A Fall From Grace. Mail Order Bride Western

by Brittany Dreams

  After a warm shower, Cora sat on the bed, wrapped in a fluffy white towel. The room was quite small, but somehow they had managed to adjoin an ensuite bathroom with a standup shower as well as a toilet and sink. The bedroom was particularly cramped with a large armoire against the wall, with just barely enough room to walk between it and the end of the bed. Beside it was the slender door to the en suite bathroom, which would have been hidden completely behind the room door had it been open. The small twin bed had room on just one side for a nightstand and the other side sat flush against the wall. Despite the lack of room, however, the room offered a comfortable, albeit small, bed and a beautiful large window off the side of the bed with the nightstand.

  The warmth of her shower finally setting in and making her muscles feel weak, Cora lay down on the bed, looking out of the window. Beyond the thin glass pane she could see the slanted red tiled roofs of tightly packed houses and the tall spire of the church. The same church that her dad had spent the entire cab ride to the hotel talking about. It did look beautiful from afar…at least, what she could see of it, but it didn't seem like the kind of place with a weeks worth of entertainment packed in to it. As she looked out at the cloudy sky, wondering what else the small town had to offer, Cora soon found herself drifting off to sleep.

  “Cora…Cora…” The voice echoed against the cold stone walls. Carefully, Cora tiptoed down the steep spiraling staircase. It smelled damp. She could feel the moisture clinging to her skin, turning her makeup in to a sticky mess as she descended in to the darkness. “Cora…” The voice came again, beckoning her down in to the depths of the underground expanse.

  At the bottom of the steps, Cora could feel a room open up in front of her, but with no distinguishable light source, she could see nothing.

  “Cora…” The voice whispered. This time it seemed to wrap around her like a cool wind. Reaching out in front of her blindly, Cora felt for obstacles as she walked forward. “Come closer Cora…closer…” The voice itself was terrifying and every fiber of Cora’s being wanted to turn and run, yet she couldn't. It was as though she had absolutely no control over her body. Something was pulling her in, drawing her closer.

  Cora came to a sudden stop as her toes came up against what felt like a stone step. Lifting her foot, she felt for her footing. Reaching out in front of her she found nothing. She lowered her hands until they came to rest on a solid surface.

  “Open it, Cora…” The voice called, closer than it had been yet. Against her will, her fingers felt for a lip, some way to get a grip on the object in front of her. When she found one, she heaved the heavy thing up. A blast of cool air escaped, carrying with it a musky scent that Cora could not place. It was then that she felt movement in front of her, movement so quick, so unexpected that before she could step back, there were four bony fingers on her cheek and a bony thumb under her chin. “Good girl…” These words carried a stench, a smell so foul that Cora’s stomach wretched.

  Cora sat bolt upright, gasping for breath, a hollow sickness in the pit of her stomach. Thank God it had just been a dream.

  Chapter 3

  The early afternoon sun had managed to peek from behind the thick clouds and Cora followed her dad as he led the way through the narrow cobbled street.

  “Are you sure we’re going the right way?” She asked. He stopped and turned around to face her.

  “I'm positive! The lady at the B and B said it was down this way.” He said. “Come on, we’re going to have to pick up the pace to get there before they close.” He turned around and began walking again, this time at a more military pace.

  “They close?” Cora asked in disbelief. “How can a church close? I thought they had to stay open for… I don't know, moments of crisis?” Her dad chuckled.

  “The church itself doesn't close, it's the tour of the church that closes.” He said.

  “Oh…well, what time does that close then?” She asked. Her dad didn't answer, most likely because he didn't know.

  Cora turned her attention to the ancient cobblestones under her feet as she followed the path led by her dad. She became so engrossed in finding patterns in the old stonework, that she didn't notice when her dad came to a complete stop in front of her.

  “Shit!” She exclaimed, falling in to him.

  “Language, Cora!” He said instinctively as he looked upward. Cora followed his gaze, quickly realizing that they were standing in front of the church building.

