"I-I wasn't thinking about you," Elena replied, trying to sound tough but the crack at the beginning of her sentence betrayed her bravado. She sat upright, shoulders squared, as she managed to maintain her gaze on her husband's face.
King Killian raised a brow. "Really?" He asked, taking a few steps forward. "I could swear I heard you say my name."
"I have very heightened senses so I can't make a mistake on what I heard."
Elena's eyes grew wide. Had she really called his name out loud, or was King Killian bluffing?
"Well, you must have heard wrong, my King," Elena replied, maintaining a steady tone.
"Killian."
"Huh?"
"Call me Killain from now on," King Killian uttered, he was now standing by the bed, close to where Elena was seated in it.
"O-okay,"
King Killian leaned in, but instead of Elena shrieking and moving back like she would normally do, she remained still. Unfazed. She looked straight into King Killian's eyes, perfectly masking how nervous she felt inside. Her expression was unreadable, and although her body trembled slightly, one could still buy her tough-girl act.
King Killian was now very close to her, his lips were just a few inches away from hers. His eyes were still pinned on her face. "Say my name." He whispered, his warm breath fanning Elena's nose.
"Killian." The word rolled out of Elena's mouth immediately. Stiff and void of any emotions.
King Killian raised a brow as he slowly moved away from Elena. He studied her for a while, taking her present state in. And in seconds, he noticed it. His pretty little price was trying to avoid him. He scoffed.
"Let's see how long you'll last, pretty little mate." King Killian thought to himself.
"Please Killian, I need to have my rest now, I had a pretty long day." Elena voiced, and without waiting for a reaction from Killian, she pulled the sheets over her body, covering herself, ready to sleep.
King Killian didn't move.
He stood there, silent, watching her with a look that wasn't entirely cold—but not warm either. It was curious. Calculating.
Just as Elena thought he would turn away and leave, she felt the bed dip slightly beside her. Her heart skipped but she didn't dare move.
Elena yelped when she felt his huge arm wrap around her waist and with one swift pull, he dragged her to his chest. "I also had a really long day, wife."
Elena gulped but she didn't say anything else. She heaved a deep sigh before closing her eyes to sleep.
Just as Elena was starting to sleep, she felt King Killian's breath tickle the back of her neck, warm and deliberate. "You act brave but your heart betrays you whenever I touch you," Killian murmured, his voice deep and unreadable.
Elena's eyes fluttered open, her breath hitching. She didn't dare move, but her mind raced.
He knew this was an act?!
How long could Elena keep up with this?
****
Four days passed and the lessons continued. Unfortunately, it still didn't get serious like Elena had hoped, as she was still learning how to walk but had somehow graduated to learning how to use the cutlery.
King Killian…he still followed Elena around for some strange reasons. Despite how much Elena tried to avoid him, he'd just find his way back to her space.
At some point, Elena imagined King Killian falling for her, but she always brushed such thoughts off. First, she wasn't in his league. Second, the man was too cruel to do love. His heart was just too cold, and although he was always in Elena's business, she knew it was because of that thing he wanted from her. The reason he married her in the first place.
Elena had even tried to ask him about it, so she could give it to him, but he never gave a meaningful reply, he always said, "I don't need your permission to get what I need, love. When it's time, I can simply get it."
Now, back to the part where King Killian was cold. There were even rumors going around in the palace about how the King had killed Zoe, the one meant to be Elena's royal servant because she had disobeyed his order.
Elena shuddered. How could such a person, capable of ending a young girl's life, fall in love?
Yes, Zoe had disobeyed a King's order, but death was too much of a punishment.
Thinking about it now, what kind of order did the King give to her that he would have to kill her because she disobeyed him? Was it just the order or did he simply kill her for fun?
This alone should make Elena avoid Killian even more.
After the lesson on how to properly use the cutlery, Elena was dismissed by Madame Lucille. "Have a nice day Queen Elena." She voiced.
Elena bowed and bid the lady farewell before walking out of the dining room. This was the first time Madame Lucille didn't leave angrily, and it was because Elena had started catching up real fast.
As soon as Madame Lucille walked out of sight, Elena removed the fake smile from her face, shoulders slouching. She was already tired of such petty training. She wanted to start learning the main thing.
The thought of her first mate and her evil cousin enjoying their time together hurt her deeply. She needed to teach them a lesson as soon as possible.
If only Elena understood that real growth started from within.
Before Elena started her training for that day, King Killian had requested for her presence right after. So, she was heading to his study at that moment.
Reaching the study door, Elena knocked twice before she slowly pushed the door open, revealing Killian seated behind his grand oak desk, his striking features framed by the soft glow of the afternoon light.
He wore a rich, dark tunic embroidered with gold threads, a thick leather belt strapped at his waist, and a fur-lined cloak draped over one shoulder. His dark hair was slightly tousled. His intense eyes raised up to meet hers, sharp and commanding. "Come." He voiced.
Elena goobled before carrying her shaky legs towards him. "My King," She bowed in respect.
"Sit." Elena heard him say, and her jaw dropped as she looked up and realized he wasn't pointing to the chair across from him but patting his thigh instead—inviting her to sit on his lap.
"I-i can't—"
"SIT. Wife." King Killian ordered.
Elena gulped before carefully sitting on his thigh, her heart racing so fast. Heck! Forget the brave acts. It was so easier to say than to do. The man before her had this aura…this dark, suffocating, yet, seducing aura that made her go weak.
King Killian grabbed Elena's waist firmly, pulling her closer until there was barely any space between them. Her hands instinctively landed on his chest, feeling the solid muscle beneath the ancient fabric.
His breath was warm against her ear as he spoke, low and deliberate, "You have been avoiding me, wife and I want to know why." His gaze was dark, dangerous.
Elena swallowed hard. It seems the King didn't like being ignored.