Chapter 95 - An Act of Treason
Over Elias's shoulders, Adeline saw a strange expression on the twins. It had been a while since she witnessed such a thing. Was it… admiration? They looked at her with a different light, and Weston didn't bore his usual scowl. When their eyes met, the twins nodded in approval. Weston even smiled a bit, and Easton wore his usual large grin.
Completely unbeknownst to Adeline, she had gained their newfound respect.
Wondering what could've warranted their good mood, she looked away. Lydia was following after them and the twins were just a few steps behind.
"I didn't know you could shoot a gun that well, Princess," Weston finally said amidst the somber mood.
"Why are you following us? Go and clean up." Elias adjusted Adeline in his arms, so that she was more comfortable. She laid her head upon his shoulders, her arm coming around the other side of his neck.
"Your Majesty, we've already texted the head butler and maid, they're on their way up as we speak. Our investigators are coming up, and I've already dispatched men to find Quinston," Easton said.
"Good. Weston, take Lydia Claymore to the separate baths on the other side of the castle. Afterward, make sure she gets home."
"Safely," Adeline added on.
"Ugh, why do I have to be accompanied by the grouchy brother," Lydia muttered under her breath.
"Wait, Elias, let me say goodbye to Lydia!" Adeline demanded as they turned the corner and Lydia was no longer following them.
"You'll see her tomorrow, my sweet." Elias scowled when she began to rise from his arms in an attempt to peer over his shoulders.
To scare her, he purposely loosened his arm. She nearly fell over his shoulders, and loudly yelped. Now, he was carrying her like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?!" Adeline yelled, feeling his arm behind her knees. He carried her over his shoulders effortlessly, whilst she clung onto him for dear life.
"Elias!"
"Reserve that voice for bed, darling."
Adeline glared towards the ground. "Put me down."
"You should've behaved properly. Do you truly think struggling will work on me?"
Adeline angrily kicked his c.h.e.s.t. She cried out in pain when he slapped her on the a.s.s. She squirmed, her hand reaching to pull his hair.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Adeline's hand froze.
"I-I wasn't—"
"I quite like this view," Elias added on. He patted her bottom again, but this time, gentler. "Now behave. Unless you want to fall headfirst onto the ground and lose more brain cells than you already don't have."
Adeline glowered at the ground. She reached behind her and yanked his hair, earning a loud hiss. She felt him lower her onto the ground, her foot planting onto the carpeted floor. Before she could react, he slammed her upon the wall.
"Don't test my patience, darling." Elias cornered her into the wall. She tried to run, but he placed his arms on either side of her. She was trapped and had nowhere to go.
"I can only tolerate your tantrums for so long." Elias bent his head, watching her with a glare.
Adeline bit her bottom lips and glanced away. She glowered at the floor, refusing to look him in the eyes. She knew that'd aggravate him further. But she still hadn't forgiven him for what happened.
"You love to disobey me more and more with each passing day," Elias hissed.
Adeline pushed herself deeper into the wall, until her back was fully connected to it.
He stepped closer, invading her personal space even further. By now, their c.h.e.s.ts grazed each other. She felt his cool breath on top of her head.
His presence was freezing cold, but her body was heating with their proximity. She could practically taste his minty lips, icy and addictive.
"How should I punish you for it?" Elias cooed. His fingers lightly c.a.r.e.s.sed down the side of her face, as she flinched away from his touch. He simply sneered in response, pressing his lower body closer onto hers.
Her breath hitched when she felt something hard touching her lower stomach. His hand trailed down her chin, towards her neck. The back of his fingers touched the curve of it until it slowly spread upon her throat. He gripped the side of her neck, not to hurt her, but to force her to look at him.
"My sweet, sweet Adeline. Look at me, before I throw you onto my bed."
Adeline focused on the swirling designs of the rug. Her heart skipped a beat when he darkly chuckled. A shiver crawled up her spine, goosebumps dancing on her skin.
He was livid.
"I see," he slowly said. "You like to be edged, don't you?"
Adeline's brows tugged together. What did that mean?
"I'll have you sobbing for release later, taking you to the edge of ecstasy, but never letting you reach your climax."
Adeline's eyes widened. She tried to back up, but there was nowhere for her to go. She was cornered heavily by him, his tone a dangerous taunt.
"You can whimper and beg for mercy, but I'll never give you what you want." Elias softly kissed the side of her head. He heard the quickening of her heart, and the breath she desperately s.u.c.k.e.d in.
"Would you like that?"
Adeline rapidly shook her head. Without warning, his hand slid into her hair, lightly tugging it. She was forced to look at him now, her neck fully revealed to him. She trembled in his touch, as he gently kissed her throat, going from her chin to her collarbone.
"You haven't apologized for what you said," she blurted out.
Elias ignored her words. He continued ravishing her throat with moist, open-mouth kisses. Her legs quivered under him, threatening to give out. He kissed towards the crook of her neck until he found the spot that softly made her m.o.a.n. Now that he remembered, it was the same spot he had nipped for blood.
"Elias… Apologize—"
"Are you going to apologize for slapping me?" he returned in a hardened voice. "To slap the King is an act of treason. I could've had your hand chopped off and your head thrown to the pigs for that."
Elias felt her gulp under his lips. He kissed the spot that made her whimper, her hands gripping his robe. He smiled into her skin, knowing this must've been her s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e spot. He felt the quick beat of her pulse.
"You disrespected me, Adeline."
"And what did you think you did to me? Flatter me? Your words were cruel. You implied on taking me without consent."
At this, Elias instantly stopped. He removed his hand and looked at her with a stormy gaze.
"Did you honestly think I would ravage through your protest?" Elias hissed. "Do you truly think that lowly of me?"
Adeline glared at him. "You said you'd take me whether my heart obliged!"
"I said I'd f.u.c.k you even if you didn't love me. I never said I'd ravish you without consent. And if you truly think I would, then I must apologize."
"Then apologize!" Adeline screamed at him, shoving at his c.h.e.s.t. "You insulted me that day and expect me to obediently accept it? When I was upset, you taunted me. When I was already down, you kicked me further!"
"I did no such thing! I only taunted you, my sweet. You hung divorce over my head when all I did was accept you. How dare you dream of divorcing me when I voiced zero complaints of your questionable lineage!"
They were at each other's c.h.e.s.t now, huffing and puffing with anger.
"I wanted a divorce because it would benefit you!" she shrilled back.
"Benefit me?" he scoffed. "Did I ever say your lineage mattered? Did I ever say I cared about your background? Did I ever say you were dragging me down?!"
Adeline opened her mouth and closed it.
"Exactly," he spat out. "I didn't."
He glared down at her. "And don't get me started on the fact that you dared to mention an affair with another man when I've done nothing but be loyal to you."
Elias grabbed her chin tightly. "You hurt me much more than I could hurt you, darling. Yet, here I stand, giving you all the patience in the world for you to toss disrespect at me."
His grip became unbearable as his eyes burned with crimson flames. "If anyone should be apologizing, it's you."
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