Ariana woke slowly, her head pounding and her limbs tangled in unfamiliar silk sheets. Her body felt heavy — not from sleep, but from something thicker, darker.
The room wasn't hers. The scent was unfamiliar: warm spice, citrus… male.
She sat up too fast. Pain bloomed behind her eyes. Her dress was gone — replaced by a long silk shirt that didn't belong to her. Her mouth tasted of wine, her memory fractured and foggy.
What happened?
She remembered the banquet. The laughter. The toast. Selene's smirk.
And then… nothing.
Just shadows. Fingers. A glass clinking.
"You're awake."
Ariana turned sharply.
Damian stood by the window, shirt half-buttoned, hair tousled, his eyes locked on her like she was both salvation and sin.
"Where am I?" she croaked.
"My chambers."
"Why?"
"Because you collapsed at the banquet. The wine was drugged."
A chill spread through her. "Selene."
He nodded once, jaw clenched tight. "She wanted you humiliated. Drugged. Alone. Maybe worse."
"But you stopped her?"
"Barely."
Ariana pulled the sheets tighter around herself. "Did anyone else see…?"
"You were barely conscious. I carried you out before anyone could touch you."
"But rumors are already spreading."
He stepped closer, eyes softer now. "You should stay here. At least for a few days. Let it pass."
"And be the girl who sleeps in the prince's bed again?" she said, voice sharp. "That's exactly what Selene wants — for me to lose everything."
"You didn't lose me."
That made her pause.
"You already have me," he said lowly. "Even when I try to resist it."
Silence stretched between them.
"Last night… I should've protected you better," he added.
"You did."
"No. I should've seen it coming. I know Selene. I know how she moves. But I was too focused on you — too distracted."
He stopped himself.
"I can't be distracted anymore. Not when it puts you in danger."
Ariana's heart squeezed. "So what now? You lock me away?"
"No," Damian said, stepping close. "I let the kingdom see the truth."
"Which is?"
"That you're not my mistress," he said. "You're mine."
Before she could speak, the chamber doors burst open.
Selene.
Flanked by guards. Dressed in white like innocence itself.
"Forgive the intrusion," she said sweetly, though her eyes were daggers. "I came to check on your little... guest."
Her gaze dropped to Ariana's ba
re legs beneath the sheets.
Then she smiled.
"Oh dear. Should I return later? Or would you like breakfast for two?"