Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 25: Abandon the mission

Chapter 25

Seraphina’s consciousness flickered in and out, her body trembling from the raw power she had just unleashed. Heat still crackled in the air around her, the lingering remnants of her flames licking at the edges of her senses. But as her eyes fluttered open, they immediately locked onto a pair of piercing, glowing irises staring down at her.

"Seraphina, wake up... or I’ll—"

"Or you’ll what?" she snapped, her voice sharp despite the exhaustion weighing her down.

Her chest rose and fell erratically, every nerve in her body still humming with the aftermath of her unleashed flames. Rhydian loomed over her, utterly unbothered—no, amused.

The bastard had pushed her to the edge.

Seraphina tried to sit up, but her limbs barely obeyed. Weakness gnawed at her muscles, a reminder of why she never let her power consume her. The last time she had unleashed this power, someone she loved had paid the price. And yet, Rhydian had forced her hand, had made her tap into something she had vowed to bury forever.

His strong, steady hand slid behind her back, supporting her before she could collapse. His touch was warm—too warm.

"You okay?" His voice was softer than she expected. A crack of concern slipped through, something real and unexpected.

Seraphina blinked, momentarily thrown. Was that actual warmth in his tone? No. It had to be a trick. Rhydian never did anything without reason.

"I’m fine," she lied, jerking away from him. But her body betrayed her. Her breath was ragged, her fingers trembling as she clenched them into fists, willing herself to stay upright.

Rhydian didn’t buy it. His sharp gaze traced her every movement, missing nothing.

"You’re not fine," he said flatly, his voice edged with something unreadable. "Stop pretending you don’t need help."

Anger flared in her chest, masking the vulnerability she hated. "Why do you care? I don’t need your pity." Her voice shook, but the fury gave it strength. "Kill me if you want, but I will never help you."

And she meant it. A part of her still reeled from the fact that she had unleashed her power against him—that she had almost killed him. If she hadn’t held back at the last moment, Rhydian wouldn’t have survived that blast.

Instead of answering, he sighed, raking a hand through his midnight black hair. She expected a smirk, some smug remark, maybe even a threat—but instead, his shoulders eased, his entire stance shifting.

"You can defy me after I treat your wounds," he murmured.

Seraphina frowned. Wounds?

Then the pain registered.

Her arm throbbed, and when she glanced down, blood dripped steadily from a deep gash, staining the fabric of her sleeve.

Before she could react, Rhydian moved.

And then—his lips crashed against hers.

Seraphina froze, her mind shattering into fragments of disbelief.

What the hell?

His kiss was fierce, consuming her without hesitation, without restraint. Her body jolted, but instead of shoving him away, her fingers curled into his collar, pulling him closer.

Heat erupted between them, scorching, intoxicating. His lips moved against hers, firm and unyielding, claiming her with an intensity that sent a violent shiver down her spine. It wasn’t just a kiss—it was a battle. A fight for dominance neither of them wanted to lose.

Rhydian felt her surrender in the way her lips parted for him, the way her body pressed against his despite the anger, the confusion, the undeniable heat.

And goodness, she tasted perfect as always.

She was fire and defiance, something untamed and dangerous, and he wanted to drown in it. His hands found her waist, gripping tightly as if she might vanish if he let go. Seraphina was shaking, but not from weakness—from him.

His teeth grazed her lower lip, and she gasped. Electricity coiled low in her stomach, every nerve in her body igniting like she had been set ablaze again.

But then—something metallic touched her tongue.

Blood. His blood.

Seraphina instantly pulled away, her breath ragged, her heart pounding so violently it ached. "I’m not a vampire, you freak! What the hell are you trying to do?" She snapped, her voice trembling.

Rhydian only smirked, completely unaffected. "Look."

He gestured toward her arm.

Seraphina’s gaze snapped down, her breath catching as she watched the deep wound stitch itself back together. The pain faded instantly, replaced by an odd warmth spreading through her veins.

Her stomach flipped. "What... What are you?"

She could heal, but never this fast. Never so effortlessly. Every time she used her own healing magic, it left her drained, weakened. But his blood—just a few drops of it—and she was completely healed.

What was he?

It made sense now. His blood could dispel poison. But did that mean he was immune to it? Was he untouchable, even by physical harm?

Rhydian tilted his head slightly, watching her process it all. He expected her to ask more questions, to demand an explanation, but instead—

"Don’t expect a thank you," she snapped, masking the storm of emotions raging inside her. "I didn’t ask for your help."

She pushed to her feet and turned away, her pulse hammering against her ribs. She needed distance. Now.

As she walked away, She glanced back for a moment, half-expecting him to be furious, to gloat, to mock her reaction. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

But no—he smirked.

Cocky. Infuriating. Ridiculously attractive.

Her stomach twisted violently. Why wasn’t he angry? He knew she had been sent to kill him, yet he showed no hatred, no fear. Worse, why did her heart race so uncontrollably when he was near? Was it fear?

Seraphina stormed toward her chambers, her face burning.

That kiss meant nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Inside her room, she barely registered Irene’s concerned voice.

"Your Highness! Are you okay?" The maid rushed to steady her, but Seraphina brushed past her.

"I need a bath," she muttered.

Irene hesitated, then spoke again. "A letter came for you. The Witch Queen sent a message."

Seraphina’s stomach clenched. Freya.

She dismissed Irene with a nod and snatched the letter from the bed, tearing it open with trembling fingers.

Sera,

How are you doing? I miss you so much. I’m sorry, Sera, but it seems he already found out about our plan. You need to abandon the mission. He’s not the enemy we thought he was. He isn’t evil, Sera. If you agree to help him save his mother from the Dragon Empire, he promised to let you live.

Please, just play along for now. I’ll work on a plan to get you out. You’re my only family left, and I can’t lose you.

Love, Freya.

Seraphina’s grip tightened, the letter crumpling in her fist.

Her jaw clenched. What the hell did she mean he isn’t evil?

He was the Vampire King. The reason for their parents death.

Her mind spiraled, confusion warring with the undeniable truth of what had just happened.

And worst of all...

Despite everything—the mission, the danger, the hatred—

The memory of his kiss still made her heart race.