Erinna woke up to Vlad gasping beside her, his hands clutching his throat and his body writhing and twisting on the bed like he was being attacked by an unseen force.

The moment her eyes opened and she was fully conscious, his arched body dropped back down to the bed and his agony seemed to cease. The dark vacuum in the ceiling that had been trying to suck him in also closed, their ceiling going back to its normal appearance.

Afraid of what was happening, Erinna looked around their bedroom for the source of his pain and that vortex but there was no one else with them. Her own body was burning up but she could hardly think of her own discomfit when Vlad looked like he had wrestled a demon and had not come out a winner out of that fight.

“Vlad,” she called, panicking. She kneeled next to him, her hand going to his face.

His body was having convulsions, like he was discharging and recovering after being hit by a lightning bolt. Erinna closed her eyes and send some soothing energy into him, only then did his body stop seizing.

“Vlad?” She called him fearfully. Whilst he no longer seemed to be in any pain, his eyes were yet to open.

His hand came up and touched the one on her face, holding it there. “I’m alright.”

His eyes finally opened and they were a vibrant red.

“Did someone attack you?”

“No, just a bad dream, angel.”

Vlad did not lie. Ever. So catching him when he was not being truthful was not difficult.

“You’re lying. Why are you lying to me?”

Then realization slammed into her like a million bricks. A sick feeling began in her stomach, curdling what little food she had ate that day.

“Did I do this?” She asked with dread.

Vlad put his arm around her neck, pulling her down for a kiss but Erinna could not bring herself to participate in it. Not with this looming over her. Not to mention Vlad’s reluctance to answer was not lending her any confidence.

“You were sleeping; it’s nothing to worry about.”

Erinna sat back on her hunches, her hands falling from Vlad’s face. How could she have done that to him without being aware of it?

“It’s the curse, isn’t it?” She asked quietly, guilt boiling inside her. What if she hadn’t woken up?

“You lost control whilst you were asleep, that’s hardly unheard of,” Vlad said, not even seeming concerned.

He talked as if it was an everyday occurrence. She knew that he did it to comfort her but his cavalier attitude grated on her nerves. How could he be that blasé when she had almost killed him?

“Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Surely then things would not have gone that far? And what had been that black vacuum that had tried to suck Vlad in? How could she have manifested it when she didn’t even know what it was?

Cold fear stole through Erinna and she sat on her hands to hide how hard they were trembling. The power inside her was still racing in her veins and it was much more than she had ever felt on a single occasion.

“Force-field. Couldn’t touch you.” He said with a cough, his throat sounding raw. Probably from you choking him.

Shame filled Erinna.

“I’m sorry, Vlad. I’m so sorry. I don’t know how I…” She shook her head, unable to finish. The apology seemed cheap in light of the crime.

Vlad sat up and pulled her onto his arms. “It wasn’t your fault, do you hear me?”

She did but hearing and believing were two different things.

Vlad eventually coaxed her into lying back down beside him but try as she could, she could not go back to sleep. It was still midday and they had plenty of time until sunset but Erinna was afraid to close her eyes.

The image of waking up to just finding Vlad was too imprinted on her mind for her to find any peace. At least if there was a body, she would know what she had done but if that vortex thing ever sucked Vlad in like it had been trying to, there would be no trace left. She wouldn’t even know what happened to him.

“Put it out of your mind, angel.” Vlad said, kissing her temple.

His body was molded against her from behind and his hand splayed on her belly. On a normal day, having him this close would have brought her comfort but all she could think of was that he needed to get away from her before she hurt him again.

Usually her powers were unlocked by anger but rage was the last thing on her mind when they had gone to sleep. And honestly, with Diana having drained the powers she had given her, Erinna’s control had been on an upward trajectory. She didn’t see or hear Diana in her head, the witch was truly gone. Why would she attack Vlad randomly?

“I can’t put it out of my mind, Vlad. I tried to kill you in my sleep. What if I had never woken up? What if I had hurt you?”

More than she already had anyway.

“You didn’t, that’s what matters. Your control is getting better.”

This was what he called control?

