ARIELLA'S POV

WITH Sylaq, you could never tell what he's up to. He told me that he would explain about vampirism and all. But for that, he had to take me to a place. Where exactly? I don't know cause Prince Sylaq Steel just prefers to make things mysterious.

As we stepped further into the forest, the trees grew taller and the light grew dimmer. The air was still and silent, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or chirp of a bird. But even these sounds seemed distant as if we were the only two people in the whole world. As the shadows lengthened, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. What lay in wait for us in this forest, shrouded in almost darkness?

What if he wanted to kill me? What if he wanted to offer me to their gods? Ariella, just chill. Sylaq wouldn't kill you. At least not yet. I don't know why but I was sure that this vampire wouldn't kill me yet.

        "Sylaq," I called to him slowly. He stopped walking and turned to me.

"Where are we?"

             "Where it all started," he replied and continued walking.

The sky was a canvas of indigo and violet, streaked with ribbons of pink and gold. As I gazed up at the heavens, I felt a sense of wonder and awe. It was as if the universe was unfolding before my eyes, revealing its hidden mysteries. I was lost in the beauty of the moment, and my fear and doubt melted away like mist in the sun. I obviously wouldn't waste this chance, I brought out my camera and captured the mesmerizing images of the sky. For a brief moment, I felt at peace. But then Sylaq's words echoed in my mind, and I wondered what he meant by "where it all started."

There were a lot of things I didn't know about him. Things I should know if I really wanted to protect myself from this vampiric life. "So what was life like before you became a vampire?" I asked him.

He stilled at my question then he cast me a lingering glance. "Why are you interested?"

"Can't I get to know my husband?"

             "So you finally accept that I'm your husband, huh?" He asked with a sexy wink.

I didn't reply to his question. "Ugh, are you gonna tell me or not?"

As Sylaq looked at me, his eyes were unreadable. He gave a small nod as if he was steeling himself for what he was about to say.  My shoulders relaxed, my breathing became shallow, and my face felt warm. I could feel my pulse quickening as I waited for him to speak.

He started, It's not as exciting as being a vampire. I mean being a human can be so...so...."

"Normal," I filled in for him.

He shook his head. "Nope. Humans aren't normal. No one is. Normality just doesn't exist."

Hmm, he might be right but I had my normal life planned out. I robbed my chin. "It depends on how you define normality. For me, I used to be normal before you snatched it away from me."

"Oh really? And was it enjoyable?"

           "Well.....," I paused, trying to find the right words.

"Well?" He pressed.

Ugh, I just slumped my shoulders. "At least I wasn't scared that vampires would reap my heart out."

My response flickered something in his alluring green eyes. I couldn't actually pinpoint if that something was guilt or remorse, or if it was nothing at all.

He muttered,  "Ariella...."

I cut him off.

With a bold face, I voiced out what was inside me. "Sure, your life is exciting and all but it comes with a lot of fears, hate, blood, suffering, and monstrosity. I wouldn't ever trade my human life for this vampiric shit."

            "No one's asking you to," Sylaq said, his voice slightly raised.

          "I just don't get it. If you find humans to be boring, then what's your deal with me? Why me? Tell me, Sylaq, why did you choose to trap me?" I was trying very hard to keep calm, I didn't want to be emotional but I couldn't help it. Why did he have to stumble upon my normality? Who gave him the right to redefine my life? For fuck sake, it's my life!

He slowly reached out to my hand and held it softly. "Cause the thought of you being here close to me is the greatest excitement of my life."

I removed my right hand from his and folded my arms and asked with a reduced tone. "And so, you'll only let me go when this excitement burns out?"

              "It can't. It won't," he answered with so much confidence and assurance that I almost believed him.

             "What if it does?" I questioned, unfolding my arms.

Without warning, he captured my lips, kissing me hungrily and I as always returned his kisses.

              "You really think this can burn out!" He asked with his deep voice, sweeping my tongue with his causing me to release an involuntary moan of pleasure.

