The palace's sparring chamber gleamed under the moonlight, silver light catching the edges of two blades. Seraphine stood tall and defiant, her eyes never leaving the man she now called her captor.
Valen.
He circled her slowly, his sword dragging gently along the stone floor , its hum echoing like a breath between them.
"You shouldn't look at me like that, "she said coldly, raising her sword, " Like you own me. "
"Not yet, " Valen murmured, his voice low, hungry. "But I will. "
Seraphine lunged first, rage fueling her swing. Their swords clashed, the sound of metal crackling like lightning between them. She twisted, struck again and again - his calmness only infuriating her more.
"Fight back! " She hissed.
"I am, "he said, catching her blade midair. Their faces inches apart, her breath hitched, " Every moment I didn't kiss you is a battle. "
She shoved him off and turned sharply, " You're sick. "
"No, "he growled, stepping closer, their blades crossing again. " I'm yours. "
She struck harder , desperate to silence the ache swelling inside her. And he matched her step for step - never trying to wound her, only to hold her. To claim her.
Then -
His sword moved in a flash, not at her throat, but at her collar.
A delicate clang ran out.
The Phoenix chain - the very symbol of her bond with Evander - snapped clean from her neck, the charm trumbling to the ground.
Seraphine gasped, " What-? "
Valen caught it, the chain glinting in his palm. His eyes dark and furious, locked onto hers. "This chain is a lie. A shackle. I won't let you wear another man's brand. "
With a single fluid motion, he tossed it into the fire burning beside them. The flames hissed, devouring it whole.
"I hate you. " She whispered, voice trembling.
"I know, "he said, stepping close enough that their swords trembled between their bodies. "And I love you enough to burn for it. "
Her blade wavered.
His hand reached out, not for her weapon - but for her cheek. And for a fleeting second, just a heartbeat - Seraphine didn't move.
Then - her sword scraped across his chestplate, barely missing flesh, but Valen didn't flinch.
"Still so full of fire, " He murmured, breathless. "No one ever tamed you. Not even him. "
"Don't speak of Evander! "She shouted, lunging again. "You think you're any different?! You're worse. "
Their blades locked again, face to face. Her breath came fast, her skin damp with sweat. Valen's fangs showed when he smiled.
"I don't want to tame you, sweetheart. I want to watch you burn. "
Her fingers trembled on her hilt, not from fear but from the chaos storming inside her. Why did his voice sound like a poem recited in blood? Why did his gaze linger like a curse?
Seraphine turned, spun - her blade at his throat.
"Then die by my fire. " She growled.
Valen didn't move. He just let the blade press against his skin.
"Do it, "he said quietly. "If you truly hate me, do it. "
Her heart thundered in her chest. Her hand shook. Because somewhere between all that fury, there was something else clawing at her gut - a treacherous heat, a dark pull.
She shoved him back instead.
"I'm not yours to take, " She snapped.
But he was already stepping forward, slowly, backing her against the stone wall. He caged her with one hand braced beside her head and the other still holding his sword.
"You are, "he said, voice so low it vibrated through her. "You just don't see it yet. "
Her chest rose and fell quickly. And in the silence between their breaths, the fire crackled - the Phoenix chain long devoured by flame.
"You'll stay, " He whispered. "Because you feel it too. "
Seraphine stared up at him. Her fury hadn't faded - it shifted. Mutated. Into something hungrier.
And maybe she would lose. Maybe she would stay.
But not without drawing blood.
She tilted her head, her voice a hiss. "I dare you to come and claim me, vampire. "
Valen's eyes didn't leave hers. The fire behind him painted his face in gold and shadow. Slowly, he reached for her sword - the one still pressed between them - and curled his hand gently around the blade.
Seraphine blinked, "What are you-? "
And then, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
Soft. Controlled. Worshipful.
Her breath hitched.
"You think this is war, "he murmured against her skin, " But for me... This is prayer. A prayer where I worship my goddess. "
The blade slipped from her grip, clattering softly to the floor.
He lifted her wrist higher, his lips brushing up the inside of her forearm, slow and deliberate, until his lips hovered just beneath the edge of her armor.
"You were never his, "Valen whispered. "He caged you. I crave you. "
Then he stepped back, lowering her hand, and Seraphine realized - he had won. Not with power. Not with force.
With surrender. Her surrender.
Her chest heaved as she stared at Valen.
"You said if you win, I stay. "
He nodded once, quiet. " Yes. "
Her voice was a whisper. "Then I'm still your prisoner. "
"No, " Valen said, his gaze dark and glittering. "You are my myth. My Serenyth. "
And this time , she didn't argue.