Chapter 15
15
DAMIEN
I waited at the border between Dragon Valley and the Northern District for hours. My legs ached and cramps tightened my calves, but I refused to leave until I saw her carriage.
Uncle Bai sent a message that Lady Arya would be at the palace for the emperor’s Nightwing banquet. I had hoped to see her before she departed with her brother, but unfortunately, she’d already left by the time I snuck into her room.
All night long, I’d had a bad feeling. A nagging concern I hadn’t been able to kick. And until I saw her return safely home, I wouldn’t be at peace.
Under the cover of night, the distinctive rumble of an approaching carriage echoed through the cool air, breaking the silence that had settled around the outskirts of Dragon Valley. It was dangerous for me to be so close to the palace, but this was a risk I had to take.
I tensed, my senses heightened as I peered into the darkness, waiting for any sign of Cat. The sound grew louder as the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves against the cobblestone road drew near.
As the carriage came into view, the soft glow of a lantern illuminated the Ryder family symbol—a plum blossom. This unmistakable emblem confirmed it was indeed the Ryder’s carriage. My heartbeat quickened as I prepared to intercept it.
Stepping into the road, I raised my hand, signaling for the driver to stop. The horses, startled by my sudden appearance, neighed loudly and reared before the driver, a seasoned old man known to me by sight, pulled hard on the reins. He didn’t recognize me with the hood over my head and the darkness surrounding me. The wooden carriage wheels screeched against the stone, grinding to a halt just a few feet from where I stood.
The scent of damp earth and the musky odor of horse sweat wafted to my nose as I hurriedly approached the carriage. Pulling aside the curtain with a swift motion, I was met by the sight of Cat, her features drawn tight with worry, clutching a barely conscious Jacob. The dim light from the carriage’s interior drew ragged shadows across their faces, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
I climbed inside, my voice heavy with concern. “What happened?”
Cat’s eyes, wide and shimmering with a mix of fear and resolve, met mine as she hastily relayed the events. “It’s a disaster, Damien. Julian attacked him at the banquet because of me. There was chaos... and then Klaus showed up. It’s all spiraled out of control!” she cried.
Jacob, pale and barely hanging on to consciousness, shifted weakly in her arms, a stark reminder of the severity of their plight.
“Klaus?” My frown deepened as I pieced together the implications. “Who is Klaus?”
Her eyes widened in shock as if she’d revealed something she wasn’t supposed to divulge, then she gulped. “My fae friend,” she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. “He appears whenever I’m in danger.”
My mind raced with the information, calculating our next move and ignoring that little tidbit of information. Klaus … Why does that name sound familiar? I shook my head and focused on the issue at hand. “We need to get Jacob to safety.”
Cat tapped the front of the carriage. “Go!” she commanded the driver.
The carriage rocked gently as we set off again, the sound of the horses’ hooves now a steady beat in the night. Inside, the close confines felt like a sanctuary from the chaos left behind at the palace.
As the landscape passed by in dappled shadows and moonlight, I reached out and squeezed Cat’s hand reassuringly. “We'll sort this out,” I promised, my voice steady despite the turmoil.
“Damien,” she grimaced, “that’s not even the worst of it.”
I frowned. “What else happened?”
She shook her head and sighed. “There’s a new song floating around Elaria. It’s called… Song of the Dragon Rider … and it’s about us.”
I furrowed my brows. “What? Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Yes. It’s obvious. The emperor killed the singer who sang the song tonight in front of everyone.”
While I wasn’t surprised by my father’s actions, I was alarmed that he let his emotions get the best of him in front of so many distinguished visitors. Now that was unlike him. “Does he know it’s about us?”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so… I mean, I don’t know. There aren’t a lot of people out there with a twin flame mark, Damien,” she deadpanned. “So, he could easily assume it’s about you, at least.”
My eyes widened. “The song mentions the twin flame mark?”
She nodded. “It was so specific, Damien. It’s like the person who wrote it knows you!”