“We have to sleep in separate beds.” Erinna said resolutely. This was the best option, the only one really. Surely whatever was in her blood that called for Vlad’s life, would not be vengeful enough to hurt him when they were sleeping in opposite sides of the castle?

“What? No.”

“I can’t hurt you again.”

“It was a one time thing, angel. The night was eventful for you and your powers were still close to the surface. It’s my fault for letting you sleep like that. The power that your body released to fight Lierian was never used, it needed an outlet.”

Said like that, it did make sense. Whenever energy built up inside her, Vlad usually helped her send it out into the ether by creating some fireworks or working it out of her physically. But still…

“I’m scared, Vlad.”

Why wasn’t he?

“Don’t be. Diana can’t control you anymore, remember? She has no hold on you.”

But Armando had said the curse was still intact. Was that even true given the dubious side of the man’s character she had been exposed to last night? Would the curse still be able to make her kill Vlad even without Diana controlling her anymore through her coven’s powers? Only time could tell.

🕧🕐🕜🕑🕝🕒🕞

When sunset came, the last thing that Erinna wanted was to get up but it would have been rude to her new guest. She asked Lloyd to invite Lierian for breakfast, and then took a bath.

Her eyes lingered on Vlad as she dressed; it was unlike him to not hear her wake up. It confirmed her suspicion that she had hurt him more than he let on the previous night.

Before she let the room, Erinna sat on the bed and kissed his cheek. She pushed more soothing and healing energy his way before she teleported to the kitchen.

By the time Lierian showed up, Erinna and Terrence were already seated, discussing extra physical protection for the Rehabilitation Villages. Terrence was even kind enough to help her search for the ginger cookies that Leila had hidden from her.

“Good morning Lierian, I hope you slept well,” she smiled softly to put the other elf at ease. Her own nerves still felt raw after her sleepless day, but there was no need to make everyone else miserable.

Lierian just shrugged and sat down.

They discussed trivial things over breakfast but since neither Terrence nor Lierian were big talkers, it was just Erinna trying to engage them both in conversation and them responding with grunts and shrugs. It was almost a relief when they finished eating.

“Thank you for breakfast, Countess. I enjoyed it.” Terrence bowed and left.

Since he technically didn’t need food to survive, Erinna’s heart was warmed by his regular company during meals when he was not busy. Even the other vampires were getting used to his presence. It would be a stretch to say that they were warming up to him, but they were no longer openly glaring at him.

“He’s a killer. Why are you friends with him?” Lierian asked.

“Can you read minds?”

“Wouldn’t you want to know?” Lierian sneered, her face looking more grotesque than ever before.

Erinna was taken aback by her unconcealed hostility.

“Do we have a problem?”

“Why don’t you tell me? You’re the one just sitting around having breakfast with vampires like it’s nothing. Are you sure they didn’t alter your mind or something? I heard there are others who can do that. How are you even sure you’re here of your own free will?”

Erinna sighed.

“Come here,” she called softly.

Lierian hesitated but stepped forward.

Erinna took her hands and placed them on her temples, creating a physical connection that would let her transfer memories in a way that was less painful than just blasting them Lierian’s way.

She passed what she could through the link, sharing the memories she had with Vlad without betraying his secrets. She let Lierian not only see but feel the love they shared, the devotion, the adoration, the admiration and mutual respect.

“You know of everything he’s done,” the girl gasped, moving away from Erinna’s touch.

Her eyes looked a bit dazed.

“I do,” Erinna confirmed.

“And you still love him.”

It was not a question this time but Erinna answered anyway.

“Yes.”

Lierian looked down at her hands, then away through the window into Leila’s garden outside.

“I’ve never done anything bad but if people knew of my existence, they would kill me.”

The dejected look on Lierian’s face broke Erinna’s heart. She had done a lot of bad things but people always assumed she was good. She could not imagine what it was like for Lierian, doing everything right but still getting condemned for what people assumed was her nature.

“Not me,” she told her.

If she could offer the girl nothing, at least she could let her know her door was always open for her.

“Because you’re a Pure Being?”

