Chapter 213 - Don't Laugh
Adeline sat by the window of the bathroom, as she watched Elias fill the large bathtub in her bedroom. She didn't need to know why they were using this bathroom, instead of his. She knew his violent temper led to broken furniture. But she wanted to hear it from his own mouth.
"What happened to your room?" Adeline asked whilst Elias touched the water to check the temper.
"I don't know," Elias responded with a shrug. "Maybe a tornado went through it."
Adeline stared at him with a blank expression. He lifted his head and smirked. Seeing her irritation, he winked.
"Elias, that temper of yours—"
"Only comes out when I fear losing you, darling."
Adeline's lips curled downwards. She peered at him through her lashes, and he was watching her the entire time. His hands were preoccupied with unscrewing the bath bottles.
"That is not a good thing," she said.
"Then don't leave me. Simple as that," he responded.
Elias poured the bathing solution into the tub and closed it. He watched as bubbles formed, his lips twitching. It'd hide her body, but he'd still want to touch her.
"How about you turn me?" Adeline asked. "I am still young and my rate of survival is higher if you do it now rather than later."
"We're finding compatible Pure-Bloods with your blood type," Elias said. "We couldn't inject Lydia's blood into your body because she wasn't O positive or negative. The only thing the Golden Rose can do for you is to hold your hand and give you strength."
Adeline slowly nodded. "Then, once we acquire what we need, will you turn me?"
Elias shook his head. "No."
"What? Why?" Adeline instantly asked, confused by his decision. She didn't realize how willingly she danced with death until his stare became cold and gloomy.
"The rate of survival is still low even if we find the same blood type. We wouldn't want to leave our children motherless now, do we?" Elias said, his lips tugging into a deep frown. She was always putting her life at risk.
"No, of course not—"
"No one wants to see you in a coma again," Elias said. "I fear you'll take the blood and never wake up again."
Adeline was silent as she let his words sink in. He was right. There were too many complications. But in the future, there would be even more conflicts. When she grew old, the rate of survival was even slimmer.
"We also don't want our children to live the rest of their long lives without a mother," Adeline said. "All three of you will outlive me and I will die a human."
Elias's gaze softened at her words. "You're only twenty-one, darling. We have nine more years to debate this issue. You've risked your life once already by recently giving birth. Let's consider your future one step at a time."
Adeline slowly nodded at his words, believing they had reached a proper conclusion at this point. He was right, and so was she.
"Alright then," Adeline softly said, earning a slight smile from him.
"Now raise your arms, I'll help you undress," Elias instructed.
Elias bent down and began helping her out of her dress. She raised her hands and he was able to slip the material off of her, throwing it aside. Then, he moved to the bandages below her belly button, unraveling it to reveal stitches.
Adeline's upper body folded and she hugged herself in an attempt to hide. It was a natural reflex, but he rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrists, prying it apart.
"Adeline, I can't risk losing you again," Elias murmured. "You don't realize it, darling, but the only thing I fear is seeing your eyes permanently closed."
Adeline's heart throbbed at his words. "I fear the same thing," she admitted. "I fear the day I lose you, whether it's body or soul. I don't think I can ever live in a world without you, Elias, as obsessive as that seems."
Elias wryly looked at her whilst he pulled her into his arms. "If you think that's obsessive, then I wonder what word you'd use to describe me."
Adeline didn't know what to say. She knew his love for her went beyond that of an obsession.
Elias was fiercly overprotective and possessive of her. She had never felt this kind of protection before and didn't know how to react to it. Without her realizing it, he had undressed and placed her into the bathtub.
Adeline stiffened when she felt his b.a.r.e c.h.e.s.t against her back. His muscles were hard, but his touch was gentle. His strong arms slid around her waist as he leaned his head upon her n.a.k.e.d shoulder, careful to not hurt her.
"I thought we're taking a bath…" Adeline said, but it wasn't a complaint.
Adeline didn't realize her muscles were aching until the hot water worked its magic. She relaxed and leaned into his strong, supportive body. She admired his skin, slightly more tanned than her pale one, even though he was a Pure-Blood. Elias responded by hugging her even tighter, his mouth nibbling on her moistened skin. Her skin was always soft and he liked touching it, as one enjoyed poking a marshmallow.
"We are," Elias responded, his breath tickling her neck.
Adeline squirmed, but he smirked. Where could she run? She was entangled in his arms and he refused to let her go.
"T-then why do I feel something stiff pressing into my lower back," Adeline asked.
"Because I'd like to exercise during our bath," Elias responded as one of his hands slipped lower.
Her legs were motionlessly resting on the bathtub floor, making it easy for him to bend them as he wished.
