The room was quiet, save for the sound of crackling fire in the hearth. Ella stood near the window, gazing out at the vast kingdom below. Adam's world, so beautiful yet so full of darkness. She knew he was behind her before he even spoke—a presence that always seemed to fill every space around her.
"Ella," Adam's voice was soft, almost pleading as he walked toward her. "You've been avoiding me since last night."
Ella didn't turn around, her fingers lightly tracing the cool glass of the window. "I just needed time to think," she whispered, her mind still conflicted over the proposal.
Adam's arms circled her waist from behind, pulling her gently into him. "I know you're afraid," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear. "But I meant what I said. I love you, Ella. I need you by my side, as my queen."
Ella closed her eyes, leaning back against him for a moment, before reality set in again. She pulled away, turning to face him with a mixture of longing and frustration in her eyes. "Adam, I can't just forget everything. Your forefathers... they killed my father."
He sighed, his hand reaching up to gently cup her cheek. "I know, and I wish I could change the past. But I am not them, Ella. I would never hurt you. I've spent my life trying to be different from them."
His eyes softened, full of sincerity, and for a brief moment, she felt the pull of his words. But the weight of her past kept her grounded. She stepped back, creating space between them.
"How can I marry the son of the man who destroyed my family?" Her voice broke, the pain evident in her words.
Adam stepped forward again, his hands outstretched, as if to catch her before she drifted too far. "Because I love you, and because I would do anything to make it right."
He moved closer, his face inches from hers now, and Ella's heart raced in her chest. His presence was intoxicating, and despite her inner turmoil, she couldn't deny the attraction that lingered between them. He leaned in, his lips brushing lightly against hers, teasingly soft. She wanted to pull away, to reject him again, but something inside her froze.
"Why fight this?" he whispered against her lips. "You know we belong together."
Ella's breath hitched, her mind swirling with the intensity of the moment. But then, the anger resurfaced. She pushed him back gently but firmly, her eyes flashing with the memories of her father's death.
"You don't understand, Adam," she said, her voice hardening. "I could never marry you. Every time I look at you, I see the man who took everything from me. I see the blood of my father on your family's hands."
The words were like daggers, each one striking deeper than the last. Adam's face fell, the pain in his eyes clear as her harsh words pierced through his heart. For a moment, he stood frozen, as if he didn't know how to respond.
"I'm not them, Ella," he said quietly, his voice trembling slightly. "I'm not my father."
Ella turned away, tears stinging her eyes. "But you are still his son," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Silence stretched between them, the weight of her words settling in the air. Adam's shoulders slumped, and she could see the heartbreak etched into his face. He took a step back, wiping away the tear that had fallen down his cheek.
"I never wanted to hurt you," he whispered, his voice breaking. "I thought... I thought you felt the same way about me."
Ella's heart clenched as she watched the pain ripple through him. She hadn't meant to hurt him this deeply. Guilt washed over her as she turned to face him fully, her resolve crumbling under the weight of his sadness.
"Adam... I'm sorry," she said softly, her voice laced with regret.
Adam looked at her, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Sorry won't fix this, Ella," he said, his voice soft but firm. "You've made your choice."
Ella stepped closer, her heart aching at the sight of his pain. "I didn't mean to hurt you," she said, her hand gently reaching for his. "I just... I'm so confused. I need time."
Adam shook his head, taking a step back. "Time won't change what you've said." His voice was barely above a whisper.
Ella's chest tightened, desperation clawing at her. She didn't want to see him like this, broken and hurting. She took another step toward him, her hand trembling as it reached up to cup his cheek.
"Then let me make it up to you," she whispered, her voice tender and full of remorse. "Please, Adam."
He looked at her, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "What do you mean?"
Ella bit her lip, her heart racing as she leaned in closer, her lips hovering just above his. "A kiss," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin. "As a start."
Adam's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "You want to kiss me?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
Ella nodded, her voice soft but sure. "Yes."
He hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching hers for any sign of doubt. But when he found none, he closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a slow, tender kiss. It started gentle, almost hesitant, but quickly deepened as the emotions they had both been holding back came rushing to the surface.
The kiss was intense, filled with the longing, frustration, and passion that had been building between them for so long. Ella's hands tangled in his hair as she pulled him closer, her body pressing against his. Adam responded in kind, his arms wrapping tightly around her waist as he kissed her with a desperation that mirrored her own.
The world around them seemed to disappear, the only thing that mattered was the feel of his lips on hers, the heat of his body against hers. The kiss grew more fervent, more urgent, as if they were both trying to make up for all the lost time, for all the hurt and pain that had kept them apart.
When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to catch their breath. Ella looked up at Adam, her heart pounding in her chest.
"I'm sorry," she whispered again, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to push you away."
Adam smiled softly, his thumb gently brushing over her cheek. "I know," he said quietly. "But this... this is a start."