CHAPTER 104: I MISSED YOU

I stopped at the door, my gaze softening. I couldn’t help the way my heartbeat picked up pace at the thought of seeing her.

It’s been a week, but it felt like a whole year. I can’t take this anymore.

"My liege." Osha bowed.

"Is she asleep?"

"Yes...Deeply," she added in a whisper to assure me.

The double doors opened quietly, and I strode inside.

My eyes briefly swept the dimly lit room before they settled on Eloise, and everything else faded away, going blank like mist shrouding the rest of the world. The view of the bed with her stayed and became the only thing that mattered.

I told myself I’d only visit just to see her up close, but I was already walking closer before I could comprehend my actions.

I sat gently on the bed and observed Eloise fast asleep on her side, curled up in a ball. I reached for her, but I gritted my teeth, halting my actions.

She groaned, shifting so that she was on her back, her hands spread out, and her head to the side. I rested my hand on the bed and leaned close.

"Eloise," I said. "I know how much you don’t want to see me right now...But I sincerely hope you change your mind. If you do, I’ll tell you all you need to know about me. The bad, worse, and the darkness. You may still not want me then, but I hope you’d stop seeing me as a stranger."

I smiled when she mumbled something under her breath before sucking on her lips.

"And thank you for facing such drastic events for my sake, you shouldn’t have. Damon is not yours to deal with," I said with a slight frown.

Eloise’s head faced me, her lips apart before moving. I got itchy because I wanted to touch her and feel her skin, but I knew once I crossed that line, I wouldn’t be able to stop.

I attempted to lean away, but her hands shot up and grabbed my collar, pulling me down in a heartbeat.

My lips pressed against hers in a kiss. It didn’t take up to a second as she flashed her eyes open.

She pushed me up just enough to see me properly. I couldn’t speak because I was just as shocked by this whole thing, but something told me that I had to because it seemed Eloise was about to go through a mental breakdown.

"Eloise—"

She slapped me across the cheek without hesitation, and my head turned the other way.

"Okay, I deserve that."

"Damn beast!"

Eloise pushed me away just enough to sit, and she crawled to the other far end, pointing an accusing finger at me. "Take one move closer and I swear I’ll scratch that handsome face of yours!"

"Eloise, calm down, I only came to see you."

She pursed her lips in annoyance as if several words she was trying to conjure were hitting a broken record. "T-Then why are your lips on mine? I-I may be your wife, but don’t think you have access to me all the time!"

"Goddess, Eloise! You’re the one who kissed me!" I breathed, torn between desperation and amusement.

I hated how I was stuck by the way her curly hair was messy and the wild look in her eyes as if she wanted to stab me with them. I shouldn’t be fucking hard, but I was.

She slapped her hand on her mouth in disbelief, shooting me with a questioning look I easily decipher.

I raised my hands in defense. "I was just within arm’s reach."

"YOU!" she yelled, and I’m certain the entire wing heard her now.

A smile curled my lips. "I missed you."

A soft expression flickered on her face, but she quickly masked it up and looked away. "You should have told me you were coming. I’d have received you properly." She pulled the covers to her body, no longer meeting my eyes.

"Would you have received me if I’d asked to see you?"

She chewed the inside of her mouth but didn’t reply.

"I owe you an explanation at least."

"You don’t."

"Rather than my attempts to end it by kissing you that day, we should have talked. A lot."

"There was nothing to talk about."

"Eloise."

"I don’t want to talk! "L-Leave."

"Is that what you really want?"

It took a minute before she replied to me. "Y-Yes."

"As you wish." With a heavy heart, I rose to my feet and turned, but my jacket got stuck on something.

I turned to figure out what it was, and found out it was Eloise’s hand clenching the rim of my jacket, her face the other way, like she wasn’t responsible.

The corner of my lips twitched for a smile, but I simply cleared my throat and pretended as if I wanted to move again, but she grasped harder.

My insides danced, but I tried to remain composed and not grin like an idiot.

"Eloise?"

"...."

"You wanted me to leave, did you not?"

"...."

Her face remained the other way, but I could tell her cheeks were red because the blush spread to her ears.

I sat back down on the bed and got comfortable.

Eloise snapped her gaze to me. "W-What are you doing?"

"Staying because you want me to."

"I-I don’t know what you’re saying. I want you to leave."

"Alright." I attempted to rise, but she wouldn’t let go.

"How am I supposed to leave if you’re holding onto me?" I asked amusedly.

"I do not know what you speak of," she grumbled in reply.

So we’re playing this game then?

"I see... It seems like my jacket is stuck on a nail, keeping me from leaving. What do I do now?" I folded my arms and tipped my head.

"Let me check..." Eloise turned to me and pinched her hand. "The nail won’t come off." She looked at me. "Seems like you’re stuck here now."