Page 3 of Song of the Heart Scale (The Dragon’s Ballad #3)
DAMIEN
S eeing her dance and laugh so freely with those shirtless guards made my blood boil.
I clenched my jaw and forced back the irrational wave of jealousy that surged every time one of them got too close.
It was ridiculous. I knew Cat wasn’t mine.
Not really. Not officially. Yet watching her smile flirtatiously and seeing how effortlessly she charmed everyone around her felt like an iron band tightening around my chest.
I kept to the shadows and observed her from a distance, invisible in the darkness.
The moonlight caught the gold undertones of her skin, illuminating her delicate features and sparkling eyes as she laughed.
I inhaled sharply, my pulse quickening. She was breathtaking, even intoxicated. Perhaps even more so.
Finally, I couldn't watch anymore.
When Cat stumbled near the edge of the garden and leaned against a tree, I seized my chance. Swiftly, I moved through the darkness and gripped her waist, pulling her gently but firmly into the shadows with me.
She turned, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. Recognition quickly dawned and her expression softened. “Damien?” she whispered, swaying slightly. “Nice entrance. Dramatic, as always.”
I narrowed my eyes, unable to completely hide my irritation. “You're certainly enjoying yourself tonight. Plenty of shirtless men to entertain you.”
She laughed softly, a little drunkenly. “Jealous, are we? Didn't peg you for the type.”
“I'm not jealous,” I lied blatantly, my voice a low growl.
“Oh, please,” Cat scoffed playfully, poking my chest. “Your eyes are practically glowing green.”
I sighed and forced my expression to relax. “Cat, this is dangerous. Thorne could have spies everywhere. You can't afford to draw attention.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “Relax, Shadow Prince. It's just a party. Besides, if Thorne wanted spies here, they'd be too busy drinking and dancing to do their jobs.”
When I tightened my grip, she looked up at me with a serious expression. “I've missed you,” I admitted grudgingly, my voice softer than intended.
Her gaze softened immediately and her playful demeanor faltered. “Then why didn’t you come for me? I sent word through Klaus days ago.”
“Things have been… complicated,” I confessed, tension stiffening my shoulders. “Thorne has eyes everywhere, and he’s been watching me closely. But tonight, everyone is in Dragon Valley for the council meeting. It was the perfect opportunity to slip away unseen.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Lord Zacharia and Jacob are there,” she said quietly.
“Yes, and Uncle Bai as well,” I confirmed with a nod.
Cat bit her lip anxiously and looked away. “We’re running out of time, Damien.”
“I know, but I have a plan. It involves infiltrating the palace during the wedding preparations.
While everyone is distracted, we'll sabotage the ancestral dragon altar. If the altar is compromised, the marriage ceremony can't proceed. Without the proper rituals, Thorne's claim will be significantly weakened, which will allow me to challenge him openly. He can’t fake the mark. Once everyone sees it on me, they’ll know.”
Cat's eyes widened in horror and she shook her head, her gaze filled with urgency. “Damien, that's insane! The palace will be heavily guarded, and I’m assuming especially around the altar. If you're caught, they’ll execute you on sight. It's far too risky!”
I smirked bitterly. “When have you ever worried about my safety?”
She rolled her eyes and gave me a playful nudge despite the seriousness of the situation. “Oh, stop it. Of course I worry about you, idiot!”
I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. “Then tell me, Cat. What's your plan? Are you truly considering marrying that bastard?”
The growl in my voice surprised even me. Cat flinched, then her eyes softened with understanding. She sighed deeply, her breath warm against my chest.
“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “Maybe… maybe going home is my best option.”
My heart twisted painfully at her words and confusion tightened my throat. “Home?”
She looked up suddenly, her eyes bright with excitement. “ My home. My world. Maybe you should come with me.”
I stared at her in shock, unable to form words. “What?”
She grabbed my arm eagerly, her eyes sparkling.
“Think about it, Damien. You'd love it there! Cars—those are like carriages without horses. Movies—imagine stories that come alive before your eyes, but in pictures and sound. There are things called amusement parks—rides that spin and soar, like flying. And the food—pizza, burgers, ice cream…” She groaned in delight.
Her animated descriptions filled me with a strange mix of wonder and apprehension. “You truly think I would fit into your world?”
