Page 16 of Daman

“Not at all.”

I saw him then. Daman. The door to the backseat opened, and he stepped out of the car. A thick black coat and skinny jeans covered his tall, slender frame, and dark hair swooped across his brow and fell a bit into his eyes. Eyes that made my pulse quicken as they lifted to mine.

“Daman,” I said, averting my gaze from his. The eye contact was too intense.

“Warrin.”

“Since we’re playing the name game, I’m Bellamy.” The golden-haired Nephilim said, shutting his door with a smirk in place. “But you can call me God, if you want.”

Daman swatted Bellamy’s arm while Alastair forced a tight smile.

“Please. Come inside,” Nikolai said. “You must be famished after your long trip. We’ve prepared a feast to welcome you.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Alastair tipped his head to him. “That’s most gracious of you.” He, my brother, and the queen then walked up the steps together and went inside the castle.

Armen stepped toward the car. “Allow me to help with your luggage.”

“Well, aren’t you adorable,” Bellamy said to him before sighing. “Too young though, I’m afraid. Come see me in a few years.”

“Goddammit, Bell,” Daman mumbled. “Can you stop thinking with your dick for five seconds?”

“He makes my decisions for me. I can’t help it.”

“Shall we join the others inside?” I asked Daman. Should I offer him my arm? Unsure, I kept my hands to myself. I didn’t know how to properly court someone. Taking an enemy’s head off with a sword? That, I knew.

“Yeah.” He looked away. “Sure.”

Right away, I felt his aversion to being there. And for some reason, it caused a slight tightening in my chest. I didn’t want to be the reason for his unhappiness, yet we both had little choice if we hoped to make the alliance work.

I walked up the steps, sensing him behind me. Neither of us spoke. Bellamy chatted with Armen though. The Nephilim made the boy laugh, and the sound took away some of the ache in my chest.

A servant waited in the entryway to take their coats, and then we continued toward the royal dining chamber. It was smaller than the dining hall used for celebrations and banquets. The long table seated up to ten comfortably and was covered in a variety of dishes, the food still hot from the oven.

Two chairs to the left of my brother were reserved for me and Daman. I pulled out his seat for him, and he gave a subtle nod before sitting. I then took the other. Kira sat across from me with Milena beside her. My niece caught my eye and flashed a toothy grin before pointing at Daman.

Handsome,she mouthed.

I quietly cleared my throat and reached for my glass of water. Everyone else at the table, apart from Milena, drank wine.

“You have a beautiful home,” Alastair said from the opposite end of the table.

Nikolai cut into his food. “You live in America, yes?”

“Yes. In a seaside town called Echo Bay.”

“Sounds charming.”

Daman sat with his spine straight, both hands in his lap and his head angled down, brown hair curtaining his face. I got the impression he didn’t like social settings. Or maybe it was just me he didn’t like.

“Daman,” Nikolai said. “My beautiful queen wishes to design your suit for the ceremony. Unless you have something else you planned to wear?”

“Fine with me,” Daman answered. “Can’t say I’ve given my wardrobe much thought.”

That ache returned to my chest.

“What hemeansto say,” Alastair interjected, glaring daggers at Daman before smiling at the king, “is that we’ve been focused on the conflict with the demons as of late and haven’t had time for much else. But we are all looking forward to the union between our families. It would be a great honor for Queen Kira to design his suit.”

Kira beamed. “How fortunate. I’ve already started. I only need his measurements.”