Adeline was befuddled. She gawked at Elias’s absurd words. What did he mean by that? “Towards the end of the room, in one of the corners, there’s a double-door. I saw my Aunt go t-through there…”

“I know this castle inside and out. There are only an exit and an entrance to the ballroom.”

None of this was making sense to Adeline. Things were getting more confusing by the minute. First, it was Aunt Eleanor denying the existence of the dance, and now, there was the theory of disappearing doors. Was anything in this castle normal?

“I can show you where it is,” Adeline eagerly said. She pulled away from him. For once, it was with ease, for he was not holding her as tightly.

Adeline pointed towards the place they came from. “I’m not a liar, Elias.”

Elias raised a brow. Did she want to lead him? No one dared to walk ahead of him. It was dangerous having their backs’ exposed to the likes of him.

“I never said you were, darling.”

“Y-you implied it by not believing me like Aunt Eleanor when I said I was dancing w-with you and—”

“It’s because of the haze.”

Adeline paused. “Haze? What haze?”

Elias smiled. “I can warp perspectives. Only my kind saw our dance.”

“Your kind…?” Adeline repeated, feeling as if she had forgotten something else to say.

“Yes, Vampires,” Elias explained. He was amused by her confusion. He didn’t need humans meddling in his business with her, especially when one of them posed a threat to take her from him. He needed to show his peers exactly who she belonged to.

“Oh…” Adeline trailed off, not knowing what else to say. “Then, that hallway… What shall I make of it?”

Elias would have to investigate. If there was an issue of disappearing doors located near the ballroom, it would be dangerous. There was only one person in this entire castle that possessed this ability. Though, it had been a while since she left her magician tower and wreaked havoc on the land.

He would need to go alone.

Adeline was too fragile. Her heart was timid, and she was not suitable for too long of a climb up the tower. Her stamina was not the best, but he’d fix that soon… with his own little ways.

“I’ll look over the ballroom later,” Elias stated. He grabbed both of her wrists and leered her towards him.

“Now, come, my darling Adeline,” he beckoned. “You will feel much better with me.”

– – – – –

Adeline didn’t know why she had trusted him. When he took her hands and walked directly beside her, she had naively placed her faith in him. How could she not? His treatment toward her, cold and hot, made her yearn for the heat. It was not a healthy habit, but she was always a people pleaser. Though, with the years, she caused more disappointment than satisfaction.

“Where are you taking me?” Adeline mumbled.

They turned a corner, revealing a darker hallway than usual. She peered over her shoulders, realizing there were more chandeliers and light fixtures behind her. Was there a specific reason that this hallway was also dark?

There was lighting here as well, but not as much. It felt like she was a thief sneaking down a hallway, especially with how light his footsteps were, despite how large of a man Elias was.

“To my room.”

Adeline froze. Even when he tugged her hand, pulling her forward, she refused to walk. She dug her heels into the ground, and tried to retract her hand. She could never escape from him. He overpowered her in every way. His domineering presence was not just for show.

“I-I don’t want to sell my body for freedom,” she shakily said. “Elias, that night was a mistake. I was l-lonely and I-I let you have a taste, it was my fault. Please—”

“Where did you learn to have such naughty thoughts?” he said out in a slow, lazy voice.

Adeline refused to blush. She stood her ground, even when he turned his broad shoulders towards her. Elias stalked towards her, as a predator would to their prey. She unknowingly began to walk backward, hoping to create a distance between them.

Eventually, her back thudded upon the wall. He slammed a hand beside her head, leaning down towards her. She shrank into the cold wall. His gaze was burning hot.

“E-Elias—”

“Is it from the romance books you hide in your lower shelf?”

She gulped.

He held up a finger, his eyes promising things she could never fathom. “Oh, I know!”

Her breath was caught in her throat, her heart racing with fear.

“It must be the dirty erotics on your lowest shelf, and the ones underneath your bed.”

She was left speechless. He curled the finger under her chin, lightly tilting it up for him. She had nowhere to look, but fall deep into his velvet red eyes. A pool of warmth flooded her lower stomach. He eyed her with great hunger that could only be satisfied from his searing touches.

His breath gently fanned the tip of her lips. He smelled like mint and sweet wine she dared to not have.

“Such a naughty, naughty girl you are, my darling…”

His lips twisted into a conniving smirk. He had her exactly where he wanted. He was only touching her chin, and she was a trembling mess underneath him. All of this felt familiar to that night, when the rain poured down, but did not muffle her sweet pleas and greedy moans.

“What shall I do with you?”

Adeline shakily looked away. How… how did he know this much about her? Was his eyesight so good that he read the titles on her bookshelf? But that was impossible. She always turned the book over, so that the pages were revealed, instead of the titled spine.

“I-I just—”

“—dreams of a man doing the same thing to you?”

Adeline rapidly shook her head. “I came for the plot!”

“Are you sure you didn’t come from it instead?”

Adeline’s lips parted. “D-don’t be so promiscuous.”

Elias’s smirk deepened. “I’m not the one hiding naughty things in my bedroom.”

Adeline’s stomach fluttered. She felt a strange pulse underneath her stomach. Her lashes lowered onto the ground, unable to meet his hot and burning eyes. He was standing so close to her now. She could smell the pinecones of his body wash and practically taste which year of wine he consumed.

“They’re not exactly hidden if it’s in plain sight,” Adeline managed to say.

Elias let out a burst of daunting laughter that tickled her spine. She shivered, her reaction testing his restraints. He had only touched her chin, and she was already putty in his hands.

“Then why are a few under your bed and the others on the lowest shelf, with their spine hidden?”

Adeline was speechless. “C-can’t you spare me some mercy for tonight with your teasing,” she whispered. “I’m tired.”

“Darling, the night is too young for you to say you’re tired. We’ve yet to do much…”