Elias had never felt this type of rage before. His list of enemies was as long as the stairway to hell. There had been more people that'd spit on his grave than there are citizens of his country. He had heard the worst of insults from his enemies that were buried six feet under.

But three simple words were enough to mortally wound him. He felt a sting in his heart, like a knife twisting into the empty hole. Who would've thought there was a beating flesh there? One that loudly thumped against his chest, complaining of a thousand needles plucking the useless organ.

"What did you just say?" he seethed, taking a powerful step in her direction.

Adeline stood her ground. The little thing he had made a Queen, the little thing who's confidence he had built, the little thing that he offered his world to. She dared strike him in the face when he had never laid a hand on her. She dared to spit out the vilest of insults when he had never fathomed hurting her.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I HATE YOU!" she screamed, each repetition growing louder. She twisted the knife through his heart, and then he saw red.

Elias stormed towards her, ready to force the words back into her mouth one way or another. But then she smacked him again, the force sending his head flying to the side. His eyes went wide. Instantly, he grabbed her wrists, gripping them tightly.

"Take it back," he seethed, his voice barely above a growl. "Take those fucking words back, Adeline."

Adeline had the audacity to look up at him with violent eyes. Tears dribbled down her face, catching him by surprise. Whether they were tears of hatred, pain, or anger, it was enough for him to falter and contemplate every little thing he had done to her.

"Take it back," he softly said, realizing his wrongdoings.Elias was furious that she had dared to poison him. He woke up confused and dazzled, only to realize she was gone from his side. The thought of losing her nearly made him lose his mind. That is, until he realized there was no one stupid enough to kidnap her. Only she was stupid enough to sneak out and get herself lost somewhere.

It was funny to him. How three words easily slipped out of her mouth, and how painful it was for him to beg with three different words of his own.

"Tell me you love me," Elias demanded, shaking her by her wrists. She looked up at him as if he had murdered her entire family, kicked her puppy, and burned her ancestral home to the ground.

"Adeline—"magic

"Fuck you," she spat out, yanking her wrists back. To no avail, he only gripped her tighter.

Elias was unfazed. He had nearly lost all sorts of control upon her. But he had to force himself to understand. He was wise and refused to lash out for the sake of anger. It'll lead to nowhere. This argument of theirs. Screaming and thrashing will result in nothing but pain. He'd only hurt her. He already had.

"If you calm down, I will explain—"

"Explain what?" she screamed. "Explain why you have my bodyguard and best friend chained in your castle? Explain why he's unable to recognize me, explain why he asks for blood like a starved man, and why there's dried blood on the floor?!"

Elias gritted his teeth. He felt his fury rising back to the surface. The more she jabbed him with his words, the more he wanted to slam her against the wall and shut her up with a kiss.

No one had dared to yell at him like this. In fact, no one was stupid enough to blow up in front of him and expect to get off with a scolding. But she was. She always had the guts to do the things many would be gutted for.

She always had a mouth of fire, eyes of daggers, and a heart of gold. She was always foolishly bold. And shame on him for falling in love with such a troubled little thing.

"You disgust me," Adeline spat out, prying her wrists back from him. She held onto it, expecting a bruise, but saw nothing. She ignored the fact that even furious, he didn't mar her skin."Stay the fuck away from me," Adeline seethed. She threw him a disgusted stare before sauntering down the hallways.

Adeline planned on leaving. She wanted to go far, far away from this psychopathic man she had married. She wanted to run for the hills, screaming bloody murder at the thought of being in the same room as him.

No amount of words could describe her anger. She had never felt this furious in a long time. She didn't even know what to do with herself. Her entire body trembled with how furious she was.

"You can walk away from me as many times as you please," he called out in a low, menacing voice. "You can stomp as much as you want, throw as many tantrums as you wish, but know one thing Adeline Mae Rose. The second you try to flee from me, I will drag you back screaming and kicking."

Adeline froze.

"Set foot outside of this castle, and I'll hunt you down. Run from me, and I'll chase you to the end of this world. Even if you dash to another country, I will follow you."

Adeline's head snapped back, only to realize he was directly behind her. He walked with no hesitation, his footsteps purposeful and powerful. He didn't have to quickly storm towards her, for he was self-assured of his influence.

No matter where she went, no one would offer her shelter. No matter who she begged, no one will offer her a helping hand. He'd kill them all. He'd threaten them to their grave and chase their spirits.

"So run as you please," he seethed. "Run out of this castle if you want to, you can never hide from me anyways. Even if you run all the way to hell, I will follow you to the fiery depths of it, my sweet Adeline."

Elias stopped directly in front of her. Their chest grazed each other, as she huffed and puffed to not spit in his face. He looked down on her, his large form shadowing over her tiny figure. She was a little lamb in the jaws of the mighty lion. And there was no one to save her.

"You wouldn't do that," she spat out like venom in her mouth. "You'd never abandon your Kingdom."

Elias curled his finger under her chin. She jerked her head away, but he tightly gripped onto her chin. His sharp jawline clenched and unclenched, as his eyes violently searched her face, searching for any signs that he had hurt her.

Menacingly, his lips drawled into a smile. His fangs were bared, his eyes brighter than rubies. He was beyond furious, beyond the stage of yelling.

"My sweet, sweet Adeline. Don't you realize I'd have this kingdom burned to the ground if it means I'd have one last moment with you?"

Adeline's heart nearly stopped right then and there. Exactly who had she fallen in love with?

"So run," Elias softly said, his smile widening at the sight of her large eyes. "Run as far as your little legs can carry you, darling. And pray to the heavens that when you look back, I won't be right behind you."