My Victorian Valentine #dreamewritingacademy

Continuing Adventure never smelled so sweet.

Roman sat in a deep silence for a while before speaking. Judging by his facial features, he was choosing his words wisely. "Annabelle showed up on our doorstep 6 mornings ago. All we could tell was the bruises and her fainting spells might have been caused by the briken ribs- my step mother said we could not help tend her wounds. My mother decided it best for her to find an infirmary. Our farm is about 45 miles back towards Steinberg. Im not sure how she got this far on foot or where she was heading." Roman said with a coldness only Annabelle could feel. "Alright, she better not be a lover your hiding from me for her sake!" Duke spoke boldly to Roman. "Yes, Julian we will escort her to Saregontas. We will be leaving in about 45 minutes. Go collect her and when we're ready you can bring her to my carriage." Duke responded to Julian's question. Annabelle, heard the coldness in Romans voice and it sent reassuring cold chills threw her heart. In that moment she knew she had to build a wall between her and everyone in the outside world. 'I am very grateful for the ride out of this town. Not every love is meant to be. Its good im learning this now and not in a more serious scenario.' Annabelle thought coldy to herself. 'Knock, Knock' Julian walked in before she could say come in. "Duke and his friend agreed to take you as far as Saregontas. They will be leaving in about twenty minutes. Go through this back door thats where he and his carriage is. As for finding Dr.Gravemarks, I've written directions for you on the table napkin." Julian said handing Annabelle the directions. "Thank You Dr . Julian. " Annabelle replied. "Also, if he has any questions about your conditions tell him to contact me. I write the address in the instructions. Try to stay out of scuffles little lady you don't fair well. Hope you have a better evening. " On that note Julian made his exit towards home.

"Roman, you better have a really good reason why this girl is important!" Duke spatted. "I don't have a realy good reason, she's just special."Roman said coyly. "We will talk about this after we drop her off in Saregontas. " Duke said with warning peaking through his tone.

Annabelle decided now was a good time to go to the carriage- she didn't want anymore miscommunication to continue. Walking through the corridor to the back porch was just intimidating to Annabelle. The halls slightly lite with sun setting the corridor became darker and darker. Wiithin minutes, Annabelle couldn't see the door handle to get out on the back porch. 'Seriously, creeping me out. I can not even see the end of this hallway.' As Annabelle lifted her head going through the door way becoming instantly aware that she and Roman were now standing inches away from one another.

"Hello, Annabelle.... let me help you inside the carriage." Roman said to Annabelle guiding her I to the carriage. "Thank you Roman." Anna replied. "Did you mean what you said?" Annabelle asked in a whisper. "I..... I did mean what I said. We will meet again Annabelle and we will talk then. We need to go so we can breech Saregontas as quick as we can." Roman said. No sooner did she sit down Roman had shut the door and climbed up top with the Duke.

In one solid jolt the carriage began moving forward. The jolt was hard enough it sent Annabelle back into the carriage wall.

'I have come to an agreement self.... No matter what may happen in life I must move forward. Maybe he will meet me again, maybe he won't but I must move forward.' With that thought she laid herself down on the carpet carriage floor and fell asleep.

"Roman- let's not pretend this is crawling right into a disaster. Cassandra may be my daughter but you know why you have to marry her." Duke said to Roman almost like an adopted father. "You just dont understand how much I have to pay for a bet!" Roman spoke bitterly towards the Duke. "Just because, you never thought there was a woman out there who wanted you. Roman- you made a commitment not just to your debt with me but to the counsel in Steinberg and Saregontas. The Vaulkry, are not only Vampire but they are hybrid Vampires with the Lycan bloodline fused by mutation. Our counsel arranged this marriage and your debt so you have to marry Cassandra." Duke reminded him. "We are not the same royal blood Duke. I don't have to do anything they want." Roman said arguing. "You are to King in your culture, but in my culture you are just a gambling fool without a future." Duke spoke darts of hate into Romans soul. "The best thing I have ever gotten in 3 years was that girl who needed my family. Because of your filthy greed and lust I have to make her believe I felt nothing for her! That's none of your business.... Just know this is f*****g my whole life off!" Roman felt guilty and as he spoke the Duke could hear it. "Well when we drop her off you won't have to worry about that problem anymore." Duke spoke wickedly. "Don't hurt her Duke, I have to find my own way out of this and she will not be used in this." Roman said.

Before the Duke could recoil a response the carriage jerked sideways and the horses began running at a fast speed causing the carriage to almost overturn. Annabelle asleep on the floor jolted up and side ways was rudely awakened. "Whats going on!!!!!" Anna screamed from the darkest part of her soul. Roman heard her screams but, he was busy trying get the horses to slow down and the Duke was trying to get the carriage to straighten up. When nobody replied she went to the door to open it when she seen three men on each side of the carriage. Instinctively she locked the door and the window.

"Looky here Randal!" Scott shouted. "Well if it isn't Duke, the Earl's cousin!" Randal shouted back. "What do you want Scott!" Duke shouted. "Whats inside the carriage Duke!" Simone urged. "Nothing worth value!" Roman screamed. The three men in the back didn't speak, they just observed. Suddenly, the three men in the back dropped back and the three men shouting back and forth with the Duke drew back as well. Annabelle shook and knowing if they wanted inside they woukd get inside the carriage. 'Great, just peachy now im nothing of value and I have to stay silent. The floor was obviously a good choice.' Had she not been on the floor the bandits woukd have seen her.

"How far are we fro. Saregontas?" Duke asked. "At least another 45 minutes." Roman replied. Looking around the carriage and climbing on top of the roof. "Looks like they turned down the last dirt road." Roman shouted. "Alright, Roman go check on our guest. Hurry back!" Duke demanding Roman.

Without a response Romans inner desire shot his body through the wind in one motion towards the carriage door. Unable to open the door he realized it was locked from inside. 'Knock Knock!' "Open the door its me Roman." Hearing the three locks click, Roman opened the door and stepped inside. "Are you alright Anna?" Roman stood 6ft tall now in the center of the carriage. "I'm alright Roman, what happend?" Annabelle sat up straight. "Bandits, surprising there were only 3 this time." "There were six Bandits Roman....." cutting off Annabelle. "How do you know there were six?" "I seen three on the left and three on the right. Three were back here and the others were up there with you and Duke." Anna pointed towards the windows of the carriage. "Where were you? They didn't see you."Roman asked. "I was sleeping on the floor until the carriage almost flipped over." Annabelle said, still shaken. Annabelle didn't see it coming, Roman in two steps picked her up into his arms. "I'm sorry you had to go through that alone in here." Roman spoke soft and low. "What are you doing Roman?" Annabelle didn't budge but she didn't make him stop holding her either. "I didn't lie to you, there's something about you that just sparked me to life Annabelle. Right now I have to be mean towards you and I have to make it seem like I don't have feelings for you. Just know, that I do- very much I feel for you." Roman said as he hugged her tight and quickly released her moving away from her. "I'm so confused Roman, its ok to not have feelings for me we barely know one another. I just dont understand why its causing problems for you." Annabelle said as she moved herself back to the floor. Annabelle held no hope for what she felt towards Roman she just couldn't help herself. "I have to get back to the Duke lock the door and the windows try to go back to sleep." Roman said as he opened the door and jumped back on the carriage drivers seat.