The things you make me do

CHAPTER SIX

ZEPHYROS POV

"Get out, all of you!" I roared immediately I walked into my chambers. The miserly, incompetent fools scrambled away.

I went to the wine cellar and grabbed a bottle of bourbon. Taking a big gulp.

My head was woozy, my veins popped and my eyes saw red.

How dare that lowlife embarrass me like that? Killing her that way was too merciful. A slow, painful death would have been better.

And the moon goddess... I don't give a shit about her. An invisible person doesn't get to decide for me. I make my own decisions.

"And where the fuck is Seliora?" I groaned as I paced back and forth, my breath ragged. The storm inside me was brewing so fast, and I needed help.

Almost immediately, the chaos subsided as a familiar scent hit my nose. She finally arrived.

I spun around, and there she was looking breathtaking. But something was wrong. Her head hung low, keeping her distance.

Her usual confidence was gone, and her aura was gloomy. She clamped her shaky hands together. Sweat dripped down her face.

"Are you scared of me?" I asked, and she shook her head aggressively.

I nodded, raking my fingers through my hair as I took another gulp of the drink directly from the bottle. "So why won't you look at me?"

Again she shook her head as she hiccupped. I clenched my fists so hard that my knuckles cracked.

I took a step closer to her, but she stepped back.

"For Pete's sake, Seliora, will you stop torturing me? Do you hate me so much that you have refused to talk to me?" I barked. 

My nose flared, and I smashed the bottle of alcohol on the wall.

She fell on her knees as a piercing scream tore from her lips as she cried profusely.

Seeing her in such a pathetic state made something stir in me. My walls crumbled. My anger, replaced with guilt.

My chest tightened knowing I was the reason for her tears.

"I'm... I'm," I stuttered. Fuck, I've never apologized to anyone, nor do I accept it.

Why do we need punishments if apologies could solve all problems?

I knelt not too close to her, so I don't scare her. "I'm sorry for making you cry." I breathed out.

Instead of responding to my apology, she scrunched her nose. Her face twisted in disgust. Her thoughts slipped into my head..

"...how do I tell him to get away from me? His blood-stained hands and the stench of blood made me sick.”

I furrowed my brows and looked at her, confused. She was disgusted with me. But wait, how is it possible that I could hear her thoughts?

"I'll go freshen up since you're disgusted by the stench of blood? Besides that hag's blood is irritating."

For the first time since she entered my room today, she locked eyes with mine. Her eyes widened a bit.

"...how did he know I was disgusted? Did I say that out loud? I don't think I did," she said in her head.

Instead of replying her, I stood up. "I'll be back." I said and disappeared into the bathroom.

I took a quick bath and wrapped a towel around my waist. Returning to the room, calmer.

I walked into the room, and Seliora still knelt on the floor, where I'd left her. I helped her up and led her to the bed.

Her eyes drilled holes into my face, so I had to ask, "Is there something on my face?"

She diverted her gaze and whispered a silent no.

Her thoughts slid into my head. "Why is he suddenly calm? This reminds me of the man I met at the beach, not the devil at the hall.”

The veins in my neck pulsated. She thinks I'm a devil. That's not news. I am a devil. An angel is impossible.

"... Is he really mad like they say he is?"

"The rumors are true, but a certain woman keeps my demons in check," I blurted out. My eyes lingered on her plump, kissable lips.

"I'm sure I didn't say anything out loud. Can you hear my thoughts?" She asked, her eyes looking everywhere but me.

"What do you think?" I shrugged.

"I think.." she shook her head and stood up. "Scratch that, I know it's impossible because you're not my mate and such has never happened.

"But what if it starts with us?" I pressed further.

She pushed me away and turned her back on me. "Go and get dressed properly, and we'll talk more," she ordered.

I gritted my teeth as I hate being told what to do. I give the orders, and not the other way around.

"Please!" she begged in a shaky voice.

Without replying, I walked into my closet and picked a rather causal outfit - black shirt and black trousers.

After I was done, I walked out only to see her approaching the door, ready to leave.

"Did I give you permission to go?" I grunted 

"No, Your Majesty, but I have to. I shouldn't be here. Everything is wrong!"

"Tell me, my dear Seliora, what is wrong? What makes you so uncomfortable?" I demanded, taking slow, yet deliberate steps toward her.

"The one-night stand, the kiss at the beach, the attraction, the concern... Everything was a mistake and mustn't happen again," she whisper-yelled.

I strode behind her and pulled her against me. Wrapping my arm around her tiny waist.

"You do not get to say if it won't happen again. And don't you dare tag whatever happened between us as a mistake. Do you understand?" I groaned in her ear.

Seliora shuddered as I trailed kisses on my bite mark on her neck. She let out a small sound, but her hands were clenched. She doesn't want this.

As if regaining her senses, she pulled herself away from me and buried her face in her palm.

"What do you want?" She cried.

"You!" I replied.

"Why me? You can't want me. Besides, this.." she signaled between us. "This can't happen. I'm your nephew's wife,"

"Is this you trying to convince yourself that you're married? After all, the ritual of sealing the mate bond was never performed," I informed her.

"Ritual of sealing the mate bond? What is that?" She asked.

"It's what makes a couple or mates indeed married. So to me, you are nobody's wife," I announced.

"You bastard.." she raised her hand to slap me but I held it, spun her around and slammed her back against my front.

"I may be crazy, but I'm certainly not a bastard. The bastard you should be worrying about is the one in Ophelia's womb.”

Her breath hitched. "Ophelia is pregnant? She's carrying Dorian's baby?" She muttered.

Fuck, she didn't know.

Her knees gave out. Thankfully, I caught her before she fell as she cried profusely.

I watched as she crumbled. For hurting my Seliora this way, I'll so make their life miserable.