“No, they merely know the legends. It’s said that when a Dragon Rider appears, they will be twin flames,” I said knowingly. “This is common knowledge.”
She snorted. “Obviously not that common, if I didn’t know about it.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re not from here.”
“Shh,” she shushed me and motioned to Jacob in her arms.
I’d forgotten all about him, he was so quiet. Looking at him nestled in her arms made me grit my teeth and fight to hold in a growl. I reminded myself that he looked at her as a sister, even though they weren’t really siblings.
“We need to be more cautious,” I said, my voice low and even. “If that song is about us, it could bring unnecessary attention that we don’t need. Someone must have seen us last night.”
She frowned and shifted Jacob to a more comfortable position. “I get it, Damien. But what are we supposed to do? Go around asking every bard in Elaria to please not sing about us?”
“The first thing we need to do is find out who wrote it,” I stated, my mind already racing through possible ways to track down the origins of the song. “If we can stop them from spreading it further, we might contain the situation.”
Cat nodded, though the skepticism was clear in her eyes. “And how do you propose we do that? It’s not like the author is going to come forward and admit to writing a song that got someone killed.”
“We have our ways,” I offered cryptically. “Uncle Bai has contacts in the lower districts, including bards and storytellers. We’ll start there. And then I have my connection in The Gilded Serpent.”
Turning her attention out the window of the carriage, Cat pulled the curtain aside and watched the trees pass by in a blur. “And what about the emperor? If your father suspects the song is about you…”
“We’ll deal with my father if and when we need to,” I interrupted sharply. My tone was colder than I intended, a defense mechanism I couldn’t always control. “Right now, we focus on the immediate threat.”
Cat nodded slowly, then turned back to look at me. “Okay, what do you need me to do?”
“Just stay safe,” I said, concern for her seeping through my firm exterior. “I can handle the inquiries.”
“Because that’s worked out so well in the past,” she retorted, her voice laced with sarcasm.
I clenched my jaw and decided to let her comment slide. Arguing wouldn’t help, and deep down, I knew her barbed words were born of frustration and fear, not malice.
The carriage creaked and jostled over the uneven road, the moonlight intermittently illuminating the tense faces inside. Jacob, groggy and disoriented from pain but with his military instincts still sharp, shifted uncomfortably in Cat’s arms. “Where are we?” His voice was hoarse, his gaze darting around as he tried to piece together his surroundings.
“We’re heading back home,” Cat reassured him, her grip tightening around him protectively.
Jacob’s eyes narrowed as they focused on me across the dim interior. “And who is he?” Suspicion was evident in his tone.
“He’s... a friend who helped out tonight.” Cat speared me with a glance that screamed to tread carefully.
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. “I was nearby when things at the palace escalated. Just lending a hand to ensure you get home safely.”
“A lending hand?” he scoffed. “I highly doubt that. My sister doesn’t have casual male friends. Who are you really ?”
Cat’s eyes widened as she looked between us. I found no reason to lie anymore. “I’m Prince Damien.”
Jacob’s eyes narrowed on me. “You’re breaking the rules established by your father! You shouldn’t be on the mainland, if you’re really His Highness.”
I smirked. “That is true. But when I heard Arya would be at the palace tonight, I had a bad feeling and decided to see if she was okay. And I’m glad I did, seeing how you fared.”
Jacob snorted and straightened, shaking out of Cat’s hold and sitting up on his own. “All due respect, but our family affairs have nothing to do with you, Your Highness. The emperor has made it painfully clear that we are to have no ties with you whatsoever.”
I nodded. “That is true, but unfortunately, I can’t cut ties with the Ryders that easily. I hope you can understand.”
Jacob peered over at Cat accusingly and grimaced as if the motion hurt. He turned back to me and scrutinized my face, clearly unsatisfied but too weak to press further. “What exactly happened at the palace?” His memory tried to claw back the recent events, each fragment laced with pain.
