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“How did you learn to speak so eloquently?” I asked.
“I have a drunkard philosopher who visits me once in a while after all the other taverns refused to pour him a cup of wine. I get my payment another way, if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her brows. “He’s lucky he’s a great lover. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have listened to this drivel. Though, surprisingly, I remembered an idea or two.”
We thanked the Wine Pitcher Lady and prepared to leave when she asked, “Where and when will the ritual take place?”
“I’m not sure you know where it is situated,” said Gabriel. “It’s in the Forest of Celestial Rites, at Muma Padurii’s meadow in a week from now. I don’t believe you understand any of it.”
“I understand enough, young man. If I find out something or someone to aid you, I’ll send them your way,” the lady said.
The following day, we visited Ielele. To my dismay, I had to dance the entire night to get our answer. Again. After my legs completely became numb and I had to drag myself to Gabriel, Ielele welcomed us as well. Lia blossomed with her new family and became Ila’s right hand. But to our disappointment, they confirm Tiberiu’s words. Nothing could be done with the sacrifice. But what could be done was a celebratory ritual where Lord Stoica’s demise would feel blissful and glorified throughout the entire Realm.
Though a hard pill to swallow, Gabriel agreed with the idea.
After our journey, we returned home utterly exhausted. But for Gabriel, it didn’t matter. He wanted to make sure we had an heir before his transformation.
“I know you can barely walk and are in great discomfort, but I fear we might never get another child. So may I ravish you tonight, my love?”
“If you’re willing to do everything, I don’t mind,” I said, smiling.
The man had decided to bring baby-making to another level. He began kissing and caressing me, but I looked more like a corpse. He looked at me once more and said, “No, this won’t work. As much as I wish to hold our baby in my arms, if the fates decided to play with our lives, then they should also decide if we’re going to have a baby. He gave a chaste kiss on my forehead, brought the hem of the dress to its intended length, and covered me with a quilt.
“I’m certain we’ll have another baby. But nothing wonderful in this world is rushed. Let time take its place. I love you, Gabriel.”
“I love you too, Milady.”
∞∞∞
After several days, we went to visit Anca. Her house differed from its previous, dilapidated state. One could conclude Anca’s family thrived. When Anca saw us, she dropped her buckets of water and rushed to hug me.
“I thought I’ll never see you again,” she said.
“Trust me. I thought the same thing. But I cannot express my happiness that I am here today.”
“Come inside. You have to tell me everything.”
We met Anca’s father inside the house, who looked much better. Later Anca told us that with half the money Gabriel granted her family, her father was able to take time to recuperate and regain some of his strength. The other half they used to repair their house. While talking, Anca’s siblings entered the room. They remained just as energetic and sweet. This time, each of them helped Anca with house tasks. We both witnessed how happy Anca became after returning home.
After a short meal, we told Anca our entire story. Sometimes, she laughed, and sometimes, she cried. But when we explained about Gabriel’s fate being sealed, she said, “Mama Nica told me Gabriel was meant for grand things, but he won’t succeed without someone fated to balance him. Maybe she meant you, Milady? From Muma Padurii’s words, I understood that one is meant to become the strongest in The Other Realm, and the other is to become the keeper of all time. But in order for it to work in time, these two beings might need to work together.”
Gabriel and I looked at one another, surprised we didn’t figure it out before. The only way to succeed in controlling our powers was to balance them out between us. I guess the fates really did a number on us.
“When are you planning the ritual?” asked Anca.
“In a few days,” I said.
“How wonderful. I wish to join you.”
“Everyone said the same.” I chuckled.
“Then it’s settled. Are there going to be anystrigoi? After my last encounter, I fear them greatly,” Anca said.
“I’m not sure why they would need to be there. Without Vedoma, they lack a leader, so I cannot imagine them being as united as before. And once Gabriel becomes a vampire, he’ll, most likely, have to rule over them as well.”
After we bid farewell to Anca and her family, we went home for one sole mission: intense love-making. By the time the day of the transformation arrived, I was ready to sprint to Muma Padurii’s hut. Gabriel managed to bring me to dozens of climaxes in one go, and I felt like a cooked noodle. He might’ve considered the fates’ powers for a while but then reverted to his usually conquering style of tackling an issue. He wasn’t yet a vampire, but Gabriel’s determination could already be compared to his supernatural counterpart.
It was decided to organize this ritual in Mother of the Forest’s meadow. Though I doubted we would feel comfortable with all the dead animals lying around. To our astonishment, the previous derelict scene transformed once again into an oasis of color.
The grass sparkled, the animals roamed around, and the house looked like the picture of a great rental. Muma Padurii already waited for us on the porch.
