Page 39 of Daman

“Have you and Daman ever…” I dug my thumb harder into my palm, letting my sentence trail off. I found it hard to say the words out loud.

“Fucked?” Bellamy released a sharp laugh. “No. We haven’t. It’s never been like that between us. Sure, I flirt with him, but it’s harmless. I mainly do it just to see that pissy look on his face.”

Relief flooded my chest, and the uncomfortable, achy feeling lifted.

“No fucking way,” Bellamy muttered in an incredulous tone.

“What?”

“I just detected it.” He leaned closer and sniffed a little, his eyes darkening a shade. “You’re a virgin.”

My face felt like a furnace as I lowered my gaze. “Another part of your power?”

“Yep. I can tell when people wanna fuck and when they’re still untouched. You’re a goddamn rarity.” He chuckled under his breath. “D’s gonna be happy about that.”

“He will?”

“Definitely. I’ll let him tell you why. Just be sure to mention it to him before you guys fuck.”

“I’m not sure we will.”

“Why the hell not? You gotta consummate the marriage, right?” Bellamy grinned. Ivan and Efrem snagged his attention, and he excused himself before sauntering toward them, a flirty smile on his lips.

“What were you and Bell talking about?” Daman asked after escaping Milena’s clutches.

My niece had dragged Raiden away from the cake and claimed him as her next dance partner. Her shriek filled the air as he picked her up and spun her around.

Not sure how to respond, I said nothing.

“Well, that’s not suspicious at all.” Daman took a drink of wine.

As I struggled with what to say, more guests entered the ballroom. I instantly recognized the man in front. King Tatsuya of the water clan. Queen Yuma, his first wife, and two of his sons traveled with him, along with a small assembly of guards.

“Apologies for missing the ceremony,” King Tatsuya said after approaching our table. “I’m not known for my punctuality.”

I stood and bowed my head to him. “Apology accepted, though it’s unnecessary.”

Kyo spotted Tatsuya and walked over to greet him. They then left to speak with my brother.

“He totally did that on purpose,” Daman muttered. “Showing up late. Probably because you guys crashed Kyo and Castor’s wedding.”

I liked to give people the benefit of the doubt, but his assumption held merit. I didn’t care either way. Daman had shown up for the ceremony, despite my unspoken fear that he’d bail last minute and return to Echo Bay.

Everyone else was insignificant in comparison.

***

The celebration continued late into the evening, as most weddings often did. I’d had a decent handle on my nerves, but they surfaced again once guests began leaving the castle, returning to their homes in the surrounding village.

Gray had fallen asleep at the table, and Galen picked him, cradling the smaller male to his chest as he and Simon exited the ballroom. Castor, Kyo, Raiden, and Alastair said good night to Daman, then to me, before leaving as well.

“Have fun, you two.” Bellamy winked and threw his arms around the twins’ shoulders as they left.

Daman’s light green eyes shifted to me. “I guess we’ll be sharing your room tonight?”

“Actually…” Nikolai handed me a key. “My wedding gift to you both. Since you’re now married, you should have a proper home.”

“My king,” I said, my throat tightening as emotion welled up inside me.