Chapter 20

Arielle’s POV  

Damian actually kept to  his word. I left my door was left open the whole day and when I got bored I roamed around the corridor but I didn't go too far or outside since I didn't want to go too far anyway, not until I knew more places outside the palace. 

Some times I saw him walking down a path, guards behind him and someone very close to his shoulder discussing something with them, looking very busy while doing it too. 

I didn't think my freedom extended that far but that evening he came for me just as the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, he showed up at my door. No guards, no chains—just him, standing there like he hadn’t locked me away for days.  

“Ready?” he asked, his voice gruff. I arched a brow, stepping past him into the hallway.

“The second night in a row how can I repay my gracious captor for his kindness?”  I mumbled and he exhaled sharply. 

"I can always lock you back up.” he drawled and I smiled.

“Tempting offer, but I think I’ll pass.”  

“I didn’t take you for a man who kept his promises, though” I mused, breaking standing from my bed. 

Damian’s sharp gaze flicked toward me. 

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”  he replied and I joined him by the door, he led me outside but this time I drank in the fresh air into my lungs a lot more slowly, it was something rare. 

The silence between us wasn’t as thick this time and it didn't last quite as long either, maybe it was because I was no longer stuck in that room.

Or that fact that I had realized something far more entertaining.  

Damian was easy to fluster.  

I don't know if it was more surprising to me or more amusing that the great, terrifying Alpha—who had rejected me, marked me, and then kept me locked away—was awkward when it came to certain things. 

So, naturally, I had to test it and see how far it went. 

This time we walked a further distance, Damian leading me along the stone paths winding through the courtyard, that led to the fountain that I now discovered was a bit of a distance from the garden itself, it was a natural spring that flowed like a small stream before erupting into the fountain a few meters away.

"Did you do much today" he asked and I nodded.

" I went to the library, I have to admit your library is top notch" I mumbled letting my fingers brush against his arm—just a light touch, barely even there and he stiffened immediately.  

Biting my lip to keep from grinning, I acted like I hadn’t noticed and continued speaking.

"Have you read all the books.” I asked and he swallowed shrugging.

"A few, as much as what was important to me.” he mumbled and I nodded.

We continued walking for a while and a  few minutes later, I sighed dramatically.

“You know, it’s been a while since I’ve had an actual conversation with someone. Maybe you should keep me company more often.”  

Damian made a noise that might have been a scoff but I didn't look too much into it.

“I doubt I’m the company you want.”  

“Oh, I don’t know…” I trailed off, letting my voice drop just slightly. 

“You are kind of nice to look at.”  I teased and his stride faltered, just for a second.  

Bingo.  

I bit back a laugh, schooling my expression into something innocent as he shot me a sharp look.  

I had found his weak spot and I was very intrigued because this meant that whole he could be cold and cruel when it came to teasing, he was utterly hopeless.  

This meant I was going to enjoy every second of this.  

Over the next few days, I continued my little experiment, each time Damian came to get me for our walks, I pushed him just a little further. 

It was never something outright, just a lingering touch here, a soft laugh there. 

A compliment when he least expected it and each time, he reacted in the most delightful ways. The first time I called him handsome was one of the best moments.

"I've always wondered why you never had women flocking over to you.”

"I'm not one for female persuasion." he mumbled and I grinned.

"You would not have needed it, you know you're very handsome right.” I finished and he nearly tripped over his own feet.  

When I casually adjusted his collar, smoothing the fabric against his chest, his breath hitched so subtly I almost missed it.  

Almost.  

"Is something wrong with you, you're being very twitchy." I muttered as I leaned in just a little too close to brush a leaf from his shoulder, he turned away so fast I was certain I had burned him.  

I was having fun, a lot of fun as it was and I soon realized that I  had not expected how much I started looking forward to these walks and the time I spent alone with him. 

Not because of the teasing—though that was fun—but because, for the first time since being locked away, I felt like I had control over something. It was like knowing him in a secret way that only I could boast of. 

Even if it was just making Damian uncomfortable in the best way possible.  

~~  

By the third night I was feeling more daring, we had finished with our stroll and we walked back toward the estate in more silence,  I slowed my steps, just enough that he noticed.  

“Damian,” I said sweetly. He tensed slightly as if he knew I was up to no good.

“Something wrong?” he asked, glancing at me. I let out a dramatic sigh. 

"Nothing, really. Just… I was hoping this little arrangement would be more fun.”  

His brow furrowed. 

“Fun?” I turned to face him fully, stepping into his space, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. 

“Well, Damian, if you’re going to keep me here, the least you could do is entertain me.”  

“I’m not here to entertain you, Arielle,” he muttered, stepping past me. 

"But you could at least try" I mumbled and he smiled. 

"So what exactly should entertaining you look like " he asked and I stayed silent he did too, he didn’t step back. He didn’t move at all. But I saw it—the way his throat bobbed as he swallowed, the flicker of heat in his gaze before he quickly shut it down.  

I smiled deciding to push my luck a little further.  

“What?” I turned to him, tilting my head. 

"Have dinner with me.”  his brows drew together. 

“What?”  I shrugged looking up at him.

“Dinner. You know—two people, sitting together, eating food, possibly having a conversation that doesn’t involve you threatening to lock me up again.” I teased and he rubbed a palm over the back of his neck a frown forming at his forehead. I arched a brow. 

“You do eat, don’t you?”  

“Why?”  I sighed dramatically. 

"Because I’m bored, and you owe me for all the suffering you’ve put me through.” His jaw clenched, like he was debating whether or not to argue so I decided to tip the ball, I leaned in slightly. 

“Unless you’re scared.”  I whispered against his ear the I pulled away from him watching his eyes flash.

“Oh, come on, Damian.” I tilted my head, letting a slow smile spread across my lips.

“Are you afraid to be alone with me?” His jaw ticked.  

Got him.  

"I’m not scared.” I smirked.

“Then sit down and have dinner with me, Alpha.”  

For a moment, I thought he would refuse but he exhaled sharply and  muttered under his breath.

“Fine.” He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. 

"I’ll join you. But if you’re planning on using this as another excuse to get under my skin—”  he warned and I grinned. 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He didn’t look too convinced but he didn’t say no either, I clapped my hands together. 

"Great! If that's all your hangup then  I’ll see you in an hour.”  

And before he could change his mind, I disappeared into my room, grinning.  

This was going to be fun.