Page 5 of Song of the Heart Scale
I snorted and tilted my chin up defiantly. “Jealous, are we? Didn't peg you for the type.”
“I'm not jealous,” he growled.
“Oh, please,” I scoffed, poking his chest. “Your eyes are practically glowing green.”
He sighed. “Cat, this little party of yours is dangerous. Thorne could have spies everywhere. You can't afford to draw attention.”
I waved my 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.”
He slightly tightened his grip and forced me to look at him. “I've missed you,” he said.
Heart pounding, I stared up into his eyes, wondering how he always managed to unravel my carefully constructed bravado with just a look. And despite the uncertainty swirling around us, for the moment, everything else faded away.
2
DAMIEN
Seeing 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!”
