To be the Villainess

O28.

Chapter 28

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THE OATH she had been reciting came to an abrupt halt. A strange sensation washed over me — unfamiliar, yet oddly comforting. I couldn’t quite describe it, but it lingered in a way that made me feel strangely at ease.

I scanned the garden, my mind suddenly realizing the absence of Zacharias. He wasn’t here. I turned back to Seraphim, who now floated slightly above the ground, her expression softer than before. Only moments ago, her gaze had been cold and sharp, but now, a gentle smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

“Where is Zacharias?” I asked, my voice calm but firm.  Seraphim flinched, her smile fading. She looked away, avoiding my eyes.

I narrowed my gaze, suspicion coiling in my gut.

“Bring him back, Seraphim,” I commanded, my tone leaving no room for argument. I knew where Zacharias was. She still had him, trapped somewhere in that twisted dimension she played with so casually.

Her lips twitched as if trying to hold back a smirk. “Can’t I just—”

“No,” I interrupted.

She huffed, her pout almost childish, but there was no mistaking the malice behind her eyes. “Fine.”

Seraphim began to chant, her voice low and melodic, the syllables alien and ancient. Shadows swirled around her, coiling like smoke as a dark arcane circle flickered into existence beneath her floating form. The air crackled, vibrating with power, and then the shadows began to take shape — a tall figure emerging from the gloom.

Zacharias.

He stumbled forward, his chest heaving, drenched in sweat. His face was a mask of exhaustion, his eyes red and hollow. The dried streaks of tears on his cheeks betrayed the torment he had endured.

“You!” Zacharias’ voice was hoarse as he glared at Seraphim, his hand reaching instinctively for his sword. He started to move toward her, but I quickly stepped between them, stopping him in his tracks.

He stared at me, disbelief and anger flashing in his eyes. “Move, my lady,” he said, his voice low, the edge of his sword glinting at his side.

Seraphim shifted slightly behind me, ready to respond, but I raised my hand to stop her.

“Don’t,” I said quietly, holding her back as Zacharias stood before me, still seething.

Zacharias’ sword gleamed in the dim light, his stance shifting, ready to strike. He wasn’t playing games anymore. The calm, composed knight I’d known was now a storm of controlled fury. But I wasn’t about to let him hurt Seraphim — not when I had just tamed her.

Behind me, Seraphim floated uneasily, her eyes flicking between Zacharias and me. I could sense her urge to step in, her hesitation crackling in the air. She wanted to help, to fight, but I held her in place with a single glance. She was bound to me now, and she knew it. Her power meant nothing if she couldn’t move without my command — and I wasn’t ready to let her act just yet.

I had no weapon on me. The two daggers I usually carried were sitting useless at home, far from reach. My mind raced. I wasn’t defenseless, but facing a swordsman with nothing was far from ideal. Still, I had never needed to play fair, had I?

“You’re really going to try and stop me?” he asked, his voice low, his eyes narrowing as his grip on the sword tightened. “You know what she’s done.”

I stepped back, feigning retreat, but I was thinking, calculating. “Oh, I know exactly what she’s done, Zacharias. But that doesn’t mean you should kill her,” I said, a sly smile tugging at the corners of my lips. “You wouldn’t want to cross me, would you?”