The Consort: Chapters 31-35

Chapter 31: Mistress

My jaw drops to the floor as I push open the door and take in the extravagance of the room. Instead of the dark decor that I've grown accustomed to, this space is filled with bright paints and fabrics, each with a unique pattern or texture. Even the wooden parts of the furniture have been painted a bright blue, a stark contrast from the white flowers and vases that sit all around.

I hesitantly make my way inside, the guards bustling in behind me and closing the door with a loud slam. A tiny spark of jealousy fills me as I take it all in, wishing that I could decorate my room with such objects.

"Do you like?" A voice speaks up, and I turn to see a woman sitting in the corner watching me with a tense smile.

"Yes, very much so. It's beautiful!" I exclaim, not wanting her to sense my jealousy and think me unfriendly.

She's sitting in a large recliner hidden partially behind an overgrown, bushy plant but stands to greet me as I approach. I'm shocked to see that she is wearing just as many jewels as the King, if not more, but try not to let my bewilderment show. She must truly be in his favor to live in such luxury.

"My name is Adeline." I greet her, unsure what to say. "I'm excited to meet you."

A small laugh falls from her mouth at my words, her eyes flickering quickly between Heloix's guards standing along the far wall and me.

"I'm Josephine, but you can call me Jo. I'm glad that your King allowed you to come to visit me." She says, glancing down at the plate of food I still hold tightly between my hands. "And that he keeps you fed."

My face heats up as she says this, having forgotten that I was holding the plate in the first place. Scanning the room, I spot a small table just to my right and set it down with a loud clink, the fork teetering on the edge before, thankfully, settling on the glass.

"Would you like to come sit down? I'm working on a puzzle I'd love some help with." Jo says, gesturing to the small table that sits in front of her recliner.

I make my way over to her with an excited nod, not wanting her to sense my nerves about this puzzle she speaks of. King Richard's mate was a big fan of them, always cheering when she slotted a small piece into place. After her death King Richard put them all away, hiding each and every one in drawers, never to be brought out again.

The pieces are covered in vibrant colors like the rest of the room, and under further inspection I realize that they make up large flowers. There's a small seat next to the puzzle table, and I tentatively sit down on it while Jo flops herself back down in her recliner, the oversized chair swallowing her up.

"I've never done a puzzle before." I admit, shyly glancing up at her face. She's already in deep concentration as she stares at the pieces, and hums quietly at my words.

Her eyes continue to scan over the pieces as she brings her fingers up to pinch her bottom lip softly. "It's pretty intuitive. You'll get the hang of it in no time."

Nodding in agreement, I focus on the pieces and try to find a pattern between the colors. There are so many it's impossible to match them, and the first couple of minutes are spent staring at them lost while Jo makes good progress.

She has the entire border finished already and appears to be working on individual flowers at a time. I try to emulate her strategy, but after a while realize that this just isn't going to work for me. Changing gears, I instead start organizing the loose pieces by color, putting them in small piles.

Jo seems to appreciate the work as she begins sifting through my piles and pulling out pieces, cheering quietly to herself as she slots them into place.

"The King must really like you." I eventually comment, eyes sweeping once more over the grand room.

Jo lets out an unattractive snort, glancing up at me with a wide smile. "Of course he does. I'm his mate."

I blink, shocked.

"What?" I probe, unsure if I heard her correctly.

I wish to take back the question the second it leaves my mouth, afraid of offending her with my confusion. The King very clearly called her his mistress and the Beast that joined the breakfast table his mate, but maybe I was mistaken.

"Yeah, I'm his true mate. Thought you knew." She comments, watching me through squinted eyes as she sets down the yellow puzzle piece in her hand and leans back in her chair.

My eyebrows furrow as I absorb her words, struggling to determine what I've heard today is the truth. Jo sighs at my apparent confusion, her mouth falling into a flat line.

"The Beast you've seen wandering around is his chosen mate. Very different thing." She explains.

His chosen mate? I've never heard the term before but it isn't hard to figure out what it means. If she is his true mate then why does he still have a chosen mate, and why does he lie about who she is?

"Did he call me his mistress?"

Jo's eyes water up slightly, and I debate lying to her to relieve the tension. Opening my mouth to deny it, I pause before any sound comes out. If I were in her position, I would want to know the truth. That thought alone has me closing my mouth and solemnly nodding my head yes.

"I don't like when he does that." She murmurs, picking up a random piece and fiddling with it.

I watch her with a frown, not sure if I should ask further or drop the subject. She seems pretty upset, lip wobbling as she holds in her tears, so I choose to remain silent. Reaching forward, I grab a red piece and move it into the pile with the others while Jo watches. She continues to stare as I work and my hands clam up at the attention, skin sticking to the cardboard.

"He only took her to keep his people happy. It's me he loves." Jo speaks up after a tense moment, seemingly eager to defend against the judgment she feels I am giving her.

Glancing up at her, I offer a small smile to try and show that I'm not judging.

"I'm glad that you've found somebody who makes you happy." I say, gesturing around the room. "And treats you so well."

Jo nods at my response, her stern expression softening slightly. I watch as she looks around the room, taking in all of her possessions and gifts, before focusing on me once more.

"Are you Heloix's mate?" She asks, cocking her head to the side.

The guards along the wall shuffle slightly, making me all too aware of the trouble my answer could bring. Despite what I think the answer may be, speaking of my suspicions to Jo, especially in front of Heloix's guards, is a stupid move.

"No." I state.

Jo's lips purse at my words as she glances over at the guards with a sigh. Thankfully she doesn't push the conversation any further and we once more begin working on the puzzle, me sorting the pieces and Jo slotting them into place.

Eventually, Jo stands and stretches her back with a loud groan, the bones audibly cracking beneath her skin. Setting down the piece I hold in my hand, I watch as she walks over to a small bar cart near the door and crouches until she's eye level with the large bottles.

My anxiety spikes as I watch her grab two glasses from the rack attached to the wall, my mind replaying the last time that I drank alcohol. Gulping, I watch as she pours some wine into both glasses and carries them back over to where we sit.

I hesitantly accept the offering, making a mental note to drink only one. The liquid is a deep red and bitter as it slides down my throat. I hold back the urge to grimace at the taste, but Jo catches on anyways and lets out a small laugh.