"B-but I've just given birth, it might hurt. I don't want it right now," Adeline mumbled, realizing she couldn't close her legs like how she wanted. The thought sent her heart skyrocketing in fear.
"Alright," Elias immediately said, pulling his hands away.
Elias heard her heartbeats slowly returning back to normal. He turned and kissed her cheek, resting his head against hers.
"Don't be scared, darling," Elias reassured, as he reached out an arm and grabbed the towel from the tray near the bathtub.
"I wasn't," she said.
"And don't lie to me either." Elias's voice darkened slightly. "All it takes is a 'no' and everything stops. Do you understand?"
Adeline slowly nodded her head. "Of course."
"Don't look so relieved by the b.a.r.e minimum," Elias sighed, shaking his head at her. What was he going to do with his wife whose expectations were low?
"Some people can't even give the b.a.r.e minimum," Adeline mumbled.
Elias chuckled, his lips tugging into a smile. He brought the towel upon her arms, slowly and sensually cleaning her body.
Adeline's breath hitched. Everywhere he touched, her skin burned. His c.a.r.e.s.s was fanning the flames from within, her body growing warm. Occasionally, his skin would brush against hers and she'd feel her heart skip.
Adeline jolted and he revealed a breathy laugh beside her ear. She was relieved that she could still feel p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.
"Easy, darling," Elias murmured, bending her legs into a folded position. He brought the towel up her knees, and watched as she softly frowned.
"I truly don't feel anything," Adeline weakly said. "I can't feel anything below my private parts."
Elias's face softened. He grabbed her chin and turned her head in his direction. He captured her lips in a gentle kiss.
"We'll find a cure, darling. I promise."
Adeline hesitatingly nodded, feeling reassured by his words. There was nothing Elias couldn't provide for her. So, she decided to put all of her trust and faith into him. Sometimes, it was nice to rely on someone for help.
"If anything hurts, tell me," Elias added on, shifting his hand to the other leg. "For example, the cut right here," he said, his fingers brushing upon the neat cut near her stomach.
Adeline jumped and shoved at his hand. "W-wait, don't touch it."
Elias moved his hand away. "We'll have to reapply the ointment and the bandages."
Elias was impressed by the doctor's work, but it wasn't enough. The stitches were perfectly tied, but it'd leave a scar and the medicine wasn't working fast enough. He was impatient. He didn't want her in pain, ever.
"Let me help clean you," Adeline suddenly said, attempting to fish another towel from the tray.
Elias raised a brow. He tossed the used towel to the ground and picked up the untouched one, handing it to her. His lips pulled into a slow, wicked smirk when her fingers trembled to hold the towel.
"My wife is surprisingly brave today," Elias teased as he helped her turn around, revealing her n.a.k.e.d body.
His eyes remained on hers and he reached a hand out to brush her wet hair away.
Adeline didn't know where she had the confidence to suggest that to him. Whenever they made love, she was always amazed by his body, rippling with fine muscles.
Adeline brought the towel upon his c.h.e.s.t, trying her best to not touch his skin. But he laughed at her pitiful attempts, his long fingers closing around her wrist.
"Don't be shy, darling," Elias said, bringing her closer to him. He could hear her heart threatening to jump out of her c.h.e.s.t.
"You can touch me all you want, this body is yours to admire," Elias cooed, bringing her other hand onto his c.h.e.s.t. He flattened it until her palms were running down his hard c.h.e.s.t, her fingers shaking out of nervousness.
"It feels like a rock," Adeline admitted, earning a burst of loud laughter from him. She instantly flushed and tried to pull her hand back, but he held it in place.
"Don't laugh!" Adeline g.r.o.a.n.e.d, but her hand moved on its own to explore his abdomen, her fingers tracing the eight ridges, her mouth suddenly dry. She didn't know why, but she felt an urge to explore the other parts of his body.
"You can't just say that, darling, and not expect anything to happen," Elias teased, leaning forward to kiss her.
Adeline moved her head and his mouth landed on her cheek. He smirked in response, bringing her even closer, until there was practically no distance between them, her b.r.e.a.s.ts pressed into his body, her legs straddling his toned waist.
"Truly, you're adorable," Elias softly sighed, slipping his fingers through her hair, massaging her scalp as he yanked her face forward. Her heartbeats were loud and strong, making him smile. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering there.
"I will never get enough of you, darling. Will I?" he murmured, wrapping his arms around her and resting his head on her shoulders.
"I hope you never do," she said in a low voice, hugging him close to her body.
They remained that way for a few minutes, until the water turned cold, but their hearts were warm.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆webnovel