Marked by the Night Prince

His amber eyes fascinate me, igniting a fire in my heart that I haven't felt in a long while. His lips are soft as they intertwine with mine, carrying a hunger that feels a thousand years old. But I ask myself, who is this strange, dashing man, and why does it feel so right to kiss him? As our lips parted I whispered. “Who are you?” His amber eyes burned into mine as his lips he whispered “My Isabel…” I frowned. “It’s Camille.” Something changed in his expression,something between disbelief, longing, and pain. He stared at me as if I were someone he had longed for. I should have walked away. Instead, I kissed him again. I don't know what possessed me. Maybe it was the way he looked at me, as though seeing me had knocked the breath out of him. Maybe it was the strange warmth spreading through my chest despite the cool night air. Or maybe I simply couldn't resist him. His hand settled gently against my waist, pulling me closer without forcing me. For a moment, the noise of the nightclub disappeared. The music, the laughter, the clinking glasses, everything faded into the background. There was only him and me. When we finally pulled apart, I caught my breath and looked at him properly. He was devastatingly handsome. Dark hair fell carelessly across his forehead, and his features were sharp enough to make him look almost unreal. He was dressed simply, but there was something expensive about him. Not flashy. Just effortless. Like money had never been something he would ever needed to think about. “Do you always kiss strangers?” he asked. His voice was deep, smooth, and slightly amused. I laughed nervously. “Do you always call strangers by the wrong name?” A faint smile touched his lips. “No.” “Then why did you call me Isabel?” His smile disappeared. For the first time since we had met, he looked almost afraid. “I made a mistake.” “A pretty serious one.” I said “Yes.” I studied him. There was something odd about the way he said it. Not embarrassed. Not confused. Almost… hurt and heartbroken. “Isabel,” I repeated. “Who is she?” His jaw tightened. “Someone I once knew.” “You remind me of her” His eyes moved over my face. The answer came so quietly that I almost missed it. I should have found that creepy. Instead, curiosity pulled me closer. “Was she your girlfriend?”He looked away. “No.” “Your wife?” I asked again His gaze snapped back to mine. For one strange second, I could have sworn there was centuries of grief in his eyes. “She was more than that.” Before I could ask what he meant, someone called my name. “Camille!” I turned and saw Sophie waving at me from across the dance floor. Right, I came here with my friends.I had completely forgotten about them. When I looked back at the stranger, he was still watching me. “Your friends are looking for you,” he said. “I noticed.” “You should go.” I raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to get rid of me?” His lips curved. “Quite the opposite.” My heart skipped, I hated that it did. “Then what's your name?” I asked He hesitated.“Alaric.” “Alaric,” I repeated.The name felt strange on my tongue,old,beautiful and almost familiar. He extended his hand. “Camille.” I said I stared at his hand before placing mine in it. The moment our skin touched, a strange sensation rushed through me. A flash,a stone castle,candles burning along a long corridor. A man's voice calling my the name Isabel. I jerked my hand away. Alaric noticed immediately. “What happened?” He asked “Nothing.” I said,But It was a lie. I looked around the club, everything was normal, Music,Lights, People dancing,No castle,No candles,No mysterious voice.I swallowed. “I think I need some air.” Alaric nodded. “I'll walk you outside.” “Oh noYou don't have to, i have probably had too much to drink” “I know.” Said Alaric There was something about the way he said it that made me smile. We walked through the crowded club and stepped outside. when Cold air hit my face,I breathed deeply. The street was alive with the sounds of Paris at night. Cars passed along the road, their headlights sliding across the pavement. Somewhere nearby, someone was laughing loudly. Alaric stood beside me, strangely still. “You're not from around here, are you?” I asked. “ no but I've lived here a long time.” “How long?” His eyes met mine. “Longer than you would believe.” I laughed. “That's mysterious.” “So I've been told.” I looked at him again. “There's something strange about you.” His expression became unreadable. “Strange?” “You look at me like you know me, like you've seen a ghost” i laughed jokingly He didn't answer. “Alaric?” I said “I don't know you.” His words should have reassured me. Instead, they somehow made everything worse. Because the look in his eyes said something completely different. A few minutes later, Sophie came outside looking for me. “There you are! We've been searching everywhere.” “I'm Sorry.” I said to Sophie Her eyes moved to Alaric. She smiled. “Oh.” I rolled my eyes. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You didn't have to, your eyes and smile said everything.” I said trying to hid the redness on my cheeks. Alaric gave her a polite nod. Sophie leaned toward me and whispered, “He's hot, please keep this one.” I laughed.“I know.” Alaric heard her, Of course he did.His smile returned. “I should go,” I said. Something in his face fell. “Will I see you again?” He asked I don't know why that question made my heart flutter.“Maybe.” I said He stepped closer. “Camille.” He said “Yes?” I said as he pulls me closer again into his enchanting gaze. "be careful of strangers." I smiled. “Does that include you?” His expression darkened.“Especially me,”Then he walked away. I watched him disappear into the night. I should have forgotten him. Instead, all I could think about were his amber eyes, his soft lips and how I felt when he held me in his arms. That night, when I finally got home and fell asleep, I dreamt of a castle,a woman stood before a mirror wearing a beautiful dark dress. She looked exactly like me, but with ginger hair She touched her reflection. Then a man's arms wrapped around her from behind and he kissed her. I couldn't see his face,but I knew his unmistakable eyes,Amber. The woman smiled and then everything turned red. I woke with a scream caught in my throat. My room was dark,my heart was pounding and for several seconds, I couldn't move but then I heard a voice in my head,soft,broken and Ancient. "My Queen." I sat upright.“What the hell was that?”