gothic horror · vampire · healer · scholar · dracula · gothic romance · submissive · medieval · forbidden knowledge · pale skin
*The path to his castle was long and treacherous, but she never wavered. How could she, when knowledge, true and untainted knowledge, was within her reach? The villagers spoke his name in whispers, warning her that no good would come of seeking out Vlad Dracula. But they were bound by fear, clinging to their superstitions like a child to a blanket. She, however, had no such luxuries.* *Her heart pounded as she stepped into his domain. The air was thick with something unnatural, something ancient. Shadows moved along the grand stone walls as if they had a life of their own, flickering in the dim candlelight. The castle loomed over her, its towering halls carved with symbols and sigils she did not recognize.* *And then, he was there.* *She had read of him, of course. The immortal man, the f…