  “Wow…it looks much bigger up close!” She said, taking in every detail she could of the unique gothic façade.

  “Just look at those gargoyles!” Her dad said, his eyes jumping from one to another.

  “They are pretty cool!” Cora said, examining the ugly stone creatures. “Do you think they would notice if we took one home?” She asked jokingly.

  “Yes.” Her dad said. “But I wouldn't mind a pair of them to sit at my front door either.” He smirked.

  “We could pair up and heist them?” Cora said. Her dad laughed again.

  “I don't think we would get away with it somehow.” He said. And then a strange voice chimed in.

  “No, I do not think so either.” Cora and her dad both whipped around quickly to find a man in religious dress standing directly behind them. Both of their faces flushed as they tried to remember just what the man behind them may have overheard. “But they are very beautiful.” Cora nodded in agreement. “Would you perhaps, like to take our tour?” He asked.

  “Ah! You work here!” Michael said in surprise. “Yes, yes we would love to take the tour! That's actually part of why we are here, you see, I'm an architectural historian.” He said excitedly. The man in religious dress nodded once.

  “Our official tours for the day have ended, but for someone so enthusiastic, I would be happy to make an exception.” He extended his hand, the black sleeve of his robe billowing. “My name is Nicolai.” Michael shook his hand firmly.

  “Michael, and this is my daughter, Cora.” Michael released Nicolai’s hand and gestured for Cora to introduce herself. Hesitantly she extended her hand. Shouldn't Nicolai have been Father Nicolai? Or Brother Nicolai? Or something that at least carried a title?

  “It's a pleasure to meet you…” She said quietly. Nicolai smiled, his slender hand gripping hers. There was something about this man, something that just didn't feel right to Cora, but she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

  “Shall we go inside?” Nicolai asked as he released Cora’s hand and gestured towards the entrance of the church. Michael nodded enthusiastically.

  “That’d be great!” He said, his eyes glimmering as he took in the church façade one more time. “If it's this beautiful on the outside, I can't wait to see what it looks like inside!”

  Cora and her dad followed as Nicolai led the way through the old wooden double doors of the church. As soon as she stepped inside, Cora was hit with the familiar scent of church. She didn't know what the scent was exactly, only that she had smelled it in every church that she had been in throughout her life. She contemplated asking Nicolai what it was, but thought better of it after catching a glimpse of his profile. He didn't look like the kind of man who would offer an answer or, for that matter, know the answer. In fact, the more she glanced at him as they walked down the aisle of the church, the more she began to feel like he was a complete imposter. Her dad, on the other hand, seemed oblivious as he walked through the drafty building with his camera on hand.

  “If it's alright, I think I might sit here a while.” Cora finally said as Nicolai and her dad stood at the alter. Barely acknowledging the comment, Michael nodded and waved her off dismissively before turning back to Nicolai. Cora took a seat on the front pew and watched for a while as her dad spoke with Nicolai about the intricacies of the alter decorations. After what felt like an eternity, the two stepped through a tall stone archway and disappeared in to a down-stepped room. This was Cora’s chance to really explore. It wasn't as though she had the passion for architecture that her dad
had, but the idea of exploring a gothic church seemed much more appealing than trailing around while being regaled with the architectural anatomy of the building itself. She was certain that she could find something to hold her interest with a little poking around the drafty old place, it was just a matter of where she should start.

  Chapter 4

  The narrow stone arch at the far back of the church had been hidden by a thick pillar. It was only by chance that Cora had seen it in the first place. Looking around, she made sure that no one saw before she took the first step down the narrow staircase. The passage was well lit with a series of haunting candelabras, but she pressed her hands to each side of the wall to ensure her footing. It was about midway down the narrow stairway that Cora began to get a feeling of déjà vu. Shaking it off, she continued downward until she came to the last step. There, a vast stone walled room opened up before her. There was definitely something about this place, something that called to her, that reminded her of…something.

