Hellbound Heart

Here's a bunos chapter dedicated to @Sacogun and @Babsia! Thank you so much for the supergifts!

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"That's too bad then." Elijah sighed and then he leaned closer to Elle. "Your presence truly imparted such color and light to my usually uninteresting parties, Elle." His tone changed into something seemingly serious and genuine. His words were effective enough to distract her from the chaos and shock that was rampaging around within her mind at the moment.r

"Oh… you do flatter me, Prince Elijah." Elle shook her head with grace, trying her best to ignore the casual way he was addressing her. She doubted he actually meant what he said. Perhaps he was just trying to make conversation and being nice. "I'm sure you are just being kind in saying that."r

Elijah shook his head in disagreement. "It's not flattery, my lady. I meant every word that I said. I will never forget the fact that you still honored my invitation despite my family's warnings." He chuckled and winked at her knowingly. It seemed that even without her saying anything, he had already known how his family would have reacted to his invitation.r

Elle did not know how to respond now. She was at a loss for words on how to respond to him too. She had not expected him to say that. Was commenting on his own family that way not too straightforward? And dear lord… he knew that his family had tried to stop her from attending… r

Even after a couple of seconds, she still did not know how to react. Elle finally decided that she could only express her gratitude.r

"Thank you for inviting me to your party. I've really enjoyed the night." Elle walked towards Lucas and took out a box from inside the bag that was sitting next to Lucas. "Please accept my small present. And… happy birthday to you, Prince Elijah." r

Some kind of inexplicable silence reigned as Elijah stared at the box that was sitting in Elle's hand. She was not certain, but it seemed as though Elijah was not expecting to receive a gift from her. Though the mask shielded his face from being seen, Elle could feel the shocked aura radiating from his person. Was it so strange to present a gift to the birthday man at his own birthday celebration? Elle was a little puzzled.r

Just as when she thought that he was not going to accept it, Elijah extended his hands and plucked the box from out of her palms. "How thoughtful of you…" was all he said in what she thought was a much weaker tone than his usual voice.r

"Oh, don't mention it. Please enjoy the rest of the night and I would like to apologize for leaving early." r

"No. It's already a surprise that you've come and stayed this long actually. So, there is truly no need to be sorry." His response was generous and his tone courteous.r

Elle was about to respond again when Sebastian suddenly took his coat off and then draped it around Elle's shoulders, covering her exposed back, causing her heartbeat to once again increase its pace. r

"I can see the goosebumps rising on your skin…" Sebastian whispered, "how could you forget your coat huh, Iza?" Sebastian once again used the personal nickname he had decided on for her.r

"How sweet…" Elijah commented and then he patted Sebastian's shoulder, leaning even closer to him and whispered. "I have something really interesting I wanted you to know, brother. But since you could no longer wait to leave, I guess I'll postpone this secret reveal for another time. But I'll be generous and leave you with a tiny clue… it's about your wife…" and Elijah allowed his voice to trail off there, causing Sebastian's eyes to narrow slightly. But it was not noticeable to anyone else.r

Due to another wave of shock Elle was experiencing, she had not noticed the suffocating darkness that had momentarily reigned between the two brothers. r

She also did not hear what Elijah had whispered to Sebastian just now. But it was not only because of her loud heartbeats and the background noises, but also because Elijah seemed to really not want her to hear what he was saying to Sebastian this time.r

…r

The trip back home was silent and heavy. The flirty and seductive and sweet Sebastian she had experienced at Elijah's party seemed to have returned back to normal now. He did not speak since they left Elijah's mansion and was just quietly driving the car. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.r

Elle could only snort at herself within her. See? I was right all along. The gentle teasing and lovey-dovey actions from earlier were all but an act. Good thing her rational side had won out.r

She could only sigh in relief because she had just spared herself from more disappointments or whatever negative feelings it would have brought her right now if she had allowed herself to naively believe and fall along with his top class acting. He truly was such an accomplished actor. r

Her mind was itching to ask. To question him why he even bothered coming over to the party. She wanted the real reason as he had always dodged the question all this time. But she did not want to be the first one to break the silence. If he did not want to speak to her, then so be it. She would speak to him then. Wait…!! No, she must learn not to care about what he does. Whatever it was that he does.r

Soon, the car finally stopped. r

Elle was so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she had not realized they had already arrived back at the castle.r

Sebastian stepped out and when she saw him walking around the front of the car to come over to her side, Elle quickly reached out for the door handle and wanted to push it open. But he was just too quick for her as he still beat her to it. r

Holding the car's door open, Sebastian placed his large hand over her head as she stepped out. It was another gesture that had her heart warming up whether she liked it or not. r

When their gaze met, Elle's heartbeat skipped a beat at the dangerous intensity that she caught swirling around in his eyes. W-what now? r

"You had said earlier on… that you run pretty fast, right Izabelle? How about we make a bet? I'm giving you a couple of minutes to run ahead of me…" he said in a husky voice. "If I catch up to you before you step inside our room…" he pinched her chin lightly, "… don't expect me to ever let go of you again tonight."r