Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 46: Misunderstanding

Chapter 46

Rhydian stormed into his chambers, dragging a hand down his face the moment the door shut behind him. He had thought that arriving back at the castle would ease his frustration, that putting some distance between him and Seraphina would help clear his head. But it wasn’t working. Not even a little.

She was still there—lodged in his mind, under his skin, driving him insane.

And damn it, this wasn’t normal. It couldn’t be.

He had gone without sex for a while, ever since the marriage arrangement was decided. Maybe that was the problem. Maybe that was why he was losing his mind over her. Maybe all he needed was to relieve his urges, and then she wouldn’t affect him this much.

Yes. That had to be it.

Without wasting another second, he called for one of the maids who used to serve him before all of this. He remembered her—eager, obedient, and skilled enough to satisfy him without any complications.

When she arrived, she was beaming, her eyes lighting up the moment she stepped inside and saw him waiting. "Your Majesty," she said with a soft, knowing smile, bowing deeply. "It has been too long."

"Strip," he ordered, his voice low and firm.

The maid obeyed immediately, her fingers going to the ties of her dress. Slowly, deliberately, she began pulling each piece of clothing off, letting them slide down her body in an erotic display. Her eyes stayed on him the entire time, gauging his reaction, waiting for the moment he would pull her into his arms like he used to.

But it didn’t come.

Rhydian watched, expecting the familiar stir of desire, the usual rush of heat. But there was nothing.

Not a damn thing.

His jaw tightened.

This was ridiculous. It had been too long—that was all. He just needed to push through it.

He took a step forward, intent on fixing this. But then—

Seraphina.

Her image flashed in his mind like a cruel trick, unbidden and unrelenting. The bath pool. The way her soaked clothes had clung to her curves, outlining every perfect inch of her body. The soft swell of her breasts, the way her firm peaks had pressed against the wet fabric—

Rhydian’s breath hitched.

His cock twitched.

He clenched his jaw, willing the image away, but it was too late. Heat surged through his veins, his body responding instantly—not to the naked woman standing before him, but to the memory of Seraphina.

His frustration spiked.

This was insane.

He exhaled sharply, moving forward. The maid looked up at him, anticipation gleaming in her eyes. He tilted her chin, forcing himself to focus. He could do this. He would do this.

He leaned in, lips just inches from hers—

And froze.

Seraphina.

All he could think about was her. The way she had tasted, the way her breath had hitched when he touched her, the way she had melted into him before pulling away. His cock throbbed painfully at the memory, hardening even more.

Rhydian let out a low, bitter chuckle.

Unbelievable.

The woman standing naked before him—someone he had taken to his bed many times before—couldn’t even stir the slightest reaction in him. But Seraphina? Just thinking about her had him ready to snap.

The maid frowned, confused by his reaction. But then, gathering her courage, she reached for him, pulling him closer, trying to reignite what they once had.

He pulled away.

"Leave," he said, his voice quiet but firm.

The maid hesitated. "Your Majesty, did I do something wrong?"

"Just leave." His tone sharpened, frustration leaking through.

She flinched, then quickly gathered her clothes and hurried out.

The moment the door shut behind her, Rhydian exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His body was still tense, still burning, but for one person and one person only.

Seraphina had ruined him.

And the worst part?

He didn’t know how to fix it.

A soft knock at the door interrupted the tension in the room. Rhydian frowned, his jaw tightening. The maid better not have come back.

"I told you to leave, didn’t I?" he snapped.

A pause. Then a voice from outside. "Your Majesty, Her Highness, Princess Ella has returned."

Rhydian exhaled slowly, forcing himself to push away his frustration. Ella’s back. He ran a hand down his face, trying to suppress the lingering heat in his body. He needed a damn cold bath before he saw her. Maybe that would clear his head.

Without another word, he stepped into the adjoining washroom. Cold water crashed against his skin, cooling his body but doing little to clear his thoughts. Seraphina had invaded every corner of his mind, and even now, even after forcing himself under the icy stream, she refused to leave.

By the time he stepped out, dried off, and dressed, he was back in control. At least, enough to appear normal.

He made his way to the grand hall, and the moment he stepped inside, a bright voice rang through the space.

"Brother!"

Before he could react, a blur of excitement crashed into him. Ella threw her arms around him, squeezing tightly. "I missed you!" she said, her voice filled with warmth.

Rhydian let out a breath, his tension easing slightly. He wrapped his arms around her, returning the hug. "You’ve only been gone for a few months," he muttered.

"And? That’s too long!" Ella pulled back, grinning up at him. Her golden hair framed her face, her eyes shining with unfiltered joy. "You look terrible, by the way."

Rhydian let out a low chuckle. "Thanks."

Ella stepped back, still beaming. But then her expression softened, turning more serious. "How’s Mom? I didn’t get to see her before I left."

Rhydian’s amusement faded instantly.

Ella frowned at his silence. "Brother?"

He exhaled, his grip on control tightening. "Ella..." He met her gaze. "Mother... is being held captive by the dragons."

The light in her eyes dimmed. Her mouth parted slightly, but no words came out. The reality of what he had just said took a long moment to settle in. "She’s... what?"

"She’s alive," Rhydian said firmly. "And we’ll get her back. I just need time to gather the manpower for an attack on the dragon kingdom."

Ella swallowed hard, nodding slowly, trying to process it. "She’ll be okay?" Her voice was small now, uncertain.

"She will," Rhydian reassured her. "I promise."

Ella bit her lip, but then, as if forcing herself to move on, she inhaled deeply and straightened. "Okay. Okay... I trust you."

And just like that, she brightened again, shifting the conversation. "Enough of this serious talk," she said with a forced smile. "I heard you got married."

Rhydian tensed.

The shift was instant, almost imperceptible, but Ella caught it.

His response was flat. "She’s in her chambers. She’s doing great."

Ella arched a brow but didn’t push. Instead, her gaze flickered toward Edmund, who stood silently near Rhydian. Their eyes met for only a second before she quickly looked away, cheeks warming.

Rhydian noticed and smirked. He had long known about Ella’s feelings for Edmund, though she had never voiced them. She held back, thinking Rhydian wouldn’t approve since Edmund wasn’t royalty. But she was wrong.

Without a word, he reached for her, pulling her into another hug.

"I’m happy you’re back," he murmured. "And I promise—I’ll bring Mother home. Just relax."

Ella melted into the embrace, nodding against his chest.

Rhydian exhaled, his grip tightening slightly. "You can check on my wife later when you’re free. I’m sure you both will make great friends."

Ella didn’t reply, just held onto him.

And that’s when the doors opened.

A quiet shuffle of footsteps.

Rhydian turned his head slightly—

And froze.

Seraphina stood at the entrance, staring at them.

Her body was stiff, eyes locked onto the scene before her—Rhydian, arms wrapped around another woman.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

Tension thickened the air.

Rhydian saw the flicker in Seraphina’s gaze—shock, confusion, something else lurking beneath.

She didn’t know who Ella was.

And for some reason, the idea of her walking away with the wrong impression made something sharp twist inside him.