Eyre stopped in her tracks and looked at him with a raised brow of suspicion as Kai just stood there with arms stretched out, blocking her way. She sighed and hugged herself, trying to be patient with his mood swings. He lifted his gaze and looked like he could explode from frustration at any given moment. Yet, instead of keeping a safe distance, she stepped closer, determined to pay attention to his actions rather than his words. 

“I know I may have overstepped some boundaries, however, that is not a valid enough reason to treat me this way.” She lectured him. This was her way of telling him off even if there was more to it than she could understand.

Kai’s frown faded gradually. He was not amused by her words, but there was certain reasoning in the tone underneath that he could not deny. Even when he had the upper hand as a demon, it was clear that she had a decent head on her shoulders. 

“I do what I see fit. Don’t ever forget what I am or what I am capable of.” He crossed his arms, leaving an open way around him. 

Eyre’s facial expression darkened a bit before she moved on and Kai followed close behind while she started preparing a light meal. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake twice.” She confirmed in a lowered tone. She was hurt, but only because he was so distant and off-putting. However, it was much better being stuck with him than any of her uncle’s acquaintances.

“Good to know.” He said, watching her from the entrance to the kitchen. He was fascinated by her energy. Her body did not seem to be affected by the possession at all. It was a strange phenomenon really, not that symptoms of demonic influence always showed right away, but she didn’t even seem burdened by it physically. His train of thought was brutally disturbed by a sudden loud knocking on the front door. 

Eyre stopped everything she was doing, wiped her hands on a towel and stepped past Kai, leaning out in the hallway to see who was at the front door. 

“Anyone home? Miss Hiraeth?”

Eyre hesitated for a moment before she turned to Kai, but he had disappeared once again leaving her all alone in the empty hallway. She swallowed anxiously before making her way to the door. The sight that greeted her when she opened the door made her stomach twirl in discomfort. A tall man, well dressed for a noble, and with blond locks pulled back in a sleek fashion. The very same man that her uncle had introduced her to the night before.

“Mr Tucker?” She could not hide the uncomfortable surprise in her gaze in response to his sudden visit. 

“I want to offer you my deepest apologies for my disgraceful behaviour at the party. I hope my visit is not too much of an inconvenience at this hour?” He spoke with an abnormally calm and deep voice. 

There was no sign of any hostile interest behind his words, but she was still thrown off by this because it was the opposite of what she had seen at the party.

“N-Not at all, please come in,” She invited him in and closed the door with a nervous hand. What now? What was she supposed to do with this unprompted visit? Rather, it would have been better had he not shown up at all. 

“Mr Tucker, I-”

“Please, call me Nathaniel.” He sent her a warm smile while patiently standing in the hallway. 

Eyre tried her best to remain polite, only because his sudden change in character sent such mixed signals. 

“Would you like some tea, sir?” She hated lowering the formal way of addressing anyone close to her uncle, but if she found it necessary to prevent conflict, then there was no other way. 

“Yes, that would be delightful.” he smiled and kept his hands folded behind his back.

Eyre shrugged in her mind at the sound of his voice. Granting his request, she nodded in a stiff polite manner. “Please wait in the living room then, it won’t take long.” She reached a hand out in the direction of the couch before she headed for the kitchen. 

Nathaniel shot a sceptical glare after her before he stepped into the living room, pondering. 

Eyre trembled and did everything she could to keep it hidden. She felt safe now that they had both separated into different rooms, but there was no way she could ever forgive Nathaniel for his actions from the night before. Although he may have been too drunk to keep his manners in check, it was not an excuse to force himself onto her. She was not going to accept this reality a second time, but she could not shout for help in his presence either. 

Nathaniel’s status as a duke would be enough to send her entire family to the gallows if she were to recklessly make any reckless moves. Yet, she felt the urge to do something even if it was for her own safety.

When the tea was prepared and placed on the tray, she moved to a cupboard in the corner. There she found some of the leftover medication prescribed and forced upon her only because she mentioned in passing that she had trouble sleeping at times. Her uncle har greatly overreacted and accepted the drug without further discussion, but thankfully he had yet to check up on it. She took out a portion of powder and mixed it into the cup for Nathaniel. There was no sign of regret, just like how she wanted to end her own life after that experience, she was not going to let it repeat itself. 

Eyre picked up the tray and stepped into the living room where Nathaniel had taken a seat in the large velvet armchair legs crossed. Eyre sat down on the couch next to him placing the tray on the table. 

“Your tea, sir”

“Please drop the formalities, dear. There's no need to be so straight-laced in my presence,” he muttered, nipping at the cup she handed him.

Eyre swallowed nervously and could only follow his word to avoid making him angry. “I suppose not. I’m sorry.” She apologised. 

Nathaniel sighed, unamused by her stubbornness. 

Eyre noticed the way Nathaniel frowned and felt an immediate twirl in her stomach. She had no reason to forgive his actions and he did not show any signs of being sorry for what he had done to her. This was nothing but a farce from his side too. She knew that he must have put in a good word with her uncle before showing up. 

Nathaniel put down the teacup and got up from his seat, only to take place next to Eyre on the couch. She almost jumped out of her skin and scooted over to keep the distance between them. However, it was not easy to shake him off. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders in an embrace trying to simulate a sweet lover’s gesture. 

“Eyre, I’m willing to give you anything you’d wish for.” His words danced as if coated in paralysing venom that made her question her own sanity. She had to remain still even when he pulled her in close. 

“I don’t wish for anything,” She rejected him in a subtle way hoping that he would pull back. Her insides were turning like crazy and she avoided all eye contact at this point. Nathaniel, however, did not heed her plea and was on the other hand quite insulted by her rejection. 

This arranged engagement had been a failure from the very beginning. Eyre had begged her uncle to reconsider this political stunt, he had no problem with how Nathaniel treated his women. Yes, women. Nathaniel still held the status as one of the most eligible bachelors even after his first marriage went south a few years back. Rumours of how his late wife died were all nothing but mere guesses, but they all revolved around his anger management and tendencies to abuse women who rejected him.

Nathaniel lifted his hand to her chin forcing her to face him and in an instant, she lost her composure. Her chin trembled knowing what was to come. A smirk formed on his lips, and his gaze dripped with excitement the moment he realised that she was cowering in fear. “No need to be afraid dear. I’ll be gentle this time,” he whispered as he let a thumb caress her lower lip marking his target. 

Last time Eyre had been lucky due to his drunken state, but this time she feared that the drug would not be able to save her.