Chapter 10

Cadella's POV

Applause echoed throughout the lecture hall as speaker left the stage. Murmuring voices grew around me as people gathered their belongings and started to file out of the hall. I picked up my purse and faced Vasile.

“The speaker did a fantastic job, although I wish he’d included a few more specific details about the local area. I grew up with him, I’m shocked he didn’t elaborate.” Vasile frowned as he looked back at the left side of the stage where the speaker had left.

“I still enjoyed it, but I’ll appreciate any little details I can get.” I smiled up at him.

“Well, I can give you more details then he just did. Would you like a more guided tour of the exhibits?” He asked holding his arm out for me to take.

My gaze bounced from his offered arm to his smile, my own smile growing wider.

“Of course!” I stepped out beside him as I wrapped my arm around his.

I tried to hide the excited bounce in my step.

His deep chuckle told me I hadn’t done as well as I thought I had.

We had moved from one exhibit to another, while he rattled off facts and stories that enhanced the exhibits. It wasn’t long before we had circled back to stop in front of the exhibit I’d been looking at before the lecture. The one about the castle.

We both studied it in silence.

“This castle has special meaning to the town, especially my family.” Vasile murmured as his finger tips rested on the plaque. “Back then it was called Castle Ardelean.” His lips turned upwards in a small smile.

I couldn’t help but return a smile of my own.

“Castle Ardelean. So your family was prominent in this area?”

“Very. There are still members that are well known, but it’s a small town so it’s easy to be recognized.” He faced me. “Want to hear the tragic love story that is rumored to be the downfall of the castle?”

“Of course!” I stepped closer, something inside me was more excited to learn more about him and his family than the rest of the town.

“The details are vague, it happened so long ago and so little people knew the truth even then. But it’s said that a betrayal between two lovers triggered a curse. No one knows what the curse was, but within the year the castle was deserted and on its way to what we now see.” He shrugged like it was no big deal.

I wasn’t naive enough to believe in curses, but I could see how that rumor grew. A year is short to go from working, thriving castle to desertion. My rational side knew it was probably disease or financial issues that caused it to fail, but the romantic side of me wanted to believe that two people could love so deeply that it could trigger something that ruin what was good around them.

“It’s dark out, allow me to take you to dinner?” He offered his arm for me to take.

I wanted to say yes, but I couldn’t. It felt like it was too much. I felt like I needed space.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have food in my room. I’m more tired than I expected I would be.” I smile at him.

“Then allow me to walk you home. I can’t allow a pretty lady to wander the dark streets alone.” He offered his arm again.

“I can allow that.” I wrapped my hand around his elbow before he brought it tight to his arm, his hand settling on top of my own.

“Why don’t you tell me why you decided to make history your career?” He watched the sidewalk for a moment before he looked at me expectantly.

“I’ve always found lore and legends interesting. As I grew older and learned that those myths and stories usually came from some form of truth, it just made more infatuated with them.” I shrugged.

His head dropped back as a sharp laugh broke the air between us.

“Sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed, it was bad mannered. It’s just that I’ve heard that line a million times over the years. There must be some deeper reason, something that drives that love.” He smiled at me as we walked.

I watched my feet for a moment, trying to put my reason into words without sounding too simple minded.

“Our history formed us. It’s the reason we are who and where we are today. I think that history is recorded to help us learn and not make the mistakes of those that failed before us. To the avoid wars and conflicts, tragedy, even deaths that they suffered. Our past can make us better people if we listen to it. It’s a shame that not everyone had that view. Then maybe we’d live in peace and be better for it.” I explained without raising my gaze.

I felt exposed as I felt his gaze run over me as he thought about it. Did he think the same thing as my father? That I revealed what my father called my bleeding heart. My cheeks heated as I realized I’d just shared something so personal with a stranger. Dad always said I was too open, that it would get me hurt.

“It is a shame.” He stated as he released my hand and turned to face me fully.

“Thank you for the tour and walking me back here. I moved here for the history and to attend one of the best history universities in the world. But I find that sometimes the local tourist groups can be vague, what you told me tonight was fascinating. Also, thank you for rescuing me.” I tried to subtly move past the embarrassment of needing to be rescued. His eyes shined in humor as he recognized my attempt, but he let it go.

“It was my pleasure, Cadella. Here,” he pulled a card and pen from his shirt pocket and wrote something on the back. “This is my personal phone number. If you want a real tour, with stories that aren’t so vague, call me. Or if you need help with a project, I’d be more than happy to help point you in the right direction of research, or share a story. All you have to do is call me.” He smiled, taking my hand and kissing the back of it before releasing it.

I turned and walked into the hotel, smiling at the doorman as he greeted me. Movement from outside caught my eye and turning I saw Vasile waving as the glass door shut. I waved back, watching as he turned to leave. I turned back around, making my way to my room as Vasile consumed my thoughts.

