Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 73: In love

And in that moment, despite all the chaos still to come, despite the bond thrumming between them like a loaded weapon, everything felt terrifyingly, beautifully right.

But only for a second.

Because her stomach growled again.

Loudly this time.

Seraphina froze. Then blinked, her cheeks flushing crimson in embarrassment. What a way to ruin the mood.

Rhydian arched a brow, lips twitching with amusement. "Was that... you?"

She scowled. "I told you I was hungry earlier. But someone decided to turn the conversation into an emotionally devastating love confession instead of calling for food."

"Technically," he murmured, brushing his thumb along her cheek, "you asked for the love confession."

"Yeah, but I didn’t think it would come with starvation...well, actually...i forgot I was hungry."

He laughed, a low, rough sound that wrapped around her like a warm coat. "Alright love, wait a moment let me call for food."

As he turned to grab his shirt, she didn’t let go. Her hand slipped around his wrist.

"Actually..." she said, eyes hooded now, voice softer. "I’m not sure I want food just yet."

He turned slowly, sensing the shift in her energy, the way her gaze dragged down his bare chest and back up again...eyes molten with something far less innocent than hunger for food.

"I’m starving," she whispered, stepping closer, the sheet slipping slightly from her grip. "But not for food."

His jaw tightened.

"Seraphina," he said, voice low, warning. "You just told me you love me. If we go there now, I’m not going to be gentle. Not after everything I’ve been holding back."

She smirked. "Good."

He inhaled sharply. "You sure?" God, he loved her.

She reached up and brushed her fingers along the fresh mark on her neck. It pulsed—warm, electric...and so did the bond. "You said it yourself. I’m already marked. Already bonded. What’s the point of pretending this connection isn’t real anymore?"

He groaned softly, stepping into her space, his hands gripping her waist. "You’re making this very difficult to be noble." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"I don’t need you to be noble right now."

And with that, she kissed him again..this time with raw need, fire, and the kind of hunger that made her knees go weak.

He lifted her like she weighed nothing, the sheet falling away as he carried her back to the bed, laying her down like she was something precious. But when he kissed her again, there was nothing gentle about it. The dam had broken. Every wall, every boundary, shattered the moment she told him she loved him back.

And maybe it wasn’t the kind of meal she originally meant—but it was exactly what her soul had been craving.

Hours later, tangled in sheets and skin and stolen breaths, her fingers traced lazy circles along his chest.

"You know," she murmured, "I’m still hungry."

Rhydian kissed her hair."You really do need to eat. Wait for me, I’ll have the servants bring something."

She groaned in protest, clutching him tighter. "Ugh, don’t move yet. I like this. You, Warm, naked...and within reach."

Rhydian chuckled, brushing his lips along her temple, he loved how clingy she was, and he couldn’t get enough. "As tempting as it is to stay here and let you use me as your personal heater, you’re going to pass out if you don’t eat something soon."

She sighed dramatically. "Fine. But I’m only letting you go under protest."

He smirked and slid out from under the covers, walking gloriously bare across the room to grab his robe. She watched with open appreciation, not even pretending to be shy.

"You’re staring," he muttered with a smirk as wore the robe around his body. He wasn’t complaining, infact.....he was loving every moment, but the urge to tease her ate at him.

"I nearly died twice this week," she said lazily, sprawled in the sheets like sin incarnate. "I’m allowed to stare at my husband’s nakedness if I want to."

Rhydian’s heart skipped a bit."’Husband?’" did she just call him husband or did he hear wrong.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "You did just confess you’re in love with me. Don’t start getting shy now."

He gave her a look. "I’m not shy. I just.... didn’t expect you to actually say it."

Seraphina sat up, the sheet pooling around her waist, and for once, her smile was soft. "Well, now you’re mine. So always expect it."

He stared at her, something fierce and vulnerable in his gaze. "You really want this? The bond, the danger, me?"

She didn’t hesitate. "Yes. All of it. I’m not scared, Rhydian. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life."

Rhydian wanted to ask, about what she had said....the time when she told him he should divorce her once everything was over, but he was afraid... afraid that was still part of her plan, so he didn’t bring up.

"I’ll get you food." He said quietly and left the room

Seraphina still had a smile on her lips as she replayed all that happened in his room today. The way he’d looked at her. The way he’d touched her like she was both fragile and inevitable. Her body still tingled from it.

She stretched lazily, the sheet sliding against her bare skin, and let out a satisfied sigh. For once, her mind wasn’t crowded with thoughts of war, betrayal, or survival. Just him.

Moment later, just after she was done showering, a soft knock came at the door, and she sat up quickly, wearing her robe around her body.

"Who is it?" she called.

A muffled voice answered. "Room service, my lady."

She grinned.

Rhydian didn’t take long.

"Come in," she said, voice light.

A young maid stepped in, carefully balancing a tray heavy with food..bread, roasted meat, cheese, fruit, and something warm that smelled suspiciously like honeyed tea. She avoided eye contact, cheeks pink as she kept her gaze lowered and set the tray on the table by the hearth.

"His majesty said to tell you personally that if you’re not full after this, he’ll come feed you himself," the girl said, clearly reciting the line as quickly as possible before scurrying toward the door.

Seraphina blinked.

Then laughed—an actual, unguarded laugh that lit up her entire face.

Rhydian was such a menace.

And she was absolutely in love with him.