"Takes some getting used to." She assures me.

A loud laugh bubbles up out of my throat, and I nod my head quickly in agreement. "That's for sure."

We fall into a comfortable silence as my mind naturally wanders back to Heloix. I wonder what he needed to talk to the King about and, after meeting Jo, I'm now suspicious about his questioning of the King's human mate.

If I am his mate as I'm starting to suspect, is he looking to take another and force me to live a life like Jo?

She may be content being called the King's mistress and having to share him with another woman, but that's not a life I'm willing to live. There's absolutely no way that I would sit idly by stuck in some room all day while Heloix and his chosen made parade around.

If he doesn't want me that's fine, but he needs to pull up his big boy panties and send me back home to King Richard's then.

I take a deep breath as I struggle to calm myself down. There's no point in getting myself all worked up over something I don't even know to be true.

"You good?" Jo asks, snapping me out of my thoughts.

She's eyeing me with concern, and I grimace as I realize that I've been squeezing one of her pieces and accidentally crunched up the flimsy cardboard underneath my grip. Frowning, I drop the piece back onto the table and attempt to smoosh it back into its original flat shape.

"Sorry about that." I apologize. "Was just thinking."

Jo lets out a quiet hum, nodding her head in understanding. "My mate makes me feel the same way."

I open my mouth to respond, to reiterate that Heloix is not my mate, but the door slamming open stops the words in my throat. Turning to see who's entered, I'm shocked to see Heloix's large frame in the doorway, his black eyes locked in on me.

He stares at me with a clenched jaw. "Come."

I spring up from my seat and hurry over to him, nervous about what's gotten him so riled up. He grips me by the arm as I approach and he pulls me into his chest. I remain frozen to my spot as his head dips down into my hair and he outwardly breathes in my scent.

Heloix holds onto me tightly for another moment before letting go and stepping back, eyes roaming over my face.

"So much anger for such a little body." He comments, flicking me lightly on the nose.

I flinch back at the unwanted contact, confused by his words. "What?"

"Nothing. Let's get going. There's something I want to show you."

Chapter 32: Answers

I watch Heloix come to a halt in the middle of the corridor, his head tilting towards as his hand reaches out to graze the brick wall. Copying his movements, I look upwards, eyes tracing the designs that cover the entire ceiling.

"I lived here for a summer when I was younger." He murmurs.

It's hard to tell whether he's speaking to himself or me, but I hum quietly either way, distracted by the beauty of the vaulted ceilings.

It's breathtaking, with intricate etches carved into the wood to create abstract circular shapes that span down the entire hallway. If it weren't for Heloix's interest I likely never would have noticed, and I wonder if the ceilings back home have the same design.

"This castle was built back when humans still ruled the planet." Heloix comments, dropping his head back down and focusing on where his hand touches the wall.

I watch in confusion as he brings up his other hand and begins poking around with them both, seemingly searching for something within the bricks as his long fingers prod at the cracks.

While he works, I bring my attention back to the ceiling, imagining what it was like when the humans built this place. It's no secret that most of the homes and technology that the Beasts use originated with us, but it's always surprising to hear it confirmed. Unfortunately, the Beasts often choose not to give us any credit.

Over the years, they've successfully managed to remove most of human history from our knowledge, the only truths we know now having been passed down from the older generations.

The sound of scraping rock as me focusing in once more on Heloix, my eyes widening as I watch him pull one of the bricks out from the wall. I open my mouth to ask what he's doing but quickly close it, not wanting to draw any unwanted attention to his actions.

The brick slides out quietly, and Heloix sticks his hand in the newly created hole with no hesitation, the appendage disappearing to the wrist as he searches for something inside. I nervously glance around, making sure that nobody is in the corridor to see his actions.

I suppose that answers why Heloix dismissed his guards earlier.

As quickly as he put his hand in the hole he pulls it out, hand tightly fisted around a small object. I try to spot what he has removed from the socket but Heloix moves too fast for me to catch it, shoving it immediately into his pocket.

"What's that?" I inquire, tilting my head to the side in question.

Heloix doesn't immediately respond, too busy sticking the brick back into place before somebody comes walking around the corner. His secretive actions have me a bit worried, and knowing that he's probably doing something that he shouldn't, I decide not to push for an answer.

"Let's go." He murmurs, turning and glancing down the hall before continuing our journey as if this brief pause never happened. I wish for him to say more but a couple of servants come walking around the corner just as I go to ask, effectively killing any chance I had to get more words out of him.

The servants pause as they see Heloix standing in the hallway, visibly wary of his intentions, before moving to walk along the edge of the corridor. Heloix doesn't seem to notice or care, as he turns abruptly on his heel and returns to his quick walking, leaving me with no choice but to scramble behind.

Despite my unfamiliarity with the castle, I recognize that we are heading back to the room we are staying in, the corridor long and narrow with large, unique paintings hung up along the wall. The guards can be heard from inside their rooms as we pass, loud shouts coming out through the wood as they take pleasure in their free time.

My eyes roll slightly as I listen to them. It must be nice to have free time and enjoy the company of one another without the threat of death. Jealousy courses through me as one particularly boisterous laugh comes barreling out into the quiet hallway, the sound loud to even my ears.

If the humans dared to be this noisy they would immediately be silenced, the biggest offenders probably losing their tongues as punishment.

Anger begins to fill me as I watch Heloix's back, years of mistreatment bubbling up my mind and bringing me to a boiling point. My entire life has been written for me, my role as a servant decided the moment I was born.

It made things simple, but since meeting Heloix he has done nothing but turn that upside down. He treats me differently and now finds it appropriate to drag me to new kingdoms with no rhyme or reason.

My jaw clenches as I think about how he likes to pretend to care for my well-being yet murders my own kind without so much as batting an eye.

I remain silent the entire journey despite my mind racing with a thousand questions ranging from why we are here to what his issue is with me. Spotting our door up ahead, I speed up my pace, legs pushing forward in a punishing rhythm in an attempt to beat him to the room. Heloix still manages to get there before me, his fat palm pressing open the door with ease.

I hurry in immediately behind him, eager to get some answers.

