Chapter 6

The Prince approached the arch where I stood, and I was unsure whether my heartbeat was accelerating or decelerating. He was a sight to behold, yet also a nightmare. Everything about him seemed flawless, but what he symbolized was so dark it frightened me.

His features were strong, harmoniously arranged in a way that wasn't overly delicate nor too harsh. My gaze was irresistibly drawn to his eyes, two pools of golden brown that glowed like dark amber under the moonlight—utterly captivating.

As he moved beneath the arch, positioning himself directly across from me, the Prince smiled and remarked, "You look beautiful." Gently, he took my hands, lifted them to his lips, and kissed my knuckles softly. Astonished, I slightly parted my lips as if my mind had momentarily ceased to function. Was I inclined to flee from him or did I wish to kiss him?

A part of me yearned to retreat, while another part longed to stay forever entranced by those eyes. A mist enveloped us, making my senses increasingly feel as if I were dreaming. The crowd around us seemed to vanish, leaving just the two of us amidst an ethereal silence. Even the bishop's mumblings faded away.

An unseen force urged me to surrender to this man and embrace my destiny. Though I wished to resist, I felt the stranger's grip on my hands tighten. 'Don’t fight me,' echoed in my thoughts.

I blinked, questioning whether I was dreaming or if I truly heard his voice in my head. Intelligence gleamed in his eyes, as though he could read my mind. Tears welled up in my eyes, and silently, I pleaded, 'If you can hear me, let me go.' An unsettling sensation rose within me, and I felt his gentle squeeze on my hand.

"I vow to make you happy," the echo responded in my mind.

Oh no, I was ensnared. Completely ensnared.

The bishop loudly cleared his throat, and the Prince reluctantly diverted his intense gaze from me. "Do you take this woman to be your wife?" the Bishop inquired.

Turning back to me, the Prince locked eyes with mine and firmly stated, "I do."

'Now you are mine, and I am yours,' he softly communicated through our mental connection.

Suddenly, I found my voice and snapped, "No way am I marrying a madman!"

A smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth, and I could sense his amusement, as if our minds were intertwined. Irritated, I mentally screamed, 'GET OUT OF MY MIND!'

'Darling heart, please don't act this way; you're only upsetting yourself,' he replied, laced with a touch of sarcasm.

The bishop closed his sermon book with a sharp sound and declared, "You may now kiss the bride." The audience erupted into applause. I turned towards my new husband, gazing up at him with a mixture of attraction and fear.

'You'll never be alone; I will cherish you forever,' his voice echoed in my mind as he pulled me into his embrace, pressing me tightly against his body. I wanted to scream, 'Get off me,' but my body betrayed me, responding strongly to his touch, craving it, needing it. My hands instinctively felt the warmth and firmness of the muscles beneath his shirt.

Gently, the Prince used his fingers to tilt my chin upward. Leaning down, he brushed his lips lightly over mine before whispering, "Forgive me." He then lowered his head to my shoulder, nuzzling my neck. At first, I didn't understand, but when I felt his grip around my waist tightening like a boa constrictor, I knew something was wrong.

Pressing a kiss to my neck, he whispered once more, "Please forgive me."

I parted my lips to question the reason, but an intense pain erupted in my neck as I felt the Prince of Darkness' fangs pierce my skin and begin to drain the life from me.

Within me, there was a radiant light symbolizing my existence, which was now fading. Hovering between life and death, enveloped in a tranquil darkness, memories of summer days in Florida and my mom's Christmas cookies - all the little things that made my life special - flashed through my mind.

There was no anger or resentment, just a quiet acceptance that my time had come.

Surprisingly, I felt at peace and calm. All the worries that once plagued me faded away. It was unexpectedly serene, with the only regret being that I was leaving this world too young. My life had been too brief, my experiences too limited to claim it was fully lived. Hopes and dreams for my future were erased, replaced by an eternal silence.

As I let go of my physical self, my spirit began to drift away from the material world. It felt like slipping into a cool, calm sea or lake, almost like floating. I felt weightless, free, and utterly serene, without agitation or fear, only endless tranquility.

In this state of stillness beyond the physical realm, an unsettling feeling crept over me, slowly wrapping around me. The peaceful silence started to crackle like static, and I could hear faint whispers.

Straining to listen, amidst the pops and snaps, I discerned soft, hushed breaths and tiny whimpers. It sounded like someone weeping in profound sorrow, more than just crying.