“You were punished by Julian,” Cat stated bluntly, her tone mixing irritation with a touch of her usual sarcasm. “He had his servant slap you... repeatedly. It was unjust and grossly public.”
Jacob’s jaw clenched, the memory flaring sharply in his mind. “I know that , Arya!” he spat, the recollection igniting anger despite his weakened state. “He made a spectacle to humiliate me. But I would like to know why .”
Cat cleared her throat, looking first at me and then Jacob. “I, uh… used to have a… relationship with Prince Julian,” she admitted awkwardly.
Jacob’s eyes widened. “Pardon? Since when?”
Cat didn’t know the answer to that, since it happened before she came here. So now she would have to lie.
“It wasn’t long,” she answered vaguely. “But when I ended things, Prince Julian was angry. During the luncheon our family was invited to a couple of weeks ago… he attempted to force himself on me.” She whispered the last part with a grimace.
If there was one thing I’d learned about Cat, it was that she was prideful. She was proud of being able to protect herself and not being seen as weak.
“That bastard!” Jacob shouted, punching the bench they sat on.
Cat gasped as if surprised by his vehement reaction. “It’s okay, Jacob, really. I took care of it. Unfortunately he was embarrassed, which was why he punished you tonight.”
Jacob thought about it for a moment and then frowned. “Now that you mention it, I saw you fighting him, Arya. When did you learn how to fight?”
She sputtered, unprepared to answer his question. “Well… uh… you see… I—”
“I’ve been teaching her,” I quickly inserted.
They both turned their gazes in my direction, surprise in their expressions.
“Your Highness, my sister is a lady . She shouldn’t be learning such arts,” Jacob reprimanded sternly.
I wanted to laugh. Cat was no lady, and Arya certainly wasn’t.
She rolled her eyes and mouthed “thank you” before turning to Jacob with a mumbled apology.
When he sighed, the immediate fire in his eyes dimmed as pain won over. “We'll need to discuss this further. In detail.”
“We will,” Cat assured him, gently squeezing his hand. “Once we're home, we’ll sort everything out.”
Jacob leaned back against the cushion and accepted the situation with resignation and resolve. “And him …” He nodded towards me with a mixture of suspicion and gratitude. “I suppose I owe him thanks.”
“Let's just focus on getting you home first,” I suggested, trying to ease the palpable tension.
As the carriage rolled onto the familiar Ryder grounds, the sight of their home offered slight comfort, yet the weight of the night's events hung ponderously in the air. What should have been a safe return felt more like the calm before yet another storm.
After dropping Jacob off in his room and settling him in, I quietly followed Cat to her quarters. The family and their servants were already asleep, with only their guards patrolling the grounds. Luckily, we bypassed them on the way to her room.
I figured her servant Maeve would be waiting for her, but thankfully, she wasn’t, although she’d left several candles burning to light the room. When I shut the door behind me, I turned and watched Cat desperately untie the corset of her dress. I strolled over to where she stood and gently brushed her soft hands out of the way, taking hold of the strings and slowly untying them one by one.
Cat exhaled a sigh of relief as the corset loosened, and her shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of the evening's events. “I swear these things are medieval torture devices,” she whispered, her voice tinged with her typical sardonic humor.
“They serve their purpose,” I responded, my tone even, as I continued to work the laces free. My fingers brushed her smooth skin with each freed lace. The proximity to her and the faint scent of her perfume mixed with the stress of the night was unsettling in a way that was hard to ignore.
“Which is?” She turned to look back at me over her shoulder, her expression playful yet edged with fatigue.
“To make a statement,” I murmured, meeting her gaze. “Though, I believe you make enough of a statement all on your own.”
Her laugh was bemused, almost disbelieving. “Flattery from Damien Drakonar? I must truly be in a different realm,” she teased, her honey brown eyes sparkling even in the dim light.
“The realm where I help you out of your dress?” I suggested, a hint of challenge in my voice as I pulled the last of the laces loose. The fabric of her dress fell and pooled at her feet, leaving her in only her undergarments.
