Vampire's Veil Of Obsession-Chapter 80: Ireses Of Suprises

Zethan’s body remained still, his eyes widening as another tear slipped from her closed eyes. Her breathing turned ragged.

CLANK!

A sharp sound echoed as the seatbelt was pulled away on the plane. As he stood, he moved to remove hers. It seemed she was still asleep. Then, he instinctively scooped her into his arms.

To his surprise, she clung to him, pressing her face against his neck.

His jaw tightened—not because of her, but because of himself.

He didn’t like this.

This unfamiliar feeling creeping into him.

She was dangerous. Not in the way he had expected, but in a way that unsettled him.

She made him feel things he had never allowed himself to feel.

And he didn’t want to let her go.

Ever.

Yet, he had to.

For the plan.

A frustrated sigh left his lips as he shook his head. How was she doing this so effortlessly? He had believed no one could break him, yet here she was—chipping away at his defenses. Step by step. Brick by brick.

And worst of all...

He was letting her.

That was what made it even more dangerous.

Her body instinctively snuggled closer as he carefully laid her down on the bed in the private plane. Outside, the aircraft soared through the sky, but inside, all that mattered was the warmth of her wrapped around his arm.

His fingers twitched. He should pull away.

But he didn’t.

Instead, he gently patted her back, feeling the slow, steady rhythm of her breathing as she drifted into sleep.

His gaze lowered to her face, resting peacefully against his chest. Without thinking, he lifted a hand, his thumb brushing away a lingering tear. Then another. His fingers trailed through her tangled hair, smoothing it down as a sigh left his lips.

"I have no choice but to do this, Lilia."

His grip on her tightened slightly.

"So I won’t let you go. Not now."

A soft hum escaped her lips, and his entire body stiffened.

*********

Time passed.

Lilia’s eyes fluttered open slowly.

For a brief second, she seemed dazed, lost between sleep and wakefulness. But the moment she realized she was being carried, her eyes snapped wide.

A rush of awareness flooded her.

Zethan was holding her.

Carrying her off the airplane.

Her breath caught in her throat.

They had landed.

She had slept through it all—without even noticing when he lifted her.

A strange sense of warmth settled in her chest. An unsettling kind of comfort.

Was she getting too comfortable with him?

Her cheeks flushed as his gaze met hers, their eyes locking for a brief moment.

She quickly averted her eyes.

"You can put me down now. I’m awake," she murmured, her voice soft with lingering sleep.

Zethan shook his head. "No worries. You can go back to sleep."

Her face burned.

She quickly covered it with both hands, only peeking through her fingers as they stepped into the airport.

She knew the moment they entered, heads would bow—out of respect for a general.

And once those heads lifted...

They would see this.

Her blush deepened.

If she asked him to put her down now, it would only make things worse.

She could already imagine the teasing, the smirks, the knowing glances.

So she stayed quiet. frёeωebɳovel.com

And let him carry her.

The chauffeur immediately stepped forward, opening the car door. Zethan turned, carefully placing Lilia onto the seat before settling in beside her. The door shut with a quiet click, sealing them inside.

Lilia’s face was still flushed, the warmth from earlier lingering stubbornly. She was certain the chauffeur had seen everything. The thought made her stomach twist, but she forced herself to push it aside.

Overthinking would only make things worse.

The car began to move.

Trying to distract herself, she turned to Zethan. "Where are we going?"

He glanced at her, his expression unreadable.

"To my secret villa."

Her breath hitched slightly.

’His secret villa?’

She knew Zethan was a man of power, someone with an almost unnerving level of resilience. He carried himself with a controlled ease, yet there was something about him—something that hinted at a desire for peace beneath all that dominance.

But was this truly about peace?

Or was it something else entirely?

The moment those thoughts flooded her mind, she let out a soft sigh.

But then again, she wondered—if Zethan had brought them here, to this place he called his secret villa, didn’t that mean it was somewhere he usually went alone? A place meant just for him?

And yet, he had chosen to bring them.

Or was it.....

’Oh my goodness, Lilia. Why do you keep overanalyzing everything? Why can’t you just take things as they are?’

Shaking her head at herself, she made a decision.

Today, she would connect with nature.

She wasn’t going to waste this moment overthinking.

Turning her gaze to the window, she took in the scenery outside.

