Bloodbound to the Beastly King

Adina paced around. The room felt too tight, like it was closing in on her. Her mind was too full. Freya's voice still echoed in her head—those cruel words, the threats, the sneers. Each word that left her lips was designed to hurt her.

Adina hated that she didn't do much. She was still lacking in so many ways. She should've yelled louder, pushed her harder, fought more.

Why had she let Freya get under her skin like that?

Adina dragged a hand through her curls and let out a frustrated sigh. She hated feeling like this. Feeling like this wasn't new to her. It was almost like a second skin at this point, and she detested it. Like the scared girl who used to flinch at Roman's footsteps and bite her tongue when Cassandra laughed too loud. Or jump in fright whenever Cassandra's father raised his hand.

How long will she continue to jump in fright whenever another Cassandra comes along? No— She had to break out of this shell.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her breath shaky. Freya was so bold, thinking she knew Adina so well, but what she saw was a glimpse of the torture she'd been made to live for a decade.

She took a deep breath, struggling to calm her nerves. There was no need to be this rattled. She was certain Thorne knew of her past more than just Cassandra's pup death. There was no way in hell Roman would just hand her over to Obsidian without giving such vital information, especially since it would ruin her chances in Obsidian. With how hurt he was about her stabbing Cassandra and killing their pup, he would've done anything in his power to ruin her too.

She shook her head. There was no need to worry anymore. Those days were long behind her.

Things were different. Life was better—hell, she was better. Safer even. She had a roof over her head, a purpose, and… him. Thorne. As complicated and confusing as their relationship was. One thing she was certain of was that he didn't treat her the way Roman did.

Adina exhaled shakily, rubbing her arms. I have to stop being so afraid.

She glanced at the clock; it was late at night now—threading towards midnight, and Thorne hadn't gone to his room still.

Her insides were buzzing with nerves. She wanted to see him. Perhaps talk to him too. This time she'd made up her mind to embrace how she felt.

Her thoughts ran back to what Kora had told her earlier. The concubines were leaving.

Adina had been stunned to her core. This was something she didn't think she'd be hearing anytime soon. Not until when it left Kora's lips. And even as at that, it still felt surreal.

She shook her head, pulling her out of her thoughts. Minutes had passed by again, and Thorne still hadn't turned into his room.

Adina paced around her room restlessly, her mind buzzing with different thoughts. She froze when she heard footsteps shuffling outside her door.

Her heart pounding hard in her chest like she would be seeing Thorne for the very first time. She rushed and pulled the door open, eyes landing on Thorne's door, which was now slightly ajar, the light from inside filtering out through the space.

He was back!

She walked quickly towards the door, practicing what she was going to say to him, but the thought went right down the drain when the door opened wider and he stepped out.

Except—it wasn't him. It was Caelum.

Adina's eyes widened dramatically as she stopped dead in her tracks, the wide smile she wore slowly faded off the second she laid eyes on the beta.

"B-beta Caelum," she stammered, eyes flickering behind him to see if Thorne was there, but no. It was only the beta.

"You don't have to look so excited. It's just me," Caelum said, and she blinked.

"W-what?" She shook her head, smiling awkwardly. "I was only checking if the king had arrived. I um…wanted to show him…"

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. The king isn't here though," he replied, a teasing smirk on his face.

Adina's face burned red, knowing he was only teasing her. "I um…I'll just leave," she mumbled, bowing to the man then turned to leave.

Biting her lips hard at the embarrassment, she quickened her pace, knowing the beta was still standing behind. Before she could make it into the room, he called out to her.

"Adina."

She turned around to look at him.

"The king is in his study. He might be there all night," he said, and she nodded, ready to bolt into the room.

"He wants tea. You should bring him some tea," he said, shooting a quick smile her way before walking off.

Adina couldn't help the smile that made its way to her face. Tea? She could do tea. It gave her a reason to see him. She could totally bring him tea.

Ten minutes later, she stood outside the king's office, a tray in her hands, her breath held tight in her lungs.

