Chapter 40: Chapter Forty: Don’t play games with me.
WARNING!!!
THIS Chapter CONTAINS MATURE CONTENT. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Damien barged thorough the garden gates with Elena in his arms. Anger and fury burned wildly within him as he walked towards the palace doors.
"Didn’t I instruct you not to let her out of the house?!" he said to the servants who were sweeping the courtyard as evening approached.
"Y-your majesty. B-but his highness Prince Severin came for the lady." one of them managed to reply him. He instantly regretted his choice after remembering what had happened to the last man.
"Severin?" Damien’s eyes narrowed at the man’s words. Why would he lure her to danger? Or else it wasn’t him...
Damien’s brows creased together. Manipulation? Shape shifting? Illusion?
Before he could press further, Elena stirred in his arms and his attention was immediately directed towards her. He looked down at her and then at the servants who were more confused than ever and decided to deal with them later.
He carried Elena straight to her chamber and laid her gently upon the sheets.
Her hair spread around her like dark honey in the candlelight.
"Foolish woman," he whispered. "How could you be so easily tricked?."
He sat beside her until her breathing evened, watching her chest rise and fall and listening to the rhythm of her heart
For hours, he didn’t move. Not even when the sun finally went down.
When Elena awoke, the first thing she felt was was pain—a dull ache spreading through her limbs like a fading bruise.
Her eyes fluttered open to find herself in her chamber with the curtains drawn and everywhere totally dark. She blinked, disoriented, before noticing the figure seated beside her bed.
It was Damien.
His head rested on the edge of the mattress with one arm draped protectively near her legs. His breathing was deep and steady and a few strands of jet black hair fell over his eyes.
She blinked again, watching him. There was something so warm about him now but Elena just couldn’t place it. Lately, it was like he’d been trying to get closer to her?
Elena shook her head at the thought now feeling better. That can’t be true...right?
Looking at him now, he looked tired. Exhausted even and yet still impossibly beautiful.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Without thinking, Elena reached out and brushed it away gently.
The moment her fingers touched his skin, his eyes snapped open.
She stilled but her hand was still on his forehead.
His eyes looked at her with a certain wildness that made her heart thump slowly. In a blink, his hand shot up, grasping her wrist firmly enough that she felt his large palms sinking into her wrist.
"Awake already?" he murmured in a voice husky from sleep.
"I—I didn’t mean to wake you," she stammered, trying to pull back.
But he didn’t let go. Instead, he tugged her closer and closer until she nearly lost balance and fell into his lap.
She gasped as she landed on his lap, straddling his thighs with her knees.
"Your high—" Her voice came out, but it was swallowed by his lips crashing against hers. The kiss was fierce and hungry, like he’d been starving for her. His hands roamed her body, one sliding up her back and the other gripping her small waist. Elena’s mind spun as her pulse raced, bringing heat flooding inside her. ’She should push him away’ she thought but her body betrayed her, leaning into him for more.
His tongue teased her lips, and she parted them, letting him deepen the kiss. He tasted of fire and desperation, and she melted against him, her hands clutching his shoulders. He groaned softly, and pulled her closer until there was no space left between them. Then, as suddenly as it began, he broke the kiss, breathing raggedly.
He looked up at her through his disheveled hair and Elena gasped at his face. He looked like a beast overwhelmed by desire.
"You have no idea," he murmured roughly "how much I want you. How much I’ve wanted to devour you, to make you mine." His eyes burned into hers, dark with desire. "I want to consume you, Elena. Every part of you."
Her hand flew to her mouth as shock rippled through her. Where was this coming from? The Damien she knew was guarded and controlled, not this man spilling raw, shameless words.
Instead of feeling ashamed, the intensity in his gaze didn’t waver. Rather, it sent a shiver down her spine. He looked almost mad with want as his hands resting on her hip, gripped with a slight tremble.
Before she could process his words, he lunged forward again, capturing her lips in a consuming kiss. He guided her backward, lifting her gently until her back pressed against the carved wooden bedframe. Her fingers moved on their own, fumbling with the buttons of his shirt. She couldn’t stop herself—she didn’t want to. The need in her matched his, a reckless, burning thing she craved.
The last button gave way, and he shrugged the shirt off, letting it fall to the floor. Her breath hitched at the sight of his taut muscles, sculpted chest and scars mapping his skin like a pattern. She reached out, tracing the lines to his torso with her fingers, and he shuddered under her touch. Suddenly feeling bold, she pulled him closer this time, her lips finding his again. The kiss deepened and she moved herself closer to him.
