“Why didn’t you tell me? Were you waiting to see if I would make a scene in front of everyone? Or did you just want to see my reaction?” My voice was bitter, calculated.
“I tried. I wanted to tell you, but I didn’t know how. You already looked hurt, and I did that. We haven’t been the same since that day in the training ring and I have been fighting like hell to fix that.” His breathing was ragged as he went on. “If I could take that day back, then I would.”
“What’s done is done, Damien. Just leave it.”
“It was our father’s idea. Both of them. They approached me about escorting your sister. Your father wanted to use this opportunity to show that you were indeed eligible,” he spat. “That you weren’t betrothed to anyone, tome.”
I felt my anger rising; the wind picking up around us. It was difficult having elemental powers, as I couldn’t hide my emotions.
“I’m not betrothed toanyone, so I suppose it’s a good thing. Wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, would we?” It was a low blow, but the words tumbled out before I could stop them.
“Would being betrothed to me truly be the death sentence that you seem to pretend it would be?” He asked so quietly that I almost didn’t hear it.
“No,” I admitted. “It wouldn’t be. But you would be shackled to me. I am the heir, Damien, and that would change your life so insurmountably that I can’t do that to you.”
“Eva, I lo-” he said, but a shadow was cast on us from a figure standing in the doorway before the words could tumble out of his mouth.
“I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” Asked a deep, bemused voice. I took in the male from top to bottom. He was the most beautiful specimen I’d ever seen. His face looked like it had been sculpted by the gods themselves. The chiseled jawline was sharp, yet luscious lips that looked so supple and soft. Dark hair swooped away from his forehead. His hazel eyes were bright and playful but teemed with mischief. His tall frame and broad shoulders took up a significant portion of the doorway. He was trouble, and I had never wanted to get into trouble more than I did at this moment.
Damien huffed. “Yes, as a matter of fact, you were.” He took up a stance in front of me, as if to shield me from this strange young male. I peered around Damien as the male crossed his arms and shifted his weight.
“I came to ask the lady for a dance,” he said, as if he was bored. An excuse that gave him a right to interrupt our conversation.
“She isn’t interested.”
“She can be the judge of that.” The man smiled. “My Lady,” he dipped down into a low bow. “May I have this dance?”
9
EVA
The man reached toward me, his hand mere inches away from mine. I stared down at it, then back up at his face. It was lit up with delight, while I could feel the agitation that was coming off of Damien in waves.
I understood why he was pissed. He had just been about to tell me he loved me, but once those words were said out loud, they couldn’t be taken back.
I dared a glance at Damien and saw the rage burning in his eyes. It made him look feral. He took a step toward the man, but I grabbed his arm to stop him. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop.
“I don’t believe a dance would hurt,” I responded, stepping around Damien’s wide frame.
Damien whipped his head to stare at me. “No, we weren’t finished with this conversation, Eva.”
“As you pointed out, there is a need for me to showcase my eligibility at the moment,” I reminded him through gritted teeth. “There will be plenty of time to talk later, but at this moment I need to be an excellent hostess.” I took the stranger’s hand, and it was warm against mine. However, it was also tough and calloused, like a true warrior’s hands should be. He pressed a gentle kiss to the back of my hand and led me into the ballroom.
All eyes were on us as we glided to the ballroom floor. My mother and father had insisted that my sister and I become well-rounded as far as our skills were concerned, which included many years of learning the art of dance. I considered myself a skilled dancer, but I hated all the attention that it typically brought.
My dance partner gave off an air of sophistication, so I knew he could keep up with me, thankfully. Most well-bred men out in society needed the skill to successfully navigate the waters at these events. It was clear he was well versed in the matter.
His hand rested on my lower back as he pulled me into his body. My breathing hitched as he met the exposed skin. The scent of sandalwood flooded my senses. I cursed myself instantly for my low-backed gown as my body heated at his touch.
The crowd disappeared from my thoughts as the dance begun. We glided delicately around the dance floor, taking up as much space as we could. We were the primary attraction at the moment. His eyes held a strange intensity that stirred something inside of me. As if I was waking up from a long, enchanted slumber.
The thrum of the music under my skin continued to pulse, and I felt myself transform into someone else entirely as we continued our dance. His smile grew and our eyes never left each other’s. I was drawn to him, whether by pure sexual energy or something else.
The dance was over far too soon for my liking. Our breathing was labored as he still held me close. I cleared my throat, remembering the eyes that monitored every move we made. As we stepped apart, I peeked at Damien over the stranger’s shoulder.
I felt the man’s hand on my back as he guided us off the floor. Damien had started toward us but was intercepted by my sister. She seemed to ask him for a dance, which he couldn’t refuse as her public escort.
We continued into a far corner of the ballroom, where he handed me a glass of wine. After the exhilaration of our dance, I drank from the goblet easily. Perhaps it would buy me time before breaking this calm facade that was between us.
