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CHAPTER 4

AMY

I open my mouth wide in shock at what he tells me. He's spinning a dark and false tale for a moment, but I can see he's sincere.

"Are you telling me I have some connection to these two artifacts? That's not possible. I have no idea what you're talking about, Aaron. It's impossible for me to know where two things I've never seen in my entire life are.", I say, shaking my head and looking down as I feel his hand touching mine.

A shiver runs down my spine as I feel his cold skin against mine.

"You're stepping into a new world, Amy. Your mother..."

"No! Don't say my mother has anything to do with this; she's dead; she died a long time ago, and I didn't get to know her.", I say, feeling tears welling up in my eyes as I think of her.

"Your mother ensured that you were the key, the only person who could change and save humanity's fate. There's a reason your father hates you so much."

I feel tears wetting my face as I nod in understanding.

"He hates me because I was responsible for my mother's death.", I whisper, and Aaron shakes his head.

"Your mother was an amazing woman, Amy. I knew her very well before you were born, but she made a terrible mistake: She fell in love with the wrong person—a vampire."

My eyes widened in shock as tears flowed down my face, and then I saw him handing me a very old-looking photo.

I blink back tears as I see a picture of my mother beside Aaron, smiling at each other.

I touch the photo, feeling my heart beating faster and harder.

"Your mother fell in love with a vampire, but not just any vampire; she fell in love with the strongest vampire, the oldest vampire of all, and from this union, a baby was born.", he tells me, and I shake my head, feeling my vision completely blurred by tears.

"No! What are you talking about? That's impossible; my mother wasn't a vampire, and I'm not a vampire!"

"No, you're not. But you're the daughter of the most powerful vampire this world has ever known, Amy. Upon learning of your mother's pregnancy, he rejected the baby, and your mother fled to protect you from him."

"Your mother met a human man, and he promised to care for the baby as his own, and they married. And then you were born, and she died..."

"Stop, please! Don't say that; you're lying! I'm not the daughter of a vampire; I'm the daughter of two human beings.", I say louder, tears streaming down my face.

"You always wanted to know why your father hated you, and the truth is, he's not your real father, and after your mother's death, he wanted to blame you for it."

Aaron's words echo in my ears like a distant echo, but the impact of his revelation hits me like a decisive blow.

My heart seems to stop for a moment before starting to beat wildly as if trying to escape from a disturbing reality.

A terrible truth unfolds before me, leaving me disoriented and fragile.

Tears flood my eyes as Aaron speaks, revealing my origins.

I am the daughter of the most powerful vampire in the world, a fact that shakes the foundations of my existence.

The man I always considered my father was not my real father; I feel like a mere puppet manipulated by forces that I now realize are far beyond my understanding.

A sob escapes my lips as Aaron's words echo in my mind. He always knew the truth; he always knew that I wasn't his biological daughter. And yet, he raised me as if I were his daughter.

The idea that he always hated me for being different and for not being his real daughter tears my heart to pieces.

A wave of pain and despair overwhelms me as tears begin to flow down my face.

I cannot contain the overwhelming emotions that consume me from within.

I hug my own body as if I could protect myself from the flood of anguish that suffocates me. My chest aches with the intensity of the betrayal that now unfolds before me.

"This is the truth that everyone hid from you, Amy. Your mother, when she fled pregnant, hid the two powerful artifacts so that your father could never find them, a place where only you could find them..."

"No..."

"This is the reason for our marriage; I promised your mother I would care for and protect you when your father tried to find you. Marrying me will keep you safe from all vampires and your father."

Sobs escape my throat as I struggle to process the enormity of the lie that has permeated my entire life.

My entire existence was built on a foundation of falsehood and deceit, and now I find myself sinking into an abyss of uncertainty and pain. The sensation of being a stranger in my own life is overwhelming, leaving me lost and helpless.

The raw and relentless truth hits me like a punch to the stomach. Everything I believed in, loved, and valued has been revealed as an illusion.

As the tears continue flowing, I realize there is no going back.

The truth is a sharp knife that cuts deeply, leaving indelible scars on my soul. The knowledge of my true origin is like a curse I must now carry forever, a dark shadow obscuring everything that was once bright and true.

