Page 93 of Daman

“Well, he does love his games,” Daman said. “Him and Phoenix both.”

At the mention of Phoenix, Bellamy’s brows pinched together, and he swiped a hand through the back of his hair. Daman looked at him, eyes narrowed. Were they speaking to each other telepathically? Reading each other’s thoughts?

“I’m gonna crash.” Bellamy stood. “It’s been a long day.”

“The bed in the second guest bedroom isn’t made,” I told him. “But you can find fresh sheets in the linen closet.”

Bellamy nodded and exited the room.

Daman pecked a light kiss to my jaw before rising from the window seat and going over to drape a blanket over Gray. The smaller male puffed out another breath and turned to face the back of the couch.

“I’m surprised Alastair let Gray leave the mansion,” he said as we walked toward the stairs. “Things must be pretty serious.”

“You said Gray’s specialty is assassination? Perhaps that’s why. He’s not nearly as vulnerable as he seems. Alastair is a strong leader. Intelligent too. If this does turn into a fight, he knows Asa is too powerful to be beaten by muscle alone, and with his ability to freeze time, he needs to be taken off guard, not confronted head-on. So Alastair sent a stealth team.”

“And he left the muscle behind,” Daman said, the cogs in his head turning. “Damn, War. You’re sharp.”

My chest warmed at the compliment. “I’ve led many men into battle. Strategy is in my programming.”

Moans came from the guest bedroom at the top of the stairs, filtering out into the hall. Castor and Kyo were going at it hard if the banging of the bed against the wall was any indication. Daman shook his head and continued to our room.

“Sorry my brothers showed up like this,” he said, shutting the door.

“I don’t mind.”

I replaced the burnt log with a fresh one before lighting the fire. The flame spread across the wood, slow at first, then consuming it. Much like my feelings for Daman. He had consumed me, body and soul. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment it had happened. The match was lit the second I first laid eyes on him, then before I knew it, I was burning.

“Warrin?” His voice sounded so soft, not more than a whisper. He sat on the edge of the bed, hands clasped in his lap, hard lines marring his forehead. “Do you still get nervous about battle?”

I sat beside him, facing the fire. “Sometimes.”

“I never did. Maybe in the very beginning I was a little nervous, but Lazarus beat that out of us real fast. He trained us to rise above pain, above fear. When we faced Lucifer and his army so long ago, I didn’t hesitate. I followed orders. I killed. My sword became an extension of my arm, and I went into every battle knowing it could be my last. I didn’t want any of my brothers to die, but I accepted the possibility of their death. I accepted mine as well.”

It was easy to forget that Daman was so much older than me. He’d seen countless battles in his lifetime and would probably see many more.

“I wasn’t afraid of battle. Or death.” He gripped the side of my neck. “But now I am. Because now I have something to live for. And someone I don’t want to live without.”

My heart thrashed against my ribs. His confession had my throat tightening and my stomach fluttering. Because I felt the same. I wasn’t the best with words, so I decided to show him my love instead.

I captured his lips in a soft kiss. He whimpered and settled closer, his arms locking behind my neck. I guided him to his back, my hands skimming up his sides. Heat shot through my veins as his scent enveloped me. Earth and spring water combined with the sweat saltiness of his skin. My cock strained against my zipper as our bulges pressed together.

“Fuck me,” he said on a moan, squeezing my ass.

“No.” I feathered kisses along his jaw.

“No?”

I shoved my face into the crease of his neck. “I want to make love to you,kotya.”

His arms tightened around me, and he was quiet for several seconds. “I want that too. But I have a request.”

“Anything.”

Daman nuzzled my temple. “I want you to change into your hybrid form.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I heard it’s an honor among dragons to mate in that form.”