My Vampire Beloved Husband
Chapter 40: Underestimated

Chapter 40: Underestimated

Zylan shook his head, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "No, you eat. My food will be here in a few minutes," he said, pressing the button beside her to confirm his order discreetly.

Not that he needed food, but for her sake, he just needed to take something. Zylan hadn’t left the special inn since Naomi passed out, and for a moment, he had forgotten how long it had been since he’d eaten. Not that he couldn’t stay without eating—his focus had always been sharp—but the worry on Naomi’s face had even made him want to eat.

The thought sharpened his focus, his sharp gaze growing more intense as he continued in his usual calm but firm tone. "Don’t worry about me. Eat." He spoke, noticing her concerned look.

Naomi hesitated, the weight of his words pressing on her. She had grown used to him, in all his unspoken ways—his enigmatic presence, his detached aura—but there was something different now. His voice, though calm, carried an undeniable layer of urgency. Still, after a moment of hesitation, she nodded and began to eat slowly, taking small bites as though the simple act of chewing could somehow distract her from the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.

Zylan, on the other hand, found himself silent as he watched her. His gaze lingered on her every movement, captivated by the quiet way she savored each bite. She ate as if there were nothing else in the world, her focus entirely on the task at hand, and yet, Zylan’s mind was a world away. He had meant to say something—anything—but the quiet, almost serene way she was absorbed in her meal stopped him. It was a rare sight for him, one that pulled him in more than any battle or fight ever could.

Then, to his surprise, she took a spoonful of food and offered it to him, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.

Zylan’s pupils dilated as he stared at her, momentarily speechless. Why was she offering him a bite? He hadn’t expected that, especially not after the tension that had thickened the air between them just moments before. Her gesture, so innocent and unexpected, made his mind spin with confusion. His thoughts collided, but before he could form a response, Naomi spoke up with a small smile.

"It seems you’re really hungry, from the way you’re looking at me."

Her voice was light, playful even, but there was a flicker of something deeper behind her words, something that Zylan couldn’t quite decipher, though his expression remained impassive.

He quietly stared at her, stunned into silence. Did she really think he was watching her because he was hungry? If only she knew it wasn’t food he was craving. It was her. Her beauty, her calmness, the way she moved—it all held him captive in ways he had never known.

Shaking his head, he finally responded, trying to keep his voice steady. "Eat. Don’t be silly."

Relief washed over him as his mind briefly wandered to the moment he had found her that day. His chest tightened at the thought. If he had arrived a minute later, she might have... He clenched his fists, the thought making his jaw tighten, his eyes flashing with anger at the mere possibility of harm coming to her. He would never let that happen again. His voice softened, but the edge of protectiveness was undeniable.

"From now on, you’re not leaving this room unless I’m with you."

Naomi’s eyes flickered, her mind processing his words. She nodded silently, understanding the implication—this place wasn’t safe for her. But questions stirred in her mind, questions she wasn’t ready to ask just yet. How could it be that something as seemingly harmless as this cruise ship had turned so dangerous so quickly? What had really happened to her earlier? And who was that man—really?

But before she could voice those thoughts, something else took hold of her. A wave of emotion, too overwhelming to ignore, swelled up from within. Naomi tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat, choked by the disbelief and pain that had lodged itself deep within her chest. Tears welled up in her eyes, spilling over as a mixture of fear and vulnerability surfaced. She had never felt so small, so powerless, and the reality of it left her shaking.

Seeing her distress, Zylan’s expression shifted from calm to one of concern. His usual cold demeanor softened as he looked at her, his eyes filled with an urgency that belied his normally stoic nature. He spoke softly, his voice steady, repeating in a rhythm meant to calm.

"Naomi, it’s fine. I’m here. It’s fine. I’m here."

His hand moved to her back, gently patting her, rubbing soothing circles against her spine. His touch was gentle, yet firm, as though grounding her to the present. A single tear escaped from her eye, slipping down her cheek and landing on the back of his hand. For a moment, Zylan froze. The sensation of her tear was like an electric shock, a rush of emotion he wasn’t prepared for. Something deep inside him stirred, and he wasn’t sure how to respond. His pupils dilated, his breath catching in his chest as a profound feeling washed over him—one he couldn’t explain.

