Adeline's eyes widened. Before she could respond, he bent down for a kiss. She instantly turned her head, his lips touching her cheek. But he didn't mind. He kissed her jawline, his naked hips pressing into her waist. Her breathing trembled when she felt his hard length, thick and warm.
"Just two rounds," Elias murmured, grabbing her thighs, his thumb roughly pressing into her sensitive flesh. He parted her legs, settling carefully in between them.
"Good morning!" Lydia loudly sang, swinging the doors open.
Adeline screamed, just as Elias instantly covered her body with his own. She felt Elias protectively embrace her, and she looked up to see he was throwing a murderous glare in Lydia's direction.
"Another step, and I'll have your head!" Elias roared, his voice shaking the room.
Lydia yelped, quickly jumping backwards. "It's one in the afternoon, I thought both of you guys would've been dressed by now!" she defended.
"Get the fuck out!" Elias growled. He felt Adeline begin to shake in his arms, shaken by the incident.
Lydia quickly shut the doors and left.
Elias let out a frustrated sigh, running his hand through his hair. He glanced down and was met with Adeline's large eyes. She seemed so vulnerable, his heart stirred.
"I covered you," Elias said, his voice still rough and irritated. Instantly realizing his mistake, he softened his tone. "I hate your friend."
Adeline wryly smiled. "She's a good friend."
Elias scoffed. "Sure she is."
Elias grabbed her chin and bent down for another kiss. "Now that we're no longer being interrupted—"
A knock echoed in the room.
"God fucking damn it, I am going to murder those three," Elias hissed. He climbed out of bed, just as Adeline sat up. She grabbed his hand and his head snapped back. She was hugging the blanket to her chest, tightly, might he add.
Elias couldn't help but admire her. The sunlight fell perfectly onto her, casting a glow over her blonde hair. She was like a shaken rabbit before him, her emerald eyes twinkling with dismay. He wanted to devour her. Completely.
"Or perhaps, I should stay in bed," Elias murmured, leaning towards her for a kiss. But then, she dodged him again. He groaned, his thumb pressing into her chin.
"Don't tease me like this darling, it makes me want to be rough with you."
"I have morning breath," Adeline mumbled.
"So do I."
"I don't want to," Adeline added on.
Elias paused. "Will you want to after we freshen up?"
Adeline blinked. "Maybe at night…"
"You're still bent on giving a public address?" Elias asked, his brows knitted and lips taut.
"I don't want to concern our people," she said.
"You should stay in bed, darling," he responded.
Adeline shook her head. Elias merely laughed, the sound sending her heart skipping and her stomach fluttering. He stood to his full height and she instantly looked away. He was so large, it nearly casted a shadow over her.
"Alright, stand up then. See if you can walk out of here," Elias provoked in a soft voice. "If you can't, I'll make you even more bedridden. If you can, I'll make you bedridden."
Adeline gawked at him. "That's unfair, you shameless husband!"
Elias chuckled. He grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. He smiled when she scowled. "But you love this shameless husband regardless."
"I wonder if I do," she bit out, suddenly fired up.
"Hm, your body certainly does, and so does that little mouth of yours. You just love to scream my name, darling."
Adeline huffed. She shoved his hands away and threw the blankets off of her. She needed to quickly get dressed before Lydia tried to open the door again. Settling her feet onto the ground, she felt Elias's expecting gaze. She raised her head to see he was looking intently at her, almost certain that she couldn't walk.
Adeline didn't want to lie. Her entire body was sore, but he provoked her too much. Firmly, she stood up and instantly, her legs nearly gave out. Her knees wobbled, but she caught herself.
"Hah!" Adeline gloated, smirking up at him.
Elias laughed. "Alright, take a step then, darling."
Adeline swallowed. "My legs just fell asleep because they were entangled in yours when we slept. That's all."
"Then, take a step towards me."
Adeline pressed her lips together. She took a determined step forward, wincing when sparks shot up her leg. Suddenly, she was nauseous, her eyes widening. She buckled over, and he was instantly beside her.
Adeline gagged, feeling as if she was going to throw up. Elias's hands rubbed her upper back, his voice soothingly slow.
"Breathe, darling, in and out," he instructed.
Adeline listened to his advice. She took a big gulp of air through her nose, and out her mouth. She leaned her body against his, grateful for his support. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his lips pressing into her head.
"Feeling better now?" Elias asked.
Adeline slowly nodded her head. She grabbed his hand and he laced their fingers, but she pulled away. She pressed his hand upon her stomach, and instantly, his touch was gone.
"Elias—"
"Baby steps," he warned her.
Adeline frowned. What?
"I'm trying, darling, I really am."
"Trying to what?"
"Accept the baby," Elias softly murmured. "It is difficult to do so, knowing when the child is born, you could be dead, and I would have to live with that face for the rest of my life, knowing exactly what it did to you."
Adeline was taken aback. Hurt flashed on her face and she instantly looked away from him. Realization stabbed her in the chest, and she was suddenly wounded by his words.
"You won't love the child," she whispered the revelation, her voice cracking towards the end.
"I can't love something that hurts you."
"Then you must hate yourself," she retorted, unable to face the reality.
"But I love you," he corrected her.
Elias came around and hugged her shoulders. She stood still and frowned towards the ground. "I love you the most, out of everyone in this world, so darling, please be patient."
Adeline's lips trembled. Her eyes watered, and she wanted to cry, but it would be useless, and she hated tears. So, she remained in his embrace, limp and cold.
Was she selfish? Was it so wrong to want to save a life? Was it so wrong for her to love her child?
All Adeline wanted to do was leave a part of her behind in this world, even if it was a child that could kill her. All she wanted was to see who the child resembled, what their laughter sounded like, and how pretty their smile would be.
The thought of Elias's hatred towards the child terrified her. What if he truly despised the child? What if Elias lived the rest of his life, wallowing in guilt if he could not save his wife? What if everytime Elias looked at the child, he was reminded of what happened.
What if Elias murdered a child? His own child, to be exact.
The question sent chills down her spine. She didn't want to fathom that thought, as realistic as it sounded.
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