Chapter 27: Chapter 27
Ryder returned when it was already dark outside. When Elena heard the bedroom door open, she knew it was him before she even turned around. His eyes searched the room for her, lighting up once he spotted her near his grand piano.
“Elena,” he said. “I’m sorry it took so long. Have you been resting? How do you feel?”
“I’m fine,” she replied. It was far from the truth, and she believed he could see right through her. A hint of disapproval pulled the corners of his lips down. “Where have you been?” she asked.
“I had to prepare some things. Your flower shop has been cleaned up and looks as good as new,” he said and opened the picture folder on his smartphone, showing her a photo of its inside. The chaos was gone, and the floor, as well as all the shelves and the counter, were clean. Now all she had to do was grow new flowers and replace some of the items that had been broken—it was a huge relief. She almost couldn’t believe her eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered, managing a weak smile. “Thank you so much.”
He was pleased with her reaction. The tenseness visibly drained from her body. “But that’s not all—Edgar and I have prepared the room next to mine for you. We got rid of some clutter and bought new decorations,” Ryder explained. “Do you want to see it for yourself?”
Elena’s shock didn’t disappear. Her eyes only grew wider. “It’s ready? So fast? But it’s only been a few hours.”
“I’m a vampire,” Ryder shrugged, like that explained everything—and it did. “Come on, let’s take a look.”
He hoped he would succeed in distracting her for a time, so he offered her his hand, and she placed hers in his palm. They left his bedroom, and he opened the large wooden door right next to his, letting her see the big surprise he had worked on.
Elena was speechless—she even forgot about her apprehension due to the sight in front of her. The room was similar in size to his in size, but instead of dark blue tones, it was filled with natural tones and vibrant colors. The vampires had placed different kinds of flowers in every empty corner and on the dark wooden furniture. A flowerpot on a mahogany dresser housed camellias—her favorite flowers. They were the first she noticed since they exuded a calming aura and were bright pink.
A large bed stood across from the dresser, and on the nightstand, she spotted orchids. The mahogany wardrobe in the corner looked ancient, adorned with artistic ornaments and golden knobs on its doors. A wide glass door led to a balcony where she found even more flowerpots with daisies and peonies.
“This is… for me?” she sputtered after a long silence when she finally found her voice.
“All of it,” he confirmed.
“It’s amazing. Where did you get all the flowers so quickly? And the view is great too.”
“So you like it.”
“I love it.”
“It’s your new home if you want it to be.” She heard the thinly veiled hope in his voice, and when she looked at him, his blue eyes were brimming with anticipation.
“I will stay with you,” she answered in a single breath—and she felt that this was the only right decision.
Elena had gone through a lot in the past. Her road had been bumpy, but she was glad to have found security in the most unusual of places. She had been wrong about Steph, deceived by his initial kindness, but with Ryder, she was sure she had made the right decision. Ever since he had appeared in her life, she had begun to see things in a different light and challenged her old beliefs. She was willing to overthink her opinion on vampires. Maybe it would help her find peace.
Her positive answer made Ryder’s smile widen. “Good. I promise you will be safe here,” he said. “I will show you our garden tomorrow. It’s a shame it’s already dark outside.”
“I’m tired anyway, and I think I should go to sleep soon,” she said, letting her gaze sweep through the cozy room. She had found a piece of hope, thanks to him, and she would treasure it.
“Thank you for everything you’re doing for me. I hope I can give something back one day,” she continued as her gaze came to rest on him. He stood next to her, and in the warm light of the lamps, his eyes gleamed entrancingly. They were framed by dark lashes that accentuated their arctic color—sometimes, they reminded her of aquamarines. There was no denying that she was attracted to him. Her fear had drowned out the butterflies in her stomach for a long time, but now they took flight and filled her with warmth.
“I’m happy when you are,” he whispered, capturing her gaze with his. Elena could get lost in those gorgeous eyes of his. She could look at them for hours and not get tired. Was this what it felt like to be with your soul’s other half? Complete and content.
His mere proximity made her heart leap. She acted on instinct when she raised her hand and gently cupped his cheek. His skin was a tad cooler than hers, though not unpleasantly so. Maybe she was only imagining it, but Elena thought that with every day they spent together, with every touch they shared, their connection became stronger.
She gathered her courage, leaned in, and planted a kiss on his cheek. It was innocent and chaste, conveying her gratefulness to him.
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He was here—he had found her. Red eyes stared at her, glowing in the dark. Elena was back in her parents’ home, standing in her very own bedroom. The vampire and she were the only people in the house, and the eerie silence weighed on her. She shivered.
“I found you, little one. There is no point in running from a vampire,” he drawled and walked closer. His gaze latched onto her exposed neck. Fear froze every limb of her body—Elena couldn’t move.
“You’ve been hiding for a long time,” he continued and touched her chin with his icy fingers. “I’m a bit angry about that, you know? You made me quite impatient.”
She took a shivering breath—and suddenly his hand was on her neck, squeezing painfully. The vampire’s face shifted and changed, becoming one that she was all too familiar with.
Steph choked her. She couldn’t breathe anymore, clawing at his hands, fighting and pushing him. But he wouldn’t budge. As the last of her strength left her and her surroundings faded…