The door slams shut behind me with a loud bang, and immediately I run around Heloix's body in an attempt to stop him. Looking up at him with a scowl, I cross my arms over my chest as I block his entry into the rest of the room.

"Why are we here?" I probe, widening my stance.

I may have had my doubts on our journey here, but after the conversation I had with Jo I am beginning to feel confident that there are big things he isn't telling me.

Heloix ignores my question with the shake of his head before attempting to walk around me. I remain still, despite my slight fear, legs planted firmly into the ground to block his path.

"Why are we here?" I repeat.

Heloix lets out a grunt at my words, hands coming to grip me by the shoulders before lifting me entirely off the ground and moving me out of the way. I kick my feet out at him as they hover in the air, satisfied as my toe makes contact with his shin.

Instead of dropping me as I intended, Heloix lifts me higher into the air, his fingers digging almost painfully into my biceps.

He raises me until I am at eye level with him, ignoring my feet that hang limply from my body. At this proximity, I notice his eyes flickering and mouth pursing as his Beast fights to take control. Under normal circumstances I would back down and blabber out some apologies, but everything in my body screams at me to fight and demand answers for his treatment.

A loud shriek falls from my mouth as he continues to lift me, my feet kicking out once more in an attempt to hurt him. I miss by a good couple of inches, grunting as Heloix extends his arms so I am a solid distance away from his body and unable to reach him with my limbs.

"Put me down!"

"No."

"Put me down, Heloix!"

His hands abruptly release me at my words, his lip twitching as I drop to the floor. Holding back a wince as my feet slam against the hard surface, I stumble slightly before regaining my balance and returning to my original stance.

"You don't get to make commands of me." Heloix grumbles, and I resist the kick him once more.

My frustration with him is at an all-time high, and I take a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down before continuing. I expect him to walk away from me or punish me for my behavior, but instead he remains still, eyes hard as he watches my attempt to calm down.

"I deserve to know what you're doing with me." I try again, hoping this approach will lead to better results.

Heloix does nothing in response to my question, instead staring at me blankly and forcing my blood pressure to rise as anger.

"What the fuck is wrong with you, Heloix?" I shout, tears welling in my eyes as I step forward and push at his chest, all the emotions I've been holding in for the past months coming tumbling out.

He doesn't so much as flinch at my shove, bringing attention to my evident weakness and only serving to further fuel my anger. Bringing my hands up once more, I move to push him again but he snatches my wrists before I'm able to make contact and holds them both firmly in his right hand.

A loud cry falls from my mouth at his actions, the tears that I've been trying my best to hold back spilling over and blurring my vision.

"You're not stupid, Adeline." Heloix responds, dropping my hands and reaching up to push back his curls. "You know the answers to your questions."

His words make me pause, roughly wiping at my face as I stare up at him. "What?"

Heloix sighs, reaching forward to cup my head with a gentle grip before running his thumbs over my eyebrows. I move to jerk my head away from his touch but he holds my head steady, preventing me from doing so.

"I protect you. I've shared my blood with you. You're living in the wing reserved for my mate. I've disposed of all of the women I've ever been with. I've given you many pieces of myself that I've saved specifically for my mate." Heloix's hands lower a couple of inches to my cheeks, rough palms rubbing softly against my skin. "What do you think we are, Adeline?"

I attempt to turn my head away but Heloix keeps it firmly in place, forcing me to look at him. He holds onto my head patiently, waiting for me to compose myself as I take a couple of shaky breaths, mind reeling as I take in his words. Nothing he said is news to me, but hearing him spell everything out so bluntly has me feeling overwhelmed, unable to ignore the truth I've been hiding from.

A stray tear falls from my eye, trailing down my cheek until it reaches the crevice of my nose. Heloix observes it with a frown, his thumb moving to swipe it away.

He lets out a quiet sigh as he watches me filter through my emotions, slowly taking small steps backward and moving us towards the couch. His hands remain firmly on my face the entire time, only disconnecting for a brief moment as he sits down on the cushion. Pulling me with him, his arms wrapping around my waist and holding me firmly against his chest. I bury my face in the hard muscle as he runs his fingers through my hair, the soothing motion helping to ease some of the anger still coursing through my veins.

"You already know you're my mate, Adeline."

Pulling away from him, I look up at his face with a frown, noting the small smile he holds. I can tell he expects me to be happy, to fall into his arms and weep, but I refuse to do so. Instead, I disconnect my body from his, standing back up and putting some much-needed distance between us.

Looking up at the ceiling, I press my fingers against my temples and lightly massage the muscle, wishing I never opened my mouth. Suspecting something and knowing something are two very different things, and this was something I think I would have rather suspected.

The knowledge that Heloix intends for me to live like Jo is crushing, my lungs constricting painfully in my chest the more I think about it. I need confirmation, though. I need to hear him say it, to admit his truth to me.

My body sags as I open my mouth, already knowing that I'm not going to like the answer to my question but needing to ask it anyway.

"Why are we here?"

Chapter 33: Apologies

Heloix stands next to the bed watching me pack, his hands shoved deep into his pockets as he rocks back slightly on his heels. Wanting nothing to do with him at the moment, I avoid his gaze and pretend as if I don't notice him staring at me from five feet away.

With a quiet huff, I shove my dress into the suitcase, the material crumpling at the rough treatment. Despite the long travel time, Heloix agreed to get a car for us to go home in, his desperation to appease my anger leading him to agree to my request.

Slamming the suitcase closed, I push down on the top in an attempt to flatten bulging material as I reach for the zipper. Unfortunately, my lack of neat folding has made the insides bulkier, preventing the top from closing enough for me to zip it. I push on the top once more, a small grunt falling from my lips as I lean on it to add some additional weight.

"Do you want any help?" Heloix asks, taking a small step towards me.

"No." I respond curtly.

Heloix halts his advance, his feet freezing against the floor the moment the word is out of my mouth. His suitcase sits at the top of the bed, having been packing in less than ten minutes. I stare at it in anger, frustrated by anything that has to do with Heloix.

My blood boils every time I think of him, fury that he brought me here to destroy our bond filling every pore of my body.

