“Come in!” I chimed.
I knew it was him before I heard his voice. His strong and broad silhouette filling the door frame.
Damien loosened a breath. “Wow,” he said, slowly stalking toward me. Drinking me in with every step he took. My cheeks heated under his attentive gaze.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I replied, unsure of what to say. We had never been awkward like this before, but it was the truth. He looked so damn handsome that my mouth literally watered. His unruly hair combed back into place. His tunic was a deep blue, inlaid with a silver filigree that was almost white, which only enhanced his eyes.
“What’re you doing here? Shouldn’t you be getting ready for the procession?”
“I just…” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to see you before I went.”
“Well, you’ve seen me now,” I said, fiddling with my dress and needing to do something with my hands.
Damien stepped forward, stopping right in front of me. His hand reached up to touch my earrings and drifted to the nape of my neck.
I closed my eyes, not knowing if I should lean into his touch or step away. Before I could overthink it, he brushed a light kiss to my cheek and stepped back. “You look beautiful, Eva. I’ll see you later this evening.”
I watched him go as I tried to get my breathing under control. I didn’t know why he had this effect on me.
Was I jealous? Is that what I was fucking feeling?
No, I didn’t get jealous. But maybe I wanted to show him what he was going to be missing by taking someone else tonight.
A secondary knock sounded, and I stepped up to let them in. My father, in all his royal regalia, met me with a smile on his face. “You look lovely, my dear. Radiant if I dare to say so!” he exclaimed, lifting his arm for me to take. A peaceful silence took over as he walked toward the ballroom.
“You know, you remind me of your mother when she used to dress up for these events. I never quite liked the balls, all the socializing and politics that come along with them.” He waved his free hand as if to swat it all away. “But I sure loved seeing how she lit up when she walked into the room. She adored all the theatrics and the dancing, oh how she loved to dance…” He sighed, and I could see the sadness in his eyes, tinged with the happiness of his memories.
“I always thought that Erina held more in common with Mother between the two of us,” I admitted to him.
“While it’s true that your sister holds resemblance in her appearance, you are much more like her in spirit. You’re tenacious and strong-willed, you don’t let anyone stand in your way.” We both laughed at that. “You hold your position in high regard, Eva. So did your mother. She took her duty seriously, but don’t let that impede your happiness.” He threw me a knowing look.
Before I could answer him, we were approaching the procession entrance. I kept looking around for Damien, but I couldn’t see him. We were one of the last ones to enter the room since my father was the reigning monarch and I was the heir – it was the grandest entrance, one that made me blush with embarrassment. After my father’s admission, I was ready to embrace my role. I would make my family proud.
I heard the music strike up as we were being announced. The doors opened and the lights from the ballroom were so bright that it would have taken my eyes a moment to adjust under normal circumstances, but tonight was different. Tonight, I would be the queen I knew I was, the one that I was born to be. I stared ahead in recognition of who I was. My father squeezed my arm as we descended the stairs to greet our guests below. The ballroom was filled to the brim with them, their eyes never leaving us as we reached the floor. I swear you could taste the excitement in the air. Hell, I was even feeling pretty damn giddy about the evening at this point.
The ballroom was decorated in our crest colors - navy and silver with black accents. The crystal chandelier hung lower than normal and cast sparkling reflections across the sea of people down below. I could feel the wealth dripping off those in attendance. Lights were low, giving off the sensual atmosphere that would allow people to drop their inhibitions for a night.
I fought the urge to scan the room for Damien as my father and I made our way to the set of thrones that were placed at the center of the back of the room. As we drew near, though, my heart stopped for a moment.
There, to the left of my seat, was my sister, her arm drawn through Damien’s. I raised my chin as my father led me to our thrones; the realization dawning on me that Damien was mysister’sescort tonight. Clearly, that was the bit of information he was trying to tell me, but I would not excuse him from keeping it from me. By the gods, I was finding out while we had an audience, so I couldn’t make a scene.
My godsdamn sister.
I shook my head. That was fine. If he wanted the weaker version of me, he could have her. I loved my sister, but I was fucking furious at the betrayal I felt seeing the two of them together. I didn’t know who I was more upset at; Damien or Erina. Both would end up feeling my anger if they pushed me tonight, though.
The diadem I wore suddenly felt heavy on my head. It was a blatant reminder of the duty I had to my kingdom, but right now, it felt like a fucking suffocating collar.
My eyes faced forward, and I felt his gaze fall to me. I didn’t dare turn to look at him. My father cleared his throat and said, “Let the festivities begin!” He clapped his hands and the hoard of party-goers dispersed, picking partners for dances as the music picked up. Idle chatter floated through the air. As my father sat down beside me, he squeezed my hand. I knew he must have known, that was why he was adamant about escorting me tonight. My face sculpted into cool indifference.
My sister and Damien approached, and I brought myself to examine them both. She was frivolous in her demeanor, talking passionately to our father about the party, but Damien knew what I was feeling. He knew how there was a rage that burned inside of me, but I also wasn’t inclined to let it show. We weren’t bound to each other, and he owed me no loyalty. Hadn’t I tried to make that clear? Why did I care?
“Maybe the fact that it was your sister he was escorting,” a voice in my head whispered.
My sister and father’s conversation halted as I rose from my seat and said coolly, “If you all will excuse me, I think I’d like to take a turn around the room.” I bowed my head in my father’s direction and strode off. I didn’t know where I was going, but I knew I couldn’t sit there with Damien’s eyes glued to me. He was willing me to look at him. Hell, I’m sure he wanted any kind of reaction, but what the fuck did he expect from me? Of course, I was pissed. Anger was threatening to crawl to the surface of my skin, even though I had no reason to. Yes, I was being childish, but it was the fact that yet again… I was kept in the dark. If he hadn’t wanted to escort me, then fine. So be it. But at least be man enough to say it to my face instead of letting me find out as I did.
I felt a hand tug at mine. It was an attempt to turn me around, begging me to look at him, but I jerked my hand away and kept walking. There were several small balconies that led into the magnificent gardens, but one in particular also held a spectacular view of Helia as well. As I reached the balcony railing, I took in a deep breath, taking in the chilly evening air. Damien sidled up beside me.
“Eva…” He started, but I shook my head.
