Hellbound Heart

Despite the fact that Elle felt Elijah tightening his grip on her hand – as if not wanting to let her go – he still was somehow unable to keep her from slipping away from his grip. Effectively causing her to be spun around in another unexpected and graceful turn until she was tugged into someone else's embrace. r

Everything had happened so fast, yet it was all so smooth. As though it was already all planned out and practiced countless of times. The bystanders would even think that what had happened was actually a part of the dance. Even Elle could not quite process it. Everything just proceeded… so strangely. It was just so unnatural she was starting to wonder if she was even dreaming, and this was some sort of magical nightmare that she had stumbled into. r

Her pants were heavy as she rested herself against the solid and warm body that was now holding her, serving as her perfect leaning bar. She knew this scent well and recognized this feeling… she did not need to look up into his face to know who it was that had come to stop the dance, to her rescue. But for now, all she could think about was relief. Pure relief that the dance had finally ended for her. r

She had just realized now, with the feeling of weakness in her knees, the dryness in her throat, the heavy breaths, that the dance had indeed dragged on for too long. That was the only explanation on why she was in this state right now. She had a pretty good stamina as she always kept up her exercises, so she knew it was not her body that was to be blamed. r

"Wow…" Elijah's darkly amused voice echoed softly, "that's one flashy entrance, dear brother." Followed by a quiet chuckle that seemed to ripple in the now eerily quiet atmosphere. "And such a gracefully rude one too. But that's quite expected of you, isn't it my great brother?" r

Sebastian did not bother to say anything, but Elle could feel the heavy air emanating from him. It was so strong that Elle could not help but grip her fists harder on his shirt, wanting him to calm down for now. It was as if a raging inferno was barely being held back underneath that thin layer of stoic indifference at this moment. r

"Seems that the rumor I heard isn't actually true, hmm…?" Elijah continued. When Elle finally lifted her head and looked at him, she saw him standing there. His posture was relaxed, and his head was tilted as he faced them both. One of his hands was shoved into his pocket. "To think you couldn't even wait for the dance to end." There was laughter in his voice as he said that. He sounded as though he could not quite believe what Sebastian had done. r

"All because you forgot your manners again, Elijah." Sebastian's deep and velvety dark voice finally echoed out. "How inconsiderate and mean of you to actually drag a dance out for so long and tire your sister-in-law like that." A tinge of venom could be heard in Sebastian's cold voice. r

Elle was so surprised at what she just heard. She was about to look up at him, but Elijah's reply stopped her from doing so. r

"Well, for that… I admit that was so ungentlemanly of me." Elijah admitted in an apologetic tone. Another surprise. r

He sauntered closer to them and bowed slightly, placing one of his hands over his chest and using the other to lift his mask slightly, but just enough for his sharp jaw line and thin lips to be visible. "So, I would like to apologize for my behavior, my dearest sister-in-law. You are such an amazing dancing partner you had actually made me forget about the time. I hope you can accept my sincerest apology, my lady." His sincere sounding voice plus the shock of the sudden unexpected view of his face – even if only a little – had Elle's mind taken aback in shock. She had not thought that he would back off so easily and graciously. But coming back to her senses quickly, she replied to him.r

"Oh, it's… of course, prince Elijah." Elle could not help but stumble a little in her speech. It was so surprising that he, as a prince and Reign royalty would apologize to her like this. And so candidly in front of so many people. "Apology accepted and… you were such an amazing dancer as well." She managed to force out her sweetest smile at him. r

"You are really kind. Such a sweet sunshine." He straightened and Elle could have sworn she heard Sebastian snorting under his breath. She could not help but wonder what kind of expression he was wearing at the moment, so she attempted to look up when Elijah suddenly walked even closer to them and reached out to touch Sebastian's shoulder.r

And then he whispered to Sebastian. "But thanks to me losing track of time, because I also accidentally found out something very interesting. It took you much earlier to step in and stop the dance than I had expected, dear brother. Seems I was wrong in thinking that no one could ever breathe fire in your little dark heart again –" r

"Shut your f*cking mouth, Elijah." Sebastian uttered, low and calm. But there was an underlying chill that she picked up and that alone was enough to cause the tiny hairs over Elle's nape to rise. r

Elijah seemed to feel the seriousness of his warning too, before he wisely stopped talking and backed off. "Alright, I'll stop for now." He sighed as if he was a little depressed at the fact that he had no choice but to stop himself from doing something that was very amusing to him. But then his tone changed again to something more formal and serious. "Don't leave just yet, brother. This is the first time you have attended my birthday party, right? Since you are already here, you might as well stay on a little longer." r