Vampire Brides

The sun had not fully risen when Amelia moved upstairs to sleep. The morning air was icy cold. She curled up under her blanket and drifted back into sleep.

She ignored the familiar scent that lingered in the air — a scent she missed. For a brief moment, she sank into the sleep she had been deprived of the night before, unable to stop thinking about Griffon.

“Amelia,” her mother called. Margaret stood at the foot of the stairs, looking up.

“It’s already late, hurry and get up!” she called again, but her daughter didn’t respond.

Margaret climbed the stairs, calling her name once more.

Amelia opened her eyes, still heavy with sleep. She sat up in bed and walked slowly to the window to draw the curtains.

And there, on the window sill, lay a small wildflower — pale purple, still fresh, as if it had just been picked.

Amelia opened the window. Her eyes lingered on the flower before she gently picked it up, running her fingers across its soft petals.

A smile formed on her lips. She knew who had placed it there. But why hadn’t she noticed his arrival?

“What are you doing there?” Amelia flinched at her mother’s sudden appearance.

She turned around quickly and hid the flower behind her back.

“What are you hiding?” her mother asked, suspicious.

“Nothing, Mom,” she lied.

“Really?” Her mother didn’t look convinced. Her daughter was acting strangely.

“Trust me. Why were you looking for me? Do you need help making breakfast?”

“No, just get ready. Your father is waiting. We’re having breakfast together.”

“Alright, I’ll be down soon,” Amelia replied with a smile.

“We’ll be waiting,” her mother said as she turned and went back downstairs.

Amelia took the flower back out. Thankfully, it wasn’t damaged. She inhaled its sweet fragrance.

She placed it inside a drawer, next to yesterday’s flower — the one Griffon had given her. That one had already wilted. She planned to use it later as a bookmark.

---

At the breakfast table, the aroma of warm soup and toasted bread filled the air.

Her father was checking an empty wicker basket in the kitchen corner while her mother poured tea into small cups.

“Do we have any plans today, Mom?” Amelia asked as she sat down.

Her father turned and smiled. “We’re going to visit your grandmother’s relative — Aunt Lena. She lives beyond the hills. She said her garden had a big harvest, and she needs help bringing some of the vegetables back.”

“Beyond the hills? Isn’t that near the forest?”

“Don’t worry,” her mother assured her. “It’s not deep in the forest — just near the edge, where they usually plant. Besides, we’ll take the horse carriage. We should be back by noon.”

“Why the carriage, though? Can’t we just take the car?”

“The road is too narrow and muddy, sweetheart. The car would get stuck. A horse carriage is the only option.”

Amelia nodded, though she felt uneasy. She remembered what she had seen that night — the shadows in the forest, and Griffon’s warning.

And now they were heading near the forest. Could that be a problem?

“Mom, are you sure it’ll be okay?” The only thing she feared was that terrifying creature.

“It’ll be fine. As long as we stay together, nothing bad will happen.”

“Let’s finish breakfast, so we don’t return too late,” her father said.

“I didn’t know Grandma still had relatives in this town.”

“Not close ones. In fact, we’re not very close to her either. But since we’re stuck here, we might as well pay her a visit,” her father replied.

“What about the bridge, Dad? Is it still under repair?”

“Looks like they’re working on it. But don’t worry — the power should come back this evening.”

“Really?” Amelia’s face lit up with joy. “That means I can sleep in my room?”

“Of course. But be careful — and don’t open your window at night.”

“I won’t, Dad.” Will Griffon come tonight? she wondered. I hope I get to see him again.

They quickly finished their meal. It was almost time to leave.

Their old wooden carriage was already prepared in front of the house. Her father took the reins, while Amelia and her mother sat in the back, carrying empty baskets and a small blanket for the journey.

It was her first time riding a horse-drawn carriage like that. Along the way, she watched the trees shedding their leaves. The morning air still held a fading mist.

The long journey didn’t feel boring. Amelia saw strawberry fields stretching across the land. A cool place like this must be filled with fruit gardens.

“Can I pick some strawberries later?” she asked her mother. Maybe she could give some to Griffon later.

Strawberry juice sounded like a great idea. That man didn’t like coffee — maybe he’d enjoy fresh juice.

“Of course you can, dear. But we don’t know who owns the field. I’ll ask Aunt Lena first.”

Amelia nodded with a smile. The neat rows of farmland were calming.

From there, she could also see the castle standing majestically in the distance.

Amelia gazed at the castle, a faint smile playing on her lips. She wanted to go back there — but sneaking out at night was no longer an option. Her parents were on alert now. Unless...

She glanced at her mother. Maybe she could sneak out again once they were asleep.

“Don’t stare too long!” her mother said, clearly catching where her daughter’s eyes were fixed.

“I’m just looking at it, Mom. Nothing bad’s going to happen just by looking.”

“I know. Nothing bad will happen. But I don’t like how curious you still are.”

“I’m not curious,” she replied.

“Don’t lie. Mommy knows you’re still curious.”

“Not anymore, trust me,” Amelia said, though her eyes drifted back to the castle.

How could she still be curious about the castle, she thought, when she had already met the one who lived there?

What she was really curious about now — was him.

Margaret held her daughter’s hand. She hoped that curiosity was truly gone.

They passed a few more farms before finally arriving at Aunt Lena’s vegetable garden.

The carriage stopped. A slightly plump, middle-aged woman welcomed them warmly.

Amelia didn’t remember her very well, but she had seen her at her grandmother’s funeral. The woman was kind and allowed them to take whatever they liked from her garden — though Amelia wasn’t all that interested in vegetables.

Instead, she was busy filling her basket with strawberries, which, by chance, belonged to Aunt Lena.

She picked as many as she could, planning to make strawberry cake and strawberry juice for Griffon.