“Maybe. Does it matter? You couldn’t have controlled who you were born as the same way Vlad couldn’t have controlled his circumstances. I’m not going to hold your birth against you.”

“He’s lucky to have you.”

“Tell him that when he’s refusing to get me cookies,” she smiled to lighten the mood.

“Huh?” Lierian frowned.

“I think I’m carrying a cookie monster. I can’t seem to get enough of them,” she said, looking down at her growing belly.

“With the father, I’ll agree on monster. I just don’t know if it is a cookie one.”

Had Lierian just made a joke? Maybe there was hope after all.

“Are monsters that handsome where you come from?”

“The only man I know is your father. I’m sure you don’t want to hear what I think of his un-monsterly features.”

Erinna fake gagged, she really was not interested in hearing that.

But she was also curious about his relationship with Lierian. Did she dare open that can of worms?

“Besides, Chase is much more handsome,” said Lierian.

“I believe you’re biased,” Erinna smiled.

Lierian sighed.

“He’s just so dreamy, isn’t he? Even when sleeping.”

Uhm what?

“How do you know what Chase looks like when he’s sleeping, Lierian?”

“I visited him of course,” she said like it was completely normal.

“You mean you broke into Alexander’s

chambers?”

“I simply teleported there.”

Right. Inviting Lierian into the castle meant she was now part of the household and could teleport freely without getting caught up in magical barriers. Erinna had not foreseen her invitation being used that way.

“Most people would find being watched whilst they slept uncomfortable.”

“But I did not harm him. I only looked. Was that wrong?”

There was a childlike innocence in her eyes that Erinna did not want to destroy.

“Just try not to do it again. It might upset him.”

“But how else can I see him? My face frightens him.”

Oh, the poor darling.

“The bond between you and Chase goes beyond physical attributes and you are not ugly,” Erinna said and realized how much she meant it.

Although Lierian was unlike anyone she had ever met, the girl could not be described as ugly. Haunting and frightening perhaps but there was something about her distorted face that was fiercely beautiful and captivating.

“You’re just saying that,” she snorted.

“You aren’t,” insisted Erinna. “Just a bit different but attractive all the same. Chase will see it too soon.”

As if hearing his name, Chase came into the kitchen but froze the moment he saw Lierian.

“Chase,” Lierian smiled, leaping off her chair.

He just did a U-turn and left without saying a word.

“What did I do?” Lierian asked Erinna with a frown.

“It’s not you. He’s still processing,” Erinna said.

She thought he was acting rather rudely but she could hardly point any fingers. It was not like she had been exactly enamored when she had found out she was mated to Vlad.

Lierian sat down with such a sad look on her face. It was like looking at a kicked puppy.

“So how was your first day in Transylvania?” She asked in a cheerful voice, hoping to distract Lierian.

“Fine. It’s hard to sleep when the sun is up but mama said that’s what everyone here does,” she answered, her voice still sounding dead.

“Yes, it helps to keep us all on the same schedule. I’m sorry about Xander again. I didn’t know he would attack you.”

She shuddered to think about what would have happened if her familiar had actually managed to bite Lierian. It would be another life on Erinna’s hands and she had too many of those already.

“It’s fine.”

“Is there anything else I need to know about you? I don’t know much about Corrupted Beings, I’m afraid. I didn’t even know I was a Pure Being before I came here. My father never wanted me to be aware of that part of me.”

She understood his reasons but she wondered how things would have turned out if she had known from the start. Would she have been able to resist killing Vlad if she had been groomed for it from birth? Which part of her would have won? The one that wanted to redeem everyone or the one that wanted to destroy?

“Why? Pure Beings are an asset to the kingdom,” Lierian said.

“Yes but Pure Being powers are not the only ones I was born with. You have heard of the prophecy that says I’m to kill Vlad, right?”

“No,” Lierian shook her head, a bit of confusion on her face. “King Eric said that it was my job, to save you from him.”

She had already suspected that her father had raised Lierian as an expendable substitute for the task that Erinna had been destined for but to hear it confirmed…

What kind of a man would take advantage of a defenseless child and see her life as so dispensable?