"Adeline, I can feel your hurt. I'm not going to make you live like Jo." Heloix murmurs, stepping towards me once more.

I move away from him, rejecting his advances, and grab onto the handle of the suitcase. I clench it tightly within my fist as I yank it away from him.

"Oh? So you're going to publicly claim me and make me Queen consort?" I retort, snorting at the end of my words.

Heloix has made it quite clear that he has no plans to follow through on such an action, avoiding the question every time I ask. He dodges every question I bring up to him, acting as if all of this is news to him as well.

My lips pull down into a frown as I continue. "You're going to claim some other woman and stick me into a role of shitty mistress."

I turn and walk towards the door, pacing slightly as I vent my anger. "I want to go back to King Richard's."

A loud growl emerges from Heloix's chest as I say this, the noise prompting me to spin around and watch as his eyes flash in anger. I notice his lips pushing out slightly as his canines begin to extend, but I pay them no mind.

I may not know much about Beast culture, but I do know that their mates are sacred. His Beast won't hurt me, even if the man that is tied to it would.

"No!" Heloix snaps, quickly moving forward to grip my arms and put an end to my pacing. "And I told you I'm not going to take another."

Rolling my eyes, I rip my arm from his and move back to the suitcase I abandoned. Lies. All he says to me are lies, and if it's not a direct lie then an admittance of the truth, which is practically the same thing.

"Then why don't you tell me what you are going to do." I snap.

"Fuck Adeline, I don't know." Heloix sighs, bringing his hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I need time to figure it out."

I scoff, not believing him for one second. He's had more than enough time to figure it out, and if after months he still hasn't gotten a plan then I doubt he ever will. He's going to keep me in this limbo, forced to remain by his side until his people demand he take a Beast mate.

If I were a Beast, I would reject him and find a better man who treats me as an equal. Although, if I were a Beast, we wouldn't be in this position in the first place as he would have accepted me immediately. His people would have been overjoyed that he found someone, and we'd likely already be bonded by now.

Instead, I am a human. A less-than creature who is apparently deserving of no kindness or rights, forced to live with and obey his every command.

Fighting again with the zipper, I tug on it fruitlessly before dropping it from my hands. Huffing in frustration, I turn and walk away from the object, needing to calm myself down before I start to cry.

I hear the sound of the suitcase being zipped behind me, Heloix rushing to do it while my back is turned, but I make no comment on it. He's not going to get the satisfaction of me thanking him.

"Is there anything else you want to do before leaving?" Heloix asks, desperation clear in his tone.

I shake my head. "No."

Turning to face him, I watch as he grabs both of our suitcases and heads over to the door. His head is only inches below the high doorframe, and for a second I allow myself to wonder how much joy I would feel watching him smack his head against the hard wood.

A smile threatens to break out on my face at the image, but I quickly taper it down.

Heloix's head swivels to look at me, the bag in his hand slamming against the front door at the motion.

"You happy I'm carrying your bags?" He questions, his eyes glinting with excitement.

My smirk quickly falls into a frown at his question, annoyed at his ability to feel my emotions. He didn't explain the 'how' in much detail but has assured me that he will teach me how to keep them hidden.

"No. I'm imagining you banging your head against the doorframe." I clarify, feeling satisfied as a frown settles over his face.

Serves him right.

"Adeline." He starts, pausing to watch me silently for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh and jerking his head towards the door. "When we go out there, you can't-"

"Keep my head down and mouth shut. I know the drill." I interrupt, already knowing what he was going to say.

Despite his promises that he will not treat me like Jo or as a lesser being, he continues to do precisely that. The only time he shows any kindness to me being when we are in private. I'll be damned if I accept this lying down. Either I am a slave, or I am his mate. I deserve more than this painful in-between.

The guards are silent as Heloix pushes open the door, their large frames moving to the side and opening up a path for him to pass through. He does so without hesitation, moving with long strides that carry him down the hallway and show no signs of the slumped, begging man that he was just minutes ago.

I follow behind and avoid eye contact with the guards as I pass, weary that they have heard our conversation through the door. It wouldn't surprise me if they did given their advanced hearing, although I'm sure their fear of Heloix will keep them silent.

King Stephen and his chosen mate are waiting at the front entrance to say goodbye, the King looking relaxed while his mate stands beside him with her mouth puckered. I can't imagine why she would be so upset and wonder if it has something to do with my presence.

She remains put as the King steps forward to greet us, a large smile on his face as he shakes Heloix's hand. From where I stand among the guards, I can't make out any words being said, but I see their mouths moving as they converse, their body language relaxed.

They both turn their heads towards me as they continue speaking, and Heloix shakes his head slightly, mouth continuing to form words I can't hear.

With one last nod to one another, Heloix steps away and looks towards his guards and me before gesturing for us to follow him out of the castle. We move almost urgently, the guards immediately splitting off towards the woods while Heloix moves to the car.

I expect him to get in the back as King Richard used to, but instead he moves to the driver's seat. His large frame looking silly as he tries to fit inside the small vehicle, the sight heating my face as I hold back a laugh.

Glancing between the front passenger seat and back, I hesitate for a moment before getting into the passenger seat. This may be the only opportunity I get to sit in a car like this, and I'll be damned if I let my anger at Heloix force me to sit myself in the back.

The air smells stale as I get inside, signaling the infrequency that this car is used, but is quickly forgotten as I settle into the seat and slam the door closed.

"How long is the drive?" I ask, watching as Heloix adjusts the seat.

He needs to move it all the way back to fit, but even when fully extended he looks cramped, his knees bent awkwardly in order for his feet to rest comfortably at the pedals. His hand moves up to adjust the mirror near his head, the reflection showing what's behind the car.

"About thirteen hours." He responds, the car purring to life as he presses the ignition. "Would be quicker if we took a horse."

I frown, shaking my head no. It's already been proven that I don't have much willpower when so close to Heloix, and I don't want to put myself in a position to be manipulated by his touch. I'm also wary of walking through the forest surrounding the castle again, fearful of the Beasts that roam within.

Heloix begins adjusting the gear shift that sits between us, moving it down a couple of notches before hitting the gas. The car jerking forward in response, and I grip the door handle in panic as Heloix gets used to the vehicle.

