Chapter 112: Stupid Rules

The door closed behind them and Corrine was once again wowed by how everything always looked so new and polished whenever they returned. It felt as if an army of dedicated cleaners and scrubbers came in to maintain the sparkly look of this place anytime they left.

She loved his house.

Corrine nodded in approval as she moved over slowly to one of the chairs and settled in one.

Her dark green gaze moved to observe the beauty of it all at once.

It was flashy as well as elegant.

She loved how spacious the main area was.

She blinked at the sunlight that poured in from the lovely open view walls before her.

It was a lovely place one could always turn to after a busy day.

He was currently living one of her dream lives in his house.

Though the Ashworth house wasn’t as peaceful or beautiful as this little space even with the amount of gold her mother spoiled every inch of the house with.

Corrine rested her hands on her lap as she thought about the house she grew up in.

It never really felt like a home to her. No matter how much they tried to beautify it, the weekly changes in decorations and everything else, she would remember sitting on the winding staircase of the main hall for hours thinking. Comparing how Jasper’s home was much more beautiful than theirs even if it was just a small, five bedroom house compared to their large house.

She shivered at the thought and almost immediately something heavy and warm fell around her shoulders. Corrine turned to look at the dark blankets placed on her by the most annoying thing in the world.

Her eyes moved from the blanket to him and he flashed her a charming grin before moving to settle on the chair that was opposite hers.

For a disturbing moment, she imagined him taking the seat beside her. But she felt it was more intimidating for him to sit opposite her than beside.

He was smiling as if in disbelief to finally have her here with him. Trapped and dependent on him for her survival. He could decide to do whatever he wanted with her whenever he pleased. But she has this knowing feeling, he wasn’t that kind of person.

Or maybe he even genuinely cared about her. She never could tell.

Corrine straightened her pose, one leg placed over the other as she clasped her hand over the top knee.

Interesting.

The serpent before her thought.

I seem to enjoy this view more.

He smiled again.

God, why was he always smiling?!

Her face turned cold towards him as an idea to wipe that smile off his face presented itself to her.

Her eyes moved on every furniture before her in cold appreciation before returning on him.

She said,

’’Now that we will be living together, I want to make three things clear between us. I want to give rules that we must both respect and abide by.’’

He said nothing. His golden eyes just quietly observed her, giving her the go-ahead to make her rules and he would decide if he wants to follow it or not.

Her eyes on him narrowed and hardened. Not liking how relaxed and comfortable he was. She wanted so badly to see it on his face that she was still in control and he didn’t have that much power or control over her.

Reptile shape shifter or not.

She would still have the upper hand in this.

’’The first rule is...’’

Suddenly, the sun’s light was covered by a cloud, damming the world with a grey and gloomy atmosphere in seconds.

’’We are to respect each other’s private space.’’

She decided to make it very clear to him because it seemed like something he planned to disrespect all in the name of getting her to be in-love with him.

’’Which means, no unnecessary touching. If we ever need to make the slightest physical contact, there must be consent involved.’’ She emphasized.

He said nothing and it disturbed her so much to see how cooperative he was after hearing that. Or maybe she was the one getting ahead of herself to think he would always desire her in that way. Or maybe he simply does not understand what that really meant.

’’And that includes, hugging, lip contact, hand grabbing, staying close enough that I could literally feel you breathing down my neck. Or any other provocative or sexual advances.’’

She stated as if she was in a courtroom, reading out the offenses of a criminal sitting in the dock.

It amused the serpent so much he gave her a fanged grin. One that made her hot and uncomfortable. Her mouth parted slightly to see how he wasn’t taking her seriously. Or maybe he was and had plans to be rebellious.

’’So, that means I can just skip the boring slow-burn intros and drag you straight to my bed and make love to you all night and morning...is that what you mean, Anais?’’

She stared at him like she would if the grim reaper appeared suddenly before her. Her brain short-circuited at his blunt and crude words. It surprised her to see that he had such intentions. A cold-blooded worm with bold fantasies. It made her cheek redder than her lips. Even her heart refused to function normally as he said so casually and shamelessly.

Anais was...dumbstruck.

Then her eyes narrowed into terrifying slits.

’’I dare you to even try that with me.’’

