The ballroom shimmered under the light of a thousand crystal chandeliers. Princess Elira of Lyeria stood at the center of the grand festivities, her emerald gown flowing around her like a river of silk. Music swirled in the air, a lively waltz played by the royal orchestra, but the smile she wore was forced. Her heartfelt heavy beneath the weight of expectations.

The engagement to Prince Alden was supposed to bring peace between the kingdoms of Lyeria and Vareth. But to Elira, it felt like shackles tightening around her freedom. Her father, King Roderic, had made it clear: duty came before desire.

Elira glanced around the room, seeking solace in familiar faces, but instead, her gaze locked on a stranger. He stood near the edge of the crowd, dressed in dark, elegant attire that seemed at odds with the vibrant colors of the ball. His presence was magnetic, his crimson eyes sharp as they fixed on her. A chill ran down her spine, but she quickly looked away, dismissing the unease.

She didn’t know that her life was about to change forever.The night carried on, and Elira found herself retreating to the palace gardens for a moment of quiet. The air was crisp, the scent of roses mingling with the cool breeze. She leaned against the marble railing, gazing up at the stars.

“Princess Elira,” a voice called from behind her. She turned, startled, and found herself face-to-face with the stranger from the ballroom. Up close, he was even more striking, his angular features framed by jet-black hair.“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced,” she said cautiously, stepping back.

His lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “I don’t believe we’ll have time for introductions.”

Before she could react, he moved with inhuman speed. Elira barely had time to scream as his hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her cry.“Quiet, or you’ll regret it,” he growled, his voice low and commanding.

But Elira wasn’t the kind to submit easily. She bit down on his hand, hard enough to draw blood, and he hissed in pain, loosening his grip. She broke free and bolted toward the palace, her voice ringing out in the night.

“Help! Someone, help me!”

Her silk slippers slapped against the cobblestone path as she ran, her heart pounding in her chest. She could hear him behind her, his footsteps eerily quiet but unrelenting. She screamed again, desperate for anyone to hear her, but the gardens were secluded, far from the ball.The stranger caught up with her in moments, his hand snatching her wrist with a grip like iron. Elira twisted and kicked, landing a sharp blow to his shin. He stumbled, but his hold didn’t falter.

“Stop fighting,” he snarled, his crimson eyes blazing in the moonlight. “You’re only making this harder for yourself.”

“I’ll never go with you!” she shouted, raking her nails across his face. She felt the sting of his skin beneath her fingers, but he didn’t flinch.

Elira’s struggles didn’t cease. She clawed, kicked, and screamed, refusing to give in. Her persistence seemed to amuse him. “You have spirit,” he muttered, almost to himself. “But it won’t save you.”

In a swift motion, he pulled her close and pressed something cold and sharp to her neck—a dagger, ornate and deadly. Elira froze, her breath hitching.

“That’s better,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Now, you’re coming with me, whether you like it or not.”Elira glared at him, tears stinging her eyes. “You won’t get away with this. My guards will find me. My father will hunt you down.”

The stranger chuckled darkly. “Let them come. They’ll find nothing but ashes.”

Before she could respond, he wrapped an arm around her waist and leapt into the air, the world blurring around her as the ground disappeared beneath her feet.

Elira screamed again, the sound swallowed by the rushing wind.

The world rushed past in a blur of black trees and silver moonlight as Elira dangled in Kael’s iron grip. His speed was unnatural, each leap spanning a distance no human could manage. The cold wind bit at her skin, whipping her hair into a wild tangle. She struggled again, trying to free herself, but his hold was unyielding.

“Stop squirming, Princess,” he said without looking at her, his voice sharp with irritation. “You’ll only tire yourself.”

Elira glared at him. “You can’t possibly think you’ll get away with this! My father will send every knight in the kingdom after you!”

Kael smirked. “Let them come. I’ve faced worse than a few human soldiers.”

They broke through the forest’s edge and into an open field. The sky above stretched wide, stars glittering like shards of glass. Elira’s voice trembled with anger. “Why are you doing this? What could you possibly want from me?”

Kael didn’t answer immediately. His expression hardened as if her question had struck a nerve. “You’ll find out soon enough,” he finally said.

The cryptic response only fueled her rage. She clenched her fists, silently vowing to escape the moment she had a chance.

As they entered a shadowy ravine, Kael slowed his pace and finally set her on her feet. Elira stumbled, her legs unsteady, but she refused to let him see her weakness. Instead, she immediately turned and bolted into the dark woods.

“Princess,” Kael’s voice echoed behind her, calm yet chilling. “Don’t test my patience.”

Elira didn’t stop. Branches clawed at her gown, and her bare feet ached from the rough ground, but she pressed on, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The thick forest offered little light, but desperation guided her steps.

She thought she’d lost him when she didn’t hear his footsteps. Then, suddenly, he was in front of her.

Elira skidded to a halt, her heart slamming in her chest. Kael stood there as if he’d materialized out of the darkness, his crimson eyes glowing faintly. “You’re persistent,” he said, almost amused. “But foolish.”

She reached for the closest thing she could grab—a fallen branch. Swinging it with all her strength, she aimed for his head. Kael caught it effortlessly, snapping the wood in half with his bare hands.

