14 - Deal
1546 Words
They were back again in the territory of Vael after witnessing his powers, she felt amazed, but didn’t want to show it to Vael. She knows he will be smug about it again.
Elise stood frozen, her back pressed against the cold tile wall of the grand bathroom, arms wrapped tightly around herself. Steam curled around them, thick and heavy, filling the space with a warmth that should have been comforting—but wasn’t.
Not when he was here.
Not when Vael stood under the cascading water, his red hair damp, his golden-red eyes watching her with a mix of amusement and something deeper—something that made her breath hitch.
"You're acting shy now?" Vael’s voice dripped with amusement. "Sweetie, after what we did last night, there’s nothing to hide."
Elise scowled, her eyes narrowing. "Shut up and turn around."
His smirk deepened. "Turn around? If you wanted to admire the view, you could just say so."
Her face burned. "Vael!"
With a low chuckle, he finally obliged, turning so the water washed over his back. Elise hesitated before stepping under the warm stream, her sore muscles sighing in relief despite her tension.
Still, she kept her distance.
And still, he could feel her unease.
"You’re overthinking again," Vael murmured, voice husky from the heat. "You weren’t this shy when you were moaning my name."
Elise kicked his leg. "Shut. Up."
He laughed, the sound vibrating through the air. "You’re adorable when you’re flustered, kitten."
She huffed, focusing on washing up. The heat against her skin was soothing, but the weight of Vael’s presence made her restless.
She had questions.
And knowing him, getting straight answers wouldn’t be easy.
After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"Why do you always stay in the dark?"
Vael went still for just a second.
"Do you hate light?" Elise pressed. "Or is it just for the—" she waved a hand in the air "—‘dark and brooding aesthetic’ you’ve got going on?"
Vael chuckled. "Aesthetic, huh?" He turned slightly, his glowing eyes locking onto hers through the steam. "You think I choose the darkness for style?"
"Wouldn’t put it past you."
He tilted his head, watching her like a predator watching its prey. "The dark suits me, kitten. It welcomes me."
Elise frowned. "What does that even mean?"
Vael’s smirk faded slightly. "Light… isn’t so kind to me."
Something about the way he said it made her uneasy.
"You talk like it’s alive."
"Maybe it is."
A shiver ran down her spine.
For the first time, she realized—Vael wasn’t just staying in the dark. The dark was part of him.
And yet…
"And yet," Vael murmured, stepping closer, "you shine like the sun."
Her breath caught.
The space between them shrank, the steam curling around their bodies. His eyes burned with something unreadable—something that made her heart stutter in her chest.
Elise swallowed hard, forcing herself to look away. "Stop that."
"Stop what, kitten?"
"Flirting with me in the shower."
Vael chuckled, voice thick with amusement. "Why? Afraid you’ll enjoy it?"
Her face burned.
"I hate you," she muttered under her breath, rinsing off quickly before shutting off the water.
"Hate me all you want," Vael mused, "but you still melt under my touch."
Elise kicked his shin and stormed out of the shower.
As they walked down the dimly lit hallways, Elise couldn’t help but ask, "Why is your entire house like a damn cave?"
Vael chuckled. "Told you. The dark suits me."
Elise scoffed. "You sound like an edgy teenager."
"Kitten," he sighed dramatically, "if you keep calling me names, I might get the wrong idea and think you like me."
Elise shot him a glare. "In your dreams."
He only laughed as they entered the dining room.
The space was grand—vaulted ceilings, massive windows covered in dark curtains, of course, and a long table fit for royalty.
Elise stretched, taking a seat while Vael strolled toward the kitchen.
Then, in that familiar infuriating voice, he said—
"So, kitten, do you want my d**k to be your food for today?"
Elise choked on air.
Her head snapped up. "Excuse me?!"
Vael leaned against the counter, smirking like the devil himself.
"You heard me."
Elise marched over and pinched his side. "Cook. Now."
Vael snickered, rubbing the spot where she pinched him. "So demanding."
She crossed her arms, raising a brow. "Wait. Can you even cook?"
Vael blinked, his smirk faltering just a little.
Elise grinned. "You can’t, can you?"
Vael scoffed. "Of course I can cook.”
Elise leaned forward. "Prove it."
