Eternal desire

Chapter 5

### Chapter 5: *The Attraction Grows*

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The sun was setting behind the jagged hills that surrounded Crimson Hollow, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Amara stood on the porch of her modest home, gazing at the breathtaking view. Her thoughts were far from the serenity of the evening; they were preoccupied with the enigmatic Lucien. His presence, once a mere curiosity, had become a captivating enigma that she could hardly ignore.

Lucien had been distant ever since their encounter in the forest, his demeanor cold and guarded. Despite his efforts to avoid her, Amara couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye. His aloofness only fueled her curiosity and, against her better judgment, drew her closer. She resolved to break through his barriers, not out of stubbornness, but because her heart told her there was something worth discovering.

As if on cue, Lucien appeared at the edge of the forest, his silhouette a dark contrast against the dimming sky. He seemed to be walking with purpose, his expression a mask of indifference. Amara’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Taking a deep breath, she stepped off the porch and approached him, her determination firm.

“Lucien!” she called out, her voice carrying through the crisp evening air.

Lucien paused, his eyes narrowing as he turned to face her. His expression softened momentarily, but he quickly masked it with his usual impassive look. “Amara,” he greeted, his tone neutral. “What brings you out here?”

“I was hoping to talk,” she replied, coming closer. “I know you’ve been avoiding me, but I just wanted to understand why.”

Lucien sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. “It’s not about you,” he said, his gaze shifting to the ground. “It’s better this way. For both of us.”

“But why?” Amara pressed, her voice gentle but persistent. “I don’t understand. We had a connection in the forest, didn’t we?”

Lucien’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw a flicker of vulnerability. “Connections can be dangerous,” he said quietly. “You don’t know what you’re getting into.”

“I’m willing to take that risk,” Amara said firmly. “I want to understand you, Lucien. I want to know why you on the other hand want to be so distant not from only me but even from other people.”

Lucien hesitated, and Amara could see the internal struggle written across his face. After a long moment, he finally spoke. “Fine. But only for a little while. Let’s walk.”

Relief washed over Amara as she matched his pace, walking beside him through the forest. The trees stood tall and silent, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. They walked in companionable silence for a while, each lost in their thoughts. Lucien’s presence was magnetic, and Amara felt an inexplicable pull towards him.

“What do you want to know?” Lucien asked, breaking the silence.

“Anything,” Amara replied. “Why are you so distant? Why don't you interact with people?”

Lucien glanced at her, his expression conflicted. “It’s not about being distant,” he said slowly. “It’s about protecting others. There are things about me that could be dangerous, not just for myself, but for those around me.”

Amara’s curiosity was piqued. “Dangerous? How?”

Lucien was silent for a moment, as if weighing his words. “I’m not like everyone else,” he said finally. “There are... aspects of my nature that are not easily understood.”

Amara felt a shiver run down her spine. “Are you saying you’re... different?”

Lucien nodded. “Yes. I’m not human, Amara. I’m something else entirely.”

His confession hung in the air between them, and Amara’s mind raced. “What are you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Lucien stopped walking and faced her, his eyes dark and serious. “I already told you I’m a vampire,” he said simply.

Amara immediately remembered that he had told her this before when they were in the forest. “You’re a vampire,” she repeated.

“Yes,” Lucien said. “And that’s why I need to keep my distance. My nature makes it difficult to form connections with humans.”

Amara felt a deep empathy for him. “But that doesn’t mean you have to be alone,” she said softly. “You’re still you, Lucien. And I’m here for you, no matter what.”

Lucien’s eyes softened, and for the first time, Amara saw a genuine smile on his face. “You’re very persistent, Amara,” he said, his tone lightening. “But I appreciate your understanding.”

As they continued their walk, the tension between them seemed to dissolve, replaced by a growing sense of companionship. Lucien’s guard was down, and he began to open up more about his life and experiences. Amara listened intently, fascinated by his stories and the depth of his character.

The sun had long set by the time they reached a clearing in the forest, where a small, ancient stone circle stood. Lucien motioned for Amara to sit, and they settled on the cool grass, the stars twinkling above them.

“This place is special to me,” Lucien said, gazing up at the night sky. “It’s where I come to think and reflect.”

“It’s beautiful,” Amara said, looking around. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

Lucien looked at her, his gaze intense. “You’ve been more understanding than I expected. I didn’t think anyone could still stay after hearing all of that.”

Amara smiled, feeling a warm flutter in her chest. “I know there’s more to you than just your experiences. I’ve felt it since the first time we met.”

Their eyes met, and Amara felt a magnetic pull between them. The attraction was undeniable, growing stronger with each passing moment. Lucien’s expression softened, and he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.

“I didn’t want to let anyone in,” Lucien admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “But you’ve made it hard to stay away.”

Amara’s heart raced as she leaned closer to him. “I’m glad. I don’t want you to push me away.”

Lucien’s fingers brushed against hers, and a spark of electricity passed between them. The connection they shared was palpable, an unspoken understanding that transcended words. He leaned in, and Amara met him halfway, their lips touching in a tender, exploratory kiss.

The world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in that magical moment. When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingling in the cool night air, Amara could see the depth of emotion in Lucien’s eyes.

“I’ve been afraid of this,” Lucien confessed, his voice hushed. “Afraid of getting close to someone, afraid of the consequences.”

Amara took his hand in hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore,” she said softly. “We can face whatever comes together.”

Lucien looked at her with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. “Do you really think we can make this work?”

Amara nodded, her gaze steady. “Yes. I believe in us, Lucien. I believe in what we have.”

As they sat together in the moonlit clearing, a sense of peace settled over them. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges and obstacles. But for the first time, Lucien felt a glimmer of hope. Amara’s presence had begun to break through the walls he had so carefully constructed around his heart, and the attraction between them was undeniable.

In that moment, surrounded by the ancient stones and the whisper of the night breeze, Lucien and Amara allowed themselves to embrace the growing romance that had blossomed between them. Their journey was just beginning, but with each step they took together, the bond between them grew stronger, promising a future filled with both challenges and possibilities.

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This chapter marks a significant shift in their relationship, with Lucien beginning to lower his defenses and Amara’s persistence leading to a deepening connection.