Her legs wrapped around his waist, and he lifted her effortlessly, pressing her body against his as he straddled her across his lap. Her hands slid into his hair, tugging gently as the kiss deepened and he groaned. She felt something hard shift beneath her and she looked down only to be met by the evidence of his arousal straining against his trousers. Her cheeks flushed, but she couldn’t look away.
"Elena," he said, when he saw the shocked look on her face."if you don’t want this, tell me now. I’ll stop." His eyes studied her intently through his dark hair.
She swallowed, feeling her heart pounding within her chest. "I want it," she whispered, despite the nerves twisting in her stomach. "I want you."
Her hands trembled as they moved to his belt, fumbling with the buckle until it came loose. She tugged his trousers down, gasping softly as she saw him fully. He was... overwhelming. Her eyes widened. He was huge.
Damien’s hands were gentle as he lifted her,m. He guided her down slowly, giving her time to adjust. She gripped his shoulders, digging her nails into his skin as she felt him enter her, inch by inch. Pain flared in her and she winced from it. He froze, tightening his grip on her waist.
"Tell me to stop," he said in a voice tight with restraint.
"No," she gasped, her fingers digging deeper into his back. "Keep going."
He moved slowly, letting her body adjust, his eyes never leaving her face. The pain began to fade, replaced by a warmth that spread through her, slow and intoxicating. He guided her hips, showing her how to move. His groans mingled with her soft gasps, arousing him the more. The rhythm was gentle at first, a slow grind that swallowed her whole
"Elle..." he muttered through gritted teeth "You’re so tight. You’re killing me."
The words sent a thrill through her, and she moved with him, her body finding its own rhythm. The pain was gone now, replaced by a pleasure that made her head spin. He picked up the pace, his hands firm on her waist, and she bounced against him, her breaths coming in short, desperate bursts.
She felt herself unraveling followed by a wave of pleasure crashing over her. She cried out, her body trembling as she came undone, clinging to him. But Damien didn’t stop. His grip on her waist tightened, his own need driving him to continue. Elena, suddenly feeling bold by the aftershocks of her release, reached for the hem of her nightgown and pulled it over her head, tossing it aside. His eyes darkened, a mix of shock and hunger flashing across his face.
"Damnit..." he breathed, but she didn’t let him finish. She moved on her own now, her hips rolling against him with a confidence she didn’t know she had. He let her take control, gripping her lightly on her thighs with his head tipped back as he moved on him.
"Princess..," he said groaning. "You have no idea what you do to me."
She leaned forward, kissing him deeply while her hands roamed his chest, his shoulders, his hair and back. Their movements grew frantic with each thrust, pulling them into desire. He pulled her closer so tightly she could feel his heartbeat against her chest. The tension built again, faster this time, and she felt herself spiraling toward another release.
"Damien," she gasped, her voice breaking. He answered with a groan as his hands guided her faster and harder. They moved together, lost in each other, until the world exploded in a burst of heat and light. She collapsed against him. Her body trembled from exhaustion being her breaths out ragged. He held her tightly, wrapping his arms around her.
For a long moment, they stayed like that, tangled together in each other’s sweats. Elena’s head rested against his shoulder and her fingers lazily traced circles on his chest. She felt raw, exposed, but safe in a way she hadn’t expected.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly. He tilted her chin up, searching her face for any sign of pain.
She nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "More than okay."
He chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Good. Because I’m not sure I could stop myself from doing that again."
Her cheeks flushed, but she didn’t look away. "I don’t want you to."
His lips curled into a small smirk. He pulled her closer, tucking her against his chest.
Elena’s head rested above his heart, still on his laps
He brushed a strand of hair from her face and pressed a kiss to her forehead again. "Sleep," he murmured. "I’ll be here when you wake."
The morning light crept through the heavy curtains, casting soft golden streaks across the room. Elena stirred, still wrapped in Damien’s arms. She blinked, and the events of the night flooder back. Her cheeks heated, but she didn’t pull away from his arms. His steady breathing told her he was still asleep. He looked so... peaceful that she couldn’t help but stare at him.
Carefully, she slipped out of his embrace, pulling the blanket over her bare skin. She sat on the edge of the bed, watching him. But the thought of Severin returned to her mind, souring her mood instantly.
She reached for her nightgown, pulling it on, and walked over to the window. She didn’t know what he or whoever it was wanted with her, but the memory of yesterday would forever live with her.