chapter 18

As she approached him, her heart raced with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. She had never seen Damon so vulnerable, so human. His chest rose and fell with each breath, his eyelids fluttering slightly as he slept.

She reached out a trembling hand, her fingers hovering above his cheek. The warmth of his skin beckoned her, and she gently made contact, her fingertips grazing his jawline. His stubble was rough against her skin, a stark contrast to the smoothness of his lips.

She traced the contours of his face, her touch feather-light. His nose, his eyebrows, the curve of his ear – each feature was chiseled and strong, yet somehow fragile in this moment.

As her fingers brushed against his lips, he stirred, his eyes flickering open. Their gazes met, and the world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this tender, intimate moment.

But the moment was short-lived. Damon's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through her. "What do you think you're doing?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

She jerked her hand back, as if burned. "I-I just wanted to..." she stuttered, her words trailing off under his intense glare.

"Touch me?" he sneered, his lip curling in disgust. "You think you have the right to touch me?"

His words cut deep, and she felt a stinging sensation in her eyes. Tears pricked at the corners, and she turned away, fleeing to the bathroom to hide her shame. The door closed behind her, and she let out a sob, the sound muffled by the thick wood.

When she finally emerged, the room was empty. Damon had vanished, leaving her alone with her tears. She crossed the room, her legs heavy with sorrow, and collapsed onto the bed. Sleep claimed her, a welcome escape from the pain and humiliation.

When she awoke, the room was dark, the only light coming from the moon outside. She lay there, her heart still heavy, wondering what the future held for her and Demon, and whether their paths would ever converge again.

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As she entered the chamber, her eyes scanned the room, expecting to find Demon but she didn't see him

The next morning, she returned to find him slumbering on the couch, his chest rising and falling with each breath. She tiptoed past him, seeking the privacy of the adjacent room to freshen up. The sound of running water and splashing echoed through the space, a stark contrast to the silence that had settled between them.

Breakfast was a somber affair, with only the two of them seated at the table. The clinking of cutlery against plates was the sole sound, as if the very atmosphere was heavy with unspoken words. The servants moved about, their faces pale and fearful, as if Damon's presence had drained the room of all warmth.

As she prepared to rise from her seat, Damon's voice cut through the silence, his tone low and commanding. "We leave now. Pack your things."

His words hung in the air like a decree, leaving no room for dissent. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she nodded, her heart racing with anticipation and a hint of trepidation. What lay ahead, and what did Damon's sudden urgency portend?

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