  “Hello?” She called in to the obviously empty room. As she expected there was no reply. Taking the last step she peered cautiously around the corner. It was then that she saw it. Tucked away in the corner of the room, with a single stone step leading up to it, was what she could only describe as a sarcophagus. Walking towards it, she felt a familiar draft wrap around her sending chills down her spine. Despite the eerie feeling, she couldn't stop herself from walking toward it. Step after step she drew closer, dreading what might happen when she reached that step up. She had been here before, seen this before and as she took that last step upward she remembered where. This is what she had dreamed of, only the room had been pitch black.

  Cora reached her hands out and placed them on top of the cold stone slab. She wanted to pull away, only something was drawing her in. Her fingertips ran over the stone, dropping down to the lip at the edge of the lid.

  “You will find it empty…” A familiar voice came from behind her. Then came footsteps, but Cora was too afraid to turn around. “Go ahead, see for yourself.” He said. And then, she wasn't sure why, she used every bit of strength in her body to push the stone slab from the sarcophagus. Hesitantly she looked down, expecting that same bony hand to reach up to her, to caress her face. She saw nothing. The silken lining and plush pillow within though indented, were vacant of whatever had been laying upon them previously. Just as she heaved a sigh of relief, she felt a slender bony hand upon her shoulder and gasped loudly. “Shh…” His voice was hushed and his breath felt warm against her ear. Slowly Cora willed herself to turn to him, to look him in the eye.

  “Where is my dad?” Her voice shook as she looked in to his ice blue eyes. Nicolai smiled softly.

  “He received a phone call and had to go back to your hotel.” Nicolai let his hand slide down her shoulder, over the length of her arm, and take hold of her hand in his. “I told him that I would see you back safely when you had finished your…exploration of the church.” Each word he spoke was slow and deliberate and Cora couldn't help but feel sucked in to him. It was as though he were putting her in to a trance with the rhythm in which he spoke. She found her fingers curling around his own.

  “What is this...?” She asked, turning slightly toward the stone sarcophagus.

  “It is precisely what you think it is.” He said. Then he lifted her hand. “Go ahead, get inside.” He offered.

  Every bone in Cora’s body told her not to do it. Even as she scrambled against the side of the rough stone, trying to lift herself in to the sarcophagus. When final she sat down, she saw him smiling at her broadly. She saw the very tips of two brilliantly sharp fangs hooked over his bottom lip. She inhaled sharply.

  “You don't work here, do you?” She asked. He cocked his head slightly.

  “Why would you think that?” He asked, genuinely puzzled.

  “Because you…” this time it was Cora who cocked her head, was this all part of her dream? Was she still back at the hotel sleeping off her jet lag?

  “Because I am a vampire?” He asked in his lilting accent. Cora nodded wordlessly. He shook his head in return.

  “There is no safer place to hide than where you are least expected.” He said, lifting himself up over the side of the sarcophagus. Instinctively Cora moved to one side to make room for him behind her. “As long as I maintain the church, it offers me the security that I need.” He said, gesturing for Cora to lie down. She did as he instructed. “And the people here, they are very superstitious. If they know what I am, they would rather care for me as their own, than risk becoming the target of my wrath.” He lay behind Cora, his body fit snug against hers. Then, reaching up his hand, he used his palm to draw the lid of the sarcophagus closed above them.

  Chapter 5

  The darkness was filled with the sounds of only their breathing as Cora lay pressed against Nicolai’s firm body. Slowly, his arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her tightly to him.

  “Try not to be afraid, for I have chosen you to be the one…” He whispered against her ear. Cora could already feel her body responding to the warmth of his breath against her ear and the pressing of his body to hers. She should have been afraid, nervous in the very least, at what Nicolai was telling her, yet she wasn't. In fact, she could barely hear the words at all over the thundering rush of her heartbeat. “You are nervous though,” he whispered. “I can hear it. Your heart it races like a drum.” His hand slid up over the flatness of her belly and gently he cupped one of her breasts. “There is nothing to fear, little one.”

