Dracula's Soulmate (Watty Awards 2011)

Home at last but different

“Aww baby come here: I said. he walked over and I knelt down and did it for him

“You look very handsome sweetheart” I said to him. he smiled and looked at Drake

“Do I look like a warrior?” he asked

“Very much so son” Drake said laughing. I scooped Declande up into my arms and rested my free hand in the crook of Drake’s elbow. The feast was in full swing

“Announcing his majesty King Drake, her highness Queen Amalia and Prince Declande” the guard said. people bowed as we walked up to our throne. There was a small chair next to mine made for Declande. I placed him in it and took my spot. Drake sat next to me in the middle of the actual table while everyone else took their seats. Drake help my hand on top of the table.

“Sire it is good to have you home safely” a man said bowing and then moving off

“How I missed this place” Drake said sighing.

“It was very lonely here without you my love” I said smiling warmly at him

“It was lonely for me too” he whispered. I smiled and then I felt a tugging on my other side

“Yes darling?” I asked Declande

“Mummy can you cut up my food?” he asked. I nodded and cut it up feeling Drake’s eyes on me.

“Thankyou” Declande said and began eating. Drake silenced everyone and stood

“I would like to propose a toast. To my soldiers who fought alongside of me for these past five years. It meant a great deal and without you I would not be alive today. It is good to be home with all of you especially my Queen and wife Amalia and our son Declande. I thank you for everything and enjoy the feast” he sat down and I kissed his cheek and he smiled. Every now and then he would bring my hand up to his lips and gently kiss my knuckles.

“So Declande mum tells me that you like playing with the wooden swords” Drake said to Declande who was nodding vigorously

“Yup and I win a lot” he said happily. I smiled and excused myself. I wasn’t feeling very well. I went to the bathroom and saw I didn't look the best either. I washed my face and still had dark circles under my eyes. I felt so tired too. When I returned Drake looked at me with worry

“Are you alright my love?” he asked quietly

“Oh yes just very tired” I replied smiling at a passing guest. He nodded and then continued to talk to our five-year-old.

When I put Declande to bed Drake was already in our bed and he seemed to be deep in thought. I climbed in and sighed happily. I switched off the lights on my side and waited for Drake to do the same. he eventually did and then wrapped an arm around my waist. I fell asleep quicker than I have in five years. I was suddenly woken by yelling and thrashing in the bed. I jumped up and switched on the light to see Drake having a nightmare. He was covered in a fine sheen of sweat. I ran to his side of the bed and shook him awake

“Drake!” I called softly. he woke up and I saw his eyes were like black. I took a step back. He sighed and looked around the room. Then his eyes landed back on me.

“Sorry” he whispered

“It was just a nightmare” I said sitting by him like I did with Declande when he had nightmares. I hugged him and he sighed pulling me down next to him and switching off the lights.

When I woke up Drake was crushing me. He had me in a very tight iron grip. It was crushing my ribs and I couldn’t breathe.

“Drake” I rasped out. He stirred.

“Drake” I tried to get my voice louder. He moved and tightened his arms “DRAKE!” I screamed. He jolted awake and I sprung up from his arms clutching my stomach and breathing big deep breaths. All of a sudden we had a lot of people in the room. I rested my back against the wall and sunk down to a sitting position. Maria walked over and looked concerned

“Your highness are you alright?” Maria asked.

“I couldn’t breathe” I whispered feeling the tears in my eyes. She moved the hair from my face and nodded before ushering everyone out. Drake was still sitting in the bed looking distraught. I rested my head against the wall and all of a sudden I felt something near me. I looked and saw Declande

“You ok mummy?” he asked. I nodded and he rested his head on my arm and sighed.

“Declande I need to get up sweetie” I said politely. He nodded and got up and waited. I looked at Drake who had buried his head in his hands. I sighed and headed downstairs to get some water. Maria was there and when she saw me she smiled kindly

“I feel bruised” I said wincing as I sat down

“He is having night terrors by the sounds of it” she said taking a sip of blood from the cup she had

“It hurts. Are vampires supposed to be bruised?” I asked

“New ones can. You have been a vampire for five years but you can still be bruised and hurt like a human” she explained. “Show me the bruises” she said. I nodded and lifted my shirt to just under my bra. I gasped at how dark the bruises actually were. It looked like someone had let themselves punch me over and over again in a line

“I think I have some cream that will help” she said. I heard a groan and I looked at the door to see Drake looking upset.

“It will heal” I said trying to smile. He wasn’t buying it. he just stormed out of the room

“How do I get back into the real world?” I asked. Maria gave me a stern look

“I don't think that is a good idea” she said

“Please Maria I need to help him” I urged. She sighed and then nodded. Maria handed me something. It was like a code

“Punch that into the front door and it will take you back to the real world” she explained. I nodded and then went up the stairs to change. I had a shower and put on a high-waisted-pencil skirt and a red blouse. I tied my hair up and applied make-up to cover up how tired I looked. I grabbed my bag and some money and avoided Drake and Declande. I quickly made my way to the door and punched in the code.