Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 36: His name

Chapter 36

They had their baths, cleaned up and checked out of the inn, both now dressed in fresh clothes that fit a little too well. As they walked deeper into the kingdom, Seraphina couldn’t help but notice how Rhydian seemed unusually tense. His eyes were sharper than usual, scanning the crowd as if expecting danger at every corner.

Her gaze flickered toward him, catching the tightness in his jaw and the way his hands stayed clenched at his sides. She wanted to ask if he was okay, but the words felt heavy on her tongue. What was she even supposed to say? That she noticed he looked like he was about to explode from worry?

She cleared her throat, keeping her voice soft. "Do you... know her exact location?"

His eyes remained forward, tone low and clipped. "The palace. The letter she sent had a seal used only by royals."

Seraphina nodded, trying not to show how awkward she felt. She wasn’t good at this—comforting people or saying the right thing. But seeing him like this... it twisted something in her chest.

They moved into a quieter street, the noise of the marketplace fading behind them. She hesitated before reaching out, lightly brushing her fingers against his hand. He froze, glancing down at where her hand lingered, as if unsure whether to hold on or pull away.

She quickly pulled back, face heating. "I just... you’re not alone in this," she mumbled, feeling ridiculous. "I’m here too, so... just don’t do anything reckless."

His lips twitched, almost like a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. "You worried about me?"

Her cheeks burned, and she looked away, trying to muster some composure. "Obviously not," she muttered,

He hummed, almost like he didn’t believe her. They kept walking, but the silence wasn’t as heavy as before. She could still feel his gaze on her now and then, and it made her skin prickle with awareness.

Suddenly, he stopped, catching her wrist and tugging her into a narrow gap between two buildings. Her back hit the cool stone wall, and before she could ask what he was doing, he caged her in with one hand against the wall beside her head.

Her heart pounded, mouth going dry as he leaned closer—so close his breath fanned against her lips. His gaze was intense, searching her face like he was looking for something he couldn’t name.

"What are you—"

His thumb brushed over her cheek, and she froze, unable to move even if she wanted to. "i can tell when you’re lying sera," he murmured, his voice rough and almost too soft.

She swallowed, her hands trembling despite her best effort to keep them steady. "I don’t—"

"You’re worried," he cut in, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. "You don’t want to say it, but it’s written all over your face."

Her cheeks burned hotter. "Stop saying stupid things," she whispered, but it came out weak, almost breathless.

A faint smirk curled his lips, but it wasn’t smug—it was softer, almost affectionate. "It’s not stupid," he countered, his other hand brushing a stray hair from her face. "Makes me wonder what else you’re too stubborn to admit."

She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think past the way he was looking at her—like she was the only person in the world right now. His fingers slipped down to her chin, tilting her face up just a little, and she swore her knees might give out.

"Rhydian..." She moaned out before she could stop herself.

Rhydian froze—like hearing her say it like that knocked the air out of him. His gaze dropped to her mouth, and for a terrifying, thrilling second, she thought he might actually kiss her.

Instead of pulling back, he stayed close, his eyes tracing every detail of her face like he was memorizing it. His hand moved up, brushing his knuckles softly against her cheek, and his lips curled into a faint, almost breathless smirk.

"Say it again," he rasped, his voice rough and barely controlled.

She swallowed, pulse racing. "What?"

His gaze locked onto hers, unwavering and burning with something raw. "My name," he whispered, leaning in until his nose almost brushed hers. "Call my name like that again... and I might actually lose control."

Her heart pounded so hard it hurt, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. The way he was looking at her made heat crawl up her neck, and suddenly, she couldn’t remember how to breathe.

When she didn’t answer, his thumb traced the curve of her jaw, tilting her chin up just slightly. "You can’t just say my name like that and expect me to act sane," he muttered, his tone low and dangerous, yet filled with yearning. "You’re driving me crazy."

Her lips parted, and she felt her pulse throb in her ears. It was like her body wasn’t listening to her mind anymore, caught in the pull of his touch and that intense look in his eyes.

He moved even closer, his lips just a whisper away from hers, and she didn’t know whether to close the distance or push him away. It terrified her how badly she wanted him to kiss her.

Just when she thought he would, he pulled back, a low, frustrated breath slipping out as he forced himself to step away. "We should keep moving," he said, his voice rough and strained, like he was barely keeping himself together.

She didn’t miss the way his hands clenched and relaxed at his sides, like he was barely holding himself back. His jaw tightened, and it looked like he was fighting the urge to turn around and pull her right back into his arms.

She followed him, still trying to calm her racing heart, but his words kept repeating in her mind—call my name like that again... and I might actually lose control.

What did he mean by that?

His words broke off her thoughts, bringing her back to reality. "We’re almost there," he said, his tone low and warm. "Stay sharp... and maybe try not to lose that fiery temper of yours when someone messes with you."