When he so confidently got in the driver's seat, I was led to believe that he would know how to operate this machine, but as I experience him jerkily pull out of the driveway, I realize that my assumption was far from correct.

We both sit in silence as Heloix begins the long journey, the only sound being the rumbling of the engine and wind hitting against the windshield. As we move forward, large estates come into view, miles of land and rolling hills between each home.

I observe them closely as we drive past, unable to see much from the distance but still in awe of the beautiful architecture. As we pass the older ones, I can't help but wonder if they were built by and once owned by humans, their large families running through the halls living independent, free lives.

The thought does nothing but make me sad, knowing that I will never see a world where my kind can own property and have rights.

"You never asked what I took from the wall back at the castle." Heloix speaks up, glancing over at me.

I turn to look at him, narrowing my eyes as I try to decipher if he is trying to mess with me or not. A small smile sits on his face as he waits for me to ask and I let out a small sigh, feeling intrigued as I take the bait.

"What did you take?" I give in.

With a large grin, Heloix reaches into his pocket and pulls out a round metallic device. He holds it out to me proudly, and I tentatively grab onto the object. It's pretty light, the flat disc reflecting bright colors.

Turning it over, I notice a faded image on top, but time has made it unrecognizable.

"What is it?" I ask, flipping the object around once more.

Heloix reaches out and grabs it from me, his fingers lightly brushing against mine. I move away from the touch, not wanting any contact with his skin. Carefully Heloix sets it down in the center console, his oversized fingers holding onto the object gingerly.

"I found it when I was living at the castle. It's an object that the humans used to use to listen to music." He explains, observing me as he speaks.

Snapping my face towards him, I try to keep the excitement out of my body language as I glance between him and the disc.

"How does it work?"

At my question Heloix shrugs, grimacing slightly. "I'm not exactly sure about that. But I'll figure it out and we can listen to the music together."

I'm not necessarily excited about partaking in these pleasures with him, but I don't voice those feelings aloud. I don't want him to take the option away from me in punishment. Once more we fall into an awkward silence, and I pretend not to notice Heloix constantly glancing over at me every couple of minutes, his eyes boring holes into the sides of my head.

Eventually he lets out a loud sigh, but I ignore the sound and lean my head back against the seat. Closing my eyes, I relax into the cushion and pretend to be asleep in the hopes that it will make Heloix leave me alone. Another loud sigh falls from his lips as I do this, though, his intentions clearly to draw my attention.

"Addie?"

I frown slightly at the nickname but choose not to correct him. I used to feel special when he said it, small butterflies rushing through my stomach and throat, but now I just feel dirty. His affection for me having been masqueraded in lies and trickery.

"Yes?" I respond, voice flat.

"What do you want from me?" He probes.

His question successfully manages to draw my attention, and I tilt my head to glance at him. What do I want from him? I know he's referring to our mate bond, but I'm not sure of the answer.

Had he asked me prior to this trip I might have said that I wanted him to claim me. That I want him to treat me as an equal and better the treatment of the humans. Now I'm not even sure if I want that. His desperation to rid me has showcased just how little he thinks and feels for me, the knowledge making my heart ache.

"I don't want to be like Jo." I eventually respond.

Heloix lets out a deep breath at my words, clearly annoyed with me constantly repeating this. The car comes to a slow halt as he pulls over to the side of the road. I turn my head to face out the passenger window in an effort to hide my tears, but he grips my chin and forces me to look at him.

"I have no intentions of doing that." He promises, voice soft.

As much as I'd like to believe him, I'm unable to bring myself to do so. Pulling away from his touch, I cross my arms over my chest and wipe my wet cheeks against my shoulder.

"Yes, you do. That's why you brought us here."

"No, Adeline, I brought us here to see the success of the removal of the mate bond. Clearly it doesn't really work, and the life the King lives is of no interest to me." Heloix says, turning away from me to face forward. "It'll only be you."

A loud snort falls from my mouth at his words, causing him to shoot me a sharp glare.

"But nobody can know." I retort.

"Not yet. Just give me time to come up with a plan."

Chapter 34: Penance

I'm startled awake as thick arms wrap around my torso and tug me roughly into the air. Flinging out my arms, I let out a loud screech and push at the chest I'm being pulled into, my body now halfway out of the vehicle.

"Adeline, it's just me!" Heloix shouts, jerking away from my swinging arms.

It takes me a moment to register his words, my heart beating a million miles a minute as I process what's happening around me. Heloix stands next to the opening of the passenger seat, the tall walls of his castle looking imposing in the dark. Concern is written all over his face as he watches me, his arm still wrapped tightly around my stomach holding me in place.

Placing my feet firmly on the gravel, I push his arm off me and stand up, my grogginess making me slow to react.

"I was trying to carry you inside without waking you." He explains, stepping aside as he releases his hold on my waist.

I nod, having figured as much, and begin heading inside. The moon operates as a minor light source as I make my way to the castle, but I still stumble slightly over the gravel walkway. I didn't intend to sleep for so long and am shocked that I didn't wake as Heloix parked the car or opened my door. I'm not upset about it, though, my mind having needed a moment to relax after the whirlwind of a day I had.

The thought of going back to the King's wing makes me nervous as I feel uncertain of what to expect once I am alone once more with Heloix. The space is large enough that I should be able to avoid him easily, but I fear that he will constantly be seeking me out, trying to start a conversation and convince me to forgive him.

The castle is eerily silent as I enter, the dark hallways feeling ominous and unsafe. I've always been careful to stay away during the night, not wanting to risk running into a Beast out prowling for some poor human to grab. Admittedly I know that nothing will happen while Heloix is here, but I'm still cautious to keep quiet and walk against the wall as I make my way to our wing.

Heloix, on the other hand, makes no effort to be stealthy, his boots clinking loudly against the floor behind me and echoing down the corridors. For a moment I contemplate turning and hushing him, but think better of it last minute and remain quiet, opting instead to silently suffer every time his foot makes contact with the ground.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding when we finally made it to our destination, my chest collapsing in relief. While we may have only been gone for two days, my body is reacting like I've been gone for weeks, wanting nothing more than to lay back and relax.

