Chapter 16: Mine and Only Mine...
Evelina stepped out of the grand hall, feeling a tightness in her chest and her heart pounding. She couldn't explain the turmoil swirling inside her—was it hurt, anger, or something else entirely?
As the sound of applause and chatter faded behind her, she clenched her fists at her sides, willing herself to stay composed.
'Why does it matter?' She thought bitterly. 'It's not like I belong here. It's not like I belong with him.'
Just as she was about to head further down the corridor, Selene's saccharine voice stopped her in her tracks. "Aw, leaving so soon?"
Eve turned slowly, her expression hardening as Selene sauntered toward her. The other woman's smile had a mix of triumph and mockery while her gaze gleaming with satisfaction.
"I won," Selene said smugly, her hands resting on her hips. "Despite everything—despite that little mate bond of yours—I'm still the chosen one."
Eve bristled, the words striking a nerve she didn't even know existed. "Congratulations," she said coolly, masking her turmoil behind a façade of indifference.
Selene laughed, and though it sounded light and airy, it was laced with venom. "Oh, don't pretend it doesn't sting. You were never going to be anything more than a temporary distraction. Damian knows what's best for the kingdom, and that's me."
Before Eve could muster a response, a voice rang out from the hall. "Selene! Damian! Come forward," King Lucian called.
Selene's grin widened as she turned back to Eve. "Oh, my future father-in-law is calling me to be alongside my future husband. I guess I'll see you around, loser. See you around… never!"
With a wink, she spun on her heel and strode back into the hall, her laughter echoing faintly.
Eve felt the sting of tears pooling in her eyes. She shouldn't care. She didn't care. But the ache in her chest told a different story. Swiping at her eyes, she turned and hurried toward Damian's chambers.
Inside the dimly lit room, Eve leaned against the closed door, sliding down to the floor as her emotions overwhelmed her. Relia's voice broke through the haze in an unusually soft tone "You okay?"
"No," Eve muttered. "Why would he agree to marry her? If we're mates, why wouldn't he—" She cut herself off, shaking her head. "Never mind. It doesn't matter."
Relia's voice was cautious. "Eve, he's still your mate. There's no denying the bond."
"Maybe," Eve replied bitterly. "But it doesn't change anything. This isn't my world. It's not my business who he chooses to marry."
Her gaze wandered across the room, landing on the neatly folded pile of clothes that Jasper must have moved in earlier. "I guess this place isn't mine anymore," she muttered, pushing herself to her feet.
Determined, she began packing her belongings back into the chest.
She was almost done with packing when the door creaked open, and Damian stepped inside, his silver eyes immediately locking onto her. "What are you doing?" he asked tensely.
Eve didn't look up. "Packing."
Damian frowned. "Why?"
Eve straightened, meeting his gaze evenly. "Because this isn't my space anymore. It never really was, was it?" she asked and spun to look at him. "Hmm?"
Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I can explain."
"I didn't ask for an explanation," she replied coldly, turning back to her task.
"You're my mate," Damian said firmly. "I owe you at least that much. This wasn't my decision—it was my father's. I didn't plan for this, and I'm going to fix it."
Eve pivoted once more, her eyes blazing. "Fix it?" she chuckled dryly. "Damian, I don't care who you marry. You're free to be with whoever you want."
Damian's jaw tightened, his frustration boiling over. "Is that so? Just like you're free to spend your time with Zade?"
Eve's eyes narrowed. "Excuse me? What's that supposed to mean?"
"Where were you all evening?" Damian demanded. "I was looking for you, but you were off somewhere with him—laughing, talking, acting like you didn't have a care in the world. Oh, I guess because you think you have another royal into you, you are free?"
Eve chuckled, her lips curling into a mocking smile as she took note of a word he used, 'another royal into you', and decided to mock him.
"I see. So you admit that you are into me?" Damian blinked and shook his head. He stuttered when he tried to speak but Eve, raised her palm to silence him. "Are you jealous, Prince Damian?"
"Jealous? Never," he shot back sharply. "Why would I be jealous of my stepbrother? If anyone's jealous here, it's you."
"Don't try to spin this around on me, Damian," Eve snapped.
"Don't do the same, Evelina," he countered, his silver eyes glowing faintly.
They stared at each other, the tension between them crackling.
Finally, Eve broke the silence. "You're free to marry Selene," she said steadily despite the turmoil in her chest. "I don't have a problem with it. So you shouldn't have a problem with whoever I choose to spend my time with. Period."
Damian's eyes darkened as he stepped closer. "No, Evelina." His voice was deep and possessive, making Eve gulp. "You're mine."
Before she could react, he closed the distance between them. Her back hit the wall, and his hands came up to cage her in, his body pressing close.
"I don't care what anyone says," Damian growled. "You're mine, Evelina. Mine and only mine." He placed emphasis on the last word as though the very mention of it would send any contender into oblivion and then she felt it.
Storm surged forward, syncing with Damian to show his possessiveness and their agreement on the matter before reverting.
And then, without warning, Damian leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers.
This kiss was nothing like the one before.
It was fierce, demanding, and possessive—a clear sign he was claiming her as his. His lips moved over hers with an intensity that left her breathless.
Eve's mind screamed at her to push him away, but her body betrayed her, melting into the kiss. Relia was no exception either.
She ignited the bond, stoking Eve's desires as she leaned into their mate.
Eve gasped, and Damian took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue sweeping into her mouth to claim her completely.
Her hands came up to his chest, but instead of pushing him away, she found herself gripping his tunic, pulling him closer.
She could no longer deny it. The pull was too strong and she wanted Damian. That was why it hurt seeing him getting shipped with her enemy.
'If this is the last kiss before he marries Selene, I'll make sure it's one he'll never forget,' she thought, surrendering to the moment.
Damian groaned against her lips, his hands roaming down her back as he pressed her closer. Her soft breast squished against him, making him stifle a moan and lick her outer lips.
But just as he relaxed, Eve seized her opportunity. She pushed him off with all her strength, breaking the kiss.
"Happy engagement, Prince Damian," she said coldly, her voice trembling and unable to hide the emotion.
She turned and grabbed the chest she had packed, her mind spinning as she stormed out of the room.
Only one thought reigned in her mind now.
'I need to figure out how to prove my innocence—and then…' An idea crossed her mind, one she hadn't thought of or tried—finding a way back to her world.
'Maybe there's a way back to my world. It's time to get rid of this life.'
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