Page 74 of Daman
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I didn’t jump.
But I almost did.
Early morning light spilled into the bedroom as I watched Warrin sleep. I brushed aside a strand of his silver hair, admiring the hues of pale blue. The fire had long since died, but his large body gave off enough heat to keep me warm. His arm draped across my side, and the other was shoved under my pillow. Soft breaths left him.
I outlined the scar beside his heart before lightly tracing the one down his ribs. Another on his side. More on his stomach.
I was surprised he hadn’t woken yet. Yesterday, he’d dragged my ass out of bed before dawn to meet the army in the field. Maybe he’d decided to sleep in because of the holiday.
I slipped out of bed and pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt before slinking from the room. After taking a piss and brushing my teeth, I walked downstairs to start a pot of coffee. The cups he’d made us last night sat on the table, untouched. I rinsed them out in the sink, my heart heavy.
“Nothing to say this morning, you evil bitch?” I muttered to Envy.
No response.
“Nowyou shut up. Wish you could’ve done that last night. Or any of the other nights, for that matter.”
Then again, if not for that blowup, Warrin and I wouldn’t have had a breakthrough. I’d laid myself bare before him, told him why I was so distant and why he should walk away while he still could. For whatever reason, he wanted me despite my flaws. Despite my irrational behavior and moodiness.
I caught myself smiling as I filled the machine with water, added coffee grounds, and started it. He wanted to see where our relationship could go. As scary as the thought was, so did I.
Movement from the corner of my eye had me flinging around and pulling a knife from the block by the stove.
“Whoa!” Armen put both hands up, eyes wide.
“Jesus Christ.” I lowered the knife. “Don’t sneak up on people.”
“Sorry. I saw you come downstairs and was about to say something but heard you talking to yourself. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
Great. This kid thinks I’m crazy now.
“How long have you been here?”
“Only a few minutes.” Armen’s cheeks were pink. Probably from the cold. Though lighter than yesterday, it was still snowing. “I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in. Prince Warrin gave me a key.”
I waited for Envy to whisper vile words. Waited for that stir beneath my skin and the build of bitterness that clawed at my insides.
It never came.
“I don’t mind.” I expelled a breath and walked to the refrigerator, confused. My head was so quiet. “Did you come to cook breakfast?”
“Yep. And to gather your laundry. Clean the house.”
“War and I haven’t discussed it yet, but I think he’d agree with me in saying you don’t have to be our maid. We’re grown-ass adults and can pick up after ourselves.”
Also, the thought of Armen changing our cum-crusted sheets mortified me a bit. He was still just a kid. Regardless if he and Dimitri were banging.
“Oh.” His face fell a little. “Should I leave?”
Fucking hell. Now I’ve upset him.
“I’m a shitty cook,” I said, searching the refrigerator. Not exactly true. I was decent enough. “I could use your help.”
A smile broke across his face. “I’d love to! What do you want to make?”
“Um.” I ran my teeth over my bottom lip, thinking. “What does Warrin like?”