"Are you hungry?" Heloix asks as I enter the living room, our bags dropping from his hands with a loud thud.

Despite the empty ache in my stomach, I shake my head no, not wanting to spend any more time with him than absolutely necessary. I'll make sure to get up early tomorrow and eat breakfast with the humans back in the servant's quarters.

Eyeing the door to my bedroom, I waste no time heading over to it, eager to crawl into bed and be alone. The second I begin walking I hear loud footsteps behind me, and the next thing I know Heloix is in front of me with darkened eyes blocking my path.

"How long do you plan to ignore me for?" He growls, chest puffing out as he speaks.

I let out a quiet sigh at his question, bringing my bottom lip between my teeth and nervously chewing on the skin. The last thing I want is to push him too far and force out his Beast, but he takes it two steps too far every time I ease up on him.

"I'm not ignoring you." I eventually say, clasping my hands behind my back and rocking back slightly on my heels. "I'm just not interested in speaking to you."

Heloix moves forward a step as he absorbs my response, his large frame hovering over me in a way that would typically bring excited goosebumps to my skin. As much as I try not to think about it, my body lets out a slight shiver at his proximity, my brain happy that such a powerful man is fighting for me,

"I'm your mate just as much as you're mine." He murmurs, lifting his hand and grazing his fingertips across my cheek. I don't immediately pull away, and Heloix takes that as a sign to continue, his hand moving to push back my hair and tucking the loose strands behind my ear.

A small part of me wants to move into his hand and enjoy the touch, but I shove that part of me down. Moving back, I pull my face away until his hand falls back to his side. He frowns at my reaction to him but otherwise remains silent.

"I don't have a mate."

My words are meant to hurt, but I can't help the shock of regret that shoots through me as Heloix face falls, his shoulders hunching forward slightly. It's a drastic change from his typical haughty composure, making me wish to take the words back right away.

Despite my anger towards him, my intentions aren't to bring him pain like he has brought me.

"Someday you will regret saying such mean words to me." He says, stepping back slightly.

I shrug slightly in response, unwilling to apologize for my statement. "Someday you will regret treating me like shit."

Heloix's eyes narrow at my words, his pupils dilating as he tries to rein in his anger. A slight shiver of fear rushes through me, but I quickly taper it down, telling myself that if he wanted to hurt me that he would have done so already.

"I already do, Adeline. That's what I've been trying to tell you." Heloix explains, his words followed up with a deep rumbling as his Beast expresses his displeasure.

I'm sure it goes against his nature to admit regret, his Beast visibly unhappy with being backed into it. I wonder if he would even bother if I weren't his mate. Probably not.

"Yeah, well you chose to regret it too late." I snap.

Feeling both hurt and frustrated, I shove past Heloix, my shoulder painfully bumping against his arm as I make my way to my bedroom. I'm fully aware that the shove will bring him no pain and will only serve to hurt me, but it's effective in getting my point across.

My feet stomp against the floor as I make my way across the room, mildly embarrassed by my childish temper tantrum. Heloix's hand comes out and grips my arm just as I reach the entrance to my room, his large palm wrapping tightly around the muscle.

I spin around to face him, my eyes hard as I wait for him to tell me what he wants. His other hand comes up to grip me as well, holding me firmly in place as his eyes bore into mine.

"Tell me what I can do to make this right."

Heloix smiles at my lack of rebuttal, his knees bending so he is closer to eye level with me. Even hunched over he is still taller, but it does the trick and helps to settle my racing heart.

"Tell me what I can do to earn your forgiveness. Then we can discuss and determine what is feasible." He explains, hands sliding down my arms until they rest at my wrists.

I glance down at my arms, eyeing his hands wrapped loosely around them. His thumb rests against the center of my palm as he waits for my response, the digit rubbing reassuringly against me.

Holding my head up high, I square my shoulders and look Heloix in the eye. "I want you to treat the humans as equals, and I want you to stop acting as if I am some huge secret that you are ashamed of."

Heloix sighs at my request, his right hand releasing my wrist to push back at his hair, the curls wild and unkempt after the long day of traveling. I watch the motion carefully, feeling guilty as I admire him. My stomach twists in my gut as his tongue pops out and wettens his lips, and I hope desperately that he can't sense my thoughts.

"Those are long-term projects." He murmurs, hand returning to its position only wrist. "Is there anything else?"

"No." I quickly respond, stepping back and putting some space between us. "I won't forgive you until they are done."

Chapter 35: Fruit

"Trouble in paradise?" John asks, laughing to himself as he shoves another fry in his mouth.

I shrug, rolling my eyes. "You could say that."

I watch John with mild disgust, his sloppiness with the food making him a greasy mess. He lets out a loud gulp as he swallows what's in his mouth, tongue peeking out to lick at his lips. An unpleasant shiver runs through me at the sight but I try my best not to judge, remembering how similarly I ate the first time Heloix gave me food.

I can't imagine I looked much better scarfing down the pasta, barely chewing on it before swallowing and shoving another heaping forkful in my mouth. Heloix didn't seem to mind, though, a large smile on his face the entire time he watched me eat.

"You still ignoring him?" John probes, sticking a greasy finger into his mouth and sucking harshly on the digit in an attempt to clean it.

"Kinda. We haven't really spoken since we got back." I explain, unsure how much I should tell him.

I've gone back and forth many times on whether I should inform him that Heloix told me I am his mate, but each time I go to say it I chicken out, afraid of John's judgment. It's no secret that he isn't a big fan of Heloix, and I don't want him to think of me differently because of it.

Reaching forward, I pick up a fry and plop it in my mouth, humming in pleasure at the salty taste. Heloix recently changed the menu for the slaves, introducing meats, cheeses, and spices to our meals. It's been so lovely, and the dining area has been jam-packed every meal time since it started, everybody eager to get their fill of the food.

"I want him to treat us better." I complain, pressing my lips together and flattening them into a straight line.

John stops chewing as I say this, his eyes narrowing as he turns his head to look at me like I'm crazy. "We have good food and he told the Beasts they can't beat or rape us anymore. What more do you want?"

I scoff, shocked that he is content with such minor improvements. Heloix has given us the bare minimum, and I want us to be treated as equals, able to make our own decisions and lead our own lives. I know that this is the only life we've ever known and it's hard to imagine anything different, but at one point we didn't serve anybody but ourselves.

