Adeline expected his agreement. If he heard the conversation, he'd overhear her questionable lineage. Right now, she could either be the child of a Crown Prince, or the daughter of a Viscount. Her reputation was questionable. She wouldn't blame him if he suddenly wanted to back out of this.

Neither did she plan her parents. Truthfully, she doubted Viscount Marden's story. She knew how powerful her Father was, there was no way he'd tolerate what would've happened. If her Uncle truly took advantage of her Mother, he wouldn't be alive.

But Adeline didn't want to fool Elias with her questionable lineage. He had never lied to her, and she didn't want to do the same.

Without warning, he grabbed her waist and shoved her into the car. She tumbled onto the seats, her eyes going wide when he climbed in with bright red eyes. He was furious. The fire licked at her skin, threatening to burn her alive. He slammed the car doors shut.

"Drive," he growled to the chauffeur.

Elias slammed the partition up with a loud thud.

Adeline shifted to the corner of the car, pressing herself against the window. She was scared he'd pounce her like a lion. What exactly did she get herself into?

"It was just a suggestion for your benefit, Elias. My lineage is currently questionable, and I—:magic

"A suggestion for my benefit?" he spat out like venom on his tongue.

Adeline nodded.

Elias cruelly laughed in her face. He threw her a scathing look, his lips twisted into a sinister sneer. Without warning, he grabbed her chin and yanked her forward.

"You don't get to divorce me, Adeline Mae Rose. Not for the rest of eternity. Did you truly think I'd let you go after a year? You're mine. Whether you like it or not."

"Why are you so obsessed with me?" she softly muttered.

Elias narrowed his eyes. "I'm not obsessed. You humor yourself too much."

Adeline pushed his hand away, but he tightened his grip. His other hand held onto her shoulder. Soon, she was pressed into the car again, but with his body directly next to hers.

He cornered her, leaving her with nowhere to go. Her heart raced when his other hand gently caressed her cheek. She didn't understand his actions. It was practically impossible to do so.

He leaned in for a kiss but she turned her head away.

"Adeline."

"You said to not come to you willingly if you're angered."

Adeline looked away, refusing to meet his furious gaze. She didn't think she did anything wrong. He was the one getting hot and riddled by her words, when they could simply communicate.

Adeline was confused by him. He was cold and cunning one minute, then burning hot and barbaric. Which was he truly? Sometimes he smiled in his rage, sometimes he sneered in his wrath.

She heard his sharp intake of breath through his nose. He held it for a split second before releasing it. He disappeared and moved to the other side of the car.

Adeline touched her necklace, fiddling it in between her thumb and forefinger. She looked out the window, feeling the least bit of guilt. She wasn't the one with temper issues.

"What's so interesting about the scenery outside anyway?" Elias asked in a low, defeated voice.

Adeline didn't respond. She continued looking outside, waiting for him to remember his own words."Adeline."

Adeline watched the trees whirl by.

The Marden Estate was located on the outskirts of the capital and surrounded by trees. It was a grand house, rumored to house many generations of aristocrats, around 2-3 centuries ago. If she remembered correctly, it belonged to Dukes and such. This would certainly explain how large the house was, spanning to three wings, one on the left, center, and right.

"Adeline, my sweet."

Adeline's necklace felt warm after her meddling. She glanced down at it, wondering if her father held it against her. Did he know the truth? Was that why he tried to kill her? Was her birth a burden on him?

"Forgive me."

Adeline finally cast him a glance. He was looking at her, with his head lent upon a propped up arm. His eyes had mellowed down, dancing with mirth. His lips twisted into a slight smile, lopsided and amused.

"Someone needs to teach you manners." Adeline continued twirling the necklace in her fingertips. It was at times like this she desperately missed her parents. They'd tell her the truth if she asked.

Adeline debated the idea of getting a paternity test. But then, she'd need Viscount Marden's DNA. Her heart sank. She doubted he'd willingly come to get it with her. Besides, who's to say her parents didn't conduct one on her already?

Adeline was torn. Did she really want to know the truth? Would it be better for her to die wondering, than to know her stained bloodline?

"Forgive me, Adeline."

Adeline looked at him with a slight frown. He tilted his head at her, waiting for her to respond.

"What happened to 'I'm sorry for x, y, and z.'"

Elias narrowed his eyes. She asked for too much. A King does not apologize. He frowned deeply and shook his head.

"You'd have to expect that from a normal man, but never me."

"Perhaps I should look for a normal man…" Adeline trailed off, continuing to watch the scenery. She felt the temperature in the car dip, and the tension thicken. It was becoming difficult to breathe.

"Be my guest, darling. Go and entertain a normal man." Elias reached a hand out and grasped strands of hair in between his fingers.

