There is an adult chapter of this chapter in the other book but I strongly urge you NOT to read it. It is severely unedited, very cringey and confusing. Stick with this one, it is updated, more detailed and more palatable.

With the closure of her eyes, Erinna's senses finally coordinated, making her feel everything with twice the usual pleasure. A soft breeze brushed over her sensitive skin, caressing it with the care of a lover until it was slightly flushed. The sound of fresh water sloshing on rocks and falling from the waterfall in the creek soothed her.

Among the supreme pleasures of the moment her mind was telling her were unreal, were the various scents cast off by the fragrant flowers surrounding her.

Their sweet smell teased her nostrils; but amongst them was one stronger than the rest. It was the black rose, the same as Dracula had given her the other time. Its unique scent which managed to be fresh without being overpowering, hit her with a wave of nostalgia so strong that her heart ached.

Just like that, the dream lost its charm; everything before her wilted with the unpleasant call from reality. The sweet songs of the nocturnal birds became meaningless and she wanted nothing except to get out of the alternate reality. As she was struggling to wake herself up, there was a sudden shift in the air.

A darker, more potent power joined her. Unlike the birds around her, Erinna did not run scurrying for the hills but remained there, waiting in barely contained anticipation because this was the presence she'd been longing for. It was the absence from this very power that had been slowly sucking the juice from her bones and the energy from her muscles.

In a total reverse of events, Erinna felt herself awaken from the lethargic state her body had slipped into. Her body vibrated with joy and she knew she'd never feel more alive.

He was exactly as she remembered: tall, dark, imposing and oozing with masculine appeal. As always, he was in his signature black leather and those boots that seemed a part of him. They added to his raw sexuality. His hair was in slight disarray, the dark locks kissing his shoulders. Unable to suppress her grin, she turned around and flung herself into his arms.

A sense of homecoming and warmth filled her as he picked her up in his arms and enveloped her in a Vlad scented embrace. After having dreamed and hallucinated often times about him the whole day, Erinna was hardly surprised to find herself in another dream with him.

What was surprising was how real everything felt, from the relived sigh that escaped his lips, to the loud singing of her heart and the tingling of her Recognition Mark. Instinctively she knew it was no ordinary dream. As if sensing her thoughts, Vlad's arms tightened around her, assuring her of his presence and the realness of the moment.

Vlad did not hold her as long as she would have liked and Erinna found herself feeling bereft as he withdrew from her. Goosebumps of nervousness broke over her luminous skin as he stood still, watching her.

"Someone touched you," he finally said. His voice was frosty and only his heated eyes betrayed the violent volcano brewing within him.

Erinna looked aside, not wanting to encourage his ire. This was something she had hoped to avoid. She still felt dirty and violated from Cole's forced affections. If she gave Vlad even a hint of what had happened, he would go over the roof.

A cold finger came under her chin and tipped her head up until she was looking into dark smoldering eyes.

"Who?" He asked softy.

"It doesn't matter," Erinna shook her head.

Lightning cracked above them and Erinna jumped. She looked back at Vlad and saw his eyes flashing between red and black, a sign of his tenuous control on his emotions. Knowing Vlad would imagine the worst, Erinna decided to just explain everything.

"He uhm, kissed me. Not for long. I lost control and hurt him."

His jaw locked and he crossed his arms over his chest as if he feared what they might do.

"Is he dead?"

For some reason, the question irritated her. She knew he was justified in wanting retribution but he knew what it was like for her. She could not stand taking someone's life and it had nearly destroyed her the time she had lost control and accidentally killed Malachi and Nicholas on the night everything had gone to hell.

"No, of course not, Vlad. I can't just go around killing people."

Vlad either did not hear her mounting irritation or he chose to ignore it.

"And your father? He also let this man who tried to rape you live?"

