Chapter 86 - Consequences
Adeline was elated at Elias's decision. She had happily skipped to the car, after getting dressed in a white shirt and black pants. That is until she opened the door, and he was sitting there. Legs crossed, hands resting on his lap, Elias wore a cunning smile.
"Oh look, we're matching," Elias teased, even though he was still dressed in full black, and the only thing matching was her black pants.
"You— you—" Adeline fumbled to show her disappointment. Eventually, she slid into the car, purposely hitting him with her shoulders.
"What? You don't seem happy to see me," Elias teased.
"At least you have eyes to tell that…" Adeline mumbled under her breath, looking away from him.
Adeline knew she wasn't in the spot to compromise. He had gladly let her out of the castle to deal with this issue. Though, she shouldn't even be weighing on his every mercy.
Adeline had no choice when he also held the key to her freedom. It was trading one golden cage for the other. A pretty cage was still a cage.
"Perhaps the Mardens won't have eyes when I'm done with them," Elias suddenly said. He flicked his wrist, gesturing the chauffer to start driving. A butler closed the door for Adeline.
"W-what?"
"To the Mardens," Elias informed the driver.
"Elias."
"Yes, that's my name, darling. What is it?"
Adeline's brows wrung together. Did she hear him incorrectly? He slowly turned his head to her, his eyes flickering with amusement. The car was dim and dark, but she saw him perfectly. She saw his flawless features in all their glory, the clench of his muscles under the silk top when he moved to touch her, the curl of his devious smile like that of a devil. Her heart skipped.
She was a fool in love.
"You don't mean that, do you?" Adeline asked.
Elias merely shrugged.
Adeline opened her mouth to speak again, but closed it shut. He must be joking. He has to be. Right? Unable to ask him that question and unable to stomach the answer, Adeline looked away. She leaned into the car seat and glanced out the window.
"Is there something so interesting about the blur of trees and buildings?" Elias demanded.
Adeline sat up a bit. She looked at him as if he was crazy. "What?"
Elias removed one hand from his firm lap to touch her chin. He fingered the small feature, his thumb gripping her tightly. "Why look at the scenic views, when you have one so close to you?"
Adeline squinted her eyes. "Where?"
Elias dryly laughed. "You must think you're so funny, my sweet. Perhaps I should just make you the court joker instead of my wife."
"Perhaps you should," Adeline bit out.
Elias's gaze darkened in a warning. She merely tilted her head, innocently batting her lashes at him. He couldn't tell if she meant that or not.
Her true nature was slowly being unearthed again. He knew that demure and frail girl was all an act. A facade created by the Mardens to keep her suppressed. But without the chains holding her back, she was letting loose and showing her actual behavior.
He smirked. A pleasant brat was still a brat.
"Hm, I wouldn't mind putting you in a cage to be poked at for amusement. People can even pay me to hear your snide mouth." Elias clicked his tongue. "Wouldn't you like that?"
Adeline tightly gripped her pants. She suddenly wished it was a skirt. That way, it would be easier to hold onto it. She wore pants because Uncle Marden wanted her to wear dresses. She wasn't here to please him, she was here to break his contract.
"That's right, keep your mouth shut," Elias taunted. He dropped her chin and smiled at her. His thumb stroked her lips, running his hand underneath them.
"My pretty little pet—"
She bit him.
Elias's eyes slightly widened when she nipped at his thumb, a rebellious look in her upset gaze. He paused for a second before letting out a burst of harsh laughter. Not a second later, he removed his hand, a dangerous look on his face. Without warning, he slid up the partition and shoved her against the window.
"Biting the hands of your master? You've sure learned how to become disobedient," Elias lightly growled. He heard the quickening of her heartbeat.
"I'm not a pet," Adeline gruffly told him.
Adeline's gaze flickered to his large, powerful hand that gripped the side of her neck. It wasn't pressing into her, nor was it tightly holding her. She didn't feel pain, which made her wonder if he was only doing it for her attention. Seeing the dark glimmer in his hauntingly beautiful eyes, she knew he just wanted her eyes on him.
