Chapter 7
Rhydian heard the second arrow slicing through the air, coming straight for his back. Without even turning, he caught it between his fingers, the motion too fast for the human eye to register.
When he finally looked at her, he caught the shock in Seraphina's gaze.
"If I were that easy to kill, then I wouldn't be the vampire king," he said flatly, tossing the arrow to the ground.
Seraphina quickly masked her surprise, standing straight and dusting off her cloak. "We should get back. This place is not safe," she said, her voice firmer than usual. Gone was the gentle tone she always used with him. This was different—stronger. Real. And, to be honest, he preferred it when she wasn't pretending to be fragile.
"And who was the reason I came here in the first place?" he asked, brushing off his robes.
"I came out for some fresh air. Is that wrong?" she countered, defiance clear in her voice.
Now they were talking. He didn't like weak, submissive women. He liked the ones that fought back, the ones who were hard to tame.
"And it just happened to be the rogue's forest," he replied sarcastically, turning to leave. He heard her footsteps as she rushed after him.
"I'm serious, I only acted in self-defense. Besides, how would I have known this forest had rogues?" she argued, her voice laced with frustration.
So she had a temper too. Perfect.
"You could have taken a walk anywhere else," he shrugged, smirking.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
He stopped walking and turned to face her. "You were so eager to explain yourself. I just gave you a hand." His expression remained neutral, but his eyes gleamed with amusement.
Seraphina clenched her jaw. This man was insufferable.
Her fingers twitched slightly, and Rhydian noticed the faint movement. Magic.
In the next second, a large branch came crashing down from the tree above, aimed straight at him.
So she was mad enough to actually attack him, huh?
His body lifted effortlessly off the ground, his movements fluid as he flew backward, dodging the branch just in time. A smirk played on his lips as he waited for her next move.
And she did attack.
She lunged at him, but not with magic or a weapon—just her bare hands.
Interesting.
She wasn't trying to kill him. She was just angry.
Seraphina moved fast, her kicks and punches well-aimed. But he was faster. A lot faster.
She swung a kick at his face, and he dodged easily, moving behind her. She twisted immediately, following up with a punch, but he blocked it effortlessly.
Then another.
He caught her wrist, halting her attack.
She tried again with her other hand, but he caught that one too.
Now he had both her fists in his grasp, holding her in place.
He expected her to struggle, to fight back with magic—but she did something he never anticipated.
A sharp pain shot through his groin.
His eyes widened as he groaned, his body doubling over as he instinctively released her hands.
She had actually kicked him.
There.
Seraphina smirked in satisfaction,"Serves you right. I'm leaving," she muttered before turning on her heel and disappearing into the darkness.
Rhydian was still crouched, holding his groin, the pain searing through his core.
she was definitely going to pay for this.
But despite the lingering pain, he found himself smiling as he watched her walk away.
---
Back at the palace, Rhydian barely made it to the entrance before running into his cousin, Kael.
"Where are you coming from this late?" Kael asked teasingly, his sharp eyes taking in his slightly disheveled state.
"Blame my bride for taking a walk in the rogues' territory," Rhydian scoffed, though his face remained unreadable. He rarely smiled—unless he felt like it.
Kael's eyebrows lifted. "Have you seen her? Is she beautiful?" He quickly rushed to his side, his voice dropping conspiratorially.
Rhydian felt a strange irritation creeping up at the question.
Why did kael care if she was beautiful or not?
"None of your business," he muttered. "I'm going to bed. No one should wake me up unless it's important."
Without waiting for a reply, he walked past his cousin and into the palace.
When he reached his chambers, an unexpected sight awaited him.
A maid lay sprawled on his bed—naked.
She smiled seductively, running her fingers down her exposed skin as he entered. "Your Majesty," she purred, her voice dripping with invitation.
But to his own surprise… he felt nothing.
Not a spark of interest. Not even the slightest temptation.
And what disturbed him even more was that, as he looked at the maid, another image filled his mind.
Silver hair.
Purple eyes.
A rosy scent that still lingered in his memory.
And those lips.
The most delicious ones he had ever tasted.
His jaw tightened.
"I'm not in the mood. Leave," he ordered.
The maid's expression faltered, but she quickly grabbed her clothes and scurried out of the room.
Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair. He needed a bath.
Even after washing away the scent of the forest, the lingering thoughts of her refused to disappear.
Annoyed at himself, he threw on a robe and left his chamber, heading toward the her quarters.
He didn't bother knocking. He simply opened the door and walked in.
To his surprise, she was already asleep.
Seraphina lay curled on the bed, without her cloak this time, revealing her smooth, snowy skin. Her chest rose and fell steadily with each breath.
He stepped closer.
His gaze swept over her relaxed face, her long lashes resting against her cheeks. Were all witches this beautiful? He hands reached instinctively to touch her, but he quickly stopped himself and pulled back.
Just then, his eyes caught something else.
A wound.
A thin, precise cut on her hand.
His expression darkened.
That wasn't from a vampire claw. That was a dagger wound.
His jaw tightened.
Did she… do this to herself?
Did she intentionally draw the rogues out? Was this all planned?
If she was that determined to kill vampires, then she must hate them.
Which meant she also hated him.
A smirk pulled at his lips.
So this was a game to her? Fine.
He would play along.
But if she thought she could kill him so easily… she was in for a rude awakening.
Just as he turned to leave, a quiet voice cut through the silence.
"Wondering how I got a cut on my hand?"
He froze.
She had been awake this whole time.