His voice was still measured and quiet, reasonable even. But Erinna was not fooled. She could feel the force of his rage through the bond. Even he knew he was in the verge of losing control. His claws were digging through his palms and drawing blood, the way they always did when he was trying to ground himself using pain.

"It was not intentional, I didn't have my veil. You know what happens."

She could not exactly fault Cole for his impulses, maybe for acting on them but he certainly wasn't the first man to be rendered stupid by her face.

Vlad ran his hands through his locks and then kicked a rock which plopped into the water beside them. Wincing on behalf of his foot, Erinna took his hand and squeezed it softly, "Calm down."

She was unharmed and really just wanted to forget the whole experience altogether. After hearing about everything that had been done to Derek, she did not need another man suffering on her behalf. It was her own fault she had not worn a veil.

"I'm trying Erinna. Really, the fact that I'm not already there in Silvercrest digging his intestines out should show you that I'm trying."

He was and she adored him for it. He had come such a long way in controlling his reactions and impulses and she detested the wolves for setting him back like this.

"What else did he do? Where else did he touch you?"

"He didn't touch me, he just uhm tried to kiss me. I stopped him before he could do anything else."

She was glossing over a lot of details but really, what was the point of working him into a state over something that had already happened?

"Don't lie to me."

"I'm not."

"Erinna."

"I don't see how this is necessary."

She threw her hands up. She already felt discomfited enough without rehashing every detail and reliving her shame.

"I want to know. It's important to me."

"He touched my waist. Nowhere else."

There was another flash of lightning in the sky closely followed by deafening thunder. Whilst Vlad could not wield or manipulate lightning, his most powerful emotions could set off weather imbalances.

"I'm going to kill him," he growled, black eyes bleeding over.

"Zane said he will be getting punished. There's no need to get all murderous," she smiled, hoping the white lie would not be held against her.

"Do you think this is a joke?"

"Vlad," she reached for him but he darted away from her reach.

"He touched you Erinna! He put his damn hands on you!"

His temper sparked her own and Erinna found it hard to hold onto her earlier sympathy.

"Yes he did, but it has already happened and there's nothing I can do to take it back. You think I wished for his hands on me? That I flaunted myself before him?"

He blinked and his anger visibly deflated. The sky quieted down and his eyes regained their natural color. Shame coursed into them and he looked aside.

"I didn't mean it like that," he mumbled gruffly but Erinna was not to be placated.

"It sure sounded like you did. Is this always going to be us? It has been hours since I last saw you and the one chance we get to talk you want to fight with me?"

"I'm not trying to fight with you. It just makes me angry that I promised I'd protect you, that nothing like this would ever happen to you again."

Erinna sighed, her own anger leaving her. Of course he was blaming himself, after Derek he had given her his word that no one would ever hurt her again. Her sweet lover, when would he ever learn he could not control everything?

"It wasn't your fault."

"I was supposed to protect you, no one should ever lay their hands on you. That's why I'm angry Erinna, because right now I'm stuck in Transylvania when every fiber in my body, every damn cell wants me to come charging into Silvercrest and torture every damn dog forever looking at you."

And that was exactly what she feared. Vlad was too temper driven, too passion prone and after the vision she had had, she did not want him anywhere near Silvercrest. He would walk right into Zachary's trap.

"You can't, they're too powerful. I had a vision and you won't stand a chance."

How could she live with herself knowing that she had let him walk into a trap? Forget that, how would she live without him?

"I can't be killed," he rolled his eyes.

There was no arrogance, just certainty. But Erinna was no longer as convinced of his invincibility. Zachary had found a weak link and was going to use the loop hole to kill him.

"Maybe, but they can make it very painful for you. They can scatter your body all over the world and make it impossible for the organs to reassemble themselves?"

"So I get myself a new body. I'm not leaving you there Erinna."

The determination in his eyes told her he would be coming and not just to take her. Revenge would be exacted on those he felt had wronged him and the cycle of bloodshed would continue on and on until they all forgot what they had been fighting about in the first place. Only a mindless thirst for blood and retribution would be left.