"Really now?" Elias cooed. "I feed you like one—"
"Then I just won't eat," Adeline deadpanned in a light voice. She kindly smiled at him, her hands reaching up to touch his wrist.
Elias threw her a warning look. "You won't go unpunished for what happens here. I can promise you that."
Would it be strange for her stomach to flutter? Her eyes flickered to his hand, with small scars on his knuckles. His veins were chords on his hand, his skin callus and tough. He meant every word.
Adeline shakily breathed out, realizing she had just poked the lion. She was still in the lions' den. As kind as he treated her, he was still stronger than her. But that didn't mean she wasn't bedding one of the strongest man in this country.
Adeline's grip tightened on his wrist.
"You've grown more disobedient day by day. Right when I think I know you, you show me a different side," Elias said in a low voice that fanned her mouth.
Adeline's heart trembled. He was a hair away. A single inch forward and their lips would meet. But something about his murderous gaze told her it would not be a kind kiss.
She liked it rough. He must've known that, for his lips curled cruelly. A knowing look flashed on his face. Her stomach churned. Now, he knew her weakness and what made her jolt.
"A pet doesn't have this many sides to them," Adeline slowly said. "Treat me like one and I'll bite you like one."
Elias laughed darkly at her words. It sent her flinching back, her eyes shutting. He didn't even care. "We'll see about that."
Adeline raised a brow. "Do you like screwing animals?"
Elias narrowed his eyes. "You must think you're so wise."
Adeline merely smiled at him. "If you call me a pet, you must envision yourself touching an animal when it comes to me."
Elias's face turned frigid. A shadow crossed over his devastatingly handsome expression. With his anger, a few strands of hair fell over his eyes.
Adeline had never seen the composed man lose his calm like this. And all because of her words. She got him hot and riddled. The thought filled her with a strange sense of satisfaction. He was not the only one good at torturing her with words.
Adeline grabbed his other hand, placing it upon the buttons of her white shirt. His fingers slipped through one of the holes, she let him.
"Tell me, does this feel like touching a pet? Or a human?" Adeline murmured, his finger pressing upon her the dip of her breast.
Elias let out a harsh chuckle. She was playing with fire, and he'd burn her severely. He suddenly unbuttoned the part of where her bra was. Soft, milky skin like fresh cream, sweet and scented like fresh flowers, she was driving him insane.
"You little temptress," Elias muttered. He leaned forward and crashed his lips upon hers. She instantly responded, coming towards him, her hands attempting to hug him. He would not allow that. Hugs were for lovers, and she needed to be punished.
Elias grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the window, kissing her harshly. She cried in protest when he bit on her bottom lips, hard enough for her to reel back. His lips punished her until she was trembling in his hold, begging for air. He continued kissing her, passionate and rough, taking all that was his.
"I can't breathe—" Adeline was light-headed. She tried to talk, but he was on her again. He kissed her until she couldn't think straight. Her legs turned to jelly and if it wasn't for his knees pressing into her thighs, she would've slumped in the car seat.
His lips were a harsh branding, marking her as his. He kissed her as if he owned her, and perhaps he did. His mouth was warm and hot, slick and moistening, like the spot underneath her stomach. It was growing heated, like her skin.
Finally, he pulled back. She instantly slumped forward, her head resting on his shoulder. She thought he would give her mercy. But he did not. His fingers gripped her hair, yanking her back by it. Despite her tender scalp, his touch did not hurt.
Adeline wondered how he could be so rough yet careful.
"No, you don't get to rest on me today," Elias cooed. His lips brushed upon her swollen ones, a wicked look on his face.
"Sit back and don't touch me. I won't be so kind today." Elias removed his hand and let her weakly fall onto the car seat.
Adeline's heart was racing. She looked at him with disbelief, realizing this was her punishment. He had always let her lean her face upon his large, broad shoulders. She felt comforted in his arms and safe upon his shoulder. She looked away, realizing he was very effective at dishing out consequences.