Blood and Desire

seeds of doubt

The moon hung low in the sky, casting pale light over the sanctuary as Seraphina stumbled through the gates, her body weak from the vicious fight she had barely survived. Valeria leaned against her, equally battered but alive, the warmth of their earlier kiss still lingering between them.

Seraphina could feel her energy draining, the adrenaline fading as pain shot through her body. The Valtor brothers had been ruthless, and their father, even more so. She had only escaped by sheer willpower.

Lena rushed towards them the moment they stepped inside, her face a mixture of fear and relief. She quickly helped guide Seraphina to a couch, glaring at Valeria as she did.

"Seraphina, what were you thinking?" Lena whispered sharply, her hands trembling as she looked over the fresh wounds on Seraphina's body. "You could've died..."

"I had to get her," Seraphina said weakly, casting a glance at Valeria, who stood awkwardly a few feet away, clearly sensing the tension.

Alaric appeared soon after, his eyes hardening as he took in the scene. "You brought a Valtor back again?" he spat, his voice low but filled with anger. "After everything we've been through..."

"She helped me escape," Seraphina shot back, her voice growing defensive.

Alaric stepped forward, lowering his voice to a whisper only Seraphina could hear. "What about Lena?" he asked, his tone softening slightly but filled with concern. "She loves you, Seraphina."

Seraphina froze, her heart sinking at the mention of Lena's feelings. She cast a guilty look towards Lena, who was watching the two of them closely, but the weight of everything left her silent.

Valeria, noticing the unspoken tension, quietly moved towards the corner, her gaze shifting to the floor.

Seraphina took a slow, steady breath, forcing herself to rise from the couch despite the sharp pain radiating through her side. She glanced at Alaric, her eyes hard and unyielding, before pushing him aside with a firm hand. "You don't understand," she muttered coldly.

Without another word, Seraphina walked straight to Valeria, who was leaning heavily against the wall, her face pale and exhausted from the ordeal. The room went quiet, everyone watching as Seraphina knelt in front of her, tenderly brushing a strand of hair from Valeria's face.

"Let me take care of you," Seraphina whispered, her voice soft yet intense, making Valeria's breath catch.

With surprising gentleness, Seraphina's hands began tending to the wounds on Valeria's arms and torso, her fingers trailing over the torn fabric of her clothes. The room filled with a heavy silence as everyone watched Seraphina's actions with growing realization. It wasn't just that she was caring for Valeria; it was the way her hands lingered on Valeria's body — firm and protective. Her touch was possessive, almost claiming, as if she was shielding Valeria from anyone who might dare come close.

Lena's expression shifted, her eyes flickering with a mixture of hurt and disbelief as she noticed Seraphina's body language. Alaric's jaw tightened, his fists clenched by his sides, but he said nothing, simply exchanging a look with Lena.

Valeria, though clearly in pain, was aware of the weight of Seraphina's touch, the way her hands stayed on her waist, just below the wound. She leaned into Seraphina, her dark eyes searching her face, but she said nothing, letting the intimacy of the moment settle around them.

"Seraphina," Alaric finally said, his voice low and filled with barely concealed frustration. "This isn't just about protecting her, is it?"

Seraphina paused, her fingers lingering on Valeria's skin. She didn't look at him. "It's more complicated than you think, Alaric," she replied quietly, not offering any more explanation. Her focus remained solely on Valeria.