She turned fully now, her expression mock-serious. “Only if you promise to behave,” she countered, stepping out of the dress and kicking it away, but not before brushing against me in a way that sent a subtle shock through my senses.
“Behave?” I echoed, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. “I always behave... according to my own rules, that is.”
Cat shook her head, amusement flickering across her features. “Dangerous words.”
“Hm, they are.” I tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear.
She slowly closed her eyes and gave a deep sigh. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know.” I glided my fingers down her neck, sending pebbles across her skin.
She opened her eyes. “I don’t like you. I shouldn’t like you.”
“But you do,” I said confidently, seeing the truth of it in her eyes. “Take the gamble, Cat. Just once.”
“After the craziness of tonight, I might take that risk.” She stepped closer. Her fingers lightly touched the collar of my shirt, absently toying with the edge.
I caught her hand and held it against my chest. “Risks can be rewarding,” I stated, excited by the pulse I felt racing beneath my fingers. “But are you sure you're ready for the consequences?”
She looked up at me, her eyes alight with both defiance and intrigue. “With you, I'm learning that the consequences might be worth it,” she whispered, her breath warm against my skin.
“How so?” I tilted my head to the side.
She bit her plump lower lip and the sight drove me wild. “You might be holding me hostage, but I can’t deny that whenever I’m in trouble, you’re always there. Maybe I’m losing my mind.” She chuckled and lowered her head with a rueful shake.
I grabbed her chin and lifted it to meet my gaze. “You’re not losing your mind, Cat.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” she murmured. “You’re my captor. If our roles were reversed, wouldn’t you feel insane if you were drawn to the person holding you hostage?”
With the space between us charged with electricity that felt both dangerous and inevitable, I realized we were playing a game of push and pull, each moment drawing us closer to a line neither of us was sure we should cross. Yet, as the night deepened and the quiet of the house wrapped around us, the unspoken invitation hung in the air, a challenge from which neither was quite ready to walk away.
“I'm not a complete villain, you know,” I responded, my voice equally low. My hands found their way to her waist of their own volition and drew her in until the space between us diminished to inches. “I save my darker side for more... deserving occasions.”
“Is that so?” she bantered.
Her breath caught when I leaned in and brushed my nose against hers. The air around us felt thick, laden with unspoken promises and lingering desires.
“Absolutely.” I closed the small gap between us, my lips brushing hers tentatively at first, gauging her reaction.
The kiss deepened almost instantly, driven by a raw, pent-up need that neither of us could deny. Her hands roamed up to my neck and pulled me closer, sealing the space between us with a fervor that matched my own. The world around us faded away, leaving only the sound of our mingled breaths.
When our lips finally parted, I felt Cat's fingers frantically working the buttons of my shirt, her movements deft and determined. I caught her hands, slowly backed her up against the wall, and gently pinned them above her head. “Patience,” I murmured against her neck, my lips trailing a path of fire down to her collarbone.
“Patience was never my strong suit,” she quipped breathlessly, arching into me as I nipped at the sensitive skin just below her ear.
I chuckled low in my throat, releasing her hands to run my palms down her sides, savoring the soft curves of her body hidden by her soft, silky undergarments. “Then allow me to teach you the fine art of anticipation.”
With deliberate slowness, I unclasped her brassiere and let it fall to the floor, then cupped her breasts and brushed my thumbs over her hardened nipples. Cat's sharp intake of breath was music to my ears, her body responding to my touch with undeniable eagerness.
“Damien,” she breathed, her voice filled with heady desire and unmistakable impatience. Her hands found their way to my shirt again, this time successfully unbuttoning it and pushing it off my shoulders.
I stepped back, drinking in the sight of her—flushed skin, tousled hair, eyes dark with want. “You're beautiful,” I murmured, tracing a finger along her jawline.
“And you talk too damn much,” Cat retorted with a smirk, pulling me back to her.
