" So you would force me into a situation I don't want." Elora bristled
Azazeal knew he should stop talking and reassure her that she got it all wrong, but he replied to her instead. His voice deadpan
" If what it takes is force. Then I'd do that."
" I have absolutely no desire to fall in love with you or consider this a real marriage just because you werewolves profess your undying love because of some ridiculous instincts in you. Well I don't have that, and I'm not going to bind my heart to a man I was forced to marry . " she responded hotly
"Firstly, it's not just " some ridiculous instinct" Elora ." His hands flexed on his knees as if he fought the urge to hold her in his arms. Or throttle her.
"Secondly, we are not putting on any show for outsiders, I don't care about their opinions, I'm in charge and I say whatever we have is going to be real."
"Lastly, you don't have a choice here, I'm not staying away from my mate, and that is final. "
For a moment, neither of them said a word.
The only noise was the muffled sound of thunder rolling outside. Azazeal's eyes traced her face, his gray gaze deepening like thunderclouds.
Her lip was pursed into a tight line that he wanted to kiss until it softened.
Then, in the manner of someone who is used to taking his time, he touched her, tilting her chin up with one long, lean finger.
The cold touch jolted her, her breath hitching when her eyes met his intense gaze.
His touch was as light as a feather, but it burned her skin like a heated iron.
"I know you might be angry at me, but being secluded and kept as a living piece of furniture in my kingdom is not what you deserve. No matter what your reason is, I don't agree with it.
Neither does my wolf like the idea of my mate suggesting we stay separated. So unless you want me to act on my genuine feelings and chain you with me night and day like I truly want to.
It would be best for you and i, if you never mention this again."
His quiet words lay in the air between them, heavier than the storm outside.
Elora's gaze flashed with disapproval but she only nodded, chest heaving as she held in her surging emotions.
All she wanted was an escape in this life, but now a possessive king is threatening to chain her to him.
When she drew a breath as if to speak, he added more firmly,
" All I want is what's fair to both of us, "
"That sounds reasonable," she replied with an attitude, but her voice came out in a breathy little whisper that made his heart race in his chest.
Azazeal remained unmoving. Watching her.
For a moment, time stilled.
She looked ethereal, like a dream—
Her hair was lightly tousled, her skin looked soft and supple with a rosy tint in the candlelight, her ruby red lips glistened and they reminded him of raspberries, soft and sweet.
Azazeal's eyes trailed lower to her soft body. She had on red silk nightwear.
His heart raced at the sight.
The outer cover of the nightdress has slipped a little off her dainty shoulder, revealing the sheer lace chest area of the inner wear.
The gown was nipped in at the waist to accentuate her lush figure, as she sat on the bed cross-legged, the fabric sprawled snugly over her bosom and waist too well for his sanity, the silky ends of the gown fell like a curtain down her feet, hiding her legs from his view.
Not to mention her voluminous long raven black hair and the curly ringlets that framed her face.
He wanted….No, needed—to feel her heart beat against his, to bury his face into the arc of her neck, and inhale her sweet heavenly scent.
To wrap his hands in her lush hair as he claims those juicy lips of hers.
She drove him crazy with need, and a certain lower part of his body was overly excited at their proximity.
How on earth does she expect him to stay away from her?
She stared up at him with dewy blue eyes, watching him with an aggrieved expression that only made him want to bully her further.
Those misty eyes sparkled in the night and he could feel himself getting lost in them.
The subtle defiant gleam in her eyes made his blood pump with excitement
But then he remembered that the reason for her disapproving gaze and hidden anger was that she was unwilling to be close to him. It cooled his thrumming excitement instantly.
He won't allow that, he forces the need to appease her down his throat and kee his gaze stern.
He moved closer to her from his chair, his wide hands finding the soft curves of her waist as he stared deeply into her eyes. After he helped in the horse watleir tonight, Azazeal had burned to touch her again. He couldn't help his moving hands.
He relished in the softness of her body, she felt almost boneless and his Anax growled within him with the satisfaction that came with feeling his mate's skin beneath his palm.
Elora's reflex was to shrink away from his hold, but something in his piercing eyes pinned her there.
To her surprise, he bent a little to whisper in her ears, his grey locks falling slightly over his beautiful eyes.
"So, my Elora," he whispered, his voice low and deep but somewhat…playful.
"Would you do me the honor of being my queen and my wife—properly, this time?"
The " formality " of his words was borderline playful and unserious, but the way he said her name unrattled her.
My Elora— soft and deliberate.
It sent a strange warmth crawling across Elora's chest.
D-did he just say M-my Elora? What is he thinking now? I think I might be coming down with the flu, that's why I feel so hot.
Her earlier grievance and annoyance is nowhere to be found.
Elora almost pinched herself hard when she unconsciously moved closer to him and inhaled his scent deeply.
The man in front of her right now was no cruel king.
No. He was a seductress!
The way he whispered in her ears, the way his hands splayed on her waist and moved her closer to him, his casual tone, and the way his fingers gently rubbed on her waist in a calm and grounding way.
Her stomach flipped over and over.
She hated how she was melting in his arms, she felt no discomfort whatsoever but was rather excited at his touch.
The king was now staring back at her, his gaze innocent and imploring.
Elora sneered in her heart he definitely knows what he's doing, those innocent eyes don't fool me!
She had one thing in mind for sure. She needed to protect her heart. This man with the devilish beauty and mysterious eyes was as dangerous as he was captivating. But he belonged to someone else. And if she wasn't careful, she would fall for a man whose heart would never be hers to have.
She calmly withdrew herself from his arms, staring back at him setting her shoulders stubbornly.
"Yes, it would be my honor, Your Majesty," she replied, her voice cold even as her heart fluttered.
For a split second Elora had caught a flash of hurt in his eyes — something vulnerable, something human. But then it vanished, covered under the mask of indifference.
He retreated, putting space between them as he stood from the chair.
He was back to the cold king once again
"Very well then, I'll see you at breakfast in the morning."