The Voyage of Galilea

Was it real?

I asked myself.

I lay in bed as morning greeted me. I was so used to hearing the sounds of the streets outside my window. Cars. Sirens. Street vendors. Street walkers returning home.

My room was still. Silent. No sound outside my window. The world was still. Cold. Still.

I touched my body, my sheets, humid with sweat. The elixir that drugged still lingered in the air, softly, as a reminder of what once was.

Was he here?

What did they do to me?

Unfortunately, I had not much time for thinking. A servant appeared in my room with a bath robe. I covered my body with my sheets and I followed her down the hallway outside my bedroom.

We stopped at the sight of a slightly opened door to my left. A dim light emerged from the inside. I walked in.

I found myself in a Victorian bathroom, with a heavy and large bathtub filled with water. Hot water. Another servant poured some fragrant oils into the water. Sandalwood. Ancient. Strong. The servant took my sheet off my body and helped me into the bathtub. The touch of the warm body was so welcoming and so delicious. I sighed. Both servants left me on my own. I grabbed a piece of cloth and rubbed my skin gently. There were a few oil lamps still burning. The only source of light.

I sank a little deeper into the water.

-“Greetings…”

I was completely in shock. The Count himself stood in front of me. Instinctively I put my arms around my shoulders to cover my body…However, as I looked at him with a delightful smirk on his face, my hands went to the side of the tub, exposing my breasts. I raised my legs up, pretending to be washing them. The Count didn’t speak. He just watched.

-“Greetings, Count…May I ask how come you are awake and about in daylight?

He smiled.

-“Perhaps it is you who still dreams, my darling…In Castle Dragulia, nothing is what it seems…”

-So I’ve noticed.

He paced around the tub, looking at me.

-“You like what you see?”

-“Quite.”

He took a seat in a small stool and leaned towards me. He was close enough to me to touch his face. Instead, I gently stroke one of his long bangs with my fingers. He smiled tenderly at me. His smile made my skin crawl. Damn his beauty. His eyes were consuming.

-“Did you and Aleera come into my room last night?”

-“Perhaps…perhaps not….”

-“Don’t play games with me, Count…”

He chuckled.

-“If you think we did, we did. If you think we didn’t. We didn’t. What do you want to believe, Galilea?

I didn’t answer.

Clearing his throat, the Count said

-“I have ordered they bring you some breakfast. It will be served promptly….”

-“Thank you kindly. I appreciate that.”

He was about to stand up and leave and I grabbed his hand. He took his place on the stool. This time I touched his face and I made him lean closer

His lips were beautiful. I wanted them so. I made sure my thoughts were loud and clear about it. I so wanted him to know.

My fingernails traced the contour of his mouth. He bit my fingers playfully. Our eyes were locked.

-“Kiss me, Count….”

He whispered

-“I can’t….”

-“Why?”

-“You are not ready….”

-“Ready for what?”

-“You are not ready, my dear…That’s that…”

He kissed my forehead and stood up. He closed the door behind him.

I had a whirlwind of emotions.

I was angry. I was sad. I was confused. Had not he kissed me the night before? What was that I had to get ready for? I was scared. What was his plan? Then I remembered that I was at the fortress by my own free will. I could leave. I wanted not. But I could. Yet, I washed off my fears and decided to take control of the situation. I wiped off a silly tear of my cheek and smiled to myself. I sank in the water for a bit longer.

When I was finished, I tried to stand up. The servant re-appeared on time. She helped me out. She helped me with my robe and walked me back to my room. Without speaking, she pulled a chair and invited me to seat down. She had brought some hot tea, and as I sipped it, she carefully combed my hair. When finished, she poured some cream into my scalp and carefully massaged it. Subtle strokes. Soft caresses. She didn’t smile. She just continued her job. I thanked her. She said nothing. She bowed and disappeared.

I found a new robe on my bed. Light blue. It had the imperial cut. My cleavage again was obvious. This robe was made of silk. It fitted me perfectly. I let my hair down to dry with the air. Outside my room, another servant awaited. Yet, half way to the corridor, the Count joined me. The servant vanished.

He walked by my side. No words were spoken. His hands were on his back. I looked up at his profile. Perfect features. Absolutely perfect. He didn’t look at me. It was almost as if he was punishing me.

We entered the corridor with the torches. I saw then, a young servant. She was very petite. A child servant. She carried a buckle with water. She walked small steps towards the torches. As she got closer, she was very, very frightened by the sight of the charred bodies and the skeletons.

I looked at the Count walking right by her. He ignored her. I didn’t. I stopped. I walked straight to the girl. She had her eyes wide open. A pretty, little girl. Her face covered with ashes. I took the buckle of her hand. I touched her, but she stepped away.

