CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 84 NICE BUT NOT NICE

My lips parted, my eyes widened with disbelief. ’How could someone threaten a person while patting her head?’

He rose up, a victory smirk forming on his lips. "You must be hungry, aren’t you?"

At the mention of food, my stomach must growl. And no matter the level of self control could stop it.

I clenched my stomach, my sunken cheeks flushed from embarrassment. I refused to say anything to him.

"The maids will bring the food in a few minutes." He said, walking towards his closet. He opened it, grabbing a small white bottle.

He walked back towards me, he grabbed my legs. I pulled away, but he held me firmly in place. "You are bleeding. So weak... you can’t even heal from some small injury." He clicked his tongue.

’Don’t talk to me like that. I heal faster compared to when I was still human.’

I didn’t say anything. I didn’t even dare to breathe too loud. I just stared at him, tense and still, as he uncapped a white bottle and poured a bit of the liquid onto a cloth.

When he dabbed it on the wound, I sucked in a sharp breath, my entire body going stiff. It stung like fire.

"Bear it," he said coldly, not even glancing at me.

’I am bearing it, you monster,’ I wanted to yell, but I bit the inside of my cheek instead.

He worked silently, his touch rough but not brutal. After a few minutes, he wrapped a thin bandage around the injury and stood up without a word.

When he was done, he let go of my leg, wiped his hands on a cloth, and stood up. I curled in on myself again. He didn’t say anything for a while, and the silence started to suffocate me.

Then the door creaked open. A maid stepped in quietly, carrying a tray of food. She kept her head bowed, she didn’t look at me, she greeted Damon. After she had set the table, she quietly left without another word. My eyes followed the tray as Damon placed it on the low table. He didn’t say anything.

But then he looked at me. "Come Eat."

I hesitated. The scent of roasted meat and vegetables was too good to ignore. My stomach let out a loud growl, betraying me once again.

"Are you going to stare at it or eat it?" he asked, his voice dry.

I didn’t move. He stepped closer.

"I said eat."

That snapped me out of my trance. I scurried over to the tray and sat down, not even bothering with manners as I picked up the spoon and began eating. I didn’t even know what I was tasting—I was just too hungry. The warmth of the soup hit my throat, and I nearly cried. I didn’t realize how long it had been since I ate something that didn’t taste like prison or fear.

Damon pulled a chair close and sat down, he folded his arms across his chest, watching me.

I peeked at him from underneath my lashes. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you eat like a cow who just escaped starvation," he said flatly.

I frowned and shoved more food into my mouth. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me embarrassed.

He tilted his head. "Don’t choke." He sounded as if he cared.

"Then stop watching me like I’m entertainment!" I snapped, but I regretted it immediately. I froze, the spoon hung halfway to my mouth.

He narrowed his eyes slightly but didn’t explode as I expected. Instead, he leaned back, smirking faintly. "Noted."

’Who knows what is brewing inside his head right now.’

I quickly finished the food and sat back, wrapping my arms around my chest. The warmth from the meal spread through me, but it didn’t chase away the suffocating tension.

"Better?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yes, Master."

"Stop calling me that with such a terrified face," he muttered, standing again. He paced a few steps before returning to the bed. "Come, Lie down." He patted the space beside him

My body stiffened. "W-What?"

’Aren’t you overreacting? You have always slept on that bed... with or without him.’ The other part of my mind said.

’Oh shut up. I just punched his face, who knows what he is planning right now. I don’t trust him.’

"I said lie down." His voice was hoarse and deep, lowering dangerously as if implying if I don’t come now he would snap my neck like a twig.

My eyes widened. "With you?"

He raised a brow. "No, with my spirit." He deadpanned.

Not wanting to provoke him any further, I quietly slipped under the blanket, keeping to the edge of the bed as far as possible. He laid beside me, his presence was heavy that my heart was beating like salsa. Thumping in my chest crazily.

He turned his back to me. "If you bite me again, I’ll bite back harder."

I rolled my eyes inwardly at him. "I didn’t mean to bite you," I mumbled, turning my back at him.

"You did it with clear intentions."

"That was sleep-chewing," I whispered.

"Is that what you’ll tell me next time?" he scoffed.

I squeezed my eyes shut. This man was impossible. But I was glad I was able to get away from him, with him not seeing my mark.

But what should I do with the mark? I’m pretty sure there is no way I can erase it. If only I could meet with the mysterious lady again. Perhaps, she would be able to tell me what is happening to me.

After a long silence, I felt the bed dipped, the sheets ruffling. Then, his warmth breath fanned against the back of my neck. I stiffened, at the sudden proximity.

’Why is he so close? Wait, there is no way he wants to do it now.’ I panicked, I remembered the way his gaze lingered around my chest down to my lower region.

"Stop trembling."

"I’m not trembling."

"You’re vibrating like a broken flute."

’Yes, because you are too close. Go away... shoo.’

"Sleep, Ember."

’Sleep, is that even possible for me?’