Elizas scalp prickled with unease, her legs trembling uncontrollably as she hesitated to take another step forward. The vibration of her phone startled her, and she saw a message from Jamie Fraser: "Eliza, why havent you arrived yet?"
She took a deep breath and, using the light from her phone, located the hotel room number. After a moment of indecision, she knocked on the door.
The door swung open to reveal Jamie Fraser, clad in only a towel around his waist, his short hair wet and dripping water. Eliza found herself frozen, her cheeks flushing red at the sight. Jamie Fraser pulled her into the room, not giving her a chance to react.
"The weather is so hot, I took a shower early, not expecting you to arrive just then. I havent even had the time to get dressed," he said, walking to a double bed and sitting down.
Elizas hands clenched involuntarily, her gaze fixed on the double bed as a tight string in her mind strained to its limit.
"Put your clothes on first!" she said, turning her head to avoid looking at him.
Jamie Frasers smile deepened, and he reached for Elizas wrist. "Were going to take them off anyway, why bother?" he said, pulling her onto the bed and pinning her beneath him.
"Eliza, Ive been waiting for this day for a long time. Were about to graduate, and its about time you gave yourself to me," Jamie Fraser said, his gaze fixed on Elizas crimson lips as his throat tightened, and he leaned in.
Eliza was taken aback by his sudden action and quickly pushed him away as she realized what he was about to do.
"Eliza, dont tell me youve fallen for another man?" Jamie Fraser narrowed his eyes, his voice cold as he questioned.
"What do you mean?" Eliza frowned, getting up from the bed.
"If not, then why does a woman resist her boyfriend like you do? Kissing you is like its the end of the world, and dont even think about going any further. Are you perhaps frigid?" Jamie Frasers words hit Eliza like a bucket of cold water, and all the words she had intended to say were swallowed back down.
"Eliza, I know I was wrong to say that, but I will be responsible for you," Jamie Fraser said, his large hands reaching for her again.
"Jamie, dont!" Eliza quickly grabbed his hands to stop him.
"Youre going to marry me anyway, so what does it matter when it happens?" Jamie Fraser retorted, capturing her hands and looking at her bare shoulders, his throat rolling slightly.
Eliza listened to his words with a sense of panic on her face. She had made it clear to Jamie Fraser that she wanted to save her first time for their wedding night, and he had agreed. She trusted him, which was why she had come, but she never expected him to...
Jamie Fraser reached for Elizas shirt, but she struggled against him. However, as a man, he was stronger, and she couldnt resist.
At that moment, a force from the jade pendant threw him against the wall.
"Ah!" Jamie Fraser clutched his chest, a sweet taste of blood filling his mouth, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
Eliza was also startled, but Jamie Fraser looked at her in horror, wrapped in a towel, and ran out of the room without a second thought.
Before Eliza could react, a large hand grabbed her wrist and threw her onto the bed.
"You really have the audacity!" Edward Cullens cold voice rang out.
Eliza looked up to see him wearing a blood-red mask, and although she couldnt see his expression, she could still feel his anger radiating from him.
"The City God Temple, I kindly reminded you of the importance of chastity, but you took it as idle talk. Do you know this is punishable by drowning?" Edward Cullen spoke, each word seeming to come from an ice cellar, chilling to the bone.
"Do you really think the sign you drew was a heavenly warning? It was my warning to you!"
Eliza stared at him, the ghost who had even dared to enter the City God Temple.
"Are you scared?" Edward Cullen leaned over her, the ferocious ghost mask with four fangs looking as if it wanted to devour Eliza.
"You, you must have misunderstood something. Although Jamie and I are not married, we are a couple!" Eliza swallowed hard, trying to avoid looking at his face and whispered.
Edward Cullens long hand pinched Elizas chin. "Say that again?"
Her chin ached under his cold grip, feeling as if it were about to shatter. She bit her lip, trembling and not daring to speak.
"You are my wife, and you dare to commit adultery behind my back with another man. It seems I must teach you a lesson about virtue!"
With a wave of his hand, the blanket in Elizas arms was thrown to the ground.
Eliza sat on the bed, completely exposed, the light above her flickering. Her entire body was laid bare before Edward Cullen.
"Help, help me!" She remembered what he had said about drowning and couldnt sit still any longer, scrambling from the bed towards the door, only to find it wouldnt budge.
"Dont waste your energy. Ive set up a barrier here; you cant get out, and no one can get in."
His words sent Elizas heart into a deep chill.
"What do you want to do?" She was ready to face death, unafraid.
"What else could it be? In the dead of night, its time to perform the rites of matrimony!" Edward Cullen replied nonchalantly.