CHAPTER 212: TANTRUMS

The next time Emira woke up, she found herself in the bed again. That was nothing to be surprised about actually. She had not been out of the bed since the triplets came here last evening.

She was alone once again. But this time, a small smile formed before she even opened her eyes. She breathed in slowly, letting their scent settle around her. It clung to the sheets, warm and familiar, and somehow she could tell them apart now. All three of them carried the same scent, but there were small differences hidden inside it—subtle, like the different colour of their eyes. She didn’t know how she could pick them out so easily, but she didn’t question it. Simply enjoying it.

She shifted a little, letting her body relax into the mattress, and moved to stretch her arms. Then she froze and her eyes widened. She raised her head to look down. And yep. She was under the covers. But her hands were tied on top of her stomach and her legs were bound together too.

"What the..." As she let her head fall back, she frowned. Were they going to do something else now? She felt a moment of excitement at the thought of them coming up with some other delicious way to bring pleasure to her.

But in the next moment, she frowned. No. If it had been them, then they would have probably tied her spread-eagled and ready for use. However, who would tie her up like this in her own home?

The answer came soon enough. "What are you doing here?"

She watched as Zen walked in carrying a covered tray. For a moment, her stomach growled at the thought of eating but she was soon distracted by the fact that Zen wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts....

"Well, I am bringing you something to eat," Zen said and continued to walk to her.

Emira frowned. "Fine. But why am I tied up like a... like a..."

"Like a fish?" Zen provided ’helpfully.’ He set the tray down on the table beside the bed and crossed his arms.

Emira glared at him. "Yes. Like a fish. Why exactly am I tied up like this, Zen?"

He scoffed and walked closer to her, taking his place beside her. "Why do you think? You did things I was not happy with.

"I was sleeping. That is all I did and you were not happy with that?" she pointed out, lifting her tied hands a little to show him.

Zen kissed her hand and then said in a voice that could be seen as coaxing a child," Oh you did something other than sleeping. Don’t worry, you’ll remember soon. For now, stop talking. Come on. Let’s eat."

"Untie me," she said.

"No." He didn’t even look at her.

"Zen."

"No," he repeated, louder this time. "Stop asking."

She blinked at him, confused. "How am I supposed to eat then?"

Zen finally looked at her again, his eyes flashing. "Simple. I’ll feed you."

Emira stared. "You’re joking."

"Do I look like I’m joking?" Zen asked, even though his expression looked a little too pleased to actually be angry.

She sighed and let her head fall back. "Fine."

Zen didn’t move for a moment. Then, as if realizing he won something, he reached for the tray. He pulled off the cover, revealing a small plate of dates, some bread, and a cup of warm milk.

Her stomach growled again.

Zen smirked. "Hungry?"

"No. I just make that sound for fun," she said.

He narrowed his eyes. "One more sarcastic comment and the only thing you will be eating is my coc*."

Emira glared at him, even as the visual of his words presented itself in her head.

"That doesn’t even make--"

"Open your mouth," he cut in.

She rolled her eyes hard but opened her mouth slightly. Zen picked up a date and lifted it near her lips.

And then popped it into his own mouth.

Emira snapped her eyes open. "Zen—!"

Before she could finish, the prince leaned down, bracing one hand beside her head. He caught her glare with a playful, angry smile still tugging at his lips.

Then he bent lower.

She opened her mouth to scold him-but he pressed his mouth to hers, pushing the date between her lips with his own. The warmth of his breath hit her first, then the soft brush of his mouth, and then the sweet piece of fruit slipping past her teeth.

Emira made a muffled sound of surprise, her tied hands tugging against the restraint. Zen pulled back slowly, licking her lips as he looked down at her.

There," he said quietly. "Fed you." He tilted his head and added, "Any more complaints?"

She was about to say more but as she opened her mouth again, he brought another piece of date to her lips. She opened her mouth again.. This time, he placed it in her mouth... along with her thumb.

She looked into his eyes as his thumb grazed against her teeth and she licked it slightly, liking the salty taste of his skin. Fine. If he wanted to feed her then she would tease him until he gave up.

But no matter how much she teased him, he still fed her everything patiently. It made no sense. Since when was this man patient? Yet, he stayed quiet and kept bringing each bite to her lips. She frowned a little more with every piece he gave her. What was going on with him?

And there was something else. Even though she could feel his eyes heating up whenever she teased him, and knowing he liked it, his expression kept shifting. The more she played with him, the more his shoulders dropped. His jaw tightened, and his eyes dimmed little by little, as if he was getting disappointed about something. What was going on?

Finally, he picked up the last piece of date. He leaned closer and put it against her mouth, but this time when she opened her lips, he didn’t pull his hand back. Instead, he pushed his thumb against her teeth, holding it there.

She blinked, confused. How was she supposed to chew if his hand was still in the way?

Emira glared at him, her teeth pressing lightly against his thumb as she tried to tell himto move. But Zen didn’t move at all. He just stared at her as if waiting for something. She narrowed her eyes and tried turning her head away, hoping he’d get the hint.

It was useless. His hand followed her, thumb still in her mouth, refusing to let her close her teeth properly.

She frowned at him harder.

He frowned back, this time even deeper, his irritation suddenly rising again. And then, with a sharp groan, he stood up from the bed, running a hand through his hair in pure frustration.= as he said, "Why won’t you bite me?" he burst out, glaring at her as if she was being unreasonable.

Emira blinked. Then blinked again as she remembered Lance’s question and then their laughter at her answer... Zen Stormhold was throwing a tantrum because she did not bite him...