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My heart sputtered. Thomas was staring intently at me, as if he could divine some secret I’d yet to reveal to myself. I peered into his gold-flecked eyes. In them I saw my own emotions reflected back at me. No walls or games.
“You look like you should stop saying you’re going to kiss me, Prince Dracula.” He flinched as if my words had stung him. I drew his face back to me. “And just do it, Cresswell.”
Understanding flashed across his features, and he didn’t hesitate to bring his mouth to mine. We stumbled against the wall, the entire length of him encompassing me in his warmth. His hands slid up my frame, knotting themselves in my hair as he deepened our kiss. The corseted world fell away. Restrictions and rules were bindings of the past.
There were only the two of us left standing in a star-filled sky, oblivious to anything but the way our bodies fit together like constellations. He was my match in all ways. I tore my gloves off, allowing my fingers the freedom to trace the planes of his face without hindrance and he replied in kind. His skin was smooth beneath my touch. Thomas drew back, gently caressing my bottom lip with his thumb, his breath no more than a rasp. “Audrey Rose, I—”
I pulled his face to mine and gave his mouth something more interesting to do. Thomas didn’t seem to mind the interruption as we explored new ways of communicating.
Eventually, we dragged ourselves out from our secret spot behind the ferns and danced and laughed until both my feet and stomach ached. Tonight wasn’t meant for sadness and death, I realized. It was a time to recall how extraordinary it felt to be alive.
Dear Miss Wadsworth,
I’m sure it will come as no surprise, but I must inform you that you did not place in the academy this season. After much thought, I determined that the students who were most deserving during this course were Mr. Noah Hale and Mr. Erik Petrov. They exhibited exemplary behavior as well as forensic skill. Perhaps next time you’ll do as you’re instructed. Part of one’s education includes listening to those of higher rank and experience–something you failed at miserably on more than one occasion.
However, on behalf of the academy, I do offer my sincerest gratitude for your assistance. You might become proficient in forensics with more practice and polish, though that remains to be seen.
I do wish you well.
Sincerely,
Wadim Moldoveanu
Headmaster, Institutului National de
Criminalistica si Medicina Legala
Academy of Forensic Medicine and Science
CEL RAU-CRESSWELL RESIDENCE
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA
26 DECEMBER 1888
Prince Nicolae leaned against the settee in the receiving room, face gaunt but back to his normal olive complexion. I’d never been more pleased to see him.
“You’re much less corpselike,” Thomas said plainly. I couldn’t help but laugh. For all the growth I’d witnessed in him, there were still some edges that would never be smoothed out. He turned to me, a furrow in his brow. “What? Does he not appear better?”
“I’m glad you’re well, Prince Nicolae. It was…” Calling what he’d been through “awful” felt too mild for what he’d experienced. What we’d all experienced. I inhaled. “It will be quite a story to pass down to our children one day.”
“Multumesc. Just ‘Nicolae’ is fine.” A smile began but didn’t fully expand across his face. “I wanted to thank you both personally. And I wanted to apologize.”
He pulled a piece of parchment from the journal he’d been holding and offered it to me. It was the illustration of me—the one where I appeared as if I were the Countess Dracula. I flicked my gaze to his, ignoring the way Thomas snorted from over my shoulder.
“No one believed me,” he said simply, holding his palms out by way of explanation. “I’d tried warning my family, and then the current royal court, but they thought me mad. Nebun. Then… when Wilhelm died… they still didn’t listen. I decided to send threats. I’d hoped they’d take precautions. I assumed if our lineage was being targeted, it was only a matter of time before the king and queen were also threatened.” He pointed at the drawing of me. “I thought you were the one to blame. I drew that with the intention of passing it out to villagers. If the academy wouldn’t listen… Danesti or Moldoveanu… I thought maybe the villagers would dispose of anyone perceived to be a strigoi. I’m—I apologize.”
Thomas said nothing. I stood and took the prince’s gloved hands in my own. “Thank you for the truth. I’m glad we’re parting on better terms than when we first met.”
“I am, too.” Nicolae pushed to his feet, using an ornate cane, and limped to the door. “Ramâi cu bine. Stay well.”
A long plain box tied with twine was delivered to my room along with the receipt that afternoon. It was the best Christmas gift I’d ever purchased for myself. Without preamble, I ripped off the twine and opened the lid.
A pair of black breeches were folded along with a silky blouse. My attention fell upon the most precious part of the package: the leather belt strap with gold buckles. When we returned to London, I’d be quite the force to contend with. I hoped Father would be accepting, though perhaps I’d go a bit easy on him at first. I pushed those worries aside and found I couldn’t wait to try on the new clothes. I disrobed immediately.
Tugging the breeches up, I secured them around my waist, marveling at the way my silhouette appeared to have been dipped in the finest ink, then laid to dry in the sun. Gentle curves arced over my hips, then tapered into my legs. I pulled the blouse over my head next and secured it with a series of ties in the front before tucking it into my breeches.
The seamstress had crafted a silky shirt, yet it also had enough structure to keep my assets in place. It was perfectly done.
