Marriage

In the next two days, Aelin mostly spent her time sleeping and reflecting on her memories. She won't be an idiot like last time contacting police, asking for help from others. Darius controls most of the economic and political decisions in the country X and all her actions are informed back to him. No one has the guts to offend him and those who do are his enemies. In her last life, she stole secret documents from Darius and gave it to his cousin Rowan in exchange he promised to help her escape from country X. But she was betrayed, he decided to kill her as soon as he got his hands on the documents. In the end, Darius had to take the bullet for her. This time she will make sure to repay that bullet to Rowan.

Darius will come to her room again tonight and tomorrow he will send her back to the island. If it is just like her last life, then he will keep her there for the next six months. She can't let that happen. She can't waste so much time. She needs to build her power. She needs strength to protect herself. She needs to talk to Darius tonight and come to a compromise.

...

"knock, knock." The door opens and Darius walks in. His body is tall and muscular, perfectly proportioned.  With a face like his, she was sure he could have any woman he wanted. Probably he has which was why she doesn't understand why he keeps her bound to himself. He smiles at her.

"I heard you are not taking your meals properly, Aelin. Is it not to your taste?"

He asks, her heart pounding in her chest as he stops next to her and lifts his hand to stroke her hair.

"I just had a lot to think about."

His voice is soft, his gaze hypnotic as he looks down at her.

"like?"

The way he's touching her hair is oddly relaxing. She blinks, trying to break his spell. 

"Are you going to send me back to the island?" She blurted out.

His hand caresses her face, curves around her cheek.

"Yes"

She immediately stiffens. 

"Can you change your decision? I promise I will behave this time and not cause more trouble."

The smile leaves his face. He doesn't answer, just looks at her with an inscrutable blue gaze. 

She gathers her courage and pleads.

"I will do anything you say but please please don't send me back there. It is very lonely waiting for you there alone. I know I did a lot of stupid things in the past but believe me I did a lot of thinking and I want to restart our relationship. I want to get to know you more. so please give me a chance."

"let's get married tomorrow."

"I... huh?" She cocks her head to the side. In her last life, she was forced to marry him after six months when she was brought back to the capital. As it was going to happen anyway so she agreed, "Okay."

And then he leans down and kisses her, his warm lips soft and gentle on mine. For a second, she stood there frozen, unresponsive. 

"You are going to accompany me to bed every night for now on."

And then he picks her up and takes her to bed. He is gentle with her nothing like the ferocious beast of the first night.