Ella's eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she noticed was the soft, silken sheets beneath her. The fabric was unlike anything she had ever felt—cool, smooth, and impossibly luxurious. Her gaze shifted to the grand canopy above her, draped in rich, velvety curtains. Everything about this place screamed elegance and power. Where was she?
She pushed herself up, her body still weak, though the bruises and pain had faded. Confusion clouded her mind as she glanced around the room. The walls were carved from dark stone, but adorned with delicate golden patterns that shimmered in the dim light. It felt otherworldly, majestic...and unfamiliar.
A door creaked open, and Ella's breath caught in her throat as Adam stepped inside. His presence filled the room, a mixture of calm confidence and something darker, something she couldn't quite place. He looked at her, a soft smile on his lips, but his eyes held a depth she hadn't seen before.
"You're awake," he said gently, walking toward the bed.
Ella's heart raced, memories of the woods and those terrifying voices flashing through her mind. "Adam... what happened? Where am I?"
Adam sat beside her on the edge of the bed, his gaze never leaving hers. "You're safe now. This is my home, my world. I brought you here after... what happened in the woods."
His world? Ella's confusion deepened, but before she could ask more, Adam reached for her hand. His touch was warm, comforting, but there was something off, something she couldn't quite grasp.
"I saved you, Ella," he continued, his voice low and soothing. "You were hurt, and I couldn't let anything happen to you."
Her eyes flicked to his, trying to understand the weight behind his words. "But... where exactly am I? What do you mean, your world?"
Adam hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his next words carefully. Then, with a soft sigh, he spoke. "Ella, there's something I haven't told you. I'm not... human. This place, this kingdom, it belongs to me. I am the king here."
Ella's heart pounded in her chest. "A king? But... what are you?" Her voice trembled as the pieces began to fall into place, her mind racing to connect the dots.
Adam met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I am a vampire."
Silence fell between them like a thick fog. Ella's breath hitched, her pulse quickening as his words sank in. A vampire? It didn't seem real. The man she had known, the one who had saved her... was a creature of the night?
She pulled her hand away, fear creeping into her chest. "No... no, this can't be real."
Adam's eyes darkened with a flicker of pain as he watched her reaction. "I didn't want to hide it from you forever, Ella. I wanted to tell you, but not like this."
Ella shook her head, trying to make sense of everything. "You're a vampire? Why didn't you tell me? Why bring me here?"
He leaned forward, his voice soft but filled with intensity. "Because I love you, Ella. I've loved you for longer than you know. I couldn't let you die in those woods. I brought you here to keep you safe."
Ella's mind was spinning, her heart torn between disbelief and something else—something deeper. She stared at him, her emotions swirling. Love? He loved her?
Before she could respond, Adam stood, moving gracefully to the side of the bed. "I wanted to wait, to give you time. But after what happened, I can't wait anymore."
He dropped to one knee, his eyes filled with a vulnerability she had never seen before. "Ella, I want you to stay with me. Here, in my world. As my queen."
Her breath caught in her throat as he reached into his coat, pulling out a ring—an elegant band of silver, with a glowing gemstone at its center. It shimmered in the dim light, reflecting the warmth of his gaze.
"Marry me, Ella," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Be with me forever."
Ella stared at him, her heart aching with conflicting emotions. She had always felt something for him, something powerful and undeniable. But this? This was too much. The truth of what he was, the danger of his world... it was all too overwhelming.
"I... I can't," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Adam's face fell, the pain in his eyes piercing her heart. "Why not?"
Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice breaking as she spoke. "You're a vampire, Adam. How can I say yes to this? How can I be part of a world I don't understand? A world I'm afraid of?"
He looked down, his hand tightening around the ring. "I would never hurt you, Ella. You know that. I'd protect you, always. You wouldn't be alone."
Ella shook her head, her chest tight with emotion. "It's not about being alone. It's about... everything. I don't know if I can live in this world. I don't know if I can be with you knowing what you are."
Adam stood, his shoulders slumping in defeat, but his eyes remained soft as he looked at her. "I understand. I won't force you, Ella. But know this—my feelings for you haven't changed. And I'll wait. For as long as it takes."
She bit her lip, her heart aching at the sight of him. Part of her wanted to reach out, to accept his love, his protection. But the other part—the part filled with fear and uncertainty—held her back.
"I'm sorry, Adam," she whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I can't."
With that, she turned away, pulling the covers up around her trembling body, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. Adam stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them deafening. Then, without another word, he left the room, the door closing softly behind him.