A vision of the future played before her eyes and Erinna wet her lips at the devastation that would be left.

"I don't want to be the reason for a needless war, Vlad. My father went to take our people yesterday. People are answering Zachary's calls from all over, this is no ordinary battle, it is a revolution. Every race is gathering and they are all against you, some of their own choice and others not," she shook her head from the vision before she sank into it and lost her connection with Vlad, "But the truth remains, the world is not going to be the same after this. People are going to die, whole races wiped off the face of the earth. How can I have that on my conscience?"

"No, no, no. Don't do this again. This is on me Erinna, my mistakes, my conscience. Not you, me."

"Your conscience is my conscience, can't you see that? We are in this together. We can solve this without any loss of lives. Zane is willing to listen and if I can convince him and Cole, they can override their father's decision. But you can't keep killing people. It is giving everyone the impression that you somehow deserve to be punished in any way they see fit and that might not mean much now because I'm the only one with the power to kill you, but for how long Vlad? The world is not happy, they will get tired and come together to end your life."

"Is that what you saw in your vision?"

"I cannot tell you a vision of your own life, especially one so sensitive without making you bring it to pass. Right now it remains a possibility and I'd like it to remain that way."

Hopefully what she had seen of the werewolves hurting Vlad was not set in stone and would alter as time passed.

"I don't know what you're asking from me, Erinna."

"Time, give me time. I can work out a peaceful arrangement, no one needs to die."

"Angel, you said it yourself, it has already started. The wheels are in motion. There is no going back."

Stubborn, stubborn vampire!

Well, she was nothing if not flexible. Time to change tactics. Anything to keep him in Transylvania and away from Zachary's reach.

"So let's say you come, let's say by some miraculous chance you beat the werewolves who are by the way, ten times the size of your army and somehow manage to rescue me, then what? You think everything is going to be the same? We can't work out. You saw what the last month has been like. Everything goes wrong when we're together. "

"This is the part when you tell me wolf boy is what's best for you and ask me to respect your choice?" Vlad smirked, looking entirely too unaffected by her words.

"Yes that's the part. I am promised to him through my father."

He took a curl of her hair, rubbing it softly between his finger pads whilst his gaze burned into her.

"One strike, Countess. Tell your father that's all he had against me. He will not be getting any more chances."

"Don't blame him, he thought he was acting in my own good."

"Pass my words to him. He won't be getting another warning."

"Forget about father. I want your word you will not be coming here to kill anyone."

"Why do you want to make a liar out of me?" He asked.

"Even if you come, I will not be taking you back."

She lifted up her chin in challenge.

"If you want to break up with me angel, it's going to have to be in person. I'm coming to get you and the tail and skin of every dog in that place. I want to see who will stop me."

Agh, he was seeing right through her. Any other day and Vlad would have flown into a rage over the mention of an engagement with another man but he obviously saw through her attempts at manipulation. What would it take to anger him so much he would not even bother rescuing her and defending her owner?

"I already broke up with you in case you don't remember."

"Was that before or after you kissed me?"

She glared at him and it only made him look more amused. How could one vampire annoy her and intrigue her in the same measure?

"How is Miya?"

"I haven't gone to see her," Vlad admitted.

Erinna remembered her conversations with Miya, odd tidbits that were finally adding up to a full picture now that she looked at them with new eyes.

"Do you know why she calls you The Prince?" She asked.

"How the hell am I supposed to know?"

Obviously the subject was still a sore spot.

"I talked to Mara, she thinks something might have happened when I brought her back."

"Like some incestuous lust demon possessing her."

"I'm just trying to figure out what happened, you could keep the sarcasm to yourself."

"I don't care about Miya, so she kissed me. It's nothing that hasn't happened before."

"That does not make it right. Why are you being like this?"

"I wasn't aware I was being anything."

"You are being difficult and you know it! What is your problem?"

