CHAPTER 101: TEA WITH THE DEVIL

Damon scrutinized me eagerly, as if he were trying to decipher me.

And I for one grew aggravated by his mere appearance and existence, my inside revolting.

"There is nothing to excuse," he uttered. "But I’m quite curious why you have dived down the rabbit hole to...me. Did you have thoughts about our past encounter?" he asked, knowingly licking his lips.

I slapped him across the cheek, the sound resonating around the vacant courtyard and through the corridors.

When Damon turned, I slapped him again, repeating my actions each time his head spun forward, not once, not twice, not third nor fourth. Until my hands dropped to my sides, quivering from the aftershock, but I clenched them to keep stable.

I closed the distance between us. "I never realized how pitiful you are until now. What is it? Why are you so miserable? Are you starved for attention or love?" I questioned tipping my head. "Or is it the disgusting urge to ruin your brother? You once mentioned to me that you wanted to shed the mask he wears to fool everyone, but here’s the thing, Prince Damon, he’s not fooling anyone, you are."

That was what I wanted to do. I blinked, coming back to reality when Damon uttered. "Did you have thoughts about our past encounter?"

I hadn’t slapped him and given him a piece of my mind. If only I could, but I did not come here for violence.

Violence was not the way for an unstable person like Damon; he would only relish in it, and I didn’t want to give him that satisfaction.

Mustering up a sweet smile that completely contrasted with the way I felt, I said. "Perhaps you wear something decent and we can have some tea? I’ll wait."

A flash of puzzlement crossed Damon’s face. I didn’t wait for him to say anything as I turned on my heels and walked away.

When we got to the corridor, Ravyn was quick to whisper. "What are you doing, princess?"

"Do you trust me, Ravyn?"

"I’m finding that difficult given all your surprising moves today."

"Trust me, Ravyn."

~•~

The wind howled through, and my earrings dangled from them, making a soft clicking noise. I sipped my tea and placed it back on the saucer before peering at Damon.

Dare I say he looked more like Drevon when not uttering disgusting words?

I cast a brief look at Ravyn and Osha under the shade. Their presence made every bit of fear go away, and I found more courage.

"Why so uptight? Brother?" I asked, breaking the long-term silence.

"Brother?" he murmured, tipping his head.

"You’re my brother-in-law. Or should I not call you that? Should I call you Damon instead?"

Damon licked his lips before he said. "You’ve halted my delightful activities just to coax me with what...names?"

"Entice? I’m here for nothing of the sort."

"You—"

"What? Can’t explain why the prey you taunt walk right through your doors and sit to have tea with you? Does your prey usually cower in hiding and not make the move to confront you? Or are you underwhelmed?"

"Underwhelmed?" His eyes pinned me hotly. "No, you delight me and I do wonder too, because I was under the impression I was the last person you could ever sit with and share tea."

"Do I surprise you then?"

"Of course." He leaned away from his seat. "It’s more fun to have the prey walk into the teeth of the predator. It makes me curious about what you intend to pull with that move."

He spared a look at my company and exhaled. "Before Ravyn can get to you, I could easily sink my canines into that desirable neck of yours, then eat my way through as I enjoy your screams. You’d scream for me, wouldn’t you?"

Pure fright crawled through me for I knew he made no jest. Even though he smiled through it all, it was the look in his eyes that told me how much he’d enjoy it.

"I can smell your fear. Do not be afraid, Eloise. For this, it is as much the kind of predator my brother is."

I froze at his words, my fist tightening more.

"He may choose to seal it away in a bottle, show you he’s a gentleman, sweet, loving, romantic in bed." With each word, Damon’s face twisted in disgust. "But he’s never those things, he’s me, and for that, he hates the sight of me. The true side of him. One can never escape their true nature."

"Your obsession with shedding your brother’s mask is...childlish."

His smile faltered. "Are you not affected by what you saw? How he ripped my throat open. It was just like when we were kids and at the slightest inconvenience he tore out of my arm." He looked at his right hand. "How would a six-year-old feel when his own brother took his entire arm off?"

"You’re right," I murmured. "He’s a nightmare."

"You’re getting the point, I thought you were a foolish girl swayed because of his charms and cock—"

"Aren’t all Lycan’s nightmares?" I cut him off. "You’re forgetting something, Damon. I grew up listening to a handful of stories about the horrors of Lycan and the hell they have unleashed into this world and what humans are to them, a walking meat of inferiority. Why should I be so surprised that Drevon tore his brother apart for a mere inconvenience?"

The edge of Damon’s lips twitched, and I wonder if it was a failed attempt to grin or a strike on his nerves. I do sincerely hope it was the latter.

"I see..." he murmured slowly. "I underestimated you, Eloise. You’re not just some human meat after all."

"Now...for the main reason I came here," I began. "I have come to tell you that your idea of using me to ruin Drevon in the face of the noble houses was the worst mistake of your life."