Bound by moonlight (Book one of the vampire kingdom series)

Chapter 1 The Awakening

The moon hung low in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the ancient castle that stood atop the hill. Within its cold stone walls, a powerful vampire king named Adrian lay in a deep slumber, his centuries-old body resting in a grand chamber.
Unbeknownst to him, fate was about to intervene in his eternal existence. In a small village nestled at the foot of the hill, a young woman named Evelyn suffered under the cruel hand of her abusive husband. Night after night, she endured his wrath, her spirit slowly fading away. One fateful evening, as Evelyn lay battered and broken, a strange sensation washed over her. It was as if an invisible force was calling out to her, urging her to seek refuge in the castle on the hill. Driven by an inexplicable instinct, she gathered what little strength she had left and made her way through the dark forest, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and hope. As Evelyn approached the castle, its imposing presence both intimidated and intrigued her. The heavy wooden doors creaked open, seemingly of their own accord, inviting her inside. Hesitant but desperate for respite, she stepped over the threshold, her eyes widening at the sight that greeted her. The grand hall was adorned with opulent tapestries and flickering candlelight, casting dancing shadows across the marble floors. Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as she beheld the figure standing before her. Tall and regal, with eyes as piercing as the night sky, stood Adrian, the vampire king. Adrian's gaze locked onto Evelyn, his centuries-old heart stirring with a mix of curiosity and protectiveness. He sensed the pain and suffering etched into her delicate features, and a primal instinct awakened within him. He knew, in that moment, that he had found his mate, the one destined to be by his side for eternity. "Who are you?" Adrian's voice resonated through the hall, its commanding tone softened by a hint of concern. Evelyn's voice trembled as she spoke, her words barely above a whisper. "I am Evelyn, a woman seeking refuge from a life of torment." Adrian's eyes softened, his heart aching for the woman before him. "You are safe now, Evelyn. No harm shall befall you within these walls." As Adrian extended his hand, Evelyn hesitated for a moment, her past haunting her thoughts. But something within her urged her to trust this enigmatic vampire king, to believe that he could offer her the sanctuary she so desperately sought.
With a trembling hand, Evelyn reached out and placed her fragile fingers in Adrian's cool, comforting grasp. In that instant, a surge of energy passed between them, a connection forged in the depths of their souls. As their eyes met, a spark ignited, and the vampire king knew that his life would never be the same. He had found his mate, the one who would bring light to his dark existence and heal the wounds of his past. Little did they know that their journey together would be fraught with challenges and dangers, testing their love and resilience at every turn. But in that moment, as Evelyn's hand rested in Adrian's, they both felt a glimmer of hope, a promise of a future filled with love, redemption, and the strength to overcome any obstacle that dared to stand in their way. And so, their extraordinary tale began, two souls intertwined in a world where darkness and light danced in an eternal struggle, and where the power of love would prove to be their greatest weapon.