No. This is so wrong.

            "Answer me, MRS. Steel." He was very passionate, he made sure that our bodies were pressed together and this was making me want him even more.

"I....I.....Sylaq, please stop," l moaned into his mouth.

I wasn't actually expecting him to stop but to my surprise, he did and I'm not sure I liked that he did.

With heavy breathing, he chuckled, "That kind of passion can't ever stop burning."

I was longing for more, my body wanted more of his fervid kisses. I wanted him to touch me all over and I wanted to do the same to him. But I couldn't do that. He fooled me once, he just couldn't be trusted. My only priority was to escape from here in one piece and for that, I needed to be smart. I really just couldn't fall for a vampire.

           "Ahem! So are we closer?" I questioned, rearranging my hair.

His lips curved into a smirk. He knew I was trying to divert our attention from what just happened.

               "If you take my hand, we could be there in a sec or we could just walk. It's up to you, sweetheart."

Take his hand? No fucking way!
"No, thanks."

              "For someone who loves adventure, you sure are showing it."

Now, he was using my love for adventure against me. Yeah, I actually do but not when it involves vampires. How does he even know that I love to try out exciting stuff?

I shot him a knowing gaze. "I never considered supernatural stuff adventurous. I never even knew they existed until I married one of them."

"Fortunately for you, you married the best one."

I wanted to wipe out that dazzling smile of his.

I laughed at the irony of his statement.

He sighed and ran his fingers through his brown hair. "Come on, Ariella, you've seen the dark part of my world. Let me show you the fun part."

He continued, moving closer to me, effortlessly drawing me in with his chocolate scent. "You've painted our pictures in all black, right?"

                  "Shouldn't I have?" I questioned, stepping back a bit.

               "You should see things as they are," Sylaq responded, stepping closer. "I'm not all darkness and you're not all light. We're a combination of both, like yin and yang."

             "Seriously? You're comparing us to Taoist philosophy?" I asked, chuckling.

"If it helps you understand, then yes."

I shrugged. "We're not some cosmic forces, Sylaq. You're a vampire and I'm human."

            "But it's more than that, and you know it. But I'm not gonna force you to change your mind. I'm positive that one day, you'll repaint our picture in black and white with love in the middle."

I couldn't help but let out a sardonic laugh. That day would never come.

I clasped my hands and told him clearly. "Sylaq, we didn't come here to talk about us. Please let's just focus on why we're actually here."

Sylaq held out his hand, his long, muscled arm stretched out towards me. I hesitated for a moment, my heart beating wildly in my chest. But something about him, about the way he was looking at me, convinced me to reach for his hand.

He pulled me closer with surprising strength, and before I could catch my breath, we were off. Everything blurred around me, and I felt my heart racing to keep up with the speed at which we were moving. The wind rushed past my face, and my hair whipped around my head.

I couldn't catch my breath. The rush of adrenaline that coursed through my body left me feeling both terrified and exhilarated.

              "Ahhhhh! You're too fast!" I screamed, clutching his hand with all my strength. But the fear soon turned into something else. As the world rushed by in a blur, my heart raced with the thrill of the speed, and I felt a sense of freedom that I had never experienced before.

I didn't want the ride to end, didn't want to let go of his hand. This moment was something I had never imagined.

It just felt so real and unreal.

I was amazed by how safe I felt in Sylaq's presence. The fear and panic that had coursed through my body had disappeared, replaced by a sense of security.

I no longer worried about stumbling or falling, my mind focused on the moment. And yet, even as I savored the feeling of peace, I realized that time had flown by. The journey had ended all too soon.

Sylaq stopped, his breathing heavy, and I opened my eyes to see where we had arrived.

         "We're here?" I asked my voice barely above.

***********

Hi, Sweeties and Hotties 💕

I so much love this chapter 😂 😂 Get ready to know more about the creation of the Steels in the coming chapters 💕

Love y'all 💕

Aduke💕