The shock in his gaze was fleeting, though, and he quickly steadied himself, his voice low and steady as he whispered, "It’s fine. Don’t talk about it now. I’ll tell you everything when the time is right."

Slowly, Naomi’s trembling subsided, and her breathing began to steady. She couldn’t believe how much the events of that day had affected her, how much fear they had stirred within her, even if she hadn’t fully processed it yet. Zylan’s presence, however, calmed her, his gentle words and the weight of his touch surprising her in the best way possible. It was a comfort she hadn’t anticipated but desperately needed.

"Try not to think about it," Zylan continued, his voice low but reassuring. "If you need to leave this room, I’ll always be with you."

Naomi nodded, letting his words ease the lingering fear. She was stunned by the gentleness in his tone—this side of him, the one that didn’t hide behind a wall of icy indifference, was unexpected. What had changed? What had shifted between them? She wanted to ask about the man from earlier, about the terrifying similarity between his red eyes and Zylan’s, but the question caught in her throat. Why did she feel so safe with Zylan, while the stranger’s presence had made her recoil with disgust? How could his intense presence, though powerful, bring her comfort, while the other man’s touch had filled her with such dread?

Turning away, she tried to steady her thoughts. Her breath was shaky as she whispered, "I’m sorry."

A low growl escaped Zylan, breaking the silence. Naomi’s eyes widened with concern, her heart skipping a beat. "Are you hurt?" she asked softly, her voice trembling with worry. She searched his face, looking for any sign of injury. Had the fight earlier taken more of a toll on him than he had let on? Was he hiding an injury from her?

She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Did he... did he hurt you?" Her voice wavered, unsure, as though she feared the answer.

Zylan stared at her, taken aback by the question. How could she even think to compare him—a pure-blood elite vampire—to a mere half-blood? He felt a surge of frustration rising within him. But he couldn’t reveal the truth. It would be too much for her to understand right now, too overwhelming for someone as vulnerable as Naomi.

He remained silent for a moment, grappling with the right words to say. Just as he was about to speak, she spoke again, her words spilling out in a rush, filled with anxiety and regret.

"You shouldn’t have fought back. He was too strong... I just... you shouldn’t have risked it."

Her voice trailed off, eyes searching his for an explanation, for something that would make sense of the danger he had put himself in.

"Tell me... where did he hurt you?" Naomi’s voice trembled as she tried to steady herself. But Zylan remained silent, too quiet, and his speechlessness only deepened her concern. She began to spiral, blaming herself. This is all my fault...

But if only Naomi knew what her husband had done to that half-blood.

Suddenly, Zylan pulled her close. His hands cupped her face gently, a soft gasp escaping her as he drew her in, stopping just an inch from her lips. His gaze locked onto hers, intense and unyielding. His voice was low and firm, each word carrying an unmistakable weight.

"Never, ever apologize for something that isn’t your fault. And I’m fine."

His warm breath brushed across her skin, sending a shiver down her spine. Naomi flushed, her cheeks heating under the intensity of the moment. She had thought—just for a moment—that he was about to kiss her. But instead, he had only wanted to comfort her, to reassure her.

Oh, Naomi, what’s wrong with you? she thought, chastising herself for her misplaced hope, feeling her heartbeat race as it thundered in her ears.

Zylan’s gaze softened, but his expression remained serious. "You shouldn’t be doing that, okay? You need to be careful." His voice carried an unexpected firmness, though it was laced with care, and Naomi couldn’t help but feel a wave of warmth flooding through her chest at his concern.

"You shouldn’t be doing that, okay?" Naomi finally spoke, her voice firm, though her concern still clung to her words. "You need to be careful. Next time, if something like that happens, just... call the police. Do we even have them here on this cruise ship?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. The question slipped from her lips before she could stop it.

Zylan sat motionless, utterly rendered speechless. Was that really how she viewed him? Had she really thought so little of him to compare him to a lowly vampire? And was she honestly asking about calling the police right now?