  “What will you do to me?” Cora managed to whisper in to the darkness.

  “Anything that you want me to…” Nicolai offered. “Like you humans, vampires need to feed their lust.” Cora felt a sudden rush of relief. She had been certain that she was not afraid, but hearing that Nicolai had no intention of draining her of every drop of blood, gave her a sudden and unarguable sense of relief.

  “I thought you might…” She whispered, barely audible.

  “Might? Might bite your neck and feed on your pure scarlet life force?” Nicolai said, then brushing his lips against the side of her neck.

  “Mmm hmm…” Cora hummed, pressing back against his body. Now she could feel him, his thick member pressing against her forcefully as it bulged under his robe. She slid down slightly and then back up, rubbing him with her buttocks as she moved.

  “I am afraid this is the thing of myths, live feeding became obsolete many generations ago…although, I am happy to do anything you wish to bring you pleasure.” He said, moving his lips up her neck slowly until he reached her earlobe and slipped it between his lips. As he sucked it gently, Cora couldn't help herself from moaning softly. With each moan she could feel the thickness of him growing, pressing against her firmly until she was so wet that she could hardly stand it. “What is it that would bring you pleasure, my darling?” Nicolai asked as he let his fingers slip under her bra cup and brush her nipple.

  “Ahh…” Cora hissed as her nipple budded quickly under his touch. She pressed backward as hard as she could, hoping somehow to slip him inside her despite their clothing.

  “Ahh…I know what will bring you the most pleasure…” Nicolai said, his hand slipping from under her bra and sliding down her soft supple belly. Then expertly, with one hand, he tugged open her khaki’s. The button popped open, the zipper slid down and it was all Cora could do to keep herself from cumming at the very thought of him touching her. Pushing the waistband of her pants downward, the two fumbled in the dark confined space, taking down her panties along with her pants. Cora could hear his breath getting heavier as he leaned in to her, his lips suckling gently on her neck, his teeth grazing her flesh.

  “Mmm…” She hummed as his hand slid up between the warmth of her thighs, just barely grazing the soft nest of her thick pubic hair. His mouth moved upward, gently kissing her, nibbling her soft skin as his fingers parted her pussy lips. Nicolai inhaled deeply.

  “Ahh…I smell your sweetness…” He said, his finger sliding
down to her opening, touching her softly.

  “Ohhh!” Cora moaned. She could hear the wetness he had created as he slowly, teasingly, slipped the tip of one finger inside of her.

  “I want to make love to you, Cora…” He whispered, sliding his finger from inside her, leaving her wanting for more. She could feel him shifting behind her, his movement expertly precise as he maneuvered in the slender sarcophagus. Moments later she could feel him, bare, naked, pressing against her. She found herself wishing that they had more room, more light. She wanted to see the member that felt so thick and so full as he pressed in to her. Still, she dared not ask. She dared not offend the man who had managed to make her so hungry for him with little more than a touch. “Are you ready, my darling?” He asked. Cora felt him slip between her thighs, his fingers leading the way and his thick cock following.

  “Yes! Oh, God, yes!” She hummed, instinctively leaning back in to him. She needed more space, more room to move. Pressing her hands up against the cold side of the stone sarcophagus she pushed her ass backward, giving herself to him. As she pushed back this time, she felt his tip slip inside her. “Ahh!” She gasped loudly as he held the tip of his cock just barely inside her wetness.

  “Do you want more?” He asked, his voice a sultry whisper.

  “I want all of you!” She begged. “I need more room, more space. I need to…” He lifted himself, sliding his cock from inside her.

  “Lie flat.” He ordered her firmly but gently. She did as he asked, rolling on to her back, her body thankful for the space. Cora felt him come down over her. This time there was no warning, no talk, he simply slid himself between her warm naked thighs and thrust forward firmly.