Enchanted: Bound by Darkness

Chapter 3: Azrael

3rd Person's POV:

Azrael stood on the terrace of his castle, a glass of crimson blood in hand, the cool night air wrapping around him like a cloak.

The stars sparkled above, but his mind was elsewhere, consumed by thoughts of his kingdom.

Suddenly, a shift in the atmosphere caught his attention.

He looked through the surrounding trees of his castle, the moonlight filtering the night. An inexplicable pull tugged at him, an ancient instinct awakening within.

He felt it, a powerful energy drawing near. Someone was entering his territory, and it was no ordinary presence.

He paused, his senses sharpening as he inhaled deeply. Iniwan niya ang kaninang hawak na kopita ng dugo, and teleported near to where he felt the presence.

The place where he felt an unwelcomed visitor entered his territory might be too far from his castle, pero hindi siya maitataguring na hari ng kanyang lahi kung hindi man lang niya ito maramdaman.

He was in the Bloodstone Mountain. A part of his eastern territory.

The air was thick with the scent of pine, but underneath it lay something intoxicating—a rich scent of blood mingling with sweet, floral fragrance that sent a thrill coursing through his veins.

He turned, his heart racing in a way it hadn't in centuries. His beloved was near. The connection was undeniable, a magnetic force drawing him forward.

He moved silently through the underbrush, each step guided by an urgency he couldn't ignore.

He emerged from the shadows. Tall and imposing, Azrael, the vampire king, stepped into the fading light, his presence commanding and fierce. His eyes glinted like molten gold, piercing through the twilight.

Avery's breath caught in her throat, a mix of fear and an inexplicable pull towards him.

There she was, his beloved, the one he had been searching for across countless lifetimes.

The moment their eyes met, an electrifying joy coursed through Azrael. It was as if the world around him faded, leaving only the two of them suspended in time.

But beneath that happiness, his instincts remained sharp.

"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice like silk wrapped around steel.

For Azrael, the woman was an enchanting sight. Her long, blonde hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of sunlight, shimmering with hints of honey and platinum. Each strand seemed to capture the light, reflecting warmth and vitality, a stark contrast to the shadowy depths of Obsidian Vale. It framed her delicate features, accentuating the softness of her cheeks and the gentle curve of her lips.

But it was her eyes that held him captive—dark green, like the heart of an ancient forest, swirling with an otherworldly depth. They sparkled with fear, confusion yet held a flicker of curiosity that resonated within him. As she glanced up, her gaze met his, an electric connection sparking in the cool night air.

"I—I don't know," she stammered, stepping back instinctively.

The moonlight wrapped around her like a cloak, illuminating her ethereal beauty. He realized he was faced with an enigma, a creature of light who had wandered into his dark dominion, and he was both intrigued and wary.

"I woke up not far from here, lost." she answered, and for a moment, uncertainty flickered across her features.

Azrael studied her, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. "Lost? In my territory? You must be brave or foolish."

His words sent a shiver down her spine, but something in his gaze softened, revealing a glimmer of curiosity. She felt the weight of his scrutiny, as if he could see the truth hidden within her.

"I can't remember anything," she confessed, vulnerability spilling from her heart. "I only know I'm drawn to this place."

"Drawn to this place? Do you know what dangers lurk here?" he asked, his voice edged with authority.

"I sense them," she admitted, her gaze unwavering.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I just—" She hesitated, unsure of her own feelings. "I just really feel a connection to this land."

Azrael narrowed his eyes, conflicted by her allure and the strict laws of his kingdom.

Avery didn't know where she got the courage to look at him straight in the eyes now. It's like its luring her more towards him.

His hair, dark as night, fell in tousled waves, framing his face and emphasizing his striking features. But it was his eyes that captivated her most, intense, almost hypnotic, they were a shade of gold, swirling with secrets and ancient knowledge. They seemed to pierce through her, as if he could see into her very soul, unraveling the mysteries she herself couldn't grasp.

The way he carried himself was both commanding and graceful, each movement fluid, exuding an unyielding confidence. There was danger in his presence, a promise of unpredictability, but also an undeniable magnetism that pulled her closer.

Avery felt a rush of warmth despite the chill of the night. His aura was powerful, a blend of darkness and allure, igniting something deep within her—a desire to uncover the depths of his world and to know this man more.

In that moment, she realized she was not just drawn to the land but to him, the enigmatic ruler of shadows of this land.

"Perhaps you're more than you seem," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Or perhaps you're simply lost."

As he turned to leave, something compelled Avery to follow him.

Against her better judgment, she stepped into the shadows at his heels, drawn by the promise of answers and an undeniable connection that flickered between them.

The path ahead was fraught with danger, but Avery felt a spark of hope ignite within her.

Maybe, just maybe, this darkness held the key to her forgotten past—and to the enchantment she couldn't yet understand.