Forbidden Temptations

The castle was quiet that night, its towering halls filled only with the flickering light of torches. Damon prowled the corridors with a restless energy, his mind churning with thoughts of the kingdom he had promised to protect and the princess who had unwittingly captured his interest. His dark eyes narrowed as he made his way toward the inner courtyard, where he often found solace.

Hazel was already there, unaware of his presence as she paced back and forth. She wore a thin cloak over her dress, her arms crossed as if she could shield herself from her own turbulent thoughts. Damon watched her for a moment, taking in the way her hair spilled over her shoulders, catching the faint glow of moonlight. She seemed lost in thought, her face set in a look of determination and vulnerability all at once.

"Can't sleep, Princess?" Damon’s voice echoed softly as he stepped closer.

Hazel jumped, startled out of her reverie. She placed a hand over her heart, her eyes widening as she turned to face him. "You could try not sneaking up on people, you know."

He merely shrugged, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "It's not my fault you’re so easily startled." He paused, his gaze never leaving her face. "What's troubling you?"

Hazel hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze, but she found herself speaking anyway. "Everything feels like it's slipping out of my control. I don't know how I'm supposed to accept… this." Her voice dropped as she gestured between them, unable to bring herself to say the word marriage.

Damon took a slow step forward, closing the distance between them. "You think I asked for this, Princess?" His voice was low, dangerous. "You’re as much a part of this bargain as I am. But rest assured, I intend to keep my end of the deal, no matter the cost."

As he spoke, Hazel found herself backing away, only to realize there was nowhere to go—her back was against the stone wall. Damon moved closer still, his face mere inches from hers. Her heart raced, a feeling of both fear and fascination building within her. The intensity of his gaze seemed to strip her bare, as if he could see every doubt and desire she held.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Damon’s lips quirked into a dark smile. "Like what?"

"Like you’re trying to see right through me," she replied, trying to sound defiant but failing as her voice trembled.

He didn’t answer, but his hand reached out, almost instinctively, to touch her arm. His fingers were firm yet oddly gentle, a contrast to the coldness he usually exuded. Hazel’s breath caught as she felt his touch burn through the thin fabric, anchoring her in place. In that moment, she felt as if time itself had slowed, leaving only the two of them, drawn together by some unseen force.

But before she could think, her foot slipped on a loose stone, and she stumbled forward. Damon’s arm wrapped around her waist in an instant, pulling her close. Her hands flew to his chest to steady herself, and she felt the strength of him beneath her fingertips, hard and unyielding. The air grew thick between them, and Hazel realized just how close they were, their faces mere inches apart.

She looked up, and their eyes locked. His gaze softened, something almost tender flashing through it, and for a moment, his cold exterior seemed to melt away. Hazel’s breath hitched as Damon’s face tilted toward hers, his lips so close she could feel his breath warm against her skin. She knew she should pull away, but something held her there, a magnetic pull that left her frozen in place.

"Damon…" she whispered, barely aware that she had spoken.

His arms tightened around her, and she couldn’t suppress a soft, involuntary moan that escaped her lips. The sound seemed to snap Damon out of whatever trance he was in, his eyes darkening with a fierce intensity. For a heartbeat, Hazel was certain he would close the distance between them, but just then, the door to the courtyard swung open with a loud creak.

"Hazel!" a voice called out, breaking the spell.

Hazel jerked back, pulling herself out of Damon’s grasp as her friend Kieran strode into the courtyard, his brow furrowed as he took in the scene before him. Tall and lean, Kieran’s face softened as his gaze landed on Hazel, concern flickering in his eyes. He was dressed in the casual attire of the palace guards, though his stance carried the familiarity of someone who had known Hazel since childhood.

"Kieran…" Hazel stammered, still breathless and disoriented. She could feel Damon’s eyes boring into Kieran with a possessive heat that was impossible to ignore.

"Is everything all right, Hazel?" Kieran asked, his tone wary as he glanced between her and Damon.

"Yes, yes, I just… lost my balance," she managed, trying to keep her voice steady. She could feel Damon’s irritation simmering beside her, and she knew he didn’t appreciate the interruption.

Kieran stepped forward, his hand reaching out to her, but Damon’s hand shot out to block him, his voice dangerously low. "I was handling it."

Kieran’s eyes narrowed, clearly unamused. "With all due respect, my lord, I think Hazel can decide who she wants helping her."

Damon’s jaw clenched, and for a moment, Hazel feared he might actually retaliate. But he merely withdrew his hand, his gaze cold and calculating as he looked at Kieran. "Of course," he said, his tone dripping with disdain.

An uncomfortable silence fell over them, and Hazel shifted awkwardly, caught between the two men. She could feel Damon’s barely concealed anger simmering beside her, while Kieran’s protective stance gave her a sense of security. She hadn’t realized until now just how different they were—Damon with his dark, dangerous allure, and Kieran with his steady, unwavering presence.

"Thank you, Kieran," Hazel said softly, offering him a grateful smile. She could see the relief in his eyes as he relaxed slightly, though his gaze never left Damon.

"I’ll be close by if you need anything," Kieran replied, casting one last warning look at Damon before turning and walking back into the castle.

As he disappeared, Hazel let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She turned back to Damon, who stood watching her with an expression she couldn’t quite read. There was a darkness in his eyes, a possessiveness that made her heart race for reasons she didn’t understand.

"Your friend seems rather… attached," he murmured, his voice low and edged with something dangerous.

"He’s just protective," she replied, though even as she said it, she wondered if there was more to Kieran’s feelings than simple friendship.

Damon took a step closer, his gaze intense. "Just remember, Hazel," he said softly, his voice like velvet, "you are bound to me now. No one else."

Hazel swallowed, feeling a shiver run down her spine. She wanted to argue, to assert her independence, but something in Damon’s tone left her speechless. And as he walked away, his figure disappearing into the shadows, she couldn’t shake the strange, thrilling sensation that had taken hold of her.

For better or worse, her life had changed—and she wasn’t sure if she was prepared for what lay ahead.