When Heloix drove us home we passed hundreds if not thousands of abandoned houses that once occupied humans. He could easily reserve a piece of property for us to live in. We could be self-sufficient manage ourselves.

"Seriously?" I snort, crossing my arms in mild anger. "That's not nearly enough."

John shakes his head in response, clearly not believing that there is room for further improvement, before bringing his attention back to the fries. I watch through narrowed eyes as he picks one up, the long stick flopping over under its own weight. John spins it around in his fingers for a moment before pointing it towards me, the fry acting as a crooked, limp finger.

"I have an idea!" He exclaims, voice rising in excitement.

I glance around as I shush him, not wanting the others to overhear our conversation. Even though pretty much everybody at this point knows about Heloix and I sharing his wing, they aren't aware of any specifics and I'd like to keep it that way.

I assume they all think me to be his whore, and while I don't necessarily love that, it's better than them thinking that there are feelings involved. Being his whore is a forgivable offense, but to actually care for and love him would make me a laughing stock.

"What is it?" I whisper, desperate for any sort of help.

John smirks, a dangerous glint in his eye that has my palms sweaty.

"Orgasm."

Confused, I tilt my head to the side as John looks between me and the fry suggestively. Is he seriously suggesting that I get intimate with Heloix? That's the literal opposite of what I want right now. Despite my attraction to him, I have decided to stay away until he has decided what we are.

John drops the fry as he takes in my nonplussed reaction, a loud sigh falling from his lips.

"Hear me out! Make him orgasm and then ask for something. No man can say no when they are in that afterglow." John explains.

"I don't know about that." I admit, weary about his idea. "Heloix isn't one to just give in to things."

"Trust me."

I look at John curiously, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at his dancing eyebrows, before glancing down at the forgotten fry.

"I wouldn't even know what to do." I admit, cheeks heating up in embarrassment.

My experience with boys is quite limited. Other than a couple of heavy make-out sessions and some over-the-clothing fondling, I haven't done much. My job was always to clean King Richard's quarters, which didn't exactly lead to a lot of socializing with the other humans, and when I came here Heloix prevented me from completing my plans with John.

John lets out a loud laugh, his hand reaching towards the fruit basket at the end of the table and grabbing a bundle of bananas. "Let's go to your room."

Without waiting for my response he jumps up out of his seat and begins rushing out of the dining room, his long legs carrying him quickly out of sight. I watch after him for a moment before letting out a nervous sigh and following after him, face flaming as I realize what he intends with the bananas.

A part of me wants to stop him and demand he forget that I even mentioned anything, but a more significant part of me is intrigued. If what he says is accurate and I can get Heloix to agree to things after he has cum, then it might be worth trying.

John and I giggle as we make our way through the castle, ignoring both the curious gazes of the guards and annoyed glances from the humans as we pass. I understand their frustration, knowing that I'd be upset too if I had to spend all day working while a select few get to mess around.

"John, slow down!" I hiss, feet clomping loudly against the floor as I struggle to keep up.

He slows only slightly, his excitement apparent as he continues at a pace that makes me scramble. This isn't the first time he has tried to teach me the 'ways of pleasure' as he likes to put it, but it is the first time I've agreed. Until now, there has never really been a need for me to learn. My interest in being with a man only ignited after meeting Heloix.

John and I barrel into Heloix's wing chuckling, both of us taking pleasure in being so obnoxious at this moment. Without warning John stops in front of me, the sudden halt causing me to crash into his back with a shocked grunt.

Glancing around his torso, my body stiffens as I spot the cause. Heloix stands in the middle of the room, dressed in his usual work attire with a stack of papers in his hand. He's always already left for his office by now, and no part of me anticipated running into him here.

Nervously, I watch as his eyes dart between John and me before lowering to the bunch of bananas John holds. He raises an eyebrow at the objects, lips pursing slightly as he slides his gaze back to my shocked face.

"What's going on here?" He asks, sounding surprisingly calm.

I move to stand in front of John, feeling protective over him. "We were just messing around."

"I can tell." He murmurs, lip turning up slightly on the side. "Could hear you both scurrying here from all the way down the hall."

I don't respond to him, unsure what to say or do. John still isn't allowed to be alone with me and I don't know how Heloix will react to the fact that we both just entered his private wing together. He doesn't seem too upset, though, watching us both with only mild interest.

A small bead of sweat makes its way down my arm, trailing from my armpit to my rib cage as I wait for Heloix to say something. Shifting my weight from foot to foot, I glance up at him through my eyelashes and pray that he doesn't punish John.

"I'll be in my office. Stay out of your bedroom." He finally murmurs, adjusting the papers he holds and moving towards us.

John and I both move out of the way as he approaches, stepping to the side to give him access to the door we just entered through. Heloix's eyes remain locked on mine as he makes his way towards us, his feet coming to a slow stop as he reaches me. My pulse races as he bends down and levels his face with mine, his cheek brushing softly against me as his breath hitting my ear.

"I'm only allowing this because I could sense your desire for me well before you came into this room. I'll be able to know if it's ever directed at another." He whispers into my ear, voice a low murmur. "Keep that in mind."

A shocked gasp falls from my lips at his words, embarrassment flaring to life inside of me at the knowledge that he knows of my hidden desires. I fumble backward a step, bumping against John's front as Heloix lets out a quiet laugh at my reaction. Thankfully he doesn't say anything further and swiftly exits the room, leaving John and me alone.

"What'd he say?" John asks the second the door closes.

I shake my head, cheeks turning red as he holds back a smirk. Heloix wasn't exactly quiet with his words, and I know that John heard each one of them loud and clear. I'm sure that was Heloix's intention, though, to make his claim on me known.

John continues laughing at me, his shoulders shaking and hair falling limply over his eyes. I stare at him unamused as he bends over wheezing, his hands on his knees to support himself.

"Are you quite finished?" I snap.

Sensing my anger, John reins himself in, his chuckling ceasing. I stare at him blankly as he calms down, an annoyed groan falling from my lips as he holds up the bananas with a grin and prances over to the kitchen island.

