a hesitation and wariness about him that she was not used to seeing on him.

"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" She laughed at his ridiculous question.

"You're absolutely fine?"

She frowned.

"Alexander, what do you mean?"

"Nothing," he answered too quickly.

She narrowed her eyes. Did he seriously think he could lie to an elf?

"No really, I just wanted to see if you're fine."

She didn't believe him and her eyes told him so.

"I don't believe that but it's your business if you want to lie. Come in, I want to tell you what I want for my birthday," she smiled remembering how he'd told her to decide on something.

His face looked conflicted, pained even. What the hell was going on? What did he know that she didn't?

"I'd love to stay, Tiger but I really have to go."

She wanted to ask him why he was acting so strangely but didn't get a chance as he suddenly left the room at vampire speed. She shook her head and decided to ask Vlad about it later. Speaking of Vlad... where was he? Better she go find him herself.

"Please open the door, George," she told the guard she knew would be standing outside the large ancient oak door.

She put on her veil and stepped out as soon as the door opened.

"Countess," George bowed.

"Morning George. Do you know where The Count is?" she asked.

"He's in his study I think."

"Alright, I'll go there."

"I'll come with you?"

"Nothing will happen to me in the castle George, don't worry. I'll be fine."

She walked down the hallways, trying not be creeped out by the vampires looking at her like a particularly well grilled steak, it unnerved her but she knew they'd never do anything to her. Not unless they valued their lives.

Through the bond, she could feel Dracula and knew he was indeed in his study. But as she got closer, she felt him...move away. Dracula could feel her presence through their bond and would know if she was coming, which left her confused as to why he'd move away when he knew she was coming.

It puzzled her but she decided to let it go. She was going back to her room when she met Alexander. Again, he kept his distance and his eyes downcast.

"Alexander, what's wrong? Why won't you look at me?" She asked, now worried. He had been this way earlier too. Like he expected something to be wrong, like he was afraid of her reaction.

He glanced up for a few seconds and even though he wouldn't meet her gaze, what she saw in his eyes was enough. There was fear, shame, guilt, pity, anger, sympathy, sadness and regret. The emotions were a direct contrast to his usual happy and carefree attitude.

"Alexander, is there something I need to know?" She asked tentatively.

He shook his head, a rueful look on his face.

"Nothing Princess."

Now that was weird. Alexander never used her Elven title; he always went by her first name or Tiger, Countess if Dracula pushed him. But this new address was as unusual as it was unnerving.

"Is it Vlad? Is something wrong?"

Alexander laughed a sad, forlorn, heartbroken sound that did not seem appropriate coming from him.

"The Count is just fine," he said with a cruel edge she'd never heard in his voice before.

"There haven't been any more attacks?"

"Everything is peachy."

She didn't believe it but also realized she wasn't going to be getting anymore information out of him. The true essence of being a leader was in knowing when to push and when to back off and that was what she did then.

"I was thinking, everyone has been so down and depressed with what happened. I do not know if you do this here, but in Ellingsdale, after a great victory, people always come together to celebrate. It is a way to cement the unity of the people as well as to get over the losses. I have never attended of course, but my father used to tell me in great detail. Maybe we can hold a ball to celebrate Miya's recovery as well as mourn the people you lost to the werewolf attacks?" She asked, not wanting to mention that Miya's recovery wasn't as much a recovery as it was a resurrection.

Vlad had mentioned making the incident public would cause a ruckus and possibly put her life in danger. She didn't mind helping people but bringing back the dead was especially hard for her. It had taken a lot for her to even get close enough to Miya's corpse so she could give her the breath of life. But a total stranger....Erinna was not sure she had it in her.

Despite whatever it was that preoccupied his mind, Alexander's face lit up at the mention of a celebration.

"That's amazing! She'd love it, Miya is a party creature."

"I do not know about the details though, may you please ask Leila to take care of it?"

Alexander gave a flirtatious bow and left. His mood was still dark though, she could sense it. Hopefully this would take his mind off things for a while.

She expected Vlad to come back but he did not, and whenever she tried to go towards him, she would feel him moving away, almost as if he was...avoiding her. It made no sense, she would have to ask him about it at Miya's party. Both him and Alexander were acting too out of character for her comfort.

***

The elves had been riding for ages and Mara knew if they didn't see Silvercrest Mountain any time soon she would go mad. Strategising the Princess' rescue had been easy, putting it into action was another matter altogether.

Ellingsdale was still in shambles after Dracula's attack when he had kidnapped Erinna and drawing safety measures to safeguard the kingdom whilst Eric and her traveled to go meet the wolves had not been easy due to the lack of manpower.

They were walking to give the horses a reprieve, when a sound stopped Mara in her tracks.

"Remain still," she commanded Eric and Virion, the elder they'd brought, as she looked into the eyes of the biggest werewolf she had ever seen her whole life.

She had been expecting a lot of surprises when she had walked into the werewolf territory but this had not been one of them. Everyone new weres could only take their wolf form where they'd be in their beast form, on a blood moon.

During other normal full moons they could make use of their werewolf form where there'd be half beast, half man but this was a new phenomenon. Because unless her eyes were deceiving her, she was facing a werewolf and the moon was not even full yet. The werewolf before her had clearly turned without needing a full moon.

Something told her she had bit more than she could chew. After a full minute of inspecting them, the werewolf turned into his were (man) form and stood before them unabashedly and gloriously naked.