A Vampires kiss

Chapter four

"Vampire?" Katherine spoke slowly, Ancelin walked away to look through the wardrobe. "Vampires aren't real, Ancelin." Katherine yawned as she sat back down.

"My lady, if I'm being frank." Ancelin pulled out a simple dress. It made Katherine pause, how pretty she thought. It was a light silky green corset with a sweetheart neckline with embroidered flowers along the bodice, the skirt was white with vines embroidered along with the hem, along with sheer puff sleeves. It was the kind of dress that Katherine would have worn if her mother didn't get Katherine kicked out of pageant competition freshman year in high school. "You're here in the Dark Realm, and weren't you attacked by exiled vampires?" Katherine swallowed hard and touched the bandage on her neck.

"But-" Katherine closed eyes. Shuddering at the memory. "Vampires are things from movies and stories." Ancelin guided Katherine to a wooden tub behind a screen. "When did this get here?" She spoke slowly.

"I helped set it up for you, so did a few of the other maids," Ancelin moved her hand in the water. "We did it while you were still. Still warm, my lady. Here, let me help you."

"N-no!" Katherine clenched her night gown, if she was to do anything, the least she could do was undress herself. Ancelin took a step back, looking like she was about to cry. Katherine felt terrible, she didn't mean to snap at the maid. After all, Ancelin was the closest that she had to a friend here in this strange world. She didn't want to ruin that. "I mean, thank you for all your help. But, I'm used to doing these things by myself. So, I can undress myself. Thank you." Katherine smiled, if her mother could see her now, she would never let it down. Ancelin smiled, at least she wouldn't fight Katherine on this one thing. Whatever privacy Katherine was hoping for went out the window, as Katherine undressed Ancelin stood there waiting to be used.

Ancelin was an amazing guide, Katherine walked beside her down the dark corridor. Every so often a strange man would walk by them carrying swords. Finally, they made their way to the garden. "This is the rose garden," Ancelin smiled. "The last duchess had it made," Ancelin smiled.

"This is amazing." Katherine looked up at the sky in awe, the moon was large and hung close to the ground. I can almost touch it, she smiled as she took Ancelin's cold hand as they walked along the roses. "Allison would love this place." She thought aloud.

"My lady," Ancelin looked at Katherine, a sad expression crossed her face again. Probably felt pity for Katherine, after all everything she knew was gone. Her friends, her family, her perfect life. Deep breath, Rose. Katherine sucked in a shaky breath.

"Anyways," she forced a smile. She would save the crying for later, when she was alone. "Thank you for taking me out here." She let Ancelins hand go as she turned to face the other girl, Ancelin returned the smile.

"My dove," Ancelins face fell as she threw herself into a low bow.

"M-master!" She stammered, confused. Katherine looked behind her. There she saw him again, wow he's so handsome. She thought. Today he wore a dark suit, even his jacket was buttoned up. His white cravat had a large dark red stone in the center. His long white hair was tied up with a black ribbon and in his hand was a decorative cane. Behind him was an older looking man with a white beard, he looked exhausted as he followed the tall man. He wore an outfit that reminded her of a butler, which made sense since Ancelin was a maid. Everyone is dressed like the Victorian era, she thought. Dad would love this, that was his favorite era in history.

"Lord Caius, perhaps we should return." The older man looked at his pocket watch. Caius, Katherine thought, that's the man's name. She looked down at her feet that were hidden beneath her large skirt.

"You look lovely," Caius ignored the man as he tucked a loose strand of hair behind Katherine's ear. Ancelin had curled and twisted Katherine's hair up while she ate her bland breakfast. A few strands must have slipped from its binding as they wandered the halls. Her face started to burn bright red.

"T-thank you." She whispered, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up at him through her eye lashes, he gave her a soft smile.

"Marian," his voice grew cold. "You and the maid may leave." Ancelin whimpered behind Katherine.

"But, my lord, what about the meeting with Count Costache?" Caius glared down at the old man. "Yes, my lord." He swallowed before taking Ancelin by the arm and both walking away from the two. And there, Ancelin was gone and Katherine stood alone with the man who saved her several nights ago.

"Now then, my pet." He smiled, taking her hand and placing it in the crook of his arm. "Shall we continue?" She nodded as they walked close together down the cobble path. "Are you feeling better today?" He asked her.

"Um, yeah." Her heart was pounding in her ears. She was so nervous, which was unusual. This wasn't the first time she was alone with boys before, in fact she used to sneak out her bedroom window to be alone with a few boys. Boys that her mom didn't like, for example, Kevin Jones. Her high school bad boy. While everyone drove to school in cars, Kevin rode a motorcycle. And he didn't even wear a helmet, and Katherine's mother, well, hating him was a complete understatement. "Um."

"Caius, you can call me by my name." His voice was soft as he guided her through the garden. She couldn't tell what smelt better, Caius's scent of cinnamon and wood smoke or the rose garden.

"Caius," she stopped walking. He stopped and looked down at her. "I'm not keeping you from something important, am I?"

"Of course not," he lifted her chin up to look him in the eyes. "Nothing is more important to me than you." He leaned forward and placed a kiss on top of her forehead. Her heart skipped a beat as they continued their walk.