The night was still, the only sound echoing through the grand halls of the castle was the faint whisper of the wind outside. The cold stone beneath your bare feet sent a slight shiver up your spine as you wandered through the dimly lit corridors, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows against the towering walls.

It had been months since you married him—Bram, the ancient vampire who now called you his. He was a man of few words, his presence often unreadable, but in the quiet moments, in the way he would watch over you, the way his touch lingered just a second longer than necessary—you knew. He loved you in his own way.

You continued forward, lost in thought, when a presence made itself known. A pair of crimson eyes, glowing faintly in the darkness, locked onto you from the end of the hallway. A chill, different from the night air, crept down your spine.

Before you could react, he was already behind you. His movements were soundless, unnatural in their grace. Arms wrapped around your waist, firm yet gentle, pulling you into the familiar cold embrace you had grown accustomed to. The weight of his head rested against your shoulder, his long, silver hair brushing against your skin.

His breath, cool as the night itself, ghosted over your ear as he whispered, " Couldn't fall asleep? "

His voice, though eternally distant, carried something else—a quiet fondness, a love that, though unspoken, was undeniably there.