Charlotte's POV
Spring break had come to an end, and with it, a wave of dread and guilt washed over me like a heavy fog settling in the early morning hours. As I sat with my thoughts, I couldn't help but imagine how Kimi felt—perhaps used, abandoned, or simply confused by my sudden and unexpected departure. The memories of our time together were still fresh in my mind, like vibrant colors on a painter's canvas, but they were now tinged with an undeniable sadness. Here I was, in another city, surrounded by the familiar comforts of home, with my mom by my side, yet all I could think about was the girl I had left behind. I missed her deeply, her laughter and her fierce spirit, but I knew this separation was a necessary measure for her safety. I kept telling myself that, repeating it like a mantra, hoping it would dull the ache in my heart.
Kimi's family, noble and revered, had been the leaders of the Serpent clan for generations. It was a legacy steeped in history, myth, and the weight of expectation. Yet, I realized she probably had no inkling of the full gravity behind her lineage. The ancient soothsayers had foretold that the one who bore a half-serpent would ascend as the queen of the clan, a destiny intertwined with power, danger, and magic. They hadn't specified where this queen would come from or how she would be recognized, but I knew immediately when I saw Kimi's striking half emerald serpent-shaped birthmark on her back—it was breathtaking, a motif of beauty and significance, marking her fate in ways she couldn't imagine.
My uncle and his followers were relentless in their pursuit, driven by an unquenchable thirst for power and control. Their goal was to eliminate the Queen of the Vampires, a ruthless and formidable opponent. Unfortunately, that queen was Kimi. The irony of it all weighed heavily on my conscience: the closer I got to her, the more danger she faced. My uncle, a man filled with dark ambition and fierce loyalty to his cause, could sense my blood from a distance—a dangerous legacy I bore that linked me to both Kimi and the fate that awaited us both. The truth was chilling: if I remained near her, I would inadvertently place her life in grave danger.
Therefore, I made the painful decision to leave her behind, a choice that felt like tearing apart a piece of my very soul. Each moment we spent together flashed through my mind as I articulated my resolve, wrestling with the guilt and sorrow that threatened to consume me. I hoped she would understand someday, that she would forgive me for abandoning her at such a precarious moment in her life. But in my heart, I knew the only way to protect her was to put distance between us, to sacrifice my own happiness for her safety. As I walked away, I clung to the hope that this time apart would be temporary and that one day, circumstances would allow us to reunite without the looming shadows of danger.