Bound to the vampire I must kill-Chapter 74: Sneak out

Chapter 74

She was halfway through a chunk of roasted meat when the door creaked open again. She didn’t even look up, just pointed her knife in the air like a warning.

"If you say one word about how fast I’m eating, I will stab you. Lovingly."

Rhydian’s laugh echoed through the room, her words never failed to get to him."Noted. But for the record, I find it incredibly attractive."

She glanced up then, cheeks puffed out like a squirrel mid-hoard, and smirked. "You’re just saying that because you’ve never seen what happens when I’m actually pissed."

He shut the door behind him, raising a brow as he stepped closer. "Oh, I’d love to see my wife angry. As long as it’s not at me."

Her chewing slowed. "Wife?" The word hung in the air, unfamiliar... but nice. Her gaze lingered on him, just a second too long.

He crossed the room and leaned down, brushing a soft kiss to her forehead, slow and deliberate. "Of course you are," he said, voice low. "And always will be."

Seraphina’s face went bright pink. She ducked her head and resumed chewing like her life depended on it. Rhydian dropped onto the bed beside her, casually picking a grape off the tray and tossing it into his mouth.

He chewed for a moment, then said, "God, I missed this. Just... normal stuff." He glanced at her, a flicker of something more serious in his eyes. "Should we still go hunt down that fire fruit you mentioned?"

She raised a brow. "Dare you to back out. We’re going. Let the heavens fall to earth, I don’t care, we’re going."

He chuckled, grabbing another fruit. "Alright. How about tonight?"

She paused mid-bite, eyes narrowing. "You mean actually leave the palace? At night? Don’t you usually have, I don’t know, meetings with a bunch of stiff old men at that time?"

He leaned back on his hands, smirking. "I’m the king. If I want to sneak out with my wife, I will. Who’s gonna stop me?"

She stared at him for a beat, then snorted. "Now that’s the kind of abuse of power I can respect."

Rhydian grinned. "I figured. We’ll take the back way through the gardens. No guards. No advisors. Just you, me, and your weird obsession with fire fruit."

Her eyes narrowed playfully. "You remembered what I said about the taste?"

"Of course I did. You said it tasted like honey and rebellion."

Her face softened just a little. "You actually listened..."

His tone dropped, more sincere now. "I always listen to you."

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, everything else in the room faded. Then she looked away, suddenly way too interested in rearranging the tray.

"You’re making it really hard to pretend I’m still mad at you for not coming to save me on time."

Rhydian blinked, the shift in her tone grounding him. His smirk faded. "I’m... sorry," he said quietly, nudging the tray aside. "I was actually—"

"I know," she cut in quickly. Her voice was lighter, but the twitch at the corner of her mouth gave her away. "I was just teasing. I’m fine."

Still, she didn’t meet his eyes.

He hesitated, then leaned in again, just a little. "So, midnight fire fruit hunting is my peace offering. Good enough for you?"

She gave a one-shouldered shrug, although the obvious blush on her cheeks gave her away."Depends. Is there a part two?"

"There is," he said softly, leaning closer as he admired the blush on her cheeks. "It involves lying under the stars while you complain about how itchy the grass is, then pretend you’re not actually loving every second of it."

She laughed, full and genuine this time, and it sent a warmth straight to his heart. "You really do know me."

He smiled, his gaze fixed on her like she was the only thing in the room."I plan to."

For a beat, the room was quiet. Not awkward, just both of them staring so deeply at eachother.... neither of them willing to tear away their gaze.

Then Seraphina let out a dramatic groan and flopped back on the bed. "Fine. You win. We’ll go tonight. But I’m not walking the whole way in boots. My feet are still mad at me from earlier."

"I’ll carry you," he offered without missing a beat.

"Like hell you will," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

Later that night

The night air was crisp as Rhydian and Seraphina slipped through the back garden, avoiding the usual palace routes. Their footsteps were light, the silence between them not awkward but full of anticipation. Rhydian caught the occasional glint of her smirk in the moonlight, knowing she was as eager as he was for the night ahead.

He glanced over at her, already thinking ahead, already planning the next move. "I gotta admit, sneaking out with you is way more exciting than any council meeting."

Seraphina’s lips curled into a grin, and she picked up her pace, teasing him by walking just out of reach. "You would be saying that."

Rhydian smirked, long strides catching up with her in seconds. He reached out, fingers grazing her wrist, pulling her back to him. "And I meant it. So, what’s the plan once we get to the mountains? You just gonna tell me how to get the fruit, or are you gonna make me work for it?"

She turned to face him, eyes narrowing playfully. "You’ll have to earn it. Not everything should come easy for a king."

Rhydian’s expression shifted slightly, his gaze locking onto hers with a deeper intensity. "That’s the fun part. Getting you to want to make me work for it."

Seraphina met his gaze, and for a second, the teasing dropped, her voice softening. "Don’t think you need to work that hard. But carrying me, that’s something I might hold you to."

Rhydian didn’t need any further encouragement. With a grin that matched the fire in his eyes, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her effortlessly. She let out a brief, surprised laugh, but didn’t resist, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Like you said," Rhydian said, holding her secure, "a king never breaks a promise." His voice was low, full of that easy confidence that never failed to make her stomach flutter.

She raised an eyebrow as they began walking, his pace fluid as he carried her, his arms steady around her. "You think this is going to be all fun and games? We’re climbing a mountain, Rhydian. And I’m the one who’s getting the fruit."

He smirked, shifting her in his arms slightly as he adjusted his grip. "The fruit, sure. But I’m carrying you up that mountain, aren’t I?"

Seraphina let out a soft laugh, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I’m starting to think I’ve made a huge mistake letting you do this."

"Oh?" Rhydian teased. "You’re enjoying it. I can tell."

She sighed dramatically, resting her head against his shoulder. "I’m so not going to hear the end of this, am I?"

"Nope," he said firmly, taking a few steps before he let his grip tighten slightly. "Not a chance. And you will enjoy every second of it."

Seraphina didn’t answer right away, just settled against him, her body relaxing into his hold as they climbed. The cool air whispered around them, but in his arms, she felt warmth, a comfort she hadn’t realized she craved until now. "You know," she murmured, her voice soft, "you don’t always have to spoil me, you know?"

Rhydian chuckled, his pace never faltering. "And what kind of husband would I be if I didn’t spoil you? Besides, I promised."

Her smile softened, her gaze drifting to the path ahead. "I know. And I’m not complaining." She paused, then added with a smirk, "I’ll just make sure I don’t make it too easy for you when we get there."

"Oh, don’t worry," Rhydian said, a knowing look passing between them. "The hard part’s just getting you there."

She raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a smile. "Let’s see if you still think that when we’re halfway up the mountain."

He just smirked, his arms tightening as he shifted her to a more comfortable position. "I’ll carry you all the way to the top. You’re stuck with me, Seraphina."