He was such a gentleman, waiting to make sure I was safely inside before he left. A very handsome gentleman who was well versed in the local history. One whose smiling face wouldn’t leave my mind.

Closing the door, I glanced at the clock on my desk. 10:30PM. It was late, time had flown by tonight. Changing into sleep clothes I propped my broach back in its spot in front of the lamp on my nightstand. The busy day caught up to me as I relaxed into my pillows, my eyelids already growing heavy.

***

I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers hovering over Vasile’s contact information on my phone. The last few days had passed more slowly than I wanted to admit. I’d seen most of the local shops and major tourists spots. But they’d given me the usual tourist tales. Old generic, vague stories.

My mind drifted back to the day of the lecture, when Vasile had given me a tour that focused on the local’s perspectives and lores. I had leapt at the chance to learn more, and he’d offered to take me on more tours-ones outside of the museum.

Why was it so hard for me to reach out?

He’d made it clear that all I had to do was call him and he’d take me out. Our shared passion for local history and stories had made the museum tour so much more fun than it had been when I’d walked through by myself. I craved more time with him and more of his stories.

Groaning, I sat back up and grabbed my discarded phone. Before I could talk myself out of it, I pressed the call and brought the phone to my ear.

“Hello?” His deep voice came over the line.

“Um, yes, hi. This is Cadella, and I was wondering if you, maybe um, well if you maybe had time today to give me a tour?” I stumbled through my question, wincing as I finished.

Real smooth, Cadella, I thought as I pinched the bridge of my nose.

“Of course. Have you had lunch?” He asked.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Then I’ll meet you outside the hotel in twenty minutes and we can grab a bite before we start.” I could he was smiling by his voice.

“Sure. See you then.” I couldn’t help my own smile growing.

I hung up and and squealed as I flopped onto the bed bed. I was going to get to see him today. I quickly got dressed, putting on a little more mascara and lip gloss before finding a pair of comfortable but cute shoes. I grabbed a hair clip and threw my hair up so it wouldn’t be in my face and grabbed my phone and purse before leaving. A quick glance at my phone told me it was time to go. One last look in the mirror, I nodded at my smiling reflection in approval of my choices.

Nodding to the doorman with a bright smile I almost ran through the door as I started to wonder where he would take me today. There was so many small shops or buildings we could explore. I didn’t have a preference, I just wanted to see the town as he did. To hear his stories and the lore that he learned growing up here.

I stepped out of the hotel, and frowned slightly. He wasn’t here, leaning down I pulled out my phone to make sure I hadn’t missed a message. No messages, but it was barely the time we were supposed to meet.

“You really should be more aware of your surroundings, Cadella. In fact, it’s preferable to wait in the lobby until you see who you’re waiting for.” Vasile’s deep voice made me jump in surprise.

“It’s so nice out. But it’s noted that I should be more aware of what’s going on around me. I’ll admit I was distracted.” I smiled at him.

We walked in a comfortable silence to the corner bistro, where we ate and made small talk.  Then we’d moved through the small town, trying a few local dishes and beverages, as he told me about the history and different stories that related to different landmarks.

“Oh, you must try the sarmale. Henry has the best ones in the country, I swear it.” He smiled as he ordered two from an older gentleman.

I shifted uneasily on my feet as I realized he was going pay again. He’d paid for everything this afternoon, which a part of me knew was him being a gentleman. But I’d asked him out. I couldn’t expect him to pay when the only reason he was out with me was because I wanted to go.

My eyes followed the container that Henry passed to Vasile as he prepared the second one. If I was going to pay, I was going to have to beat him to it. He was too well mannered to let me be the one paying.

I sidestepped around him, placing myself between him and the cart. My hand was already in my purse, the few bills needed to cover the food fisted in my hand. Henry smiled and handed me what looked like a cabbage roll in a small bowl before handing one to Vasile. Before he’d finished telling us the total I was pulling my hand from my purse.

A cool touch wrapped around my wrist stopping me before I could remove it fully. I scowled as I focused on Vasile’s hand gripping my arm, before I followed his arm up to his face. He smiled at Henry as he paid and then looked to me with a disapproving glance.

“That was sneaky, soricel.” He frowned at me.

My heart stopped. I knew he was speaking his native language, one I had a general knowledge of, but I couldn’t remember that word. It felt very familiar-more familiar than just learning to speak it.

“You’ve paid for everything today. It was my idea to go out. I should pay.” I frowned at him.

“No, Cadella, a gentleman always pays. Besides, it was fun to watch you experience the flavors and treats available. I very much look forward to doing it again.” He smiled softly at me.

“Me too.” I smile as he turns us back towards the hotel.