"Let's get the show on the road." He announces, dropping the bunch on the counter and ripping the first banana off.

He holds it out to me, a large smile on his face as I hesitantly grab onto the fruit. Although I didn't get a great look when I watched Heloix touching himself in the shower, I know for sure that he is larger than this banana in both girth and length. Unwilling to share this information with John, though, I hold up the fruit with a grimace and shrug.

It's better than nothing.

I look between John and the banana, unsure of where to start and fearful of doing something wrong and being laughed at. He offers no guidance, and with a quiet sigh I begin to peel back the skin, my heart racing in embarrassment at what I'm about to do.

"Great. Now stick it down your throat." John instructs as I drop the peel onto the counter.

Grasping the banana tightly at the base, I give it a weary once over before bringing it to my lips. I understand the basics of what to do and wrap my lips around the fruit, sliding it gently between them, my tongue guiding the way.

John tilts his head to the side, observing me. "Less teeth."

Shooting him a glare, I open my mouth a bit wider to make sure my teeth aren't touching the skin of the banana. My face is hot as I continue, sliding the fruit back out until just the tip remains in my mouth before pushing it back in.

"That's good. Try getting it back further."

With a slight nod, I push the fruit back further, the tip of it only lightly brushing against the back of my throat before I'm yanking it out with an unattractive gag.

"Try again. This time take deep breaths through your nose. Should help with the gagging." John instructs, opening his mouth into a wide O and breathing in through his nose, demonstrating to me what he means.

I take a deep breath to collect myself, the fruit squishing slightly under my tight grip. Once more, I bring it to my lips, sliding it deep into my mouth and breathing as John instructed. It helps, and I'm able to get it a good way down before gagging once more.

I try this a couple more times before John gets me a new banana, the one I'm using having turned into a mushy mess.

He shoves the fruit into my hand, a large smile on his face. "Now, try using your hand. Move it up and down with your mouth. Your spit should help it glide."

Feeling my confidence start to rise, I eagerly do as he said, holding into the base of the banana with my left hand to keep it steady while I slide my right up and down the fruit, my mouth matching the motions.

I can tell I'm starting to get the hang of it, my gagging happening less frequently and spit seeping out of the corners of my mouth at the effort. I continue the motions until the fruit has gone mushy, pulling back once it's no longer usable and grabbing another.

The firmness of the fresh banana allows me to push it further into my throat, the long object disappearing more than halfway down my esophagus. Abruptly John lets out a loud clap, the sound startling me and causing my throat to clench up in response. The fruit breaks off into my throat before I can register what's happening, my eyes going wide in panic as I realize that it's torn.

Dropping the remaining bit into the floor, I immediately begin to panic and trying coughing in an attempt to force the object out of my throat. It doesn't so much as move an inch, and John rushes around my body to smack my back in an attempt to dislodge it.

Tears pour out of my eyes as I try to breathe, but the object completely blocks my airway and lets nothing through. I look to John for help, jumping slightly in panic as I watch him begin to freak out.

"Jesus fuck, Addie. Why are you always doing this to me?" He shouts, running around me and out the front door, the wood slamming shut with a loud bang.

I move to chase after him but my feet stay planted to the floor, hands scratching at my throat in sheer desperation. Tears continue down my cheeks as I choke, my body heaving as it tries to take in oxygen.

A loud slam draws my attention back to the door, and I look up to see Heloix storming into the room; John hunched over as he stumbles behind, his hair being held firmly within Heloix's fist.

He drops John as he takes in my state, fear crossing his features as he rushes over and grabs my shoulders to forcibly spin me around towards the wall. His arms wrap around my waist and he settles his hands under my navel despite my panicky flailing, his fists pushing up painfully against the muscle. The motion jerks me forward and Heloix repeats it once more without pause, forcing the banana out of my throat and onto the wall.

The second my airway is clear I'm taking in panicked breaths, my body desperate to fill my blood with its much-needed oxygen. I slump against Heloix as I recover, finding comfort within his arms as he continues to hold me against his stomach.

I can hear him mumbling words into my hair, his deep voice sending vibrations through my body, but am unable to focus enough to make them out. His body curves around mine as I hunch forward, leaving no space between us as my panic slowly begins to subside.

"You're okay, Addie. You're fine." He repeats, and I nod against him, needing the confirmation.

Eventually, my heart rate settles back down and I'm able to stand up by myself, shaky arms pushing against the wall as I move away from Heloix.

Turning to face John and Heloix, embarrassment quickly settles over me as I notice they are both staring at me in shock. John stands by the door, quietly rubbing his head where Heloix grabbed and dragged him in, and Heloix stands directly in front of me, clearly waiting for some sort of explanation.

I don't immediately offer him one, mind racing as I struggle to come up with a lie. Nothing that I think of is even remotely believable, though, and I end up staring at Heloix with wide, panicked eyes.

"Would you care to explain why there was half a banana in your throat?" Heloix asks, glancing at the mashed up, used ones sitting on the counter. "And whatever the fuck this is?"

My eyes dart over to John, mouth flopping open like a fish as I struggle to come up with anything. Heloix watches me through narrowed eyes, eyes flashing as he senses my distress.

Tilting slightly to the side, Heloix looks towards John, lips pursing as he eyes him standing in the corner.

"Explain." He commands. John doesn't even hesitate before snitching.

"Adeline was learning how to give a blowjob." He blurts out, words coming out slurred with how fast he confesses. I shoot John a stern glare, annoyed that he gave into Heloix's question so readily.

The room is dead silent after John's confession, Heloix's eyes shifting to a deep black as he turns his focus back on me.

"Leave, human." Heloix orders, voice guttural and deep as he speaks around his extending canines.

John obeys immediately, running out of the room as fast as his legs will carry him. I watch him leave with a frown, both annoyed and embarrassed that he shared that information with Heloix and now gets to go, leaving me to deal with the angry Beast alone.

I refuse to make eye contact with Heloix as he moves towards me, instead opting to stare at his broad chest. My face is flaming as he reaches over and grabs the last remaining banana, long fingers peeling back the skin of the fruit.

He drops the skin onto the floor between us and holds the pale yellow object out to me, urging me to take it.

"Show me."