Violet gave a small smile. “I enjoy Italian food.” She said softly as she got in the car and waited for him to climb in on the other side. “You also have a very kind friend to lend you something like this.” She clasped her hands together as she rode in the car. She couldn’t hide the fact that she was a little nervous. This whole thing was a bit strange to her, how quickly they made a connection but how wonderful that connection felt.<span style="font-style: italic">I may as well see where it goes and enjoy it while I can. </span>She thought to herself, it could be fun after all. Though everything with Vlad felt so strong and right she still partially felt as though something was wrong. Something about him and about her; something about the two of them together. As if she knew him already, but that was impossible. She’s never seen this man before in her life, only in her dreams, though in her dreams he was rugged and looked as if he stepped out of the Middle Ages.<span style="font-style: italic">This is crazy.</span>She told herself.<span style="font-style: italic">How could I possibly believe that this man is the same man in my head?</span>She was right, it seemed impractical and illogical. Yet, how else had she come to know that face so well. His face had haunted her for years it seems and yet here he was, looking like the same person but almost an exact opposite. A kind gentleman, instead of a bloodied up warrior.<br/><br/>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br/><br/>Vanessa left the stables on her horse, a beautiful black mare. She was dressed in simple dark robes to blend in with the night and to not give away her position in the palace. This was not a voyage for a soldier, or for anyone of high stature. If anyone stopped her she was but a simple apprentice riding to the next town for her master.<br/><br/>The night was dark and quiet. She rode past the gates and continued on, keeping close to the path but not on it. She didn’t want to come across an entire militia ambush again, and she was sure they had left someone to watch the path. She stayed far enough off it to not be seen by someone who could be standing guard, if there were anyone. She finally came to the river, further than her caravan had made it, The river was deep and moving fast, she rode the bank for a while trying to find a calmer easier area to cross but there was none. She pulled the mare’s reins hard and went into the river. “Come on girl, you can do this.” She patted the horse’s neck as she plunged through the strong waves. The current was fast and several times it came up to Vanessa’s face and neck, the poor mare was swimming ferociously. Finally her hooves found the bottom and she made it to the other side. “Good girl.” Vanessa said as she climbed off the horse. “Rest for a moment.” She looked around and noticed that the strong current had pushed them a ways from the path. It was going to be difficult to relocate it in the dark but she had no choice. She remounted and pulled the reins. “Hyah!” She said as she kicked the horses sides and they took off again in to the night.