Page 56 of Daman

“I…” His breathing grew heavy, and his fingers gripped the bottom of my sweater. “Why are you doing this?”

My behavior shocked me. I was usually more submissive when around him. Nervous. However, a calm determination took me over as we stood on the front porch. Maybe because this meant too much to me.

He meant too much.

“I knew you were the one for me right when I first saw you,” I whispered, moving my hand to his cheek. His skin was so warm beneath my palm. “Your scent called to me, Daman. Even after I left Echo Bay, I could still smell you. Could still feel the mark you’d left on me, one no one else could see. And I ached. Gods, how I ached. It felt like my soul was crying out, mourning your loss even though you were never mine to have. I didn’t understand it. I still don’t.”

“Warrin…”

“I tried to put you out of my mind and focus on my training, yet when Nikolai said I would have to marry one of you, those feelings came rushing back. I finally embraced them that day at your brother’s wedding when I chose you. But if I’m being honest, I chose you long before that day. I always knew it would be you.”

Daman shuddered and pulled me closer, resting his head on my chest. He didn’t say anything.

I wrapped both arms around him and tried to keep my nerves at bay. My heart beat faster as seconds ticked by in silence, and worry crept up inside me for being so open about my feelings. But I’d needed him to know.

“You’re right,” he finally said, fingers tightening in my sweater. “I was avoiding you earlier. I don’t do well with emotions. Running away is easier.”

“Emotions aren’t easy for me either.”

He pulled back just enough to peer up at me. “I’m sorry for being a prick. I told you I’d only make you miserable.”

“Quit putting words in my mouth.” I took hold of his jaw and angled his face up. “And kiss me instead.”

Chapter Nine

Daman

It was a side to Warrin I hadn’t seen yet, this dominance that had him grabbing my face and claiming my lips. I slumped against the door as we kissed, his large body caging me in.

Cold air nipped at my face, but he was like a furnace against me. I clung onto him, desperate for more of his heat. More of all of him. Because he was right. Ihadfelt something when we’d kissed earlier.

It was like lightning had struck the center of my chest, the electric barbs shooting out and connecting me to him. And I had surrendered to it—to him—lowering my guard and yielding to his kiss, his touch. The intensity of it had left me trembling and freaking the fuck out. I’d then hightailed it out of the room like a damn coward.

How was it possible to feel so strongly for someone I’d just met?

Wait.

“Daman?” Warrin whispered, hand cupping my side.

Pieces clicked together in my head: my draw to him even when I tried to keep my distance, how his scent of spruce trees and winter berries was like a balm on my soul, and how his kiss threatened to bring me to my knees sometimes.

Oh, fuck.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

It wasn’t possible. I would’ve known he was my mate the moment I’d first met him, right? But reflecting on what he’d told me a few minutes ago,hehad known it. He’d felt that soul-mate connection from the start. I’d just been too guarded, too stubborn, to notice the connection until now.

He mumbled something.

“Huh?” I focused on him. “What did you say?”

“I said you’re spacing out.” Warrin frowned. “Are you well?”

Definitely not.“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? I can tell Nikolai we won’t be able to make it to dinner if you’d rather stay in.”

“I’m okay.” I stared up into his blue eyes and felt myself getting a little lost in them. “It’s probably not a good idea to turn down the king.”