“I guess he would say that. But I was the one who was meant to do it. The prophecy came about as a result of a curse that a witch called Diana, initiated. When Vlad killed her mate, she sent out her pain and anguish to the universe, asking for Vlad to suffer in the same way she had.”

“By being separated from his mate,” Lierian concluded.

“Yes.”

“But you won’t kill him.”

“No, I don’t want to but Vlad said I won’t have much control over it when the time comes.”

She had not agreed at first but the afternoon incident had hit too close to the bone.

Vlad had told her that the attack had bee because of the magic build-up inside her but if that was the case, why couldn’t she just have combusted the things around her. Why come up with such an intricate plan for ending him? That vortex had not made itself.

Ever since Diana had found peace, Erinna had managed to relax somewhat. The threat to Vlad’s life had not seemed imminent when the witch no longer had any hold over her. She had slept well knowing that without the powers of Diana’s coven inside her, the witch had no real hold on her. Even the headaches and voices had ceased to torment her.

The change from that peace of mind was jarring.

“What do you think?” Lierian asked.

The earnest way she was looking at her then made Erinna feel the age difference between them. All along, she had felt like Lierian was younger even though she was technically older.

“I want to believe I would be able to resist but it’s not a test I want to go through in the first place.”

She had almost failed it that day.

Lierian bit the corner of her bottom lip for a moment then expelled a deep breath.

“Well, it looks like there is one solution then, you need to break the curse.”

It was the most positive reaction that Erinna had ever received from anyone concerning Vlad’s curse. Lierian did not try to say it could not be undone or tell Erinna that she was wasting time. Perhaps she could find an ally in someone nature had created as her polar opposite.

“Any pointers?”

“It started with a witch, it has to end with a witch.” Lierian shrugged.

“We only have sorcerers in Transylvania.” Erinna said with a wince.

Miya, the one witch who would have helped with no hesitation was gone.

“A sorcerer won’t do. Their way of practice is completely different from that of witches.”

Erinna nodded. She didn’t care if she would have to travel to the ends of the earth to get a witch but she would do it if necessary.

The discussion of sorcerers led to the discussion of the barriers and Lierian just said ‘okay’. Erinna had expected more resistance.

“Barriers are not that hard. But you will need to let me know who’s allowed past the barrier and who’s not. Unless you want a repeat of what happened at the Elven border,” she smirked.

Erinna frowned at the tasteless joke. She still had nightmares about the way Alexander had found Vlad after he had been blasted by Lierian’s handiwork.

“Too soon? You need to learn how to laugh. He didn’t even die.”

“You could show some respect. He didn’t have to let you stay here, you know.”

“I know. No border jokes, I’m sorry.”

🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭

The next day, Lierian, Angelica and Edward left with Vlad to go and put up a new security system to replace Armando’s dying one. Erinna had to resist telling Lierian that if Vlad came back with one scratch, they would be having more than words.

She kissed Vlad goodbye then teleported to Alexander’s room the moment they left, excitement making her heart race. She felt guilty, sneaking around but there would be no better opportunity than this.

“Alexander,” Erinna whispered in his ear.

“Go away,” he muttered sleepily, rolling over on his bed to face away from her.

“Alexander, wake up.”

“No.”

“We need to talk.”

She shook him but he stubbornly refused to wake up.

“I’ll give you my ginger cookies for today,” she tried to bribe him.

He snorted, probably knowing it was a lie. Erinna and her ginger cookies would not be parted.

“I’ll give you the leftover cocoa sweets from the wedding presents,” she tried again.

“Your bribing skills suck. What do you want?” He asked, finally turning over and looking at her.

His brown eyes were heavy with sleep and his hair was rumbled all over the place. He looked adorable.

“I need a witch.”

“A what?” He shook his head as if he had misheard or was still dreaming.

“A witch.”

“Get Armando then.”

Even if Lierian had not said he was suitable, Armando would never have been Erinna’s first choice. She distinctly remembered her conversation with him about Vlad’s curse. The man had been even more pessimistic than Vlad himself. He had not even tried to look for other ways or entertain the possibility that there might be a way out.