Our lips met again, more urgently this time. I lifted her easily, her legs wrapping around my waist as I carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, I took a moment to appreciate the way her dark hair fanned out on the pillow, how her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath. The candlelight flickered across her skin, tossing enticing shadows I was eager to explore.
I trailed kisses down her body, savoring every inch of her golden skin. My tongue swirled around her nipple as I caressed her inner thigh, eliciting a soft moan from her lips.
“Tease,” Cat breathed, her fingers tangling in my hair.
“Patience rewards,” I murmured against her skin, continuing my descent. I kissed along the curve of her hip, my stubble grazing her sensitive flesh. Her back arched as I pulled her panties aside to taste her, my tongue exploring her most intimate places. Cat gasped and writhed beneath me as I brought her to the brink again and again, only to pull back.
“Damien, please !” she panted, her usual wit replaced by raw need.
I smirked up at her. “What happened to that sharp tongue of yours?” I teased, placing one last kiss on her inner thigh before moving back up her body.
“You seem to have stolen it,” Cat retorted breathlessly, her wit returning even as desire clouded her eyes. She pulled me down for a searing kiss, her tongue dancing with mine as her hands roamed my back.
I pulled down her panties and settled between her thighs, the heat of her core tantalizing against my hardness. With deliberate slowness, I entered her, savoring the way she gasped and arched beneath me. Her legs wrapped around my waist, urging me deeper.
“Impatient,” I murmured against her neck, nipping lightly at her pulse point.
“Infuriating,” she countered, her nails raking down my back as I began to move within her.
Our bodies moved together in a sensual dance, swiftly finding a rhythm that felt both urgent and languid. I reveled in the way Cat's body responded to mine, her tender sighs and breathy moans urging me on. With each thrust, I felt her warmth envelop me, drawing me deeper into a world where only we existed.
“Is this what you wanted?” I whispered against her ear, my voice husky with desire. I punctuated my words with a particularly deep thrust, causing her to gasp and arch beneath me.
“More,” she demanded, her wit momentarily overshadowed by raw need. Her fingers dug into my shoulders, pulling me closer as if trying to merge our bodies into one.
I happily obliged, increasing my pace. The room filled with the sounds of our passion—skin against skin, breathless moans, and the rhythmic creaking of the bed beneath us. Neither of us cared if anyone heard us. I marveled at the way Cat's body moved with mine, her back arching to meet each thrust, her breasts pressed against my chest.
“Is this what you imagined?” I murmured, nipping at her earlobe. “All those nights you spent thinking about your captor?”
Cat's breathless laugh was tinged with pleasure. “Bold of you to assume I spent my nights thinking of you ,” she joked, though her words were contradicted by the way her body clenched around me.
I smirked and slowed my movements to an agonizing pace. “No? Then perhaps I should stop...”
“Don't you dare ,” she growled, digging her nails into my back.
I chuckled low in my throat and resumed my previous pace with renewed vigor, relishing the way Cat's body arched beneath me. “As you wish.”
Our bodies moved in perfect synchronicity, a dance of passion and desire. I trailed kisses along her neck, tasting the salt on her skin, feeling her pulse race beneath my lips. Cat's fingers tangled in my hair, tugging gently as she gasped with each thrust.
“You once said I was a terrible kisser. What about now?” I teased, my voice gruff with desire. I punctuated my words by hitching her leg higher on my hip, changing the angle to hit that spot that made her see stars.
Cat's witty retort dissolved into a moan of pleasure. “I suppose... it'll do,” she managed to quip between ragged breaths, her usual sarcasm weakened by the waves of ecstasy coursing through her body.
I felt her tremble, her inner walls clenching around me as she neared her peak. I quickened my pace, driving deeper and harder, determined to bring her to the heights of pleasure. Cat's nails raked down my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake as she clung to me, her body arching off the bed.
“Let go,” I whispered against her ear, my voice rough with exertion and desire. “I've got you.”
