Enchanted: Bound by Darkness

Chapter 4: Unexpected guest

Soleil Avery's POV:

As we began our journey through the dense forest, the atmosphere shifted. The air was cool and filled with the scent of damp earth and pine needles.

I just followed the man I met as he led the way with a confident stride, his presence both commanding and strangely comforting, sending volts of strange feelings into my being.

Wala akong mapupuntahan, at hindi ko rin alam kung saan paparoon. He didn't reacted nor asked anything as to why I am following right now, so my guess is, he is fine with it.

The silence was deafening somehow, especially when I am with this man.

"I'm Soleil Avery, my Lord" I spoke to him, dapat naman ata talaga magpakilala ako. I entered their territory after all, unannounced.

He paused from walking for a moment, but continued his strides after. Hindi man lang ako tinapunan ng tingin, at wala akong sagot na nakuha mula sa kanya.

His long strides carried him effortlessly across the the forest, while I struggle to keep pace, glancing around at the towering trees that loomed like sentinels.

I found myself nearly jogging to match his pace, my legs shorter and my steps smaller. The contrast was striking, his imposing presence radiated authority, while I felt almost dwarfed by him.

Despite my small stature, I am filled with an urge to match his pace, to prove myself worthy of being at his side. It was an unspoken challenge that I felt compelled to accept.

As we walked, the forest began to come alive around us. The soft rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the occasional scurry of unseen creatures filled the air. I could feel the weight of the night pressing in, but there was a strange sense of safety beside this man.

As we continued, the moonlight broke through the canopy, illuminating our path. I marveled at how the silvery beams transformed the ordinary into something magical.

I don't know why I felt a pull towards him, drawn to the enigmatic aura that surrounded him. The cool night air brush against my skin, but the chill was overshadowed by the warmth emanating from the man beside me.

After what felt like hours of walking, we reached a ridge overlooking a valley. Below us, the sprawling silhouette of a kingdom emerged from the mist, its towering walls glimmering faintly in the moonlight.

It's darkly breathtaking. The fortress appeared both majestic and daunting, a testament to centuries of history and power.

I marveled at the grandeur, my fears momentarily forgotten. "What is this place?" I whispered.

"My home" He suddenly replied, which made me shocked. His expression unreadable.

Home? a castle for a home? Who is this man really? I couldn't helped but to think as I look around.

"This place is utterly beautiful. It's incredible," I murmured, unable to take my eyes off the sight.

"Most see only the shadows" He replied, his gaze fixed on the kingdom. "But there is beauty in darkness, too."

I was confused by what he meant with that, pero hindi ko na inisip masyado.

As we made our way down the path toward the kingdom, the landscape shifted, revealing small villages nestled within the folds of the valley. Stone cottages dotted the hills, their windows glowing warmly against the encroaching night. The air buzzed with the low murmur of voices and the soft sounds of evening activities.

My eyes widened as we passed through the village outskirts. Villagers paused in their tasks, glancing up with a mix of curiosity and reverence. They recognized the man I am with instantly, their expressions shifting from surprise to respect.

A woman with a basket of herbs stopped to bow her head slightly, while a group of children, eyes wide with wonder, stared unabashedly at the imposing figure of the man I am with. Their small faces reflected a mix of fear and awe, yet they seemed drawn to the mysterious energy that surrounded him.

Their eyes would occasionally shift to red, I noticed, but I kept my mouth shut with the observation.

As we descended toward the castle, the terrain changed from rugged forest to manicured gardens, each step revealing more of the kingdom's secrets. Intricate stone pathways wound through vibrant flowers, their colors muted in the dim light but still mesmerizing.

I can't help but smile, walking at this pathway filled with these beautiful flowers. I couldn't help but to touch one of the flowers, and noticed it glowed for a moment under my touch.

Hiniwalay ko ang aking kamay mula rito, confused as to how it happened. I looked at my side, where I noticed him, staring at me with his captivating golden eyes. His brows knitted for a while with what he just witnessed, but he didn't said anything.

He continued walking again, and so I followed.

As we crossed the threshold into the castle, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The grand hall was filled with people, total of eight as I looked around, their pale skin contrasting sharply with the deep crimson and gold decor. Conversations hushed as we entered, and I could feel a wave of stares directed at me, each gaze a mix of curiosity and scrutiny.

The people, dressed in elegant attires that spoke of centuries of tradition, whispered among themselves, their eyes flickering between her and the man she is with. Some wore expressions of intrigue, while others seemed more guarded, their brows furrowed as they assessed the newcomer.

I instinctively moved closer to the man I came with, finding comfort in his unwavering stance.

I felt the heat rise to my cheeks, an unsettling sensation creeping over me. It was as if I were an exhibit in a gallery, each pair of eyes weighing my worth. I caught snippets of hushed conversations, words like "intruder" and "unexpected" drifting through the air.

"Ignore them," He said softly, sensing her discomfort. He stepped closer, a protective presence beside her. "They are simply curious. It is not every day their king brings a stranger into the heart of our domain."

'Their king?' I couldn't help but silently freak out. How can I be stupid, and naive. The audacity of me to follow him, not knowing he is someone important and looked up to in the world I am living.

However, his reassurance did little to quell her unease. As we moved further into the hall, I caught sight of a group of vampires standing apart, their expressions more severe. One, a tall figure with striking silver hair, narrowed his eyes, his gaze piercing. I felt a shiver run down my spine as he assessed me, his lips curling into a slight smirk.

"Who is this human, Azrael?" the silver-haired man called out, his voice smooth but laced with skepticism. "Is this human here as your guest, or... as food?" he asked and sipped from the wine glass, crimson liquid swirling within.

The way he savored it, the way it contrasted with his porcelain skin, fangs visible as he devoured the content, sent a shiver of realization through me.

My stomach dropped at the implication, and I instinctively stepped closer to the man with the golden eyes, my heart racing. The murmurs from the crowd intensified, eyes darting between me and the bold vampire.

Azrael's expression hardened, a flash of anger crossing his features. "Do not speak of her in such a manner," he warned, his voice low and steady. "She is not food. She is my guest."

'They are vampires, I followed not just an ordinary vampire man, but the king himself'. I came into realization.

Even after realizing it, hindi ko alam bakit ni onting takot, hindi ko makapa sa sarili ko. I just know that this person beside me will protect me, somehow.

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A/N:
I honestly don't know if someone would read this. If you bump into this story, pls let me know po haha. I'm curious if meron ba soon huehue.
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