Chapter 7: What It Means to Be a Girl
661 Words
Chapter 7: What It Means to Be a Girl
Vanilla's POV
The whispers were louder today. They always were, after a weekend in Tegan's bed.
"She's already got the future queen wrapped around her finger."
"Seductrice... of course it'd be her."
"Bet she doesn't last long. Royals don't marry curses."
I kept walking, head high, pretending it didn't matter. But deep down, the rumors fed something inside me. Something reckless.
In alchemy class, I leaned closer to a boy I barely knew. His eyes widened instantly, pupils blown. All I said was "Can you pass me the notes?"-but he scrambled like it was life or death, shoving them into my hands with trembling fingers.
The rush sent heat spiraling down my spine.
Power. Mine.
I looked up and found Tegan watching me from across the room. Her jaw was tight, silver eyes flashing. Possessive. Angry. Beautiful.
And that was when it hit me. Maybe being a girl-a Seductrice-wasn't just about fear. Maybe it was about the fire in my veins. The kind no one could put out.
Tegan's POV
She had no idea. No idea how dangerous this was-how dangerous she was.
When I walked into the hall after class and found a vampire cornering her, my rage nearly split me open.
He leaned in, inhaling like she was a glass of fine wine. "You don't know what you do to people, do you?"
I yanked him back so hard his fangs clicked together. "Touch her again and you won't leave this hallway alive."
The boy paled and bolted.
Vanilla looked at me, wide-eyed, trembling-not from fear. From something else. Something that made my chest ache.
"You don't understand," I hissed, shoving her gently but firmly against the wall, caging her in with my arm. My face inches from hers. "You're fire. If you don't control it, it'll burn you alive-and I'll burn anyone who tries to touch you."
Her lips parted. "Then stop talking and show me."
Vanilla's POV
The world snapped out of focus.
Tegan kissed me like she'd been starving for years, like I was the only thing left worth tasting. My hands fisted in her uniform, dragging her closer until there was no space left between us.
Her mouth was heat and storm, her body all sharp lines pressed against mine. When her hand slid down, fingers brushing the waistband of my skirt, I gasped into her mouth.
She froze. Then moved lower. Testing me. Testing us.
I didn't stop her. I wanted more. Craved it.
Tegan's POV
I lost control.
The feel of her skin, the way she arched against me-I was drowning. This wasn't friendship. This wasn't safe. This was addiction, sharp and sweet.
Her moan was soft, broken. I could have sworn the sound carved itself into my soul.
And then-
The door opened.
Vanilla's POV
I didn't notice at first. Didn't want to notice. Not until Tegan went rigid, shielding me with her body.
"By the gods," a woman's voice gasped.
I twisted, heat crashing into shame. A regal woman in a crimson gown stood in the doorway. Silver crown. Eyes cold as ice.
Beside her, a broad-shouldered man in black glared, fury radiating from every line of him.
Tegan's parents.
Royalty.
My stomach dropped.
Tegan's POV
I didn't move. Couldn't.
My father's voice was sharp enough to slice the air. "Tegan. We need to talk. Now."
Vanilla trembled behind me, her fingers still tangled in my shirt. I didn't let go of her. Not yet.
I turned, meeting my father's eyes with steel. My voice was low, dangerous. "Then wait. Because this conversation? It's not over."
I squeezed Vanilla's hand before stepping away, every nerve in my body screaming.
Vanilla's POV
The door slammed shut behind them, leaving me breathless, lips swollen, heart racing.
Caught. Exposed.
But underneath the terror, one truth burned hotter than all the rest:
I wanted her. And nothing-not even a king and queen-was going to change that.
- Writer
