Adeline sank into the bathtub, submerging herself fully. She tried her best to not look towards her right, where Elias had stepped into the shower. She glanced away frequently, but her eyes kept wandering back. She quietly gulped to herself, wishing the bubbles from the bath would hide the flush of her cheeks.

She should've known the glass wasn't as transparent as it implied. Once he had stepped in, the glass quickly turned cloudy and foggy, making it difficult to see anything but his blurry silhouette.

"Enjoying yourself there?" Elias mused over the sound of running water.

Adeline sank even lower into the bathtub until her chin was under the water. She glared at the towels hung far, far, away from her. How the hell was she going to get out?

"Are you going to sit there like a dead fish?" he teased. "How are you going to get clean that way?"

Adeline warily moved her hands under the water, cleaning her arms. She knew what he wanted to see.

Even amidst the loud sound of his shower, she heard his faint laughter. She glanced at the clouded glass again. All she saw was blurred versions of his long, lean legs, the movement of his muscular arms and something on his leg—

"You're enjoying my show, but where's yours?"

Adeline glared at him. If she wasn't able to see everything clearly, wouldn't that also mean he wouldn't be able to see things clearly? She glanced at the large towels again. All she had to do was make a sprint for it.

"I'm taking a cold shower all because of you, darling."

Adeline wondered how it was her fault when it was him who provoked her for a kiss. She pressed her lips together and ignored the fact that she had moved her hips.

"Perhaps you can come in here and warm—"

"Don't you have manners?" she exasperated.

"Not everyone wants to be a prude. Where's the fun in that?" he taunted.

Adeline narrowed her eyes at him. He was turned towards her, washing his hair, proudly strutting his—

"And I see you eyeing the towels. Go and make a dash for it. When I help you, it'll be a lot more interesting for me."

Adeline gulped. The only scenario she could imagine was him stepping out stark naked, with water dripping down his strong, rippling body. She thought of the droplets sliding from his tight chest to his washboard abdomen, and then sliding lower and lower.

"Will it kill you to not tease me?" she asked.

"I'd drop dead instantly."

Adeline quietly laughed to herself. The thought of the King, in all his might and strength, dropping dead in front of her was humorous. Thinking to his power, her smile slipped.

How foolish was she to try and kill him with a mere dagger? How horrendous of her Uncle to send her out on that suicide mission? If she was captured and sentenced for treason… her uncle would've inherited her fortune. It was a win-win situation for him.

"My Uncle intended for you to die," she suddenly said.

"I see. Something to do with that contract I heard in the recording?"

Adeline nodded. "Yes, his request—"

"Where's the contract you took with you back to the castle?"

Adeline blinked. "Inside the bottom drawer of my vanity."

"I'll use it as evidence to seize him. Give it to me."Adeline's brows knitted together. "Are you going to imprison my uncle?"

Elias let out a low, dark laugh that sent shivers down her spine, even in the warm water. The sound echoed in the bathroom, ringing with malice and murder. She couldn't see his expression, but knew it was not a pleasant one. He must be smiling sadistically, with that cruel flash in his ruby eyes.

"Something along those lines."

"L-legally?"

"Why are you stuttering? Are you scared of me?"

Adeline bit her bottom lips. "Terrified."

She was met with a moment of silence before he laughed again.

"Good. I hope you're petrified of me too."

Adeline's brows knitted together. He was the King. It would be foolish of her to not be scared of him. Everyone always walked on eggshells around him. Even Weston and the Duke. She saw hints of what made him so frightening.

"Will you hurt me?" she suddenly asked, forgetting all hopes of taking a proper bath. She used the closest item she could find, which happened to be a lavender bubble bath solution.

"I don't know. Should I?"

"..."

"Have I hurt you before, darling?"

"You've hurt my feelings." Adeline touched her chest, thinking back to their prickly arguments. "When you disrespect me with words, it hurts."

"I didn't realize I disrespected you. You must forgive me."

Adeline thought back to what Jane and Jenny had said.

A King never apologizes, for he is never wrong. He only asks for forgiveness from his equal. And since there was no one in this castle equal to him, he never utters an apology.

She thought back to the time she had apologized, and he finally did so as well.

"Do you realize you've disrespected me many times as well? Talking back to the King, questioning my words, doubting my authority, and doing as you please. It's quite rude."

Adeline blinked. "But you've allowed me to do so. I thought it was alright."

"Well, disrespect never hurts me. Not much does, except for you."