A flicker of challenge passed between them.
Vael exhaled, rolling his shoulders. "Fine. Sit there and watch."
Elise plopped onto the chair, resting her chin on her hand, way too amused.
Vael rummaged through the cabinets, pulling out ingredients with a determined expression.
She smirked. "Do you even know where anything is?"
Vael paused. "Shut up, kitten."
Elise laughed. She had never seen him look so lost before.
Still, he moved with surprising ease, cutting up ingredients with quick, precise movements. There was something oddly mesmerizing about it—how his hands moved, the sharp focus in his eyes.
For a moment, she almost forgot he was a cocky, arrogant bastard.
Elise tapped her fingers against the table, the sizzling sound of meat hitting the pan filled the air, the rich scent of spices blending into something unexpectedly delicious.
She still couldn’t believe it. Vael. Cooking.
The same Vael who smirked like the devil and acted like he was above mortal needs.
"I can help," Elise offered, pushing her chair back.
Vael shot her a look over his shoulder. "Kitten, the only thing you need to do right now is sit there and watch."
She huffed, crossing her arms. "I’m not useless, you know."
"Never said you were," he replied smoothly. "But I’d rather you admire me than burn down my kitchen."
Elise glared. "You arrogant—"
"Ah, ah." He clicked his tongue, amusement dancing in his glowing eyes. "No need to flatter me so much, sweetie."
Elise grabbed a napkin and threw it at him. "Just focus on not burning the food again."
Vael chuckled, clearly entertained by her frustration.
Minutes later, he placed a plate in front of her. The food—despite her doubts—looked ridiculously good. Perfectly cooked meat, aromatic spices, and a side of what smelled like fresh herbs.
Elise stared. "There’s no way you made this."
Vael smirked, taking a seat across from her. "I told you, kitten. I have many talents."
She hesitated, then took a bite.
The moment the flavors hit her tongue, she nearly moaned.
"This…" She took another bite, chewing slowly. "This is unfair."
Vael leaned forward, propping his chin on his hand. "Is that admiration I hear?"
Elise swallowed, narrowing her eyes. "I take it back."
He laughed, low and rich. "You’re a terrible liar, kitten."
She rolled her eyes but continued eating.
For a moment, the atmosphere softened. The tension that usually coiled between them eased into something… almost comfortable.
Until her thoughts darkened again.
She put her fork down, her expression turning serious. "Vael."
His smirk faltered slightly. "Hmm?"
"Will you help me?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Help you?"
"Get revenge."
The air shifted.
Vael didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he studied her—his burning eyes searching hers, reading her thoughts like a book.
Elise clenched her fists. "You said you weren’t responsible for my family’s death. That someone framed D’Rath. If that’s true, then—" She inhaled sharply. "Help me find them."
Vael tilted his head, his smirk returning—but this time, it wasn’t playful. It was darker.
"You want me to spill blood for you, kitten?" His voice was dangerously smooth. "You want to see them suffer?"
Elise didn’t flinch. "Yes."
Vael exhaled slowly, tapping his fingers against the table. "Now, that’s interesting."
"I’m serious."
"Oh, I know you are." He leaned back, amusement flickering in his gaze. "But let’s get one thing straight—I don’t do favors for free."
Elise frowned. "You think I can’t pay you?"
"Oh, sweetie." Vael’s smirk deepened. "Your revenge? That’s personal. And personal things… require a different kind of deal."
Her stomach twisted. "What kind of deal?"
Vael’s gaze darkened, his golden-red eyes gleaming like a predator who had just found something entertaining.
"I’ll help you, sweetie." His voice dropped to a murmur, thick with something unreadable. "Not because I care about justice. Not because I care about your pain. But because someone dared to use my name in their little game."
Her breath hitched.
"I want to crush them," he continued, voice smooth like silk, laced with danger. "I want to remind them why they should fear me."
Elise felt her pulse quicken.
"And you," he murmured, reaching out and tracing a finger down her arm, "are going to help me do it."
She shivered at the touch but refused to pull away. "So we have a deal?"
Vael chuckled, the sound sending chills down her spine. "We have a deal, kitten."
Elise exhaled, her heart pounding.
She didn’t know whether she had just secured her revenge…
Or made a deal with something far more dangerous.
- Writer
