Approaching her steadily, I threw my coat on the bed, not removing my predatory eyes from hers, drawing the fears running in her veins evoked by one eye contact.
“Sir- I-I mean, Prince…” She stammered, becoming breathless when I approached.
I didn’t have many options because this horror was not going to be annihilated anywhere near in the future.
Noticing she was hiding her hands from me, I walked to her, pressing herself on the ledge, forcing down the lump.
Her imprisonment in my domain was my absolute pleasure, I want her here. Right here. Not with that bastard who was going to play with her emotions- What the hell am I thinking?!
My lips curled from one side perniciously, indulging in the lack of distance, moving closer to her while moving my hand to the one she was hiding from me.
“What are you trying to hide, huh? Your lover’s letter?” I mocked with a suppressed laugh, boring my eyes into hers.
Entwining my fingers with hers was so satisfactory but soon I realized she wasn’t wearing our wedding ring. My eyes stopped at her hand, earning a low-pitched voice of dread from her, trying to pull her hand away from me.
“P-Prince…” She tried to speak but my grip tightened.
“Where is your ring, Cinzel?” I asked in a low growl, pulling her hand up, beside her head on the wall.
“I.. I..” She tried to speak but the pants restricted her speech.
“Speak up.” Demanding, I pressed my lower body against her.
With a tear, she whispered, “I.. I put it on the counter… before going to shower.. but.. But it wasn’t there when I came.. I am sorry. I.. I.. Prince.”
Narrowing her eyes with tears existing in the corner ready to fall with adrenaline rushing in her vein fused with agonizing echoes.
“I am sorry. I am sorry. Prince I-”
She was about to speak but I grazed my lips on her neck, taking advantage of her vulnerability.
“Shh.” Shivering violently, a few tears rolled down her cheeks.
I didn’t want this fear but I must. I didn’t desire this but it was unavoidable.
My other hand held her back firmly, digging my teeth on her skin slightly, she whimpered a little, clutching my shirt between her delicate fingers tightly.
“P-Prince…”
Panting heavily, lowering her head to cope with gradual movements of my lips upon her skin, immersing her in the ocean of agitation yet she was enticed.
I unintentionally bit harshly while sucking. She moaned a little, putting her forehead on my shoulder, arching her back.
“Don’t…”
After successfully forming a mark as the substitute of the ring on her neck, I pulled away with a heavy pant.
“You hate what my touch does to you, don’t you?” I asked breathlessly, not removing my profound gaze lingering in the unwanted sensation of hearing ‘yes’ from her.
“Yes…” Sniffling she nodded, pulling away.
Scoffing, I removed my hands from hers, “That ring was the proof you belong to Poison Ivy so on one dares to lay a finger upon you.” I told her calmly, taking my coat and hanging it neatly.
She kept looking down, biting her lips to not cry. Espying her I asked, “Where did you put it last time?”
“O-On the dressing table.” She replied.
Other than watching her adoring Zaniel, I didn’t care what she was doing; that was the only thing which evoked wrath in me.
“I will tell Lenny and Layla to search.” I sighed, moving away and left the room after freshening up.
The moment I ordered them, Penelope took me with her.
“I need to talk to you, Prince.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“You might have married Cinzel for yourself but they still love each other.” She told me.
Arching a brow, I asked, “What are you talking about?”
“They meet secretly. I saw them, please. I don’t want my son to be depressed because of her.” She told me sternly.
“It must be a misunderstanding.”
“Then tell me her embracing him is a lie too. I have seen it myself.” She hissed, making my chest burn. What did he have that she still runs after him?
“Listen Penny, you must have confused something.”
“This girl has blind you, Prince.”
Exhaling, I only waved my hand to shrug her talk off and walked away, “Stop talking absurd things and as for Cinzel, I will handle her, you tell your son to stay away from my wife.” I told her nonchalantly while igniting a fiery fire internally, scowling in frustration but showing I am not getting affected. Putting my hand in my pockets, I walked away.
Growling, I was about to confront Cinzel about what I had heard but Sky tugged on my sleeves, calling me.
“Papa..” She called me innocently, taking me with him.
“What is it, Princess? I have to do something.” I told her, trying to remain calm.
“Please come with me.” She said, dragging me back to her room. I didn’t understand the vexation gleaming on her face.
“I.. am sorry.” She whispered, looking down.
“What happened?” I asked softly, bending to her level.
“I was angry at Cinzel for scolding me.. So.. So I hid this. But I saw you were getting angry, she was crying. I am sorry, Papa.”
She cried a little showing me the Poison Ivy ring.
“Sweetie, you know its importance... still…” My jaw clenched but I didn’t want to frighten her so I remained low and soft.
“I am sorry, Papa. I didn’t want to make her cry.” She cried, lowering her head in shame.
I smiled and patted her head, “It’s okay. You go and apologize to her.” I told her.
“Come with me then.”
“Okay…” I smiled and we went to my room.
Cinzel gasped a little but soon noticed Sky hiding behind me so she relaxed a bit but the state of dolor was constant on her whole being.
Without saying anything, I took her hand and slid the ring inside her finger, hearing her breath hitching when my hands made contact with hers, “Make sure to keep it safe next time.” I told her firmly.
She nodded hesitantly, not daring to look up.
“Also,” I stopped and turned to Sky, “Here’s you little culprit.”
“I am so sorry, Cinzel. I didn’t mean to hide it. I am so sorry. I didn’t want you to cry.” She said hurriedly, lowering her head, crying.
She blinked trying to comprehend what happened and passed her a weak smile, “I-It’s okay… just don’t do it again.”
“Do you truly forgive me?” She asked hopefully. Cinzel nodded as Sky hugged her.
“Thank you very much! I promise I won’t do it again. I am even going to finish my punishment too!” Grinning, she ran away, leaving us alone in the room.
“I.. I..” She tried to speak and was about to leave but I held her wrist.
“Can I tell you a secret, Cinzel?” I asked, moving her hand closer to my face.
Apprehensively nodding, she swallowed hard, I kissed the back of her palm and whispered before leaving her baffled.
“I don’t want you to be scared anymore…”