Chapter 7 Tavern #3
“Thank you.” It was all Luna could think to say. For a monster, he was well-behaved.
“Of course.” Damien held out his hand, gesturing towards the couples swirling in time to the music. “Shall we?”
Luna hesitated, her heart sinking at the thought. Just because he had stood up for her and obeyed her wish to avoid violence didn’t mean she owed him anything. She shook her head. “I’m not going to dance with you.”
Damien’s gaze slid over to Marion and Gregory. “Don’t pretend you haven’t been staring at that couple, wishing you were her.”
As much as she wanted to deny it, what would be the point? She had been watching them.
He put his hand out, his palm open for her to take if she wished. “One dance. What’s the harm?”
It was tempting. She had come here for a reason, and a quick glance at Marion confirmed she’d probably spend the remainder of the evening watching from the sidelines, again.
So why not dance with Damien? No one here knew she was a noblewoman, nor him a unicorn.
Her reputation wasn’t at risk of being ruined.
Why not enjoy this rare chance to experience something normal?
She drew in a steadying breath. “Alright. One dance. But I warn you—I’m a total beginner.”
She downed the rest of her glass, willing the liquid courage to hit her sooner rather than later. If she was going to be this close to a unicorn, she was going to need it.
The instant she slid her hand in his, an energy hummed through her body, sending tingles sliding down her back, straightening her spine as if shocked by an electrical jolt.
He pulled her in, his other hand finding hers and guided it to his shoulder.
His hand snaked around her waist, leaving her breathless.
His presence, the solidness of him, pressed against her, drew her even closer.
An image of Clyde flashed in her mind; he was the only other person who had held her this close, but in her intoxicated state, the thought disappeared before she could even grasp it.
The music thrummed beneath her skin, its melody pulsing through her veins.
He led her into a dance that echoed Marion and Gregory’s, the footwork fast, but Damien was an exceptional dance partner.
He twirled her near to his body, keeping her in arm’s reach, and then he swept her off her feet, swinging her between his legs, then up overhead.
Giggling like a fool, she tilted her head back, a smile spreading across her lips as delight bloomed in her chest. For a fleeting moment, she wished this dance would never end.
He placed her back on her feet, but before she had time to catch her breath, she was twirling, spinning round and round in a dizzying whirlwind. She let herself go, her body responding instinctively to his, moving with an unbridled sense of abandonment.
The tempo slowed, and so did they.
Damien drew her in, chest to chest, his warmth bleeding through the fabric of her dress and seeping into her skin, unravelling her thoughts.
Her hands slid upwards, fingers tracing the nape of his neck before linking behind it, enjoying the impossible warmth of his skin. The feel of him—solid, steady—brought a hum of awareness to her chest.
They swayed together, her body molding to his like they were meant to fit together. The noise of the tavern, the clink of glasses, the world itself all faded into nothing. There was only him.
Damien’s fingers found her chin, tilting her face up, his touch feather light.
When their eyes locked, Luna was captivated by what she saw.
Her soul wandered into the dark forest of his irises, tracing flecks of brown like hidden embers.
A flush crept up her neck, her breath catching as heat pooled low in her belly.
Her lips parted before she could stop herself and she closed her eyes, anticipation curling in her chest . . .
But the kiss never came.
When she opened her eyes, Damien was looking down at her, an amused little smirk on his face. His gaze held a flicker of . . . indignation, perhaps? Maybe even contempt, but it vanished too quickly to be sure.
Humiliation crashed through her in a hot wave. Had she misread the moment? The thought sent a sharp ache through her chest. Heat rose to her cheeks, and she stepped back, suddenly feeling far too exposed.
Somehow, most likely due to all the alcohol she had drank, her feet tangled themselves together, and she stumbled. If Damien hadn’t still been holding onto her, she’d have fallen on her face.
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice a soft rumble that resonated more deeply than intended.
No, she was not all right; she was drunk. The room was spinning. And on top of it all, she had tried to kiss a freaking unicorn! And worse—she had been rejected.
Avoiding his gaze, she palmed her cheeks and tried to steady her vision. “The room is kind of . . .” She paused, thinking of the right word. “Floaty.”
He helped steady her back onto her feet. “How much have you had to drink?”
