Chapter 260: A masterpiece

Words : 1463 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Cassandra hesitated multiple times as she made her way toward the hot springs on the estate grounds. At this moment, her heart was racing so fast that, despite being a cold vampire with barely any body heat, her entire form felt like it was aflame. Her body radiated so much heat that she didn't know how to control the tingling sensation coursing through her. She was the daughter of the most powerful vampire alive. She had tried to connect with men before, to meet a few, but she had never acted on anything—not even a single kiss. In truth, she had never been interested in such things. Now, for the first time, she found herself drawn to the opposite sex. For the first time, she felt these conflicting emotions that were entirely foreign to her usual self. In fact, when she spoke to Scarlet about finding a husband, she hadn't been entirely honest. She had once "married" a vampire noble, but only because he seemed the "best option" at the time—a notion that had proven utterly wrong. The man couldn't even take his eyes off her mother, which led Cassandra to eliminate him with a single blow, deeming him useless. For vampires, the concept of marriage was loose; simply being close to another could be considered equivalent to being wed. There were no grand traditions like white dresses or ceremonies before a priest. Now, as an 800-year-old vampire, Cassandra had never truly experienced love—at least, that's what she thought. Yet, here she was, her heart wrestling with new feelings and her mind occupied by thoughts of someone who stirred emotions she didn't know she could feel. Her sister Daniela's teasing words echoed in her mind repeatedly, adding to the growing weight in her chest and the expectations she now carried. Finally, she reached the hot springs. Cassandra stepped carefully across the damp stones lining the path to the springs. The air was dense and warm, heavy with the scent of minerals and steam. A light mist hovered over the water, partially obscuring the surroundings but leaving enough visibility for the crystal-clear pools to reflect the moonlight like liquid mirrors. The constant bubbling of the water mingled with the gentle rustle of leaves, creating a soothing, almost hypnotic melody. The springs were enclosed by irregular stones, some covered in patches of moss, and thick shrubs that formed a natural barrier, giving the place a sense of seclusion. Towering trees surrounded the area, their canopies nearly sealing the sky above, with just enough gaps for the silvery moonlight to spill onto the scene. Beside one of the largest pools of steaming water stood a small wooden structure—simple yet discreet—that served as a changing space. Cassandra walked toward it, pushing open the wooden door with a faint creak. Inside, the room was dimly lit by the soft glow of an oil lantern hanging from a hook on the wall. The flickering flame cast dancing shadows that added an intimate air to the space. She took a deep breath, trying to steady the tumult within her, which echoed in the rapid rhythm of her undead heart. With deliberate care, she began removing her clothes. First, the long black coat she always wore, heavy and commanding, slid off her shoulders and pooled on the floor like an abandoned shadow. Next, her corset and skirt, which she untied with hands that hesitated slightly. Finally, she stood completely bare. For a moment, she stilled, allowing herself to feel the strange vulnerability of standing there without her usual attire. The warm air of the cabin caressed her pale skin, while the steam from the springs seemed to drift through the small window, wrapping around her like an ethereal embrace. She picked up a white cloth, neatly folded on one of the benches, and wrapped it around her body. The fabric was thin, almost translucent, but soft as silk. It clung to her curves, draping gracefully over her shoulders and wrapping her like a veil. Each movement caused the fabric to brush against her skin, accentuating the delicate contours of her sculpted figure. Her chest pressed against the cloth, her waist hugged by it, and it fell over her hips in a way that highlighted her form. 'I'm going to regret this...' she thought. As she stepped out of the cabin, the warmth of the springs welcomed her like a silent invitation. The moon hung high in the sky, its light now illuminating her figure with an almost celestial glow. The white cloth stood out against the surrounding shadows as she descended the stone steps toward the water, her bare feet touching the cool surface of the rock before dipping into the comforting warmth of the springs. Finally, her gaze landed on the man she had sought. Strax was lounging in the water, his eyes closed in serene relaxation, his wet hair spread out and clinging to his shoulders. "I already told you, I came because I wanted to," she replied, her voice firmer than she expected. She didn't look at him, but she could feel the weight of his gaze on her. "And don't make me repeat myself." Strax chuckled softly, but there was no mockery in the sound. He moved closer, the water rippling gently around him. "So, you wanted to. That's... interesting." She finally turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Interesting why?" "Because you usually only do what you want, Cassandra. And that rarely involves tolerating me." He tilted his head, his challenging smile still present, but there was a sincerity in his tone that caught her off guard. Cassandra opened her mouth to respond, but the words seemed to escape her. He was closer now, and the steam around them wasn't enough to mask the intensity of his gaze. She could see every detail of his face — the subtle lines near his eyes, the curve of his smile, which now seemed less teasing and more genuine. "You love making things complicated, don't you?" she murmured, her voice coming out almost as a whisper. "Not as much as you do," he shot back, leaning in a little more. The distance between them closed, and Cassandra felt her heart pounding in her chest, threatening to explode at any moment. He was too close, and she knew she should push him away. But, for some reason, she couldn't. "Strax..." she began, but the word died on her lips as he raised his hand, his fingers gently brushing away a wet strand of hair that clung to her face. "You're fascinating," he said, his voice so low it felt like a secret meant only for her. "Always so strong, so in control. But right now... you seem so human." "I'm not human," she whispered, but her voice faltered, sounding more like a confession than a correction. "No," he agreed, his thumb tracing the line of her jaw with a delicate touch. "You're so much more than that." Before she could process his words, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against hers. It was a soft touch at first, almost hesitant, as though he was waiting for her reaction. Cassandra froze for a moment, her mind a whirlwind, but then something inside her gave way. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, her hands instinctively moving to rest on his shoulders. The thin cloth covering her slipped slightly with the movement, but she didn't notice, lost in the moment. The kiss deepened, growing more intense, and a wave of warmth swept through her body, unlike anything she had ever felt before. Strax pulled her closer, his hands firm on her waist as the steam around them seemed to thicken, enveloping them like a shroud. For a fleeting moment, nothing else existed—just the feel of his touch, the taste of his lips, and the soft sound of their mingled breaths. When they finally pulled apart, both were breathless. Cassandra opened her eyes, meeting his gaze, which was now more serious but still held that playful glint. "That was..." she began, but once again, the words slipped away. Her usually sharp and articulate mind failed to form a coherent sentence. "Unexpected?" he suggested, his smile softening. "Come on, stop pretending to be so difficult." She shook her head, trying to regain control. But then, she gave in completely. "Screw it," she said, and lunged at him, climbing onto his lap. "Now that's more like it," Strax said, his voice filled with approval as Cassandra's bare chest came fully into view, completely exposed before him. "A masterpiece," he murmured, his gaze fixated on her with a mixture of admiration and desire.

Chapter 260: A masterpiece

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