Grim shifted in his seat, moving forward as he smiled and laughed out loud.

The sound of his laughter made her blink and warmed her heart a little. It made her stare at him longer than she was meant to. And for a moment she forgot that she was even angry at him.

Then he locked eyes with her like she had no idea what he was capable of doing. His smile was beautiful and dangerous at the same time, it made her flustered and hot everywhere. It made her want to abandon these stupid rules and leave.

But no, she wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of him winning this round of argument.

’’Sexual or any other lewd acts from you is not allowed,’’ then she smiled, leaning forward and continued with, ’’I have a feeling it wouldn’t be that long enough before I have you locked up forever in orange suits and handcuffs or bringing an end to you for good.’’

Grim smile grew more dangerous as if her threats and words excited him more than anything.

I knew with you here and close, I would never be bored.

You have no idea how much I desire to keep you here with me.

And tempted to block every chance you have to leave me.

’’The second rule is...I can go and move around freely in here whenever I want.’’

Grim shook his head because she didn’t understand this.

’’You are not my prisoner here, Anais. Of course, you are free to explore this place.’’ he smiled again, ’’I own everything here. And whatever I have is yours to take and there is no one that can stop you from reigning as queen in this place.’’

She blinked at his words and tried not to scoff when he told her she could be queen here.

Queen over monsters that could snap her neck in one move if they decided to.

’’But so my mind could be at peace when you are far beyond my reach in this place, wandering about, I would give you something you can always use to defend yourself in case a demon here dares to give you a difficult time.’’

’’I might not always be there or available to protect you and I would rather equip you to be able to protect yourself than trust a bunch of other demons with your safety. I just managed to get you back, I can’t risk losing you again.’’

She thought about it.

He would give her something she could use to always defend herself?

A frown took over her face.

’’I don’t need anything from you to use to protect myself—’’

’’It’s either that, or I’m locking you up here with me forever, Anais.’’

He said so seriously, leaving no other room for her petty rebellion against him.

It made her slightly uneasy, how controlling he could be at times. But at the same time...

’’You decide what it’s going to be, or I decide for you?’’

He was really serious about it...

She found herself moving uncomfortably in her seat. Her eyes moved towards him and the tone he was using with her.

She didn’t like it.

How powerless he always makes her feel at the end of every argument. She gave him a long rebellious and hateful look. But Grim wasn’t bothered by it.

What he feared was how she wanted to walk freely in a place filled with so many abominations and she expects him to be at peace wherever he might be knowing any unfortunate thing could happen to her during her adventures and he might never see her again.

No, not a chance.

It’s either she remains his captive flower up here or she stops being so stubborn and hard to reason with and accept his condition for her limited freedom from him once in a while.

’’Anais,’’ he pressed when it was taking her forever to respond. ’’Don’t ever underestimate my ability to keep you confined here with me if it assures me of your safety. You have no idea what the thought of you being in danger does to me.’’

’’Be kind to me and to yourself for once.’’

She said nothing but looked the other way.

’’You love sharp and pointy things, don’t you? I can make you a pretty knife infused with my venom that you can carry along with you wherever you go,’’ he offered and he watched how she struggled with her resolve to remain stubborn with him.

’’Whatever.’’ she dismissed quickly and he gave her a pleased smile. One that made his eyes gleam in light and complete adoration for her.

But she was determined to bite back harder this time with her third rule. The look on her face told it all that she was never going to make it easy for him.

Corrine opened her mouth to reveal her third rule when that demon with forest green eyes appeared suddenly from the ground.

It startled Anais a bit at his sudden and unexpected entrance.

’’Your Royal Highness,’’ he greeted quickly. Grim tore his gaze painfully from his beloved to stare at the demon that dared barge in unannounced.

’’Yahza and the demon doctor have just been apprehended by my disciples. They are currently being held down on the rooftop, awaiting your judgement.’’

Who are those...?

Corrine’s eyes returned slowly to the serpent and noticed the wicked smile that settled on his lip accompanied by a blood thirsty look.

Talk about a great day to be in a good mood to treat yourself to the cries and moans of pain from sinners.

’’Anais,’’ he called as he turned to her.

’’Would you like to watch something entertaining with me?’’

She blinked.