Page 63 of Aine

“I heard you’re going to a human village.”

Damien glances at Olivia’s door. I’m sure he knows I’m only aware of this because of her and hope he doesn’t grow angry she told me. That’s the literal opposite of what I’m trying to make him do.

His lips purse as he meets my gaze, and after a moment, he nods.

I’m a bit skeptical he plans to get rid of Olivia, but given the severity of the situation, I’d rather not risk it.

“Can I go?” I ask.

Despite there being ulterior motives behind my request, I would genuinely like to visit another human village. I was never able to leave mine because of the dangers in the woods, but I bet it would be safe with Damien.

His abs flex as he takes in my request, the muscles rippling underneath his skin. I force myself to focus on his face, knowing nothing good will come out of lusting for this man.

“Under normal circumstances, yes, but I have important business I need to attend to, so no.”

I frown, unhappy with his response as I shift my weight from foot to foot. “Please?”

Damien’s chest rumbles, and his eyes darken in response to my begging. I’d be lying if I said the sight of his beast doesn’t frighten me, but I refuse to back down even as he cups my cheeks with his hands.

They’re rough with callouses, but his hold is gentle enough that it doesn’t irritate my skin. The pads of his thumbs rest on my chin while his other fingers splay out across my cheeks and bury into the hair behind my head.

I resist the urge to pull away. He seemed more inclined to share the information I wanted after kissing me in the garden earlier today, and I hope he’ll agree to bring me with him if I let him touch me now.

The floor creaks as Damien steps forward, his feet sliding along the ground until his chest presses against mine.

“I’ll take you next time,” he promises.

I shake my head, immediately refusing his offer. Olivia might already be dead by then.

“I’d really like to go this time.”

I can feel my face reddening as I reach out and grab his biceps. This used to work on Henry, and I internally hope it also works on Damien as I step back and drop to my knees.

Damien catches me before they make contact with the floor, his arms wrapping around my own as he yanks me back to my feet. “What the fuck are you doing?”

Despite the anger in his voice, I can feel his arousal seeping into me through our connection. He wants me, and if giving myself to him is what’s going to save Olivia’s life, then that’s what I’m going to do.

I press my hands against his chest. The muscles are hard underneath my palms, and I trace the indentations with my fingers before trailing them to the line of hair that leads into his pants.

“I want to go. I’ve never been to another human village before.”

His hands wrap around mine and pull them away. I gulp, unsure what else to do. I was so sure he’d allow me to come if I asked, but that’s clearly not the case.

“I don’t know what the fuck this is you’re doing.” He scoffs as he releases me and steps back into his room. “But I’m not a fan.”

His body disappears behind his door as he pushes it shut. I stare at the wood for a long while, my heart racing. Of all the ways I anticipated this going, him rejecting me and slamming a door in my face was far down on the list.

I turn as Olivia’s door creaks open, her red and puffy eyes meeting mine through the crack. I open my mouth to apologize, but she shakes her head to stop me. With a defeated shrug, she’s gone, her small, teary face disappearing behind the wood just as Damien’s did moments ago.

My heart constricts painfully as I watch her leave, my mind wandering back to all the times I was absolutely convinced Henry was going to find another and be rid of me. Wetness fills my eyes as I stand on the landing between all three of our bedrooms.

I can’t just stand by and let Damien get rid of Olivia, practically serving her a death sentence, but I can’t force him to take me to the human village.

Fuck. I don’t know.

__________

My legs move before I permit them to, turning me away from the garden I should be heading to and steering me in the direction of Damien’s office. He’s been ignoring me since I asked him to take me to the human village two days ago, and I’m more than sick of it.

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