"What will happen if he finds me? He'll try to kill me, right?", I ask, sobbing as I see the severe expression on Aaron's face.

"I don't know, Amy. He has always been cruel; I don't know what he could do to you."

"I'll marry you; I'll do it...", I whisper, feeling his hand holding mine.

He continues to look at me, and I see that when he sits in front of me, I lift my head, feeling his hand touching my face as if he's trying to dry my tears.

"I'll protect you; I'll take care of you. I know you don't love me, but I can live with that, Amy...", he whispers, and I close my eyes, still feeling the tears wetting my face.

"I want to be alone, please...", I whisper, opening my eyes and seeing Aaron leaving the room.

I sigh, lying on the bed and crying again, hugging the pillow tightly.

The truth is that the man I always thought was my father always hated me, and my birth father is a vampire who wants to kill me.

I risked my life when I ran to the forest alone.

Now I understand why I have to marry Aaron; he knew my mother, and she trusted him, and I need to do the same.

I cry for a few hours, and exhaustion finally overtakes my body, and seconds later, I close my eyes.

Dressed in the stunning white wedding dress, I feel a lump forming in my throat as I lift my head and face the magnificence of the landscape unfolding before me.

The mansion's property is transformed into a fairytale setting for the wedding day, with every detail meticulously crafted to celebrate this special occasion. Yet, despite the surrounding beauty, my heart is heavy with worry and sadness.

I spent most of the previous night crying, leaving trails on my now serene face.

As I blink my eyes, I find myself facing the long red carpet stretched out before me as if leading me toward an unknown destiny.

I feel tight in my chest as I realize I'm about to enter a world of supernatural creatures, a universe completely different from the one I've known until now.

I avert my gaze, focusing on the bouquet in my trembling hands, an attempt to find some comfort amidst the uncertainty that surrounds me.

My father approaches me, ready to escort me to Aaron, and my heart begins to beat faster, anticipating what is to come. He takes my arm, and I blink my eyes, seeing that he is wearing a suit.

He bends down to whisper something in my ear, and I close my eyes, preparing myself for another painful revelation that will tear my heart apart.

My breath catches as I await his words, expecting the final blow to seal my fate. However, instead, I feel tears beginning to stream down my face as he murmurs:

"I hope you have a better life. Your mother would be proud of you and happy today."

My father's words hit me like a ray of light amidst the darkness. A wave of emotion washes over me as I absorb his words, a mix of sadness and gratitude filling my heart.

With a trembling sigh, I accept his words as a parting gift, a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is still love and hope to be found. I hold the bouquet firmly in my hands, determined to face the unknown with courage and determination.

The world seems to pause around me as I blink my eyes, beginning to hear the wedding music playing. I turn my head, seeing many people here to witness my marriage to Aaron. I dry my eyes, and still holding my bouquet of red roses, I start walking down the long red carpet with my father holding my arm.

Listening to the surrounding music, I try to concentrate and not cry, but seconds later, tears well up in my eyes as I continue walking towards Aaron. My heart feels like it could stop at any moment, as seconds later, I catch sight of him for the first time today. He's wearing a handsome black suit, and I blink my eyes, seeing that he's watching me.

Looking at him at this moment reminds me of when he fought for me last night and protected me as I was falling off the cliff. People around me look at me as if this is the happiest day of my life, but I can't smile now. I blink, feeling a tear running down my cheek as I finally reach Aaron.

I feel my whole body shiver as his cold hand touches mine, and I lift my head, standing before the master of ceremonies. Furthermore, I sigh, drying my eyes and trying to forget that there are many vampires around me. I turn my head, seeing a small smile on Aaron's lips as he continues to watch me.

"You look beautiful, Amy...", he whispers, and the tears in my eyes completely blur my vision.

"Ladies and gentlemen, honored guests, it is with great honor and emotion that we gather today to witness a truly extraordinary event. We are here to celebrate the union of two souls destined to meet in a bond that transcends all known barriers. Today, we witness the union between the graceful Amy and the noble Aaron, an alliance between humanity and the supernatural."