Adeline had blinked and he was already close to her. She tried to lean away from his touch, but he held onto her hair tightly.

Twirling it in between his fingers, his lips tugged into a rugged smile. Her heart skipped when she saw his sharp fangs peeking out. He reminded her of the devil if the devil ever smiled.

"See if either of you will walk away unscathed."

Adeline cast him a grimace look before pressing her lips together. She flicked his hand away, not realizing it infuriated him more. Without warning, he was grabbing her jawline, his fingers pressing into her.

"Don't provoke me, darling. I won't be nice to you forever."

"I know."

Elias glowered down at her. She loved to press all the wrong buttons and watch him explode.

"I know better than to rely on a man's love. They're fleeting and never last long. Sooner or later, you'll grow bored of me and find another human to entertain you. I am but a conquest to you, a challenge to entertain your time."

Elias was astounded.

Adeline softly frowned. "You're possessive of me, but I can never do the same with you. If another woman or man captures your attention, I will be forced to die of jealousy, whilst you're completely unfazed."

Adeline saw they had reached the castle. She reached for the door handle and opened it by a crack.Suddenly, he pulled the doors closed and yanked her towards him. Her small back was crushed against his large chest. He embraced her tightly and unforgivingly. It was completely out of his nature to do so. He had never hugged her like this.

"All this time…"

Adeline's heart thundered in her chest. She heard the blood rush to her ears, felt the flutter of her stomach, and experienced the tug of her heart. She was utterly and hopelessly in love with him. The revelation made her tear up with anger. He'd never love just her. He'd love so many more.

A King was bound to have a mistress. He was a busy man, who'd need many women to entertain him.

Adeline jumped when he kissed the side of her head. His lips trailed towards her cheek, his head nudging hers. She was trapped in his hug, his arms over her shoulders and waist. His legs pressed hers together. She was shrouded in his masculine scent and dominant touch.

"All this time, I thought it was only me who was worried about losing you. It seems you have this same fear."

Elias pressed a soft kiss upon her cheek. Adeline felt the curl of his lips when he smirked. She didn't have to see to know what he resembled. His expression was cruel with knowledge, his eyes shining with mania. He knew her weakness now. And she knew his.

"You're mine, forever and always, Adeline. Whether you like it or not, your body, heart, and soul belong to me."

Elias's hand shifted to her lips, his thumb brushing upon the soft spot. His other and traveled down her stomach, until he suddenly cupped her womanhood. She yelped, and jolted away from him, but his grip was tight.

"All of this belongs to me," he murmured. The hand on her lips slid down to touch her breast, softly squeezing it.

Adeline's body grew warm, her breathing slightly quickening. What was he doing to her?

"But none of you belong to me," she whispered, trying to run from his touch. But he held onto her like vines around a throat. She leaned forward, he leaned towards her.

He kissed the side of her head warmly. Through the blackened windows, she saw his eyes gently shut.

"Would you like me to belong solely to you, darling?"

She nodded.

"It's a shame. No one owns the King."

"Then the King will not own me, nor will I belong to him. No matter how many times you kiss and touch me, I will never be your possession."

Elias loudly chuckled, the cold sound sending shivers down her body. She felt the rumble of his powerful chest and the sinister promise lining his voice.

"What did you think you'd do? Entertain a different man in my presence? My sweet, for every man you touch, there will be one more skull piled at my feet."

Adeline trembled at his words. What kind of man had she given her heart to?

"Your heart already belongs to me, doesn't it? I can always skip and race in my presence. I know enough terrified men to know your heart doesn't dance out of fear, but of love."

Her eyes widened.

"Don't force my hand, I won't be so kind. I'll take your body with consent, whether your heart belongs to me or not."

"How is it consent if I don't love you—"

"Because you always succumb to my touch."

Adeline's eyes teared. "Don't touch me." She angrily shoved his hands away, but he pressed her upon the car windows.

"Aw, did I make you sad, my sweet? Does it hurt here?" He smirked down at her. "How nice would it be if I cared—"

A loud smack resounded in the car. Elias touched his burning cheek. He didn't think she would slap him this quickly. She had turned around now, revealing the tears in her eyes and the pure hatred dripping from it. She didn't cry in his presence, but was on the verge of it.

"I absolutely despise you! Don't touch me, don't get near me. If you try anything, I'll throw myself out the window of the highest floor in the castle."

Adeline shoved the car door open. She got out and slammed it shut behind her.

Elias exited the car as if nothing happened. He tucked his hands into his pockets and allowed her to create distance between them. He saw her storming into the castle, but had the patience to greet the servants.

Her pained expression flashed onto his mind. Perhaps he had gone too far with his taunts and teasing, but so did she. Who in the right mind would speak of another man, when she was in his presence?