She grinned mischievously, her voice teasing. “You'd definitely stand out, but you'd adapt. Plus, no Thorne, no politics, no constant threats. You could be free.”
I hesitated, torn between curiosity and duty. The image she painted was tempting, but could I truly abandon the only world I’d ever known for a life I couldn't fully comprehend?
Cat noticed my hesitation and squeezed my arm reassuringly. “Just consider it, okay? Something to think about.”
I sighed and pulled her closer to me, relishing the warmth of her body pressed against mine. “I'll think about it,” I promised, my heart torn between the known and the unknown.
“Good.” Her head rested against my chest. “Because whatever happens, Damien, we're running out of time to make a decision.”
I knew she was right, but I had no idea how to get us out of this situation.
“As illuminating as this discussion is,” I murmured against her ear, “you've attracted quite enough attention tonight. I think it's time we left this garden party before someone notices the future Crown Princess consorting with the infamous Shadow Prince.”
Cat's eyes slightly widened. “But I was just getting to the good part… I can’t leave my strippers!”
I frowned. “You can tell me all about these strippers on the way, but we have to go,” I said firmly, taking her hand and guiding her deeper into the shadows beneath the trees. “Can you walk?”
“Of course I can walk!” she huffed indignantly, then immediately stumbled.
I caught her around the waist and secured her against my side. “You were saying?” I smirked down at her.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. I'm a little tipsy. But I'm sobering up. Dragon's Breath is apparently stronger than I expected.” She leaned into me, her warm body fitting perfectly against mine.
“Let's get you back to your room,” I whispered, scanning the garden for the safest path. The revelry continued unabated; the staff was far too engrossed in their festivities to notice our departure.
I pulled Cat into the darkest shadows, our footsteps silent against the soft earth. Moving through shadows was my specialty—it had earned me my moniker, after all. With her pressed against me, I easily navigated between the trees and kept far away from the lantern light.
“You're good at this,” she murmured, her breath warm against my neck. “Like a ghost.”
“Not a ghost,” I softly corrected. “Just someone who learned early that darkness offers protection.”
We skirted the perimeter of the garden, keeping to the tree line. Cat's steps grew steadier as we walked and her body grew less wobbly with each passing minute. The cool night air was working its magic, clearing her mind even as her proximity to me sent my thoughts scattering.
“The servants' entrance,” I whispered as we approached the Ryder residence. “No guards are posted there tonight due to someone’s activities…”
She chuckled.
We slipped through the darkened doorway and entered a narrow corridor used by the kitchen staff. The halls were mercifully empty, as everyone was either asleep or they were enjoying the garden festivities. I guided Cat through a labyrinth of passageways, my hand never leaving the small of her back.
“How do you know the layout of this place so well?” she asked, her voice hushed but curious.
I gave her a sidelong glance, my lips quirking. “You think this is my first time sneaking into the Ryder residence?”
She raised an eyebrow. “Stalking me, Shadow Prince?”
“Reconnaissance… Also Gianna, remember?” I corrected her, though my smile betrayed me. “I've spent years learning every passage, every corridor, and every blind spot in every noble residence. Knowledge is survival.”
“And here I thought it was just to see me,” she teased, though her voice caught when my hand slid higher on her back, guiding her around a corner.
We froze as footsteps approached from an adjoining hallway.
In one fluid motion, I pulled Cat into an alcove and pressed her against the wall, my body shielding hers from view.
Her breath hitched and her honey-brown eyes locked with mine in the darkness as a servant passed by, oblivious to our presence.
For a split second we were lost in each other’s gaze and the world around us melted away.
Then she looked away, her cheeks turning rosy.
I waited until the footsteps faded before whispering, “Your chambers are on the east wing, correct?”
She nodded, her lips tantalizingly close to mine. “Third door on the right.”
We silently crept through the corridors, our bodies close, breaths mingling as we paused at each corner to listen for approaching footsteps. Cat's warmth against me was intoxicating and her scent—a mixture of wine, flowers, and something uniquely her—made my head spin more than any alcohol could.
“Almost there,” I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear as we approached her chamber door.
She shivered against me as I guided her the final few steps.
With practiced ease, I opened her door without a sound and ushered her inside before following and closing it behind us.
The room was lit only by moonlight streaming through the windows, casting everything in silver and shadow.