Page 26 of Dark Prince

?Chapter Sixteen

?Axel

I'm not sure Cordeliarealizes she just agreed to marry me as she sits at the bottom of the shower, letting the water wash away all the blood. “Come on.” I say, lifting her off the ground.

“Everything hurts Axel.” She whines against my chest as I hold her upright. Her necklace feels cold against my skin. I locked that collar around her throat and literally threw away the key. It'll have to be cut off to be removed.

I gently wash her body, trying carefully not to hurt her more. I really should punish her for the show she put on, but she didn't know I was in on the test, she thought my parents just threw me at her mercy. If I know my mom, which I feel like I do, Cordelia passed this test with flying colors and I have no doubt that my mom's planning Cordelia's first assignment. Although, now we'll have to play the initiation wedding too.

When JT and his girls had their wedding, it was a show. I want to do that, only better. We have a family ritual now, my parents renewed their vows after coming up with it. So we'll have to include that in there somewhere, but I want Cordelia on her knees submitting to me for all to see that she's mine.

After our shower, I wrap Cordelia in a towel and carry her upstairs to find my parents sitting in the living area, waiting.

“That was one helluva show she put on.” My mom says, almost sounds proud.

“Did you watch all of it?” I ask, feeling irritated as hell.

“Up until she cut you free.”

“The second she started stripping, I was kicked out.” Garrett says, raising his hands. Thank fuck for that, I'd hate to have to stab him for looking at her naked.

“Did she pass?” I ask.

“Of course she did. Garrett and the staff will get rid of Clayton.” My mom says as I turn to walk away. “Oh, and son,” I stop at her words and look over at her, “If she's to be your wife, then you need to make that happen soon.”

“Why?” I ask, curious as to why she wants that to happen so quickly.

“We need you to lock her down.” She replies with a cocked brow as she checks her nails.

“Did you figure out who her father is?” I ask, shifting the weight of my sleeping little deer.

“Yes. Yes we did.” That's all she says as she waves her hand for me to leave.

“I'm taking the SUV.” I shout over my shoulder.

“Keys are on the table!” Garrett shouts back. I swipe the keys as I walk by and head out with my soon to be wife.

After I buckle her into the car, I jump in and take off down the gravel road until I get to the gate, punch in the code and I’m gone. Once I hit the highway, a yawn stretches my face. Fuck, I’m tired, but there was no way I was staying there. I’ll drive for a bit, getting away from here and take her to a hotel of some kind. There’s one off the highway about an hour away.

Using the hotel key, I open the door and carry a still sleeping Cordelia into the room, laying her on the bed. I’m so exhausted I almost didn’t make it up the stairs with her, my body feels so heavy, so I crash down next to her, kicking my shoes off and my eyes fall closed instantly, swallowing me whole.

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