Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 40: Dragon king

Chapter 40

Rhydian’s blood ran cold, his eyes widening in horror as he traced the path of the arrow, a silent, lethal weapon designed solely to kill him. It had come out of nowhere, as fast as lightning, and now it was embedded in Seraphina’s chest.

She coughed up blood, her chest heaving as pain tore through her body. Her knees buckled, and before she could hit the ground, Rhydian caught her, lowering them both to the blood-soaked earth. Panic twisted his heart into knots, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps.

"No... no, no, no," he whispered, his voice breaking. Without wasting a second, he yanked the arrow free, ignoring the slick warmth of her blood coating his hands. He didn’t think—he couldn’t afford to. Driving the arrow into his own arm, he pierced his skin, drawing blood that trickled down his wrist. He pressed the bleeding wound to her lips, desperate to force his healing blood into her mouth.

"Drink, damn it," he choked out, his hands trembling uncontrollably as he cradled her head against his shoulder. Why did this keep happening? Why did she always end up hurt under his watch?

Seraphina’s eyes fluttered weakly, her body growing colder with each passing second. Rhydian’s heart pounded against his ribs, terror sinking its claws into him as he watched her struggle to breathe.

"Holofira..."

The voice was deep, booming, and laced with both fury and twisted longing. Rhydian’s head snapped up, his senses going on high alert as he scanned the sky.

"Holofira, come back to me, my love."

The voice echoed from above, and Rhydian’s jaw clenched as his mother’s face turned ghostly pale. She froze, her eyes wide with a terror he had never seen before. It wasn’t just fear—it was something deeper, more profound, like a nightmare come to life.

"Holofira!" the voice roared again, more insistent this time. "Did you really think you could run from me? That you could abandon your destiny and hide among these filthy creatures?"

The sky seemed to darken as Rhydian felt a shiver crawl down his spine. His mother’s hands trembled, her lips pressed into a thin line as her gaze remained fixed on the sky.

"Who... is that?" Rhydian demanded, his voice tight with both confusion and anger.

Holofira swallowed hard, unable to answer. The air grew heavy with a suffocating pressure, and Rhydian knew—whoever was calling out to his mother was no ordinary foe.

Seraphina coughed again, and he quickly turned his focus back to her, pressing his bleeding arm harder against her lips. "Seraphina, don’t you dare die on me," he whispered, his tone fierce but lined with fear. "I swear I’ll kill you myself if you leave me now."

But her body remained limp in his arms, and the voice above grew colder, more menacing.

"Holofira, I will burn this entire land to ashes if you don’t come to me."

Rhydian gritted his teeth, fury boiling in his veins as he glared up at the sky. He could feel the presence—massive, suffocating, and ancient. It was as if the air itself was vibrating with raw power.

"Mother," he said, voice low and demanding. "Who the hell is that?"

Holofira’s lips trembled, her eyes still fixed on the sky. Her silence spoke volumes—fear and regret woven into every line on her face.

"Mother!" Rhydian barked, shaking her out of her trance.

She swallowed hard, forcing herself to look at him. "It’s... the Dragon King," she whispered, guilt saturating her voice.

The Dragon King? Rhydian’s chest tightened, and a thousand questions raced through his mind. What exactly did this damn dragon king want with his mother? Why did he sound so—possessive?

Rhydian couldn’t dwell on it. He looked down at Seraphina, wiping blood from her lips as her breaths came in shallow gasps. He could see her veins starting to glow faintly, his healing blood fighting against the poison from the arrow. But it wasn’t fast enough.

He scooped her into his arms, careful not to jostle her wound. "We need to get her somewhere safe. Now," he said firmly.

Holofira hesitated, still caught between terror and guilt, but Rhydian’s sharp glare snapped her out of it. "Right," she managed, forcing herself to move.

As they hurried through the forest, Rhydian’s mind raced. He couldn’t lose Seraphina. Not like this. Anger and helplessness twisted in his gut, and he pushed himself to move faster, each second feeling like an eternity.

Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed overhead, followed by a deafening roar that shook the very ground beneath them. Rhydian froze, his eyes widening as he saw it—a colossal dragon circling above, scales shimmering like molten gold, eyes burning with unyielding rage.

"Holofira!" the Dragon King’s voice thundered, shaking the trees. "You cannot escape me! You will never belong to anyone else! I’d rather kill you myself than let you go."