-“Don’t be afraid…I won’t hurt you…I won’t hurt you…”

She looked at me, frightened. She did not say a word.

-“You don’t have to do this, little one…Do you have a family? Father, mother…a family?

Again, she didn’t respond. She probably didn’t speak English.

-“Galilea, leave the girl alone…She has to do her chores…”

-“With all due respect, Count…This girl cannot do this job. She is horribly frightened….”

Aleera, then, appeared in the room. She stood next to her master and said nothing.

I touched the little girl again. This time, she welcomed my touch.

-“The girl is a servant of mine, Galilea….”

His voice was harsh. His tone, demanding.

-“Let her go, Count…”

I said defiantly.

Aleera looked at incredulously.

-“Do not challenge me, Galilea. It is not your business what or who I employ as a servant. You are a guest!”

-“Let her go, Count….”

I looked at the girl in the eyes. She would understand me.

-“You are free, child. Go. Go. Go now….”

The little girl then took my hand and kissed it. Then she disappeared. I said a prayer for her.

When I turned around, neither the Count nor Aleera remained in the room. So I walked alone to the dining room to find a most delicious meal, freshly served on the table.

I looked up the ceiling and was greatly impressed by the crystal lamp. Half covered with dust, it still looked majestic, with its carved arms.

Aleera sat on a chair opposite me. She looked at me, half frightened, half angry. I ignored her looks and decided to enjoy the meal. I was very proud of myself and it showed.

The Count stood by the window. His face facing the light. I was amazed. Was he so powerful he could withstand the light?

-“Eat, Galilea…Stop asking stupid questions…”

I laughed quietly.

Aleera spoke.

-“Not even the Queen ever challenged the master…”

-The Queen, Aleera? Oh Yes….Isn’t she the same queen that got fooled by an empty carriage full of stakes and got herself killed…Are we talking about the same queen? Fool bitch!

-“Insolent woman!”

He cried looking at me. His eyes dark with anger. Yet, inside, he was probably enjoying me very much. Lord Dracula himself being challenged. Certainly. Challenged.

Aleera then changed her expression and a smile crossed her face. Her beautiful eyes shone with contentment.

I looked at her and returned the smile.

We were like sisters.

The Count walked out of the room with long steps.

I finished my meal.

I was going to walk around the castle, but decided that I’d have a few words with my host first.

Aleera disappeared.

I found him in the library, standing near the fireplace.

-“Forgive my intrusion, Count…”

-“What do you want…?”

I walked towards him and took his hand. He yanked his arm and without looking at me, he went to seat down on his chair.

-“Count….please forgive me if I have offended you in anyway. I will leave if you say so. Yet, I know that it is not your wish….”

-“You challenged my orders in front of a servant girl and you insulted my Queen…I don’t think I can forgive you for that…”

-“I repeat, I am sorry I have offended you…But you could not have let that child do what was so obviously frightening…It frightens me, Count and I am a grown up…”

-“You do not understand, Galilea…These servants come to me begging for shelter and food.”

-“Then you should have given them hospitality, not make them your slaves. You are exploiting a child, Count…Have you no heart?”

Of course not. No heart. Literally. No heart. Figuratively.

I walked closer to him and sat in the arm of his chair. He looked the other way.

-“Being courteous and civilized is not going to make you any less powerful…”

The Count stood up and starting pacing around the room. He walked straight to a wall and easily climbed it up, defying gravity. He said nothing.

I spoke softly

-“Look at yourself, Count…Look at the life you lead. This castle is crumbling. The grandeur of this fortress is gone, Count…Long gone. You think that giving your servants commands with the snap of your fingers is making you more regal? No, Count. You are wrong. Wake up, Count. Your lineage is ancient, yet, you still live in a dream…”

I knew he was listening. He was now walking on top of his own chimney. I was not impressed at all.

He climbed down and walked to his chair, where I still waited.

-“You think about it”

I stood up to walk to the door.

Faster than light, the Count rose from his chair and crossed my path. He walked up to me, his eyes burning a hole on mine. He breathed hard. I breathed hard. I parted my lips to speak. He did too. No words. Our bodies were closed enough to touch. The electricity between us was sparkling. With one arm he swung me close to him. His hands buried deep in my hair. He kissed me like the world was going to end. He moaned. He clasped my embrace. My hands went about his face. His tongue. Mine. Crazily twirling. I melted in his embrace. My arms around him. His hands feeling me out. He left his lips pressed on mine for a moment. His eyes shut. I felt the desire emanating from him. Yet. God. There was pain. Pain. This man was in pain. I was so right.

He disappeared.

He left me standing by the chimney. My heart pumping blood and love wildly.

I touched my mouth, fresh of him. I smiled.

I was ready.