The night was unusually still, as if the world itself held its breath in anticipation. I stood at the entrance to the grand hall, my heart pounding in my chest. The stone walls were draped in silken banners of deep crimson and gold, lit by hundreds of flickering candles that cast a soft glow over the gathering. This was it—the night of my wedding.
I was supposed to feel joy, or at least relief. But a sense of dread clung to me, the weight of an unseen threat pressing down on my shoulders. Adam stood at the altar, his eyes fixed on me, glowing with that same intense light that always made my heart flutter—and tremble. Dressed in dark, regal attire, he looked every bit the vampire king, waiting for his queen.
As I walked slowly down the aisle, each step felt heavy, my mind replaying my mother's words from earlier. I had teleported to my land just hours before the ceremony, feeling that familiar pull deep inside me. My mother had been waiting, her face lined with worry.
*"Danger is coming, Ella,"* she had warned, her voice low and filled with urgency. *"Tonight will not be as it seems. You must be careful. Forces beyond your control are at work, and they will strike when you least expect it."*
I had tried to ask more, but before I could, I had been pulled back to Adam's world, my time in the other realm fleeting as always.
Now, as I approached Adam, those words echoed in my mind. But I pushed them aside. This was my wedding day, and despite the warning, I needed to focus. Adam and I were about to make vows that would bind us forever. A shiver ran down my spine—was it from fear or excitement? Maybe both.
As I reached the altar, Adam took my hand, his cold fingers curling around mine. His eyes searched my face, as if he could sense my hesitation. He leaned in close, whispering, "Are you ready, Ella?"
I nodded, though my heart screamed with uncertainty. The officiant began to speak, his deep voice echoing through the hall, but my thoughts were elsewhere. What if my mother was right? What if danger truly was looming, waiting to strike?
"Do you, Adam, vow to protect her, to love her, to stand by her side, even in the darkest of times?" the officiant asked.
"I do," Adam's voice was firm, his gaze never leaving mine.
"And do you, Ella, vow to stand with him, to love him, even through the shadows that may fall?"
I hesitated for a heartbeat, feeling a strange shift in the air. The candles flickered wildly, as if caught in a sudden gust of wind. I could feel it—a presence, something dark lurking just beyond the hall.
"I... I do," I managed, though my voice was softer than I intended.
The moment the words left my lips, the air grew colder. The shadows in the room seemed to lengthen, crawling toward us like creeping fingers. I could feel the danger now, as if it was wrapping around me, whispering threats into my ear. Adam's grip tightened on my hand, his eyes narrowing, sensing it too.
Before I could react, the doors to the hall flew open with a loud crash, the flames from the candles flickering wildly as a gust of icy wind rushed in. The guests gasped, turning toward the entrance, and I felt it—a dark energy surging toward us. My mother's warning rang in my ears, louder than ever.
"Ella, get behind me," Adam growled, stepping in front of me protectively. His voice was low, filled with a mix of fury and concern. He knew, just as I did, that this was no ordinary disturbance.
I glanced around, feeling the panic rise in the room. The shadows writhed, moving unnaturally. Something was here—something powerful and malevolent. And it was coming for us.
But before I could process the danger fully, Adam turned to me, his crimson eyes softening for a moment. "No matter what happens tonight," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "we're in this together. Remember our vows."
I nodded, swallowing my fear. Together. We had made our vows, and now we would have to face whatever was coming—together