Page 19 of Daman

Despite the plummeting temperature outside, the room was well insulated and prevented any drafts. Cozy. I slid out of bed and padded across the floor to the bathroom. There wasn’t a stand-up shower, so I took a hot bath instead, thanking the gods that the castle had electricity and running water.

I’d half expected to have to fetch my own water and heat it like I’d had to in the old days.

“You awake yet?”Bellamy asked, using our mind link.

“No.”

“Smart-ass.”

“You’re ruining my bath. Go away.”

“Oh? You’re naked? Need someone to wash your back?”

I rolled my eyes. Bellamy was a massive flirt. Always had been. We’d never fucked or anything though. Neither of us felt that way about each other. Castor and Galen were the only ones who had ever fucked, and it hadn’t lasted long at all. They’d nearly killed each other by the end of it.

“Touch me and die,”I responded.

“Can I touch Warrin, then? The strong, silent types are usually amazing in bed.”

Something unpleasant twisted in the pit of my gut.

“No.”The word came out as a growl, and I gritted my teeth.“I’ll never forgive you if you do.”

It wouldn’t have been the first time Bellamy stole a guy from me. All he had to do was flash his charming smile and people fell at his feet. Would Warrin fall at his feet that easily? Did he regret choosing me instead of Bellamy?

Too irritated to enjoy my bath, I quickly washed and got out of the tub. I dried off with one of the fluffy white towels Armen had brought, running it over my body a bit rougher than necessary.

Why was I so mad? I didn’t even like Warrin. Sure, he was handsome. Ridiculously so. And there was something about his quiet presence that drew me in a little. But I didn’t know him.

I wrapped the towel around my hips and studied my reflection in the mirror, running my fingers through my damp hair. The bedroom door creaked opened, and heavy footsteps approached the bathroom.

“Hey,” Bellamy said, appearing in the doorway. “I’m sorry for saying that shit about Warrin. I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Wouldn’t you?” I returned my attention to the mirror.

“Are you referring to the guys at the club? You weren’t serious about any of them. You just wanted their dicks. Hell, so did I. But I’d never fuck with your marriage. I swear.”

“Whatever.” I walked past him and unzipped my suitcase to grab clothes for the day. I’d been too tired to unpack it all last night.

Bellamy jumped on my bed and smirked as I took off the towel and pulled on a pair of briefs.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.” His smile widened.

“Doesn’t look like nothing.”

“It’s just…” He sat up in the bed, propping himself up with my pillow. “You wouldn’t have gotten so pissed if you didn’t like Warrin at least a little bit.”

“Shut up.” I threw my damp towel at him. “And get out of my room.”

With a laugh, Bellamy stood up and walked toward the door. “I gotta put another sweater on. It’s so cold here I think my nipples are gonna freeze off.”

“I don’t want to think about your nipples.”

“Why not? They’re so cute.”

I shoved him out the door and finished getting dressed before walking downstairs. Nikolai and Alastair were already at the table when I arrived. It surprised me that they got along so well. Both held an air of superiority around them, and I’d expected them to butt heads a lot—like Alastair and Baxter had in the beginning—but they chatted over breakfast as if they were old friends.