(Ember/ Aeris POV)
Damon and I lay there for a while, tucked under the sheets, our bodies pressed together as if neither of us wanted to break the mont.
His chest rose and fell beneath my cheek, steady and warm, and for a long ti we simply listened to each other’s heartbeat. It felt strangely comforting, like the world outside had paused just for us, and nothing existed except the soft rhythm between us.
I lifted my head a little, my fingers brushing lightly against his collarbone. "Are you still mad at ?" I asked quietly.
He did not answer. Not a word left his mouth, which made my heart squeeze in worry. Instead he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead, warm and lingering, the kind that said far more than anything he could have spoken.
Still, I could not tell if he was forgiving or just distracting again.
When he shifted away from , I felt the warmth disappear from my body all at once. The coldness that replaced it made curl my toes under the blanket, as if holding onto the last bit of heat he left behind.
Damon rose from the bed, his movents calm but unreadable. He stared out the window at the sky that had turned dark, painted with deep shades of blue and purple.
A nervous flutter danced in my stomach. Maybe he was still upset. Maybe the kiss was just his way of avoiding another argunt. I sat up slowly, clutching the blanket to my chest.
’How can you be this petty? If soone apologises you should forgive, and I am not just anyone, I’m your lover, and yet you are still giving a cold shoulder. Oh the almighty Lycan King is mad at , I guess I should be scared.’ I pouted my lips in displeasure.
He stood there for a mont, the evening breeze drifting through the window and brushing against his hair. Then he finally turned toward . "Get ready," he said.
I blinked at him. "For what?"
Before I could finish the question, he turned his back to and did not say another word. I let out a small sigh and resigned myself to fate. I climbed out of the bed and began to dress, moving through my wardrobe with no idea what I was supposed to choose.
Sothing casual? Sothing formal? Sothing for a fight? Knowing my life lately, any of those were possible. I finally picked a dress that felt suitable for going out, simple but beautiful enough not to embarrass myself if he had sothing planned.
When I stepped out of the room, Damon was already waiting for in the hallway. The mont his eyes landed on , they widened slightly. He continued staring as if he had forgotten about everything else.
"You look beautiful." He muttered in a daze.
"Thank you. You look dashing too." And it wasn’t just an empty complint. His long black coat made him look untouchable and charismatic, his hair was combed back with a single strand falling over his face.
He smiled at . "Co, let’s go."
’So much for being cold earlier... I bet he wanted to hold against the wall and do naughty things to .’
anwhile, I felt Layla rolling her eyes at my words. I ignored her, if she starts talking now, who knows when it will end.
Damon and I walked side by side through the quiet castle, our footsteps echoing softly against the floor.
The mont we pushed open the large door and stepped outside, fresh air rushed past us, cool and fresh. It filled my lungs in a way that made close my eyes for a second. The scent of pine, damp soil, and the faint sweetness of blooming night flowers wrapped around us.
It felt refreshing, almost cleansing.
Outside the stables, Damon brought out a white horse. I walked toward the second one out of instinct, already preparing to mount it, but Damon gently caught my wrist.
"You are riding with ," he said.
I wanted to protest... I really did. But he did not give the chance. He lifted up effortlessly and settled in front of him before climbing up behind . His chest pressed against my back, and the familiar warmth spread over my body again, replacing the coldness I had felt earlier.
A wave of nostalgia washed over . I rembered the first ti we rode together on horseback, coming back from that small flooded village. At that ti I was too embarrassed to lean on him.
This ti, I pressed myself back against him without hesitation. Even when I felt his mighty rod nudging against , I did not pull away. Instead I wrapped my hands over his, the ones holding the reins, and allowed myself to enjoy the mont.
"Soone is getting hard." I muttered with a click of my tongue.
I turned my neck to see his expression, his jaws clenched so tightly and in those ink like eyes, there was a promise of regretting my taunting actions.
"Yeh." Damon’s deep, hoarse voice rumbled through the air as he kicked the horse to start walking.
"Where are we going?" I asked, tilting my head slightly.
"You will know when we get there," he said simply.
I sighed in defeat. Damon was so annoying and sohow charming all at the sa ti. ’I wonder if he is on his period.’
The horse began to move, and soon the steady trot turned into a faster pace.
The wind rushed past my ears, cool and refreshing, pulling strands of my hair loose from behind my ear. I leaned back more, feeling the vibration of Damon’s heartbeat against my spine.
Eventually the dense forest opened into a clearing at the top of a cliff. Water roared nearby, steady and loud, and a waterfall cascaded down the rocks beside us.
The mist from it drifted through the air, cool and fresh, and the ground was covered in soft green grass. Beautiful flowers of different colors blood around the edge of the cliff, their petals glowing faintly under the moonlight.
To our right, closer to the thick forest, a mountain rose up with a quiet presence. At its base was a pool of steaming water, gentle ripples rolling across its surface. Warm steam rose into the air, mixing with the cool night breeze in a way that looked magical.
As I stepped down from the horse, I noticed tiny lights drifting above us. Fireflies filled the sky, scattering softly through the air like floating stars. The moon sat full and bright above us, its silvery light washing over the clearing as if it was smiling at us.
I lifted my hand slowly toward the fireflies. They danced around my fingers, glowing softly, warm little sparkles that made the entire scene look unreal. Beautiful did not even begin to describe it.
I turned to look at Damon, wanting to ask him why he brought here.
But when I looked down, I found him already lowering himself to one knee.
My breath caught.
He reached into his pocket and brought out the ring.
The sa ring I had accidentally ruined his mont with earlier... Except this ti, he held it with purpose.
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