Page 87 of Song of the Shadow Prince
In the darkness, he finds his chance.”
The rich, sultry tones of Damien's voice filled the room as the melody rippled through the air like a tangible thing, wrapping us in an intimate embrace. I allowed the music to guide my movements, the lyrics a haunting echo of stories and secrets only whispered in the darkest corners of Elaria.
As I danced, the fabric of the gauzy curtains flowed around me like water; the soft texture against my skin provided just enough coverage to keep my tattoo hidden. The delicate scent of lavender from the fabric mingled with the heavier aromasof incense and the lingering touch of wine that seemed to perpetually cling to the air of the brothel.
As I moved closer, the heat from his body was a stark contrast to the coolness of the room. Each step was measured, my feet barely making a sound on the plush carpet as I circled him, my movements sinuous and deliberate. I felt his eyes on me, not just watching but experiencing the dance as I wove around him, a slow, teasing promise held in the curve of my arms and the tilt of my hips.
Flickering candlelight cast shadows across his face, highlighting the sharpness of his jaw and the deep set of his eyes, which followed me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. The room seemed to grow smaller, the walls inching closer as the space between us charged with electric anticipation.
Damien's voice grew softer, a low rumble that matched the rhythm of my heart as it beat faster with each verse. His singing was not just a performance; it was an invocation, calling to the very depths of my being, urging me to lose myself in the moment.
“Under moonlight, he bears no scales,
In his eyes, a sorrow that never pales.
He walks the earth in silent plea,
A dragon’s form he’ll never be.”
As I reached him, the distance closing with every breath, I slipped between his legs, my body close enough to feel his warm breath. My makeshift shawl shifted, the soft fabric caressing my skin as I moved. I leaned forward and my loose hair cascaded down to brush against his face. For a moment, we were locked in a world of our own making where only the song and the dance mattered.
Damien's hand came up, almost touching but not quite, respecting the artifice of our roles in this dance. His eyes,however, betrayed a depth of emotion that words could never capture, singing louder than any melody could convey.
As the last note of my dance faded into the quiet atmosphere of the room, Damien's eyes remained fixed on me, charged with an intensity that pulled me inexorably closer. The air between us seemed to crackle. When I stepped back, planning to retreat to a more professional distance, Damien unexpectedly moved. His arm lashed out, quick and sure, catching my wrist and gently but firmly pulling me toward him.
In one fluid motion, he pulled me down, not just to stand in front of him but to sit on his lap. His strong hands steadied me as I settled against him. His presence enveloped me, the heat of his body seeping through the thin fabric of my attire and exposed skin until I was acutely aware of every point of contact between us.
“Much better,” he murmured, his voice low and husky in my ear. The vibration of his words sent a shiver down my spine, igniting a warmth that flickered dangerously close to forbidden territory.
I smiled and leaned into him slightly. “Are you always this hands-on with your performers?” I teased nervously, tilting my head to meet his gaze.
Damien's smile was slow and unapologetically suggestive. “Only the ones who captivate me,” he replied, his hand resting lightly on my hip, his thumb brushing the fabric of the curtain I had wrapped around me as if memorizing the texture. “And you are most captivating.”
Our flirtation danced a fine line, playful yet charged with an undercurrent of something deeper, something neither of us had planned for. I laughed softly, the sound more nervous than I intended, and placed my hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart under my palm. “Is that so? I hope it’s not just my dancing that caught your attention.”
“Oh, it’s not just the dancing,” he assured me, his eyes darkening with a mixture of amusement and something more earnest. He ripped the curtain from around me and rested his bare palm on my lower back. “You can’t hide from me, Cat,” he whispered.
Our eyes locked and for a moment, the world around us seemed to still—it was just the two of us in the dimly lit corner of The Gilded Serpent, surrounded by shadows and dancing candlelight. His face was inches from mine. How the hell did he figure out it was me?
“How did you know?” I whispered. I was well aware of the rising stakes and the palpable tension that we both contributed to in equal measure.
“There’s no place you can hide that I wouldn’t be able to find you, Cat,” Damien whispered, his voice deepening. He pulled my face covering down and my breath hitched.
The playful challenge in his words was clear. Surprising us both, I responded with a slight press of my body against his. It was as if my body had a mind of its own and I was simply along for the ride.
“What are you doing, Damien?” I whispered, trying to gather my wits.
He raised a brow. “I should be asking you that.” His attention was drawn to my breasts pushed up against his chest, restrained by a whisper of barely-there fabric. I gasped and tried to pull away, but he pushed his hand against my back and pressed me against him. “Don’t stop now.”
“Enough.” I tried to scramble off his lap. “I didn’t mean to—” I attempted to say, but my words were cut off when he tightened his grip and shifted me onto my back on the lounger.
Climbing on top of me, he slid between my legs and I instinctively wrapped them around his midsection, feeling him harden at my core. Holding my wrists above my head, he pinnedme against the lounger. My eyes widened as I realized our precarious position.
“Damien,” I whispered. “What are youdoing?”
“The better question is what areyoudoing here?” he murmured and leaned closer. His dark gaze twinkled in the soft light, almost as if he was in on a joke I wasn’t. “Who said you could come into The Gilded Serpent dressed like this?” His heated gaze slid down my exposed body.
I frowned and looked away from his intense gaze. “Who said I needed your permission?”