Holofira paled even more, and Rhydian could feel the fear radiating off her. Gritting his teeth, he tightened his grip on Seraphina and moved faster, darting through the dense underbrush. They couldn’t fight that thing—not now, not when Seraphina’s life was hanging by a thread.

As they weaved through the forest, the ground suddenly erupted in flames, blocking their path. Rhydian skidded to a halt, shielding Seraphina from the heat as the Dragon King landed before them, his massive wings folding behind him.

The dragon slowly transformed, his body contorting and shifting until a towering man stood in his place—golden hair flowing like molten fire, eyes smoldering with fury and longing. He looked straight at Holofira, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

"You can’t run from me, Holofira," he said, his voice unnervingly calm despite the storm of emotions flickering in his gaze. "You should have known that."

Rhydian growled, stepping forward despite the danger. "Back off," he snarled, eyes blazing.

The Dragon King didn’t even spare him a glance, his focus entirely on Holofira. "You left me," he whispered, his voice breaking for just a second before hardening again. "For a vampire."

Holofira remained silent, unable to meet his gaze, and Rhydian felt a flare of anger at her helplessness. He didn’t care who this man was—no one threatened his family and got away with it.

"Leave," Rhydian demanded, his tone deadly. "Or I’ll make you regret it."

Finally, the Dragon King’s gaze shifted to him—cold, disdainful, and unamused. "You think you can protect her?" he sneered. "You’re nothing compared to me, boy."

Before Rhydian could react, the Dragon King moved with blinding speed, grabbing Rhydian by the throat and lifting him off the ground. Holofira screamed, rushing forward, but the Dragon King raised a hand, sending a wave of force that knocked her back.

Seraphina stirred weakly in Rhydian’s arms, and he struggled to breathe, claws digging into his neck.

"Pathetic," the Dragon King muttered, squeezing tighter. "I could crush you like an insect."

Rhydian choked, trying to pry the man’s fingers off, but it was like fighting against iron. His vision blurred, and panic clawed at his mind. Was he gonna die like this?

Just when darkness threatened to take him, a burst of fire erupted behind the Dragon King, making him snarl and release Rhydian. Holofira stood with her hands ablaze, eyes glowing with fierce determination.

"Don’t touch my son!" she roared, hurling another wave of fire at him.

The Dragon King deflected it effortlessly, his eyes narrowing in irritation. "You’ve become weak, my love. You’ve tainted yourself by living among those blood-sucking monsters."

He advanced on her, but Rhydian forced himself up, gripping his throat as he gasped for air. He had to get Seraphina to safety, but he couldn’t just leave his mother to face that monster alone.

The Dragon King’s power was suffocating, and despite Holofira’s best efforts, it was clear she was outmatched. Rhydian gritted his teeth, his mind racing for a plan, but before he could act, the Dragon King lunged—fast, precise, and brutal.

And Holofira didn’t move. She just stood there, resignation in her eyes, as if she knew it was the end. Maybe her death would put an end to his hatred was all she thought.

"Mother!" Rhydian shouted, desperation choking him as the Dragon King’s claws slashed through the air—

But suddenly, a barrier of ice shot up, blocking the attack just inches from Holofira’s face. Rhydian’s gaze snapped to Seraphina, whose hand trembled as she forced herself upright, her other hand pressed to her chest.

"That’s enough," she rasped, her voice fierce despite the pain. "Touch them, and I’ll burn you to ashes."

The Dragon King’s eyes widened in surprise, but then a slow, predatory smile curved his lips. "Interesting," he mused, looking at her as if seeing a challenge for the first time. "A witch with fire and ice... how intriguing."

Seraphina didn’t back down, ignoring the blood trickling down her chin as her power flickered like a dying flame. Rhydian quickly moved to her side, ready to defend her if needed.

The Dragon King chuckled darkly. "I see. You’re willing to die for them? How amusing... and foolish."

Rhydian snarled, his body tense and ready for another attack. But deep down, dread coiled in his gut. This wasn’t a fight they could win—not like this.

"Holofira," the Dragon King called out once more, his voice softening into something almost mournful. "I gave you the world... and you threw it away for him. Do you not see the folly in that choice?"

Holofira’s jaw clenched, and despite her fear, she straightened her spine. "I made my choice long ago," she whispered, her gaze unwavering. "And I’ll never regret it."

The Dragon King’s eyes darkened, and the atmosphere grew heavier as his fury reignited. "Then you’ve chosen death," he hissed, flames erupting around him as he prepared to strike again, but holofira suddenly started laughing, her voice filled with pain and surrender, making the dragon king stop in his tracks.