Sadist

I love you because the entire universe conspired to help me find you.

—Paul Coelho, The Alchemist

•❅──────✧❅✦❅✧──────❅•

Theo tapped his fingers rhythmically on the marble table, waiting for someone to arrive. The tapping was transforming into music as he continued playing a melody that he had suddenly recalled from his past memories.

The door opened and his fingers lay still on the table with no sign of any movement. Eva entered, looking around until her eyes fell on him as he stood up to pull her chair like the last time.

After Eva had sat down, she promised herself that she wouldn't speak until asked. She knew that if she started speaking the conversation would go boundless and she would say whatever came into her mind without thinking twice.

And the King would be able to twist her words in his favor which made it even harder to speak her mind.

The maids entered after a few minutes and started serving the food silently. Eva saw some of them throwing glances at the King and blushing later on. Seemed like everyone had a full-blown crush on him, she thought with a frown but why wouldn't they?

He was everything women looked for in a man. Even if he was named dangerous, the maids didn't stop stealing hidden glances. His reputation was not as bad as it seemed.

Without wasting a second, Eva dug her fork into her food and tried to eat as fast as she could. She could see the King sipping his blood from the corner of her eyes and she tried her best not to scoff when he smirked looking at her.

"Hungry?"

"Ravenous," replied Eva, taking a sip of the milk that had been placed in front of her. Now that she noticed, the foods were not similar to those she eat the day before.

The dishes were more healthy and nutritious in their ingredients. Energy-increasing foods were in majority and she silently wondered why the change was accomplished. A small voice at the back of her head muttered that it was because of her but she quickly shooed it away with a wave of her hand.

Getting encouragement was the last thing she needed right now.

While Eva was focused on her plate, Theo couldn't withdraw his gaze from her. She had tied her hair in a braid today but the wind from the windows had made little strands of hair get out. It made her appear more softer in looks if possible and full of innocence and naivety.

His demon pounded in protest; he wanted to touch her and feel her but Theo gritted his teeth in response at him. The last thing he wanted was to scare her off or appear too forceful. If she disappeared again, he didn't know if he would be able to handle it like the last time.

Placing the last bite in her mouth, Eva patted her lips clean with a napkin and got up, pushing the chair back in the process. Theo looked up at her in amusement, his eyes sparkling like a galaxy.

"You seem angry," he commented and Eva paused in her steps with her back facing him.

The door was so close! Maybe she should ignore him and walk away as if she hadn't heard him. But this was the King! What if he did something to her in anger? He had never been angry with her before so the chances were still low.

Was a chance worth it?

…

Definitely.

Eva hesitantly started walking again but was once again stopped by his daunting voice. "If you step out of the room, you should be aware of the consequences." There was a warning in his tone and Eva felt reluctance take over her limbs.

Her body seems to have decided to rile him up in return for all the times he had made her mad. It was worth it, her mind spoke and her heart bobbed his head up and down enthusiastically.

Squaring her shoulders, she continued her walk determinately when she heard the chair screech back and her hand quickly shot out to grab the door knob. The door opened and Eva got a small glimpse of the outside world before a hand came, shutting it close with enough force to keep it closed.

It was the same hand she had been obsessing over. Not the hand perhaps but the markings were something she felt attracted to the moment she had seen them. Presently her mind was far from the tattoos but on the man who was trapping her against the wall. It seemed to be his new hobby. Trapping people (especially women...) against uncomfortable places.

"Consequences," he whispered, leaning forward his warm breath touching her ear and Eva felt her knees buckle. Thankfully, he noticed her agitated condition and slid his arm down her waist, his hand curving around her hip.

If he moved a step closer, their noses would be touching and Eva feared the contact more than anything. It felt as if he was seducing her with his moves, enticing her, pushing her to come to him and ask him for whatever she wanted.

If it only was that easy...

"What are you thinking?" he asked and Eva looked up, regretting the actions as she started to get lost in the haze of his eyes just like all the previous times.

Swallowing, Eva tried to duck out from under his arms, forgetting that he still had a grip on her waist holding her in place. Picking her up, he set her down on the edge of the table, placing his arms on both sides to stop her from escaping.

She was now truly doomed.

He raised his hand, his fingers trailing down from her temple to her cheek and stopping near her lips. Eva parted her lips automatically at his touch and his gaze was heated as he dragged his gaze back to her eyes.

"Why are you so bent on being stubborn?" he asked in a whisper and Eva didn't know what to say to his question.

What was she supposed to say?

"I like riling you up too," she answered and for a whole minute, they were silent. Both their faces displayed utter shock at the words she had just spoken.

Eva was frozen in her place, unable to believe that she had just said these words aloud to the King without a drop of fear in her. The terror was now overtaking her body, making her limbs heavy at the sudden realization that she had defied him.

She had gone against the King.