I blink my eyes, crying silently, trying my best to focus only on his words, but I can't stop thinking about everything Aaron told me last night. The truth is dominating my mind at this moment.

"Today, we celebrate not only the love between two people but also the courage to face the unknown, embrace the unusual, and find happiness where we least expect it. May this union symbolize hope and inspiration for all of us. May it remind us of the importance of loving without prejudice, accepting differences, and embracing the magic within each of us."

Love. I don't feel that; in fact, I have never felt that, and I definitely don't love Aaron.

"I, Aaron Castelanni, take you, Amy Lewis, as my lawful wife. I promise to be faithful, love, and respect you, in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, for all eternity." He takes a gold ring, and I sigh as I feel him put the ring on my finger.

I lift my head and look at everyone around us, silently watching us, still holding Aaron's hand. I struggle to repeat his words.

"I, Amy Lewis, take you, Aaron Castelanni, as my lawful husband. I promise to be faithful, love, and respect you. In joy and sorrow, in sickness and health, in wealth and in poverty, for all the days of my life.", I slide the other ring on his finger, and I see his red pupils fixed on my face.

I furrow my brow when I see the master of ceremonies touch Aaron's hand before cutting his hand using a dagger, and I groan softly when I feel him doing the same thing with my skin.

I feel Aaron's hand over mine in a way our blood touches. The master of ceremonies puts a red satin ribbon around our wrists as I struggle to understand what he's doing now.

"You are united by fate and by blood now. You may kiss the bride now."

I feel one of Aaron's hands touching my face, and I close my eyes when I feel his lips against mine for the first time. I feel my body trembling as he puts one hand around my waist while I hear everyone celebrating.

Furthermore, I still feel his lips, and I allow myself to get lost in the sensations of his mouth against mine in a kiss that unites our relationship.

I am married to a vampire.

When I feel him pulling away from me, I still stay a few seconds with my eyes closed before opening them and feeling his hand holding mine.

I remain still in the center of the room, wrapped in the white fabric of the wedding dress, which now seems like a fragile barrier around my body. My heart beats uncontrollably in my chest, a mixture of anticipation and resignation dominating me as I await the arrival of Aaron, my newlywed husband.

A shiver runs down my spine as the door opens, announcing his arrival. I take a deep breath, preparing myself for what is to come. I know his expectations for tonight, and the prospect fills me with nervousness.

Not only that, but I silently watch as he carefully removes his suit and places it on the nearby table. His gentleness surprises me, an unexpected courtesy that intrigues me even more. Then, he pours wine into a glass and approaches, offering me the drink as a silent invitation to share this moment.

"You seem tense, Amy.", he whispers, and I blink my eyes, looking at the ring around my finger.

"Are you going to make love to me now?", I ask, raising my head and seeing that he's looking at me with a small smile.

"Making love—that's a very curious description, Amy."

"I've never done it, I don't know what to do...", I whisper nervously, and he furrows his brow, getting closer to me now.

"Have you ever been kissed by another man before?", he asks, and I shake my head silently.

"Well, don't be nervous; my intention will never be to hurt you, and nothing will happen between us tonight if you're too nervous, I promise.", he says, and I nod, feeling more relieved now.

I accept the glass, feeling his hands on my shoulders as I bring the drink to my trembling lips. The wine goes down my throat, bringing a comforting warmth that contrasts with my coldness. I close my eyes, allowing myself to savor each sip, seeking momentarily refuge in the drink's sweetness.

His touch is hesitant as if he's as lost as I am about how to proceed. I wonder what is going through his mind and what he expects from this night that marks the beginning of our life together. I'm torn between wanting to satisfy him and preserving my integrity and autonomy.

As the wine begins to take effect, I feel more relaxed and capable of dealing with the situation unfolding around me. I open my eyes to meet his, trying to decipher the emotions I see reflected in his gaze.

"Are you okay?", he asks, and I nod, feeling him turning my body.

Now I'm facing him, and I blink my eyes, feeling him getting closer and closer to me. I sigh when he touches my face and don't pull away when he kisses me again.

I keep my eyes closed, surrendering to the gentle touch of Aaron's lips against mine.

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