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Though I’d never liked dancing much before I met these met, he seemed to lead me effortlessly across the dance floor. He held me at a distance, properly respectful, his hand firmly settled on my hip. It felt about as romantic as when he adjusted my stance when we were training, and yet… the warmth of his hand burned against my hip like a brand. I was far too keenly aware of his muscular body so near mine, of his hand cool and calloused, gripping mine. His gaze sought mine frankly, and I was the one who stared at his throat in response.
“You never miss a chance to remind me that you’re so much older and wiser,” I chided him.
“Older, certainly.”
“I thought you weren’t willing to dance with me. Because the nobles would think less…”
“Well, they’ll all be dead soon, won’t they? All those who have been disloyal to you, who laugh knowing you’ve been taken by Camet against your will.” He shook his head. “Perhaps it’s time to finally burn this cursed castle to the ground. With them in it.”
The words chilled me. “You sound like a madman.”
The music shifted, to a slower, darker tune. Damyn slowed our pace, but kept whirling me around the ballroom.
He pulled me closer, dipping his head to speak quietly into my ear. The warmth of his body, the spicy scent that was his own, washed over me, and a throb of lust rose between my thighs. No matter what he’d just said.
“I am mad. I’m mad for you, Honor, and I’ll kill for you without a second’s remorse. If you want me to apologize for the intensity of my feelings, I won’t follow that particular order.”
He was staring down at me with those deep blue eyes, his jaw tight.
“I don’t,” I said steadily. “I want you to admit those feelings aren’t purely… a burden from my father.”
“A burden?”
“You’ve spent your life trying to look after me, Damyn. I’m a burden.”
“Then you’re a burden I’ve been glad to bear.”
“That’s not good enough. I don’t want to be aburden.I don’t want to be your duty. I want to be your…”
I couldn’t bear to finish the sentence.
The words seemed to hang between us.
For the first time, as Damyn lifted his hand from my hip, I realized we’d come to a stop in the middle of the dance floor. The music was still playing, a tune that bordered on mournful, but also carried high, hopeful notes. It fit our long, dark history.
Damyn touched my cheek, his rough palm tender. “Youarethe one I love, Honor.”
I couldn’t breathe.
“I’ve denied us both because I wanted to protect you from the consequences of loving a mere knight,” he said. “But I’m done denying you. I’ll find another way to protect you. Even if it leaves a trail of bodies.”
He pulled me close, suddenly. The heat of his body enveloped me as I found myself drawn against his hard muscles. The intent in his eyes blazed, and my lips were already parting, seeking him, before his lips crashed down on mine.
His lips pressed mine, his hand still possessive and hot on my cheek. When his tongue teased against the seam of my lips, my lips parted, and he stroked inside. He drew my body against his as he claimed my mouth as if he wanted to be as close as possible, as if he wanted to make me utterly, undeniably his.
We had already marked each other, but that was a secret.
In the middle of that room full of nobles, Damyn claimed me.
CHAPTER60
Honor
The marble floorrocked underfoot as the sound of an explosion blew through the room. My ears rang as I steadied myself against Damyn’s chest, his arm circling my waist.
“This way,” I said without hesitation, knowing we had to use the chance to run, whatever was happening. Nobles ran through the room, some going to the north entrance and some to the south and some seemingly just running back and forth like terrified chickens. I seized Damyn’s wrist and pulled him with me toward the throne and its entrance to the private rooms beyond.
Two guards ran past us down the dais. Damyn led the way past them, up to the door; it was locked, but he had it opened in a second.