Adeline didn't understand what he meant by that. How does she hurt him? "Did I hurt you because I forgot about you?"

"A bit." His words came out like a quiet whisper, but she felt a loud impact.

Adeline lowered her eyes upon the water. She touched the tiny bubbles, watching it pop under her fingertips.

"But why lament over forgotten memories, when we can create new moments? Ones that are worth remembering."

She smiled to herself. "Then… let's create many worth remembering."

Elias quietly laughed. If only she knew, they were already creating many, many, memorable moments. He kept the thought to himself, knowing it wounded his ego to admit such a thing. Sensing she had calmed down, he decided to wash the shampoo from his hair.

Just then, he heard the sound of sloshing water. He raised his head and squinted, seeing a beautiful silhouette dashing for the towels.

Even amidst the foggy screen, he saw the delectable outline of her body, her womanly hips, and her lean but short legs that could never catch up to him. He shook his head in amusement, enjoying the sight, even if it was blurry and he couldn't see much.

"Running so soon?"Adeline froze. A second later, she went back to wrapping the towel around her body. She hugged it to her trembling form that admired his perfect body from afar. Her eyes kept wandering lower, widening when she suddenly saw something rising.

"Elias—"

"Run quickly, darling."

Adeline had never dashed so quickly. She yelped when she tripped on the bathroom floor, nearly falling before she caught her footing. It was never going to fit. Never ever.

With her breath caught in her lungs, she left the bathroom. To her relief, her clothes were neatly laid out near the table in front of the couch. She hurriedly dressed herself, quietly complaining about the sleeping gowns. Was it so difficult to provide a t-shirt and shorts?

Nonetheless, she slipped it on and dashed for the doors. She hoped to sleep alone.

"You didn't run fast enough. Pity."

Adeline's heart drummed loudly against her chest. She was by the bed when he stepped out of the bathroom. Turning around slowly, she gulped at the sight of him. The lights had been turned off, but she still saw his flawless body.

Chiseled from the hardest marble, there were beautiful lines upon his abdomen, ones that made her fingers itch to run across. A towel hung dangerously low upon his hip. The water droplets from his hair trickled down, a slow, tortuous path down his muscular body. He was so handsome, she could've fainted on the spot.

"Get on the bed, darling."

"I-I want to sleep alone."

"Hurry, my sweet. If I toss you in, I'll keep you up all night long, screaming my name and writhing in pleasure."

Adeline thought back to his fingers and tongue. The wicked things they did to her, the lewd noises she made, and the stars she saw.

"Just cuddling tonight?" she whispered.

Adeline could not lie to herself. Sleeping beside him was comfortable. He was icy and melted her night sweat. It was like she was sleeping with a portable icicle. And she liked the cold.

She heard his quiet, taunting laughter. Her stomach fluttered when he took a dangerous step closer.

"Just cuddling." His voice was firm and deep, smooth in a seductive lull, but he meant what he said.

Thus, Adeline climbed into the bed. The curtains brushed against her body, before she settled into the blankets. Soon, he joined her, and the bed was shrouded with darkness. She couldn't hear anything beyond her racing heart.

"Come, darling. I'll only bite you once."

Adeline hoped that was a joke. Nonetheless, she turned and saw his open arms. It seemed inviting, but his eyes seemed to glowdangerously. She could smell the danger from miles away. Yet, she naively scooted closer to him.

"Come here, my sweet. Even more."

Adeline settled into his arms, embraced tightly by him. She could practically feel his humorous smile, even if she couldn't see it. Her face was pressed against his chest, his arms protectively around her.

"Now, for my bite…"

Adeline clenched onto his shirt. "D-do Pure-Bloods need it to stay alive?"

"Yes."

Adeline blinked. "But other Vampires take the pill or drink animal blood…"

"Do I seem like other vampires to you?"magic

Adeline shook her head. She heard the low chuckle that rumbled his chest and sent her heart skipping. He pressed a chaste kiss on the top of her head. It lingered and warmed her chest.

"Do you not like it, my sweet? I can stop."

Adeline leaned closer to his chest. She heard his faint heartbeat that seemed to sound a bit louder than last time.

"Only a small bite…"

Elias smiled. He slipped his fingers into her hair, gently massaging her scalp whilst angling her neck for him. He softly kissed her skin, smooth and scented of calming lavender. He heard the rush of human life, the pulse of a human, and the warmth of one.

"Just a small bite, darling."