Eternal Night

(II) Chapter 35: A Glimmer of Hope

It had been another sleepless day for Vladislaus, hours wasted tossing and turning alone in his bed, rest evading him. His mind had been saturated in nothing but Francesca, the smell of her in that elevator – roses and bergamot – having somehow seeped into his clothes and onto his skin. It tormented him. Just when he would get close to dozing, he'd get a whiff of her, which would then send him reaching across the mattress for her only to be met with cold, undisturbed sheets. And then his mind would start racing again.

He wasn't sure he could endure this separation much longer.

And given the way she had nearly succumbed to her demon in that elevator after little more than a touch from him, it was evident he wasn't the only one suffering from the withdraws.

She had felt so delicious, pressed against him and what he wouldn't have given to have that lift ride be just a little longer. What he wouldn't have done for just one kiss.

Although, he supposed, he was lucky he had been able to see so much of her at all this morning, and that Lyra hadn't ejected him sooner. He scowled at the thought of that infernal redhead. Carmen's meddling was at least in his favor. He only hoped Lyra would cool it with the protective best friend nonsense.

Having abandoned the idea of sleep, Vlad decided another visit to Bernardini's was in order, which was why he was now out and about in the day, walking the familiar path to the man's house. The afternoon was overcast – another tender mercy – and when he arrived on the Italian's doorstep, he soon realized that he hadn't been the only one to take advantage of the weather, nor the hour.

The moment he raised his hand to knock on the door, it opened, councilwoman Elina's face appearing from within the shadows.

She startled at the sight of him, eyes darting about quickly to make sure he was alone before she ducked behind the door, opening it a little wider so he could slip inside. When he was standing within the foyer, the exit sealed, she fell to her knees at his feet.

"Master," she breathed in supplication.

"Elina? What are you doing here?" he began, but before she could explain, Antón revealed himself.

"Vladislaus? This is an unexpected surprise," Bernardini called out.

"I couldn't sleep. What's going on? Why aren't you at the palace?" he asked, returning his attention to the woman still on her knees before him. Vlad offered his hand to her, encouraging her to rise and she obeyed with the kind of grace only an immortal being could possess. She squeezed his fingers.

"Did you give her my gift?" she asked instead, ignoring his previous question. Vladislaus only nodded, watching with increasing curiosity as relief softened her features, though a degree of anxiety remained hidden behind her eyes. "And will she use it?"

"She plans to formally declare war on Marcus as my queen consort before the week is out," he explained.

"Then you two have spoken?" Bernardini called out, joining them. "She's acknowledged who you are?"

"No," Dracula replied. "We haven't had the time, nor an opportunity. I was lucky to see as much of her as I did this morning, given how suspicious her brother has been."

"Why do you not reveal yourself?" Elina asked, struggling to understand. "Why do you insist on staying hidden?" and she motioned toward the concealment charm around his neck, hiding beneath his shirt.

He had forgotten he was even wearing it. He removed it immediately, slipping it into his pocket.

"Because I am of more use to my people as I am now than I would be as their king."