CHAPTER 129: AN OFFER FROM THE DEVIL

I felt a hand stroke my hair and I groaned "Drevon..."

"Not him, Lou."

I flashed my eyes open. Damon!

I panicked and shifted away from him, confusion plastered on my face. I looked around and found out I was still in the Moonhall, on the floor, the blind old woman nowhere to be seen.

Damon leaned against the column, getting comfortable like he wasn’t trespassing.

"What are you doing here?" I demanded, wondering how he got past Ravyn and Osha waiting outside.

"Unfortunately for you, you came to my safe place."

Safe place?

"I know this place like the back of my hand and that..." He pointed to the door. "...is not the only entrance."

"Thank you for letting me know. I’ll keep it in mind never to come here."

"Oh, please do," He grinned. "The company was needed."

I huffed, pulling my knees to my chest, and gathering the rim of my gown.

"Why were you sleeping here anyway?"

Sleeping? I was sleeping? I rubbed my forehead. That blind old woman and I were talking. I kind of lost track from there. Was I having blanks again?

"None of your business, it’s not that I’m here to make this place my safe place."

He laughed. "That’s coming from someone who was sleeping on the floor without a worry in the world, maybe I should relocate from this safe place and let you have it."

Why was he speaking so calmly? He was always hostile toward me, either trying to strangle the life out of me or use his Alpha command; it was just like that day in the gardens.

"Unlike you, I didn’t come here to sleep. I come here often to ask the goddess why..."

His sudden words pulled my attention.

Damon had his eyes on the torch. "It was in this very place my father named his heir."

I suddenly recalled Dia’s words when she told me about what happened during the line of succession. How Damon was denied a chance at his birthright, he held a grudge, and if I hadn’t known his reasons, I would have called him a power-hungry beast without batting an eye.

But now I couldn’t bring myself to, there was a time when I did nothing but envy the love Fiona was given, how desperate I was to be in her place and have the good life.

But that was the difference between me and Damon, I didn’t try to destroy her life to take her place.

"I-I should get going," I mumbled, not wanting to linger.

"What do you think will happen to you when the Fates choose Sloane as their queen?"

I froze at his words, my body suddenly paralyzed, or maybe it was my mind.

I didn’t say anything, just sitting there with a heavy heart. I could feel Damon’s eyes on me like a hawk.

"It’s none of your business," I mumbled.

"It is... because I can give a choice, Lou. Annul your marriage with Drevon and marry me."

I snapped my wide gaze to Damon. He wasn’t smiling, and he wasn’t joking either.

"What?"

"Sooner or later, I’ll become monarch, so you need not worry about my position. I can make you queen."

"What is the meaning of this? Do you think I’m a fool?"

"No..." he replied, amusedly. "I think of you as someone who doesn’t want to be cast aside, because that is exactly what will happen."

"Have you no shame? Trying to coax your brother’s wife!" I sat up, fist clenched to my sides as I stared down at him in rage. "You’re filthy!"

I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my hand. I twirled to him, and he was standing now, my chin lifted so I could meet his eyes.

"If my birthright had been given to me, if I had proved myself before my father’s eyes..." His teeth clenched.

Damon always had a mix of amusement on his face, with whatever twisted sense he had unleashed, but now everything about him was just confusing.

"I would have been monarch, and I would have been your husband."

I yanked my hand away from his, rubbing my wrist. "You are delusional. You tried to kill me, and you tormented me, and now you sound as if I’m important? What is this? Something to use against your brother?"

He smirked, dipping his hands in his pockets. "I’m no fool to hide what I want. I want you, Lou."

My heart skipped a beat, for I knew this wasn’t some jest; he spoke with too much truth that got me questioning everything about him.

I shook my head, and I backed away from him, and in that instant, the door opened.

Drevon stepped through, and it slammed shut behind him. Since he walked in, he hasn’t made eye contact with me, keeping his eyes on Damon.

"D-Drevon."

When he didn’t answer, I found myself panicking.

"It’s not—"

"Relax, brother," Damon interjected. "We were just talking, wouldn’t be the first time. Did she not tell you?"

"Damon!"

"How about our many encounters..."

I faced Drevon. I couldn’t read his expression; it was the most emotionless I have ever seen.

"It was our little secret, too."

"I see..." Drevon finally spoke, and it was the most lifeless tone I have ever heard.

I was caught in the middle of this, and I didn’t know what to do. For the first time in my life, I didn’t know how to dig myself out of a predicament.

"The Fates are coming, brother and—"

"I’ve had enough of hearing you speak," Drevon cut him off.

"You should have let me finish..." Damon amused. "What do you think will happen to Lou when Sloane becomes your Queen? It—"

It was the feeling of the wind... that was all I felt, and Drevon was onto Damon, hand at his throat.

"Easy there, brother..."

"Drevon..." I found my voice. "Please stop!"

"Listen to her, brother. She doesn’t want to see me get hurt."