She could hear faint movement inside, papers rustling, a chair scraping. Beta Caelum was right; he was in the study.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the door. She waited but got no response, so she knocked again, and again, and again.

"Come in," he said, his voice low and tired but also irritated?

Adina slowly stepped in, not looking at him just yet. Her eyes were on the table; there were papers everywhere, ink, crumpled papers. It was a mess. And then… she looked up.

Thorne was seated behind his desk, his sleeves rolled up, his dark hair slightly tousled, eyes locked on a document. He hadn't looked at her yet.

"Caelum, I told you to—" he paused as his nose flared, taking in the rather sweet scent that filled the air, and he instantly looked up.

His eyes locked on hers.

"I—um—brought you some tea," she paused, heart beating fast in her chest as she stared at him, she couldn't look away even if she wanted to. "Beta Caelum said you asked for some," she said, her voice softer than usual.

"I did?" Thorne asked, leaning further into the chair now, his gaze focused entirely on her.

Adina paused, blinking rapidly. "You… didn't?" Her voice wobbled slightly, mortified. "Oh, I—he said—you must've mentioned it and he just assumed and—"

"Adina," his voice cut through her spiral, calm and firm.

She looked up again, and this time, the heat in his gaze was unmistakable.

"Bring it here," he ordered.

Her knees weakened at the sound of his voice, and she swallowed; the tray suddenly felt heavier in her hands. Slowly, she crossed the room, careful not to stumble over her own feet. She set the tray down on the desk in front of him, her hands brushing against the warm teacup. She didn't know what to do next. Her breath hitched when she felt his eyes trailing her every movement.

Okay—She had wanted to see him, but this wasn't what she had envisioned. Or maybe it was. She couldn't really tell anymore, not when it felt like her body was growing hotter with each passing second.

She was about to turn away and leave like she always did, but his hand reached out, catching her wrist gently.

"Stay."

Her heart stopped.

Thorne stood up slowly from his seat, his full height dwarfing her as he stepped around the desk. She felt like the air had thickened, like it was suddenly too hard to breathe properly.

She gulped hard, leaning back slightly to create some space between them. She couldn't think straight with him being so close. It was almost like his entire body was clouding her mind.

Thorne stared at her, watched her lips part and close like she couldn't think of what to say; he watched as she swallowed hard, leaning back until there was no place to run to anymore. He closed the distance between them, pressing her back against the desk.

Adina whimpered at the close proximity between them. "M-my king," she stammered.

"Thorne."

She blinked, her brain going into overdrive. What did he say? She snapped her eyes at him, shocked.

"W-what?" She choked out.

"Thorne. Call me by my name," he said calmly, and if Adina weren't already losing her mind internally, she probably would be.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. His fingers skimmed up her arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "Say it. T.H.O.R.N.E."

Adina practically trembled, her face flushed hard. It felt like she was delirious, or perhaps she was. She blinked, and no—it was real. He was standing right in front of her, staring, waiting.

"Thorne," she whispered, and gods, it felt so right.

"Thorne," she whispered again, this time slower, like she was tasting it on her tongue for the first time.

He inhaled sharply, like the sound of his name from her lips did something to him. His hand moved to cup her cheek, thumb brushing over her skin with a softness that had her eyes fluttering.

"You—" he trailed off, and she opened her eyes, staring at him. His jaw was clenched hard, veins straining at his hands, like he was restraining himself.

"Adina.." he called out her name softly, their gaze locked on the other. "I'm trying so fucking hard to not touch you."

Adina blinked, "Why?"

"Because if I touch you," he continued, voice husky, "I won't stop."

And gods, the way he was looking at her… like she was the only thing he'd ever wanted. Like she could burn him alive, and he'd thank her for it.

Adina felt her pulse in her ears. She'd made up her mind. She was going to take and accept anything he wants to give her. She wasn't going to hold back anymore. Her lips parted slightly. "Then don't."

That was all it took.