Chapter 280: Chapter 280 Hidden Feelings
My breath caught. The name stabbed through me like a blade, dragging out memories I had tried to bury. My fingers curled into his chest, but I quickly pushed him back, putting space between us.
"I told you..." My voice wavered. "I’m not Ember."
His eyes flickered, shadowed with pain. "You don’t remember everything. You don’t know what we had..."
"Stop." I swiftly wiped the tears from my cheeks. "Remember, I’m your master."
Silence grew between us, our gaze lost in each other’s depths.
This was the first time I had seen Damon cry, the first time he let himself be vulnerable before anyone. The once prideful and cold Alpha just cried on my shoulders.
My chest heaved heavily, and thoughts swirled in my head. ’Did the Princess truly commit those deeds? And if she did, why was it not written in the Fae’s history books? Why were only her good works and the Werewolves’ betrayal written? If he tells the truth, who would have omitted these important facts?’
Damon’s lips parted like he wanted to say more, but nothing came out. His fists clenched at his sides, trembling faintly. His eyes burned with unbearable intensity, but his voice had gone low, almost hoarse. "Yes, Master," he said finally, more to himself than to me. "It is just that sometimes... You sound like her."
I turned my face away, biting the inside of my cheek to stop it from trembling. "Then stop looking at me like that," I muttered, my voice breaking. "Stop calling me her."
For a long heartbeat, neither of us moved. The room felt heavy. His scent clung to the air, sharp and warm, and for a second I hated that it still made my heart race.
"I don’t want to fight with you," Damon said quietly. "Not anymore."
Before I could answer, a soft knock came at the door, followed by Crystal’s timid voice. "Miss Aeris... I’m done."
The sound cut through the tension like a blade. I blinked hard, stepping back and dragging in a slow breath. "Stay here," I said under my breath, not looking at him.
I walked past Damon, brushing his arm as I moved. He didn’t stop me, he remained in his spot, his shadow stretching long across the floor. My fingers brushed the wardrobe handle and froze.
Inside, every piece of clothing I had once worn in this castle was neatly folded and arranged, even the simplest dresses from when I’d been nothing more than a low omega. My breath caught. I reached out, tracing the fabric with my fingertips like it might vanish if I touched it too hard.
’He kept them all this time... why?’ My chest tightened, memories rushing back of nights I’d stood here selecting clothes to wear.
I swallowed hard, grabbing a dress at random before my thoughts could drag me under. Hugging it to my chest, I shut the wardrobe and turned on my heel, heading back toward the bathroom. Crystal’s voice called again softly, "Miss Aeris?"
"I’m coming," I said, forcing my voice steady as I passed Damon without looking at him.
Behind me, I could feel his eyes following every step.
Crystal was standing, a towel wrapped clumsily around her small frame. Her wet hair clung to her cheeks in black strands, her brown eyes flicking up to me before darting down again.
"You’re clean now," I said softly, setting the dress on the counter beside her. "Put this on."
She hesitated, her fingers brushing the fabric like she wasn’t sure she was allowed to touch it. "It’s... pretty," she whispered.
I folded my arms, leaning against the doorframe. "It’s just a dress, hurry up before you catch a cold."
She nodded, clutching the cloth like it was something precious. Her lips trembled a little. "No one’s ever... given me clothes before."
I blinked at her, then sighed. "You’re not with them anymore, Crystal. You’re with me now. You’ll eat, you’ll bathe, and you’ll wear clean clothes. That’s not a favour, they are all basic necessities."
Her eyes lifted to mine at that, wide and uncertain. "I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me."
I looked away, brushing a wet strand of her hair back from her face. "Didn’t we talk about this before," I murmured.
She swallowed hard, then lowered her head, her small fingers clutching the dress tighter. "Thank you... Miss Aeris."
"Finish dressing, then come out."
I stepped back, closing the door behind me, letting her have her space. My feet carried me back into the bedroom, my head heavy with thoughts I couldn’t sort through. Damon’s words kept playing in the back of my head like a broken tape.
The room was quiet.
I looked up and froze in my spot. Damon was gone.
My heart clenched in my chest. I walked further in, my eyes scanning the corners of the room. No sound of footsteps, no scent lingering except the faint traces of his presence that were already fading.
’Where did he go...?’ I thought, the weight of everything he had just said still pressing against my ribs.
Crystal emerged a few moments later, the dress a little too small for her, the sleeves tightened over her wrists. She glanced around the room, then back at me, puzzled. "He’s gone?"
I nodded faintly, still staring at the empty space by the window. "Yeah," I said quietly. "He’s gone."
Crystal shifted on her feet, her fingers knotting together. "Did I... do something wrong?"
"No." My voice came out steadier than I felt. I tore my gaze from the window and forced a small smile. "No, you didn’t."
Then, the growling of her stomach filled the air with its loud music.
She wrapped her arms over her stomach in embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed, burning with a pink hue.
"Stay here, I’ll get someone to bring you some food." I smiled at her.
She shyly nodded her head.
"Alright, I’ll be back soon." Saying that, I headed out of the room. I walked down the hallway with my hands clutched behind my back.