CHAPTER 110: YOU CAN COME!

For a few moments, Eldric didn’t speak. He simply stared at Cain, his gaze unwavering, challenging. Cain met it head-on, his golden eyes gleaming with defiance, his expression carved from stone. The silence stretched, taut and heavy, until Eldric finally broke it.

"I hear you have a male lover," Eldric said, his tone casual, almost conversational. Cain, however, didn’t flinch or react in any way. He merely continued to sit there, waiting in silence, his stare as piercing as ever.

Eldric leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping an octave. "A male can’t bear an heir. And with your situation, it might be time to start thinking about having one."

Cain didn’t even blink, his expression unchanging. Eldric’s words hung in the air for a beat before he continued, this time with a frown deepening the lines on his face.

"It would be best for you to take a female lover."

Finally, Cain moved. He tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a sly smile that didn’t reach his eyes. When he spoke, his tone was mocking, each word dripping with condescension. "For someone who dislikes people beating around the bush, you seem to do it a lot."

Eldric’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, his carefully maintained composure threatened to slip. He visibly reined himself in, his voice sharper when he responded. "Fine! I want you to take Fiona into your mansion in return for more of the Red potion." His tone made it clear this was more command than request.

Cain’s smile widened slightly as he finally shifted his attention to Fiona. It was the first time he looked directly at her since entering the room, and the subtle flicker of anger in his golden gaze made her shrink slightly under his scrutiny. In contrast, her own gaze brimmed with an adoring eagerness that made his skin crawl.

"And why exactly does she want to live in my home when she could live somewhere else?" Cain asked, his voice low and dangerous. He turned back to Eldric, fully expecting him to answer, knowing Fiona had been trained to remain silent and obedient.

But to his surprise, she spoke. Her voice was soft, almost timid, as she addressed him directly. "I like you. I think spending time in your—"

"I have a male lover," Cain interrupted coldly, his sharp tone slicing through her words. "I’m not interested in women." His bluntness struck her visibly; her face fell, and she blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

"I don’t care," Eldric cut in, his voice steely. "You can keep your lover. But you will let Fiona live in your house if you want the medicine." His words were final, leaving no room for negotiation.

Cain’s jaw tightened, and the tension in the room grew palpable. For a moment, he didn’t speak, his eyes burning into Eldric’s with unmasked fury. When he finally did, his voice was low, laced with a barely restrained snarl. "And if I refuse?"

Eldric’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of arrogance and threat as he stood from his chair, his imposing frame seeming even larger. "If you refuse, you might as well prepare to completely lose your humanity and become a mindless beast." His words struck like a hammer, his fierce expression daring Cain to defy him further.

Cain slowly rose to his feet, his towering figure casting a long shadow across the room. "You just want her to live in the mansion, right?" he asked, his voice quieter now, though no less menacing.

Eldric nodded, his smirk widening. "Yes. That’s all I ask. She’ll have a comfortable room in your mansion. Nothing more."

Cain’s eyes flicked to Fiona once more. "You agree to this?" His voice carried a dangerous edge, daring her to lie. "Do you really think I’d care about you because of a threat?"

Fiona lowered her gaze, her hands twisting in front of her as she shook her head. "I... I just want to—"

Cain didn’t let her finish. He turned back to Eldric, his decision final. "Fine. She can stay there." His voice was cold, his tone devoid of emotion.

Fiona didn’t wait for further permission. She stood, bowing low to Eldric with a movement so rehearsed it looked almost mechanical. "My bags are ready, Father. I’m willing to leave at this very moment."

Her black gown clung dangerously to her figure, the neckline low enough to teeter on indecency. Cain’s lips twisted in disgust, but Eldric merely nodded in approval.

"Good," Eldric said, his tone lighter now, almost triumphant. "Then you’ll return with Cain. And you’ll take a stash of the Red potion with you," he added, turning his gaze to Cain. "The quantity you get will depend on how well you treat her."

Cain’s laugh was bitter, his sarcasm razor-sharp as he responded. "Of course! Of course! After all, every luxurious room in your mansion is filthy and crawling with rodents. Why else would you need me to house her?"

Eldric’s smirk faded slightly, replaced with a warning glare. "No harm will come to my daughter, Cain. Watch yourself."

For a split second, Cain’s shoulders bristled, and his golden eyes gleamed with an unholy light as they flickered red. The urge to transform surged within him, his beast clawing at the edges of his restraint. He could almost see himself tearing into Eldric, ripping him apart before the guards even had a chance to react.

But logic prevailed. Killing Eldric might satisfy his rage, but the consequences would be catastrophic. The council would turn on him in an instant, and even his carefully laid plans wouldn’t save him.

Eldric noticed the flicker of rage and chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. "You look like you’re dying to sink your teeth into something, Cain. Perhaps later. For now, get out of my office."

Cain didn’t respond, his fists clenching as he turned on his heel and strode to the door. Fiona’s footsteps trailed softly behind him, the sound grating against his already frayed nerves. The moment they were outside, Cain whirled on her, his voice low and venomous.

"I don’t care what you’re planning, but if you cross me," he snarled, his teeth bared slightly, "I’ll tear out your spine and watch you beg me to kill you."

Fiona flinched, her head ducking as she trembled under his furious glare. Yet deep in her mind, her thoughts were completely different and much more bold, filled with a twisted sort of determination. ’He’ll love me. I’ll make him fall for me.’