Chapter 61

The audacity! The absolute audacity on this guy!

I could only bite my lip to hold back the series of curses that threatened to escape.

Nothing had changed my belief that we of all people should not marry. Nothing. And it was infuriating knowing that he knew that all too well. He knew I wouldn't yield to being his duchess.

For a moment I couldn't help but question if all of this, everything from when Justin had stepped foot on the fief, had been planned for this result. For a moment, paranoia hit me as I pondered if another surprise were on its way.

I knew Cain was manipulative. He had always been and has proven it again and again, but this took the cake.

Because he knew I couldn't say no.

He was so desperate for me to say yes he backed me up against the wall with a knife to my neck.

I looked at the jewel of the ring and took a deep breath. My eyes were mesmerized by it. It was a deep red, so deep it might've been black in the darkness, but in the soft light, it conveyed so many shades of red it almost looked like the bud of a rose.

I looked away when I heard Cain clear his throat. I expected a smug smile. But what I got was far from that. I looked to be in a position of power despite being cornered.

His hands were trembling and I could it is reflected in his pupils that looked at me nervously. For a second he bit his lip as if he was having doubts. I found myself quiet, watching him. Trying to figure out why he was so shaken and scared.

Did the idea of getting married to me frighten him? Was he getting cold feet?

I looked back into his eyes and I could see him breaking with each passing second until he finally spoke.

"Would you hate the idea of spending the rest of your life with so much that you'd kill your friend?" His voice dripped with disbelief and a hint of desperate curiosity.

"Of course not!" I denied it, shocked at the question. "How could you think that?"

He looked away, a frown on his face. I couldn't help but notice how... sincere he looked despite blackmailing me.

"For a moment I wondered if you just hated me that much" Though his words were probably a sensitive revelation he smirked at me, covering what might have been a sardonic expression.

"I don't hate you..." I countered reluctantly.

"Then... will you?" He lifted the ring again and once again I stared back at the jewel.

With a sigh, I lifted a hand towards the ring, but when I came within an inch of it I suddenly couldn't move it forward. It was like a barrier was stopping me. I looked to Cain in confusion and found him watching my fingers as if enchanted. Noticing my gaze he shook his head slightly and with a grin that was too wide said.

"You have to say the words first" I could hear the excitement in his voice, he didn't bother hiding that.

With a deep breath, I lifted my head.

"Yes. I will marry you".

The ring disappeared and next appeared wrapped snugly around my ring finger, but before I could open my mouth to question it warm lips were suddenly on mine. Cain's strong hands were on my cheek, the other behind my head as he pulled me towards him deepening the kiss. His tongue glided across my lower lip asking for permission to enter and in the confusion I let him enter. The moment our tongues touched I could feel all reason leave me as my arms wrapped around his neck.

I was barely thinking as I was drowning in him. His scent filled my core. That musky smell had me feeling intoxicated even from afar. I loved the way his fingers desperate, yet gently glided across my body.

I wasn't sure how long had passed, but it certainly hadn't felt like a small amount of time when I needed to pull away for a breath of air. Cain stopped, albeit hesitantly. No sign of a lack of oxygen troubling him except his heavy breaths. His eyes looked to mine and his lips wore a smile I rarely saw on him. It was as if I were the most precious thing he had ever laid eyes on.

He pressed his lips on my head and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. I hadn't even realized that I was no longer sitting on the chair but placed on his lap while he sat on the chair.

He suddenly pulled away, stood up, and looked towards the hallway.

"We have company. You might want to straighten up" He gave me a cheeky grin and I blushed, instantly sorting my ruffled dress.

I couldn't but question his lack of annoyance at being interrupted. I didn't bother questioning how he knew he was about to be interrupted before anyone had knocked. Mostly because I had been surprised by this skill of his myself.

There was a knock and the familiar voice of the hero sounded behind the door.

"Young duke, I'd like a word" He didn't sound happy.

"You fool! I told you they were in the middle of something!" I heard Will snap and felt my face burning as I lowered it. Cain chuckled at my reaction.

"Come in". He straightened up and spoke respectably, portraying the image of a capable duke. I couldn't help but squirm at the fact that I may soon have to be able to portray such elegance.

No. I looked at the ring on my finger. I will have to.

The door opened and the hero stepped inside. Immediately the room looked much smaller than before. Those purple eyes stared sternly at Cain for a few seconds, but then softened as if in defeat. Will snorted at him as if in on an inside joke.

"There's no use trying to intimidate you when I have no right to do so," He said with a sigh and then looked to me with an apologetic smile, "but there's one thing I can do as your father".

He reached inside his cloak, rummaging what was probably a hidden pocket, and then pulled out a sphere. It was a perfect sphere. Deep bronze in color. I might've thought it was just a ball of brass had it not begun to shake slightly and then still completely.

He placed it on the desk before Cain who ogled the ball while I raised a brow at it.

It was just a ball... how did this have anything to do with being a father.

"I can't believe this" Cain spoke in awe, he leaned towards the egg. For a moment he resembled the one boy I had once been close friends with, "Is this an actual phoenix egg? aren't they extinct?"

"They were apparently, but after barely scraping past the demon lord I managed to get a hold of this. He offered it to me as a truce" Kendrick explained while I flinched at the name.

He had crossed paths with the demon lord and lived? I couldn't help but somehow admire him and feel strangely proud. I guess Will might have noticed my feelings because he spoke up.

"I was there too!"

Kendrick threw an inquisitive glance and Cain just ignored him.

"This is priceless" he let out a shaky breath.

"Exactly" Kendrick's immediate response had Cain narrowing his eyes as he finally understood what was happening.