The landscape stretched out in endless green, a breathtaking forest-like expanse that made her wonder—

What was Zethan’s villa like?

Was it massive?

A secluded mansion hidden deep within nature?

For him to call it his secret villa...

The word "secret" alone sent warmth through her chest.

He was willing to share this place with her.

But why?

Their relationship had come a long way, but she hadn’t expected him to take this step—to let her in.

And then, as if to confirm her thoughts, Zethan spoke.

"You are the first person I’m bringing to this villa of mine." His voice was steady yet unreadable.

"It was always meant to be just me, alone."

He glanced at her, his gaze dark and intense.

"But now, it seems I have a companion."

His eyes locked onto hers.

"You."

Then, he winked.

Lilia felt her breath hitch, heat rushing to her face.

’What a flirt’

Zethan chuckled at her stunned expression, clearly enjoying her reaction.

She was the first.

The only one.

For once, she had no words.

She was speechless.

Instead, Lilia sat still, watching the night sky above them.

The full moon hung high, casting a soft glow over the world.

Then, a gate creaked open.

She expected to see a towering mansion beyond it.

But instead, there was more forest.

It looked just like the one outside the gate, as if nothing had changed—except for the fact that this place was marked.

Hidden in plain sight.

The car rolled forward, moving deeper and deeper into the woods.

Minutes passed.

The road wound endlessly beneath the shadows of towering trees.

Then, finally—

They came to a stop.

A quiet voice broke the silence.

"Mr. Zethan and Mrs. Lilia, we’re here."

Zethan gave a silent nod before stepping out.

He turned, extending his hand toward her.

Without hesitation, Lilia placed hers in his, feeling the warmth of his touch as he helped her out of the car.

And then she moved—

Her breath hitched.

It was breathtaking.

Not a grand mansion.

Not a palace of extravagance.

But something infinitely more beautiful.

At the heart of the forest stood a bungalow-like house, nestled perfectly within nature’s untouched embrace. It was neither too large nor too small, its structure blending seamlessly with the world around it, as though it had always belonged there.

To the left, an endless stretch of pure white flowers swayed gently in the night breeze, their delicate petals catching the moonlight, glowing like scattered stars upon the earth.

To the right, a vast expanse of midnight-black blooms unfolded in contrast, their dark elegance deep and mysterious, a perfect counterbalance to the ethereal white.

Between them, a stone pathway led straight to the house—

A bridge between light and shadow.

Just beyond, slightly off to the side, a tranquil pond shimmered under the night sky. A delicate waterfall spilled onto its surface, its rhythmic trickle blending with the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hum of nature.

It was mesmerizing.

Ethereal.

Too perfect to be real.

Lilia’s lips parted, her breath uneven with silent awe.

She wanted to speak—

To put this feeling into words—

But nothing came.

Finally, she turned to Zethan, her voice barely above a whisper.

"This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen."

Zethan stilled. His eyes widened—just slightly—caught off guard.

He had expected indifference.

Perhaps even disappointment.

But Lilia—his Lilia—had always been different.

She found beauty in places others wouldn’t.

And for some reason—

That made him admire her even more.

Zethan simply watched her.

She moved with an effortless grace, her fingertips trailing over the dark flowers, gliding across their delicate petals as though they were spun from silk. The way they swayed beneath her touch, almost reverently, made it seem as if they recognized her—like they belonged to her.

Then, she turned to him, curiosity flickering in her bright eyes as she tilted her head slightly.

"These flowers... what are they?" she asked, her voice soft yet filled with wonder.

His answer came in a low, measured tone.

"They are Ireses. Ireses of Suprises." His gaze darkened, and his next words edged with warning. "They are less mild."

Yet, instead of fear, fascination gleamed in her expression.

"I love them."

Zethan stiffened, his jaw clenching as he turned fully toward her. His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

"They’re dangerous."

But she didn’t step away. She didn’t even hesitate. Instead, she met his gaze with unwavering resolve, her expression calm yet unyielding.

"I still love them."

Silence wrapped around them like a shroud.

Zethan said nothing at first, only watching her, his eyes unreadable. If only she knew. If only she understood that these very flowers...

Would one day be the death of her.

A deep rumble echoed through the heavens as thunder cracked, and the first droplets of rain began to fall.