"I don't know, maybe I'm just frustrated because my mate is not here!"

"Well you're not the only one!"

He looked at her, then moved so fast she didn't have time to blink before he was smashing his lips on hers. It was hot, primal and fast. The desperation of raw desire made them both rough and aggressive. Erinna moaned, opening herself up for him, glorying in his arms and the sense of belonging that overwhelmed her when they came in contact.

His lips moved over hers, possessing, seeking and demanding more. The bond fired up as their spirits connected at a level only accessible to those blessed with a union such as theirs. Erinna's blood rushed through her veins, pumping at an alarming rate. She knew Vlad sensed it because he suddenly growled, pulling her closer to his body.

She received him, moving her arms up the defined muscle ridges of his belly and sliding them up his back. He was wonderfully, beautifully abd impossibly male. She felt it in her bones and in the tongue that was giving her pleasure such as she had never imagined. She could not even complain about his claws that had extended nd were digging into the skin at her waist.

He was close to losing control and so was she. Desperation clung to them both and she found herself getting frustrated at the layers of clothing between them. She managed to work her hands under his tunic and Vlad trembled as her hands made contact with his skin.

"My hands are too cold?" She asked.

"I'm this close to shredding your dress and ending that sweet innocence of yours."

Ecstasy, hot and thick rolled inside Erinna's belly and blood rose to the surface of her skin as she blushed. Need clawed at her from the depths of her soul and she knew whatever Vlad wanted, she was going to give him.

"What are you waiting for?" Her voice came out husky with desire.

Not one for second invitations, Vlad dived back for her and went for her neck but immediately drew back.

"What's wrong?"

"His scent, it's still on you."

She expected him to fly into another fit of rage but he merely held out his hand to her.

"Come here."

She took his proffered hand and allowed him to walk her into the water. She shivered at the low temperature which caused Vlad to do something to warm it up.

"I'm sorry for yelling and making you feel guilty about what that bastard did to you, it wasn't your fault. If anything, I'm angry at myself for not being there when you needed me."

Erinna,did not want to think about it. Her body was used to Vlad, having another man touching her had felt so wrong and filthy, especially because it had all happened against her will.

"These are your methods of apologizing these days? I have to say I'm disappointed Count Dracula," she smiled at him, remembering the time he had earned his penance with his hands, tongue and other talented body parts.

Vlad's lips tilted into a slow wicked smirk and she knew whatever was going to come out of his mouth would embarrass her to hell and back.

"Angel, if you want me to eat you all you have to do is ask."

Her face flushed at his candidness but mostly at her own unashamed reaction to it. When she had imagined a future prince for herself, she had never thought of someone like him but she could not have exchanged him. He was exactly what she had not known she needed and she cursed the hand fate had dealt them with.

What would it have been like if they were just normal people with no enmity between their people? She tried to imagine Vlad courting her but even her mind was not that creative. Although he could be charming when he wanted.

"I was actually referring to the delightful black roses you got me," she said primly but her laughing eyes did not fool him.

"Sure you were," he laughed, "Come on, let's get you cleaned up."

Vlad walked them deeper into the creek until they were waist deep in the water.

Vlad helped take off her dress until she was only left in her inner garments. His hands travelled smoothly over her skin as he rinsed her with the warm water.

The movements of his hands were fairly simple and they did not even have any soap but there was something cleansing about his actions. She indeed felt like he was washing away Cole's touch and scent away from her.

As he gently washed her, Erinna relaxed and leaned into him so that her back was pressed against his chest.

"Thank you," she murmured.

She shivered as he placed a kiss at the back of her neck. His hands travelled down her arms soothingly but then stopped.

"What happened here?" Vlad asked as he noticed the scratches on her arms.

Erinna drew back her arms shyly when he turned her to face him but he did not release her. A muscle was ticking in his jaw and Erinna could see that the anger she had redirected was still lurking underneath his skin. He was just waiting for a trigger.