Unexpected: Forever His (Book 1)

Chapter 34: Unforgiving

Warmth. Incredible, soft, soothing warmth. I smiled and reached for the source and instantly my eyes darted open.

My hands were held bound by a silver chain that, although it was silver, was also laced with a soft leather so that the silver would not poison me too much.

I sat up and realized that I was in the middle of a rather large bed that was draped with black sheath curtains all around it. A movement on the outside made me stiffen and I immediately lifted my hands to guard my stomach.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Kayla."

I blinked my eyes and tried to focus them beyond the curtain to the direction of his voice. Was it really him? Or was it just something that I was hoping? Why would I hope it anyway?

"Greta was going to end you until I demanded sanctuary for you from Donovan."

I shook my head. I opened my mouth and my voice came out in a hoarse whisper. "Dante...Amari..."

The curtain rippled and then it was pulled back as Damen lifted me up and out of the bed in one swift motion and I was standing in front of him, hands free of chains. "Dante is where he should be..." He paused and stared at me intently before he continued. "With Melanie." He smiled. "You really had her shaking in her stilettos last night, you know? I don't think anyone has ever talked to the little brat like that."

I half smiled. "Mama Bear didn't like it one bit."

His laughter echoed off of the walls. "You know, it is difficult to think that she is your mother because the vast differences. She made such a drag to get you here and when you visit she threatens to kill you."

I shook my head. "She isn't my mother. That person is gone. My mother had a caring, loving soul, Damen. As for her killing me, I probably would have to. I threatened her daughter's happiness." I felt a wave of weakness threaten to overtake me again as I thought of Melanie and Dante. "I can't believe he went through with it..." I talked more to myself than Damen. "He was supposed to be the one who walked by my side through everything." I felt tears spill from my eyes and I blinked them away as I felt Damen pull me against him in a comforting hug, which I found surprisingly.

"Maybe...Kayla...you have the final say of who gets to walk that path with you. I am not worthy. I am not asinine enough to think that Eleric would even glance my way..." he looked down in my eyes and pulled me against him. "But how I wish I could just have one moment of you feeling for me what I have felt for you since the moment I first saw you in those woods."

I smiled and sighed. "You and I were just not meant to play those roles for each other, Damen. It wouldn't be fair to you for me to try." I glanced down and towards the doorway. "Besides, I feel so conflicted right now about my feelings of Dante and Amari." He released me as I stepped around him. "Where is Amari?"

"I will take you to him, but caution, Kayla. I do not know what Greta's intentions were with that girl. I do know that she ordered her to have him subdued. I know only of his whereabouts."

"It is his mark on my neck, Damen. Amari will recognize me as his bond mate when I get close enough to him. I'm sure of it. He made me a vow. Do you have something a little more...suitable for me to put on?" I glanced down at the soiled, ripped gown and smiled at my stomach.

"Yes. I took the liberty of getting something from one of the servant girls. It won't help you blend in. If we couldn't feel the power that you emitted, we would have felt the power from the seed that you carry within you." Damen handed me the clothes and smiled. "How lucky he was to have had the opportunity to give you that seed." His eyes clouded with angry sapphire. "He is a fool!"