Goodbye Elaine

Elaine's pov

I didn’t think before my hand just moved in great speed.The sharp crack of my palm against Maxwell’s face echoed through the quiet forest and it had an instant sting on my skin, but that was nothing compared to the shock that followed as an after effect of his reaction. He didn’t flinch nor did her growl or even look angry.

A slow, dangerous curve that was supposed to be a smile appeared on his mouth and the wickedness in his face alone made the blood in my veins freeze. His eyes locked onto mine with piercing intensity, glowing faintly in the darkness that hung between the trees. The firelight hadn’t even been built yet, but the heat in his gaze was already enough to burn.

“Well, well, well,” he murmured with a low and almost amused voice. “I expected nothing less from you. Laurent women have always been strong and courageous. I’m glad to see you’re not an exception.” His eyes dragged over my face, lingering on the defiance I refused to hide. “It just fits perfectly with the plan I have for you in my head.”

The audacity of him left me speechless for a heartbeat before the fury flooded back in. I shoved both hands against his chest, putting whatever distance I could between us.Yet, he barely swayed.

“Maxwell or whatever you call yourself.I’m going to ask you one last time to let me go or you’re going to regret it” I said, voice rising as I pointed a shaking finger at him. “You might think now that you're strong but my family will come for you with everything they have and trust me, you’ll be dead once they find you. So let me go. Now!”

I yelled the last words at the top of my voice, hoping somehow the sound would carry far enough for someone,anyone to hear.

The ache in my chest didn't even help matters. I felt like I was about to faint but Maxwell didn’t seem to care,only watched me with that same unreadable expression, as if my threats were nothing more than background noise.

Without another word, he turned and began picking up fallen branches and dry wood from the forest floor, stacking them with casual precision.

“You elite suck-ups and your threats,” he said, almost conversationally. “Your family can’t do anything to me, Elaine. I’m of royal blood and I once led the largest army in the kingdom even before you were born.” He glanced at me over his shoulder, eyes glinting. “If anyone tries getting too close, they’ll be doing nothing but signing their own death sentence.”

The way he said it was so calm and certain it sent a chill down my entire body. Because, yeah,I was officially scared.I stood frozen, watching him work. For a brief, reckless moment, the thought of killing him myself flashed through my mind. One sharp rock aided with a lucky strike while his back was turned. Then I could run.

But the thought died as quickly as it came. He was bigger, stronger and faster. Attempting it would be a suicide mission, and I wasn’t ready to die in this forest for nothing.

So I forced myself to change tactics.

I took a slow breath and softened my posture although every muscle in my body remained tightened with tension.

Passive-aggressive was the new plan. I was going to make him talk or even slip for a second so I can find a weakness with which I would use as leverage against him. It was one of the survival tricks my father taught me. I guess now is the best time to use it.

“So, Maxwell,” I said, intentionally keeping my voice deceptively calm. “I’ve heard your stories. How you killed your sister, plus your biological mom who was the first queen and how you became such a menace that the king had to banish you.” I tilted my head, studying him. “Care to share what happened?”

He paused for only a second before a low chuckle rumbled from his chest. The sound was like a jest. This dude was just finding it funny while I tried my best to rule him up. As if this couldn't be any worse.

“Dear Elaine,” he said, turning fully toward me as he crouched by the pile of wood. “Tone down the inquisitiveness for a bit tonight. I know you want to learn all about your future husband but we’ve got our entire future married life ahead of us to share our memories with one another.”

He struck a spark and flames caught quickly, crackling to life and casting flickering gold light across his blood-streaked face and the sharp lines of his jaw. The warmth reached me almost immediately but it did nothing to ease the discomfort in my stomach.

The way he mentioned married life like he was so sure it would happen and like I didn't have a say in the matter literally made me homicidal.

I opened my mouth to argue again when Maxwell suddenly went still. His head snapped toward the denser part of the forest, eyes narrowing. In one fluid motion he rose to his full height, body tense like he was ready to kill something or someone. The change was so abrupt that I immediately ran behind him as he moved carefully, stepping toward the sound with every muscle coiled. I held my breath, straining to hear whatever had caught his attention. Leaves rustled, a branch snapped under a careful foot and then a figure stepped out of the bushes.

My breath left me in a rush.

“Father?!”

Relief crashed through me so hard immediately my knees nearly buckled. I didn’t even give it a second before I just ran,my torn dress hooking on twigs and underbrush as I closed the distance and threw myself into his arms.

“Thank God,” I whispered against his chest, clinging tightly. “Lets get out of here Father,this guy is a monster.”

“If it isn't Castel Laurent himself. You finally made it. It's nice to have you here” Maxwell said from behind like he was expecting to see my father.

“Maxwell! You don't look bad for someone who has been living their life in isolation. I hope you didn't lay a finger on my daughter like we agreed?” My father said as he pulled out of his embrace and walked closer to Maxwell.

And as for me,I was beyond bewildered and star struck “Father,what the hell is going on? Why are you talking to him like you two are close to each other? Please don't tell me it's what I'm thinking”