Her courage faltered, but her voice didn’t. “I won’t stop trying to get away from you.”

Kael’s expression darkened. “I don’t expect you to. That’s what makes this interesting.”

Before she could react, he closed the distance between them, his hand gripping her arm like a vice. Elira screamed again, her voice echoing through the ravine. She hoped—prayed—that someone might hear her cries.

“You’re wasting your breath,” Kael muttered, his tone devoid of sympathy. “No one’s coming for you out here.”

Elira’s heart sank as she was forced to walk alongside him, his grip never loosening. They eventually reached a hidden path that led to the base of a cliff. Nestled within the rock face was a concealed entrance, guarded by an ancient, rusted gate. Kael pushed it open with ease, revealing a dark tunnel beyond.

Panic clawed at Elira’s chest. She dug her heels into the ground, refusing to move. “I won’t go in there!”

Kael turned, his patience visibly fraying. “You can walk in willingly, or I’ll carry you. Either way, you’re going.”

When she didn’t budge, he sighed and lifted her effortlessly again. Elira screamed, pounded her fists against his chest, and even tried to bite his shoulder, but nothing worked.

“Do you ever give up?” he muttered, more to himself than to her.

Kael’s lips twitched as if he might smile, but he quickly buried the expression. “Good,” he said softly. “You’ll need that fire where we’re going.”

The tunnel swallowed them whole, the darkness closing in like a suffocating shroud.

“No!” she spat, her voice raw. “I’ll fight you every step of the way.”

The tunnel twisted and turned, the air growing colder with every step Kael took. Elira had stopped struggling—partly because her body was exhausted, and partly because the oppressive darkness made her feel as though the walls themselves were closing in. She could barely see, but Kael moved as if the shadows guided him.

“Where are you taking me?” she demanded, though her voice trembled.

“To a place where you can’t cause trouble,” he replied without looking at her.

“That’s vague and ominous,” she muttered under her breath, but Kael didn’t seem to care.

After what felt like an eternity, the tunnel opened into a cavernous chamber illuminated by the eerie glow of torches mounted along the walls. The stone floor was uneven, damp with moisture, and the sound of dripping water echoed faintly. At the far end of the room, a heavy iron door stood, its surface engraved with runes Elira couldn’t decipher.

Kael carried her to the door, and with a single push, it creaked open. Beyond it was a smaller chamber, its walls lined with dark stone and devoid of windows. A single cot sat in the corner, along with a table holding a flickering candle and a pitcher of water.

“You expect me to stay here?” she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

“For now,” Kael replied simply, setting her down. Elira backed away from him, her hands clenched into fists. “This is barbaric! I’m not some prisoner you can just lock away.”

Kael leaned against the doorframe, his crimson eyes glinting in the low light. “You were the one who wouldn’t stop running. Consider this the consequence of your defiance.”

Her temper flared. “You have no right to hold me here! Do you realize what my father will do to you when he finds me?”

Kael’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “Your father doesn’t scare me, Princess. And neither do his armies.”

Elira glared at him, anger bubbling to the surface. “Why are you doing this? What could you possibly gain from abducting me?”

Kael’s expression darkened, his playful demeanor fading. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Once he left and the heavy door slammed shut behind him, Elira’s resolve hardened. She wasn’t going to sit here like a damsel waiting to be rescued. She had to find a way out, even if it meant risking everything.

Her first instinct was to test the door. She pushed against it, then shoved with all her weight, but it didn’t budge. The iron was solid, the runes etched into its surface glowing faintly when she touched them. Some kind of magic, she realized, frustration clawing at her.

Next, she turned her attention to the room itself. She inspected the walls, running her hands along the rough stone for any cracks or weak points. It was slow work in the dim candlelight, but her determination kept her going.

Hours passed—or at least, it felt like hours. Her hands were raw, her fingers scraped from feeling along the cold, jagged stones. Still, she refused to give up. Every scrape, every bruise reminded her of what was at stake.

Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she collapsed onto the cot, her body trembling. For the first time since her abduction, the weight of her situation truly sank in. She was alone, trapped in a vampire’s lair, with no idea what awaited her. The thought was almost too much to bear.

But then, a flicker of defiance sparked in her chest. She wouldn’t let this defeat her. She would survive, no matter what.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door unlocking. She shot to her feet, her heart pounding. Kael entered, his imposing figure casting a shadow across the room.

“Still awake?” he asked, his tone casual.

“What do you want?” she demanded, stepping back instinctively.

Kael held up a tray of food—bread, cheese, and a small bowl of soup. “To ensure you don’t starve.”

Elira eyed the tray warily. “You think feeding me will make me cooperate?”

“No,” he replied, setting the tray on the table. “But it will keep you alive. I need you alive.”

“For what?” she pressed, her voice sharp.

Kael didn’t answer right away. Instead, he studied her with an intensity that made her skin prickle. “You’ll understand soon enough, Princess. Until then, save your strength.”

He turned to leave, but Elira couldn’t hold back her frustration. “Why do you hate humans so much? What did we ever do to you?”

Kael stopped in the doorway, his back to her. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, and Elira thought he might ignore her. But then, in a voice low and full of bitterness, he said, “You took everything from me.”

The door slammed shut, leaving her alone with his haunting words.