Wobbling, she raised her hand and pinched her index finger and thumb together. “Just a smidge.”
“A smidge too much. Let’s get you some food.”
Damien helped her over to the counter, alerting the bartender with a wave of his hand and ordered some food for Luna. She didn’t hear what he had ordered; despite being rejected, she’d still been too busy admiring his broad shoulders and the way his jaw moved when he spoke.
It’s the alcohol. Just drunk eyes, she tried to convince herself. I’m not actually attracted to this man. But even as the thought entered her mind, she knew she was lying to herself. For whatever reason, she was drawn to him in a way she had never been drawn to anyone before. Not even Clyde.
It wasn’t long before the bartender brought over some bread and cheese. Luna devoured it without delay—thankful that her mother wasn’t there to see her right now. Maybe it was the liquor talking, but she could have sworn it was the most delicious food she had ever eaten.
“Thank you,” she said once she had eaten nearly half the plate.
“Just doing what any gentleman would. No need to thank me.”
“It’s kind of ironic how you’ve been the monster in my nightmares, and today, you’re my saviour.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he responded, “I’ll be whatever you desire if it keeps me in your dreams.”
She reached up and playfully flicked his nose. Then teased, “Wouldn’t you like that? You think you’re just sooo dreamy, don’t you? In fact, I’m surprised you don’t go by the name Dreamy instead of Damien.”
He chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Not sure I’ve ever been called dreamy before, but I will definitely be adding it to my list of titles.”
“List? Are you a lord or something?” she prodded.
Briefly, he looked away, his gaze distant, as if he were contemplating the answer. Finally, he admitted with a shrug, “Something like that.”
“Then let me address you properly.” Luna jumped out of her chair.
“Greetings, Mister Dreamy. Lord of Handsomeness. Commander of the Shadows. How do you do?” She tried to perform a mocking curtsy, but her impaired balance made it less than graceful, requiring his assistance to prevent her from falling over.
Although she had been mocking him, he laughed.
The sound resonated in her ears as he helped her back into the seat.
She rather liked hearing him laugh. She tilted her head, curious.
“Why are you here, Damien?” It was the same question he had asked her earlier, the one she hadn’t answered.
“Nina’s been the only kindhearted unicorn this kingdom has ever seen.
Am I supposed to believe you’re the second? ”
He scoffed. “You truly don’t know much, do you?”
She was about to ask him what he meant when she heard Marion’s voice over the music calling her. “Luuunaaaa.”
Marion was slumped against the bar, using it to support her weight, leaving Gregory alone on the dance floor.
“I was telling Gregory how nice your necklace is . . .” Marion’s words slurred together as she reached out and plucked the chain out from underneath Luna’s collar.
Luna stiffened. No one else had touched her necklace since her mother had gifted it to her.
Marion continued, “I told him he needs to buy me one just like it.”
It was doubtful he would be able to buy anything like this considering its age and Luna told her just that.
With a delicate touch, Marion turned the pendant over in her hand before running her fingers along the chain to straighten it. “Can’t blame a gal for trying.” With a side glance in Damien’s direction, she asked, “So tell me, are you going home with Damien?”
Luna gasped. “No! Of course not.” An odd sensation draped over her, filling her body; she definitely had too much to drink. Wait a second. “How do you know his name?” Her eyes shot to Damien. “Do you two know each other?”
Damien was glaring at Marion with a look of a hundred knives being thrown through the air.
Marion stepped back. With a high-pitched nervous squeal, she said, “Did I forget to mention it . . .”
Yes. Yes, she had. Luna’s mouth hung open. She had been under the impression they were all strangers. This news made the ground beneath her feet feel unsteady. If Marion knew Damien, did she also know he was a unicorn . . . Was Marion a unicorn? Luna’s stomach flipped.
Damien groaned, his hands washing over his face. “Why do you not think before you speak . . .”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Marion patted Damien’s shoulder, turning to Luna with a warm smile on her face.
“Yes, we know each other. He told me about your little escape from the palace, and I have to say, I admire your bravery.” She dropped her voice to a mere whisper before adding, “It takes a strong person to break out of their cage.”
“The palace isn’t a cage,” Luna interrupted, whispering so that no one else would hear their conversation.