My body tensed as he pressed his warm lips against my neck, gently grazing the sensitive skin. A tingling sensation spread throughout my body as his lips continued their path, leaving a trail of hot kisses down my neck. Shivers raced down my spine, causing goosebumps to rise on my arms. I couldn't control the strange reactions my body was experiencing. Instinctively, I felt a surge of arousal. My breathing halted as he kissed his way back up my neck, his lips sucking below my earlobe, and a soft moan escaped my lips.
I pleaded inwardly, uncertain of the effect he had on me. My nails curled, and I couldn't stand still, my entire body trembling. Seeking support, I leaned into him as he pressed his hand against my waist.
"Please, Regan... stop," I cried out, overwhelmed with pleasure. I couldn't handle it any longer. If I didn't put a stop to this, it would undoubtedly lead to something more.
I moaned uncontrollably as he grazed my neck with his teeth, pushing the boundaries of my desire. He was doing too much to my body and knowing that he wouldn't take things further made tears welled up in my eyes. He was cruel, and loved teasing me with his tongue.
"Please... Regan," I moaned, my voice betraying my trembling state.
"Say that you don't want me to do all those things to you..." he whispered near my ear, his deep and soft tone fueling my arousal.
How could I possibly deny that I wanted him to do those things? I craved more, so much more.
"I... I don't want... you to do those things to me," I stuttered, my voice trembling. I couldn't bear it any longer. He was driving me to the brink of madness.
Finally, he stopped and looked at me, causing me to hold my already shaky breath.
"Good," he muttered. What did he mean by that?
"From now on, you need to stay away from me. Keep a very good distance, Nora. As far away as possible," he declared.
I stared at him, bewildered. How could I distance myself from my own husband? Did that even make sense to him?
"Why would I do that?" I questioned, my eyes filled with confusion. I needed answers as to why he wanted me to stay away.
"It's because… I don't think I can be near you without doing things to you," he said. I knew this was a trap from the beginning. Why was he using this against me? He made me say it and now he was punishing me?
"And I can be really dangerous sometimes," he paused, facing me directly and gently tucking my hair behind my ears. "I promised I would never hurt you, but sometimes... I'm tempted to."
What was he trying to say? I didn't care about anything he said. How could I distance myself when he made me feel desired and aroused? How could I cope with the memories and sensations that tormented my body?
"I'm not doing that," I stated firmly. He let out a soft sigh. "You have to, Nora. It's for your own good."
I saw a knowing glint in his eyes, indicating that he understood what I was thinking.
"And don't even try to sed..." A knock on the door interrupted him, and a guard entered to announce Ellena's arrival.
"Tell her to come in," he instructed, still keeping me trapped with his body. Hatred flickered in my eyes as I watched her enter the room, a smile playing on her lips. That evil smile. It made me clench my fist. Regan must have noticed my disdain because he kissed my forehead and asked if I was okay.
"Yes... I'm fine," I managed to reply, though my voice betrayed a hint of unease.
"Good morning, Prince Regan and Princess Alanora. I hope I'm not disturbing you?" Ellena greeted, closing the door behind her.
Of course, she was disturbing, but I couldn't voice that aloud. After all, she was his betrothed.
"No, you're not," I forced a smile, concealing my true feelings.
Regan let out a heavy sigh. "Is there something you wanted to discuss?"
"Actually... I came to talk to you. Can we do that right now?" she asked, blushing and batting her eyelashes.
Regan glanced at me, seeking my silent approval. I averted my gaze, avoiding his eyes.
"Yes, we can talk," he agreed, and her smile widened as if she was conveying a message to me through it.
"See you later, Nora," he smiled at me and released me from his grasp. They both walked out of the room, leaving me standing there alone.
I made my way to the bed and sat down, trying to console myself. Was I feeling jealous? No, I told myself firmly, even though my heart burned with jealousy. He wasn't mine alone. Part of him still belonged to her, and there were things he couldn't deny her. I exhaled heavily and decided to distract myself by entering the bathroom.
****
"I told my father that we can go ahead with the marriage. What do you think?" Ellena asked once they reached a safe corner.
Regan's eyes narrowed as he struggled to comprehend what she had just said. He couldn't proceed with anything related to marriage. He couldn't marry her. Even the beast within him stirred at the mere thought.
"I can't go through with the marriage, Ellena," he said calmly, though a seething anger was already building within him.
Her expression changed, and the smile on her face faded. "Why? Why can't we proceed with the wedding? I am already betrothed to you, and that is something you can't break. You have to marry me," she said firmly.
"I can't do that. I am okay with my wife. I don't think I can take someone else," he replied.
"I'm not just someone else. I'm your betrothed, Regan. And you have to marry me, or else no one else will," she retorted, tears welling up in her eyes.
They all knew he would refuse to marry her. That was why she was first betrothed to him, to manipulate him into marrying her. But he couldn't. He disliked the idea.
"Fine, then," she said, wiping away her tears and walking away.
Regan let out a soft sigh. Things were spiraling out of control. He wondered what Nora would think if he took another wife. She would be furious, and he didn't want that. He was content with just her. He couldn't fathom having another wife.
After much contemplation, he made his way to his mother's chamber. He hadn't seen her in a while. Despite her resentment towards him, she was still his mother—the woman who had given him a tragic life.
****
"Mother, I don't want to be around Father anymore. He won't even give me a chance to prove my worthiness for the throne. He believes I'm unfit to be his successor," Ivan spatted, his tone filled with anger and hatred.
"Oh...my son," Empress Consort Camille, Ivan's mother, dropped the glass of wine she was holding and hurried towards him.
"You don't have to prove anything anymore, Ivan." She picked up the sword that was resting on the table and raised it with both hands. "What is this for, son?"
Ivan stared at his mother, a smirk appearing on his lips. "To take care of our enemies," he said in a sinister, low tone that made his mother laugh dryly.
"I gave birth to a clever son," she said proudly. "And who are these enemies?" she asked with a grin, her eyes gleaming brightly.
"My brothers," Ivan's smirk deepened as the words rolled off his tongue.
Lilith laughed again and set the sword down. "You know what to do, don't you?" she inquired as she made her way back to her seat.
"Yes, Mother."
Regan's hand clenched tightly on the doorknob, his anger palpable. He walked away from the door and retreated to his secret chamber. He had always thought Ivan was cruel, but now he realized that his mother was pure evil. How could she instruct her own son to kill his brothers just for the sake of the throne?