The echo of Damian's words in the royal court hadn't left Ariana's chest.
"She is under my protection — by oath, by choice, by flame."
It sounded noble. Righteous. But it tasted dangerous. The whole kingdom had turned its eyes on her, and none of them looked away with kindness.
The moment they returned to his chambers, Ariana spun on him.
"You didn't protect me," she snapped. "You claimed me like I was a trophy."
Damian didn't flinch. He leaned against the doorway, dark eyes trailing her every move.
"And what if you are?" he murmured.
Her stomach clenched.
"A trophy? Or a conquest?"
"No," he said, his voice low, "something worth fighting for."
She opened her mouth to argue — but he was already walking toward her.
"You want to hate me, Ariana. You want to believe I'm just another royal bastard who sees you as a plaything."
He stopped inches away from her. His presence pulled at her breath.
"But I've watched you," he continued. "Stronger than any of them. Fierce even when afraid. Innocent... and maddening."
His thumb brushed her jaw, tilting her chin up.
"I crave you," he said, voice dark. "Not just your body. Your defiance. Your fire."
Ariana's heart pounded as her lips parted, wanting to deny him — but her voice betrayed her.
"Then stop holding back."
That broke him.
His mouth crushed into hers, urgent and raw, like he'd been starving and she was the only flame left in the cold. Her back hit the wall with a soft gasp as his hands roamed down, gripping her thighs, lifting her effortlessly. She wrapped around him like instinct, like she was made to burn beside him.
"You don't know what you're asking for," Damian growled against her neck.
"Show me," she whispered, voice trembling but bold.
He carried her to the bed, laying her down like she was both fragile and wild. His kisses burned down her collarbone, peeling away layers of silk with a reverence that didn't match the hunger in his eyes.
"If I have you," he said, breath hot against her navel, "there's no going back."
"Then take me," she whispered, pulling him closer. "All of me."
He obeyed.
Their bodies moved in tandem, tangled in heat, breathless moans swallowed by each other's mouths. He worshipped her like a forbidden altar, and she shattered beneath him like glass and starlight.
It wasn't just pleasure — it was claiming.
It was fire, rage, longing, and everything the crown tried to hide.
When it ended, they lay in silence, skin against skin, their heartbeats still racing.
"You're mine now," Damian murmured.
"I was never anyone else's," Ariana whispered, curling into him.
But outside the chamber door... a shadow moved.
Selene.
Smiling.
Because while Ariana burned for Damian… someone else was on their way to extinguish that flame.