With a cry muffled against my shoulder, Cat shattered, her release washing over her in waves. I held her close, continuing to move within her, drawing out her pleasure as long as possible. The sight of her coming undone beneath me, her face flushed and hair in wild disarray, was enough to push me over the edge. With a low groan, I followed her into ecstasy, my release pulsing deep within her as we clung to each other, our bodies trembling from the aftershocks of our shared pleasure.
For a long moment, we remained entwined, our breaths mingling as we slowly descended from the heights of passion. I rolled to the side, bringing Cat with me, unwilling to break our connection just yet. She nestled against my chest, her dark hair spilling across my skin like silk.
The candles had burned low, casting a soft, amber glow with long shadows that danced across the walls. Outside, the night had deepened, the only sound the distant rustle of leaves tossed by a gentle breeze that carried the faint scent of night-blooming jasmine through the open window. It was as if the world had paused, leaving us suspended in one perfect moment.
Cat's fingers traced lazy patterns on my chest, her touch sending subtle shivers through my body. I ran a hand along the curve of her spine, marveling at the softness of her skin and the delicate strength hidden beneath.
“Well,” Cat murmured, her voice a mixture of satisfaction and amusement, “I suppose that's one way to warm up after a chilly night.”
I chuckled softly, my fingers tangling in her wavy hair. “Always the wit, even now,” I teased, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.
We lay in comfortable silence for a while as our bodies cooled and our heartbeats gradually slowed to a steady rhythm. Cat's breathing began to deepen, her body relaxing further against mine. Her eyelids grew heavy as she fought the pull of sleep. Her fingers, which had been tracing idle patterns on my chest, grew still.
“I should go,” I murmured, though I made no move to leave.
“Mmm.” Cat’s voice was thick with approaching slumber. “You probably should.”
Yet neither of us stirred. The night wrapped around us like a cocoon, the soft whisper of the breeze through the curtains and the distant call of a nightingale the only sounds breaking the silence. Moonlight filtered through the window, reflecting a silvery glow across Cat's skin and making her appear almost ethereal.
I was mesmerized by the sight of her. The usual sharp edges of her personality had softened in the aftermath of our passion, replaced by vulnerability she rarely showed. It was this version of Cat, unguarded and serene, that tempted me to stay longer and delve deeper into the enigma she presented. But reality beckoned—harsh and demanding.
Finally, with a quiet sigh, I gently disentangled myself from her embrace, careful not to wake her. I stood and watched her for a moment, the peaceful, steady rise and fall of her chest. She murmured something inaudible in her sleep and a soft smile played on her lips. It was moments like these that I caught a glimpse of what might be, what could be, if circumstances were different.
I adjusted the blanket over her, ensuring she was well covered, then picked up my clothes and dressed. Despite the chaos and danger that our relationship would inevitably bring, I felt a profound connection to her—one that went beyond my initial intentions. Maybe it was the bond. I wasn’t sure. And I was too tired to overanalyze it right now.
Cat's eyes fluttered open, revealing a hint of confusion followed by understanding. “Damien,” she said, her voice a whisper of silk and steel, “you don't have to sneak out like a thief.”
I paused and gazed down at her, her hair fanned out like a dark halo on the pillow. “Sometimes, even thieves leave something valuable behind,” I replied, my tone light but sincere.
Her lips curled into a faint smile tinged with melancholy. “Just make sure you come back to reclaim what you've left,” she chided.
Her words conveyed a tenderness I wasn’t used to hearing from her. I couldn’t help but show my surprise. With a nod, I walked towards the window and looked out into the darkness that blanketed the grounds of the Ryder residence, searching for patrolling guards. The night was still, the estate bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, tranquil and deceivingly peaceful.
Without another word, I slipped through the window and blended into the shadows as I strode across the lawn. Behind me, I left a part of myself with her, a silent promise hanging in the air. The night enveloped me, the cool air brushing against my skin as I disappeared into the darkness, each step taking me further from her, yet somehow, inexplicably tethered to her.