Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 33: War

Chapter 33

Seraphina couldn’t believe it. The one person she had decided to trust... had betrayed her. A bitter laugh almost escaped her lips, but she held it back, forcing herself to keep her expression cold and indifferent. Why did it hurt this much? Why did it feel like her chest was being squeezed so tightly she could barely breathe? She should have known better—should have never let her guard down.

She glanced at Irene, who was trembling on the floor, her face streaked with tears. A wave of disgust washed over Seraphina, but she wasn’t sure if it was aimed at Irene or herself. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to keep a steady tone. She wouldn’t let this pathetic display get to her.

"So, Irene," she said, raising a brow with a smirk that didn’t quite reach her eyes, "care to explain yourself?"

Rhydian stayed silent behind her, his presence a comforting weight at her back even though he wasn’t saying a word. He didn’t interfere—just watched, his expression unreadable. Seraphina was grateful for that. She didn’t want him seeing how much this betrayal hurt, how stupid she felt for trusting anyone other than herself.

"Your Highness, I... I’m sorry... I’m so sorry. I had no choice, please, please forgive me..." Irene sobbed, her voice cracking.

Seraphina scoffed, shaking her head. "Don’t give me that fake apology," she snapped, her eyes hardening. "This is what I get the one time I decide to show some kindness. To lend some help." She bit the inside of her cheek to keep her composure. "You’ve only made me into something that’ll never trust anyone again, Irene. I won’t kill you... In fact, you’re free to go. Leave and don’t let me see you ever again. But there’s one thing I need you to do for me... just one last chance to show me that you’re actually sorry."

Irene looked up, eyes wide with confusion and desperation. "What? Tell me—I’ll do anything."

Seraphina stepped closer, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Tell them you killed me. The dagger you used to stab me—show it as proof. Tell them I’m dead. Since they really want me gone, why don’t I just die, then? They want war? They’ll get one."

Something in her snapped. She was done playing nice—done pretending that she could just move on from this. The dragons wanted her gone? Fine. She’d disappear. But they’d regret underestimating her. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

She turned to Rhydian, catching his intense gaze. "You wanted my help in defeating the dragons, right?"

His eyes narrowed, clearly trying to gauge her intentions. "Will you..."

"I’ll help you," she cut him off, and suddenly, flames erupted on one side of her body while ice blossomed on the other, her power raging out of control for a moment. Rhydian couldn’t help but stare, both impressed and wary of just how volatile her emotions made her magic. There was something fierce and unforgiving in her eyes—something that sent a chill down his spine despite the heat.

"They tried to kill me—twice. I’m not the type to forgive so easily. I’ll work with you in defeating the dragons... but I have a condition."

"Anything..." he replied, still watching her cautiously.

"After this is over, let’s get divorced."

The air around them seemed to freeze, and Rhydian’s expression fell. He wasn’t sure if he’d heard her right. "You say?"

"Let’s get separated after this. You don’t love me, and I don’t love you. You proposed this truce to use us to defeat them, right? Once you’ve achieved your goal, you’ll no longer have any use for us... so why don’t we just go our separate ways."

Rhydian stared at her, trying to make sense of the tight feeling in his chest. It shouldn’t bother him—she wasn’t wrong. From the start, this alliance was just a means to an end. He didn’t love her, and she didn’t love him. That was the deal. So why did the thought of them getting separated leave him feeling like he’d been punched in the gut?

He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her—standing there with fire and ice blazing around her like some untouchable goddess. She was fierce, powerful... breathtaking. The way her eyes burned with determination, the way her hair whipped around her face, wild and untamed—it was maddening. Even now, with anger rolling off her in waves, she was stunning. No—more than stunning. She was intoxicating.

And the way she spoke so easily about leaving him, like he was just another problem to discard when it was all over... It pissed him off. She had no idea how much space she’d already taken up in his thoughts—how every time she glared at him or challenged him, it made him want to push her up against the nearest wall and make her forget whatever the hell had her so worked up. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way. This wasn’t how it was meant to go.

He hated how easily she got under his skin. How even now, with her practically announcing she’d walk out of his life the moment this war ended, he couldn’t help but want to grab her and kiss that stubborn resolve right out of her. He didn’t even know when it started—this stupid, burning desire to make her look at him differently. To have her see him not as an ally or an enemy... but as a man.

Damn it. He was supposed to be better than this—supposed to stay focused on his mission and nothing else. But every time she looked at him with those fierce, unyielding eyes, he couldn’t help but want to prove that he wasn’t just using her. That maybe somewhere along the way, she’d become more than just an ally or a means to an end.

"Fine," he forced out, trying to ignore the heaviness in his chest. "If that’s what you want."

She didn’t even look at him—just gave a short nod and turned away, shoulders stiff and unyielding. Rhydian clenched his fists, his jaw tight. Part of him wanted to call her back, to tell her it wasn’t that simple. That he didn’t want her to go. But pride and frustration kept him silent. He wouldn’t let her see how much it messed with him—how much she messed with him.

Because he shouldn’t care. This wasn’t about feelings. It was about survival. He didn’t need attachments—didn’t need anyone slowing him down. And yet, no matter how much he tried to convince himself, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing sense of loss settling uncomfortably in his chest.

Maybe he’d already let her into his heart more than he was willing to admit. And maybe... just maybe... he wasn’t willing to let her go at all