Untouchable (Wolf Kings of Twilight Book 1), page 16
“I’m not blushing,” I say, even though I can feel the warmth in my cheeks.
“Didn’t you tell me you try not to lie?”
He has me there. Bastard.
“If you weren’t lying on your bed with your bare ass showing, maybe I wouldn’t have a reason to blush,” I counter. My eyes inadvertently sneak a peek at his body. Physically, he’s the perfect specimen of the male form in every way. There’s no denying that. I won’t even try.
“Do you like what you see?”
When I dare to look him in the eyes again, they’re twinkling brightly with amusement.
“You’re beautiful too,” I say. “But I’ve told you that once already.”
“Hmm . . .” Damon casts his gaze to the comforter on his bed as he mulls over my words. “They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.” He rolls over onto his side, giving me a full view of all of him. “And I seem to remember us being in a similar situation yesterday morning.”
“Although, I would love to behold you again,” I raise my leash, “I’m a little tied up at the moment.”
Damon laughs. He scoots off the bed and walks into the bathroom. A few seconds later, he reappears with a towel tied around his waist and a small key in his hands. He unlocks my collar, freeing me from my bondage.
“Do I have to worry about you trying to escape today?” he asks, tossing and catching the tiny padlock in his hand as he waits for my answer.
“I don’t know.” I rub my neck where the collar was all night. “Do I have to worry about the ghost in your castle attacking me again?”
Damon tosses the lock once more before holding it in his hand. “There is no ghost. I’m not sure what attacked you, but it wasn’t a ghost. Maybe you just dreamed it all.”
“And that right there is exactly why I left this castle in the first place.” I stand so we’re face to face. “I knew no one would believe me, even though everyone in this castle knows there’s a ghost. The servants know. Your mother certainly knows. Edmond and Oliver know it, and like I said last night, I’ve been told you don’t want to have any children because you’re scared your father will possess any son you have to spite you!”
Damon’s expression becomes a storm cloud of anger. “There. Is. No. Ghost.”
He turns to leave but I grab one of his arms. “Don’t you dare turn your back on me!”
He yanks his arm free from my hold and walks over to his wardrobe. Without a care, he strips off his towel and begins pulling out clothing to wear.
It’s obvious he isn’t willing to have a rational conversation about the ghost with me. Not now anyway. Maybe later I can convince him that the castle isn’t safe for me to stay in. Until then, there’s only one thing I can do.
“If you don’t believe in the ghost, then at least don’t leave me alone today,” I say. “If I’m around other people, maybe it’ll keep its distance.”
Damon steps into a pair of black pants. As he pulls up the zipper, he nods.
“I can do that. In fact, I had no intention of leaving you by yourself today, especially with Simon and his pack staying on this side of the river.”
“If I’m going to be leaving this room with you, I’m going to need something to wear,” I look over in the corner where Anya’s purple dress still lays, “but I’m not about to put that thing on again.”
Damon reaches into his closet and grabs another pair of his black pants. He turns and tosses them to me. I catch them in mid-air and look between the article of clothing and him.
“You expect me to wear this?” I ask, holding them out by the waistband. “These things are three sizes too big for me.”
“Then I guess you’ll need one of these too.” He reaches back into his wardrobe and pulls out a belt. “Put the pants on, Ivy. They’re the best we can do for you right now.”
With a growl of frustration, I tug the pants on. They’re so large, I could easily fit another me inside them.
“Hmm,” Damon says, realizing I wasn’t exaggerating about their size. “Tuck the shirt into them. Maybe that will help.”
With irritated strokes, I shove the bottom of his shirt into the pants. Once I’m done, he comes closer and slides the black leather belt through the loops on the waistband. As he tightens the belt around my waist, I watch his face. He notices.
“What?” he asks, pulling the end of the belt to make sure it’s secure in the buckle. “Why are you staring at me?”
“I’m wondering what your father did to make you believe you’re not fit to rule this kingdom. Whatever it was, you have to know he did it out of malice. From what I’ve been told, he was a bastard who deserved exactly what he got.”
Damon turns away and walks to his wardrobe. He pulls a black vest with gold embroidery from its hanger and slips it on over his white shirt.
“No one deserves to die like an animal,” he says in a voice so low I can barely hear him. “Least of all a king.”
I don’t feel as though I have the right words to convince him otherwise. We don’t really know each other that well, and I’m sure Edmond and Oliver have done their best in the past few years to help Damon get over the death of his father. If they haven’t been able to change his mind, what gives me the audacity to believe I can?
“I’ll speak with Anya about the dress,” he says, turning to face me. “It was a spiteful thing for her to do and totally uncalled for.”
“Don’t say anything to her. It’ll only give her the satisfaction of knowing she hurt me. I would rather she not gloat to her friends that she one-upped me. I’ll handle her in my own way and in my own time.”
Damon tilts his head. “As you wish.”
He walks back into the bathroom, and I retrieve the high heels I wore yesterday. With them on, the pants only need to be folded up once to keep them off the ground.
When Damon returns, he has his boots on and is placing a gold chain around his neck with the key to the small padlock on it.
“Are you planning to tie me up every night?” I ask jokingly.
“Until I know I can trust you, yes.”
“That’s barbaric!”
“It’s necessary until you get this whole notion of a vengeful ghost out of your system. Now come on,” he grabs me by the arm, “the others are probably waiting. Don’t you want to see the winners of yesterday’s marathon? I’m sure Simon is here too or soon will be. He only has a finite amount of time to participate in the challenge I’ve set for the men this morning. We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
“Wait!” I walk back over to the bench and grab the Queen’s Circlet. “Where can I hide this while we’re gone?”
Damon opens the doors of his wardrobe.
“Give it to me.” He holds out his hand and I hand it to him. I watch as he hides it under a stack of his underwear on a lower shelf.
As we walk out of the room, I have to ask a question that’s been bothering me.
“Why did you agree to let Simon participate in these challenges?”
Damon gives me a sideways glance but doesn’t directly meet my gaze.
“If I hadn’t, we would probably be at war right now with Dawn, and neither of us really want that. At least, I don’t. I would rather let him think he has a chance than risk the lives of any of my people.”
“But what if he wins?”
Damon pulls me out of the way of a servant rushing down the hallway with a tray of food in his hands.
“He won’t win,” he says confidently.
I wait for him to further expound upon his prophecy, but he doesn’t.
“How do you know he won’t win?” I press. “Are you going to rig the contest?”
“What kind of scoundrel do you take me for?” He sounds annoyed that I’ve questioned his honor.
“The kind that kidnaps a woman and drags her to his kingdom only to tie her to his bed every night with a leather leash.”
“Huh.” Damon smiles and sort of laughs. “You’ve got me there, but I’ve only done those things because I had to. Simon won’t win. Just take my word and leave it at that.”
As we walk through the halls, I try to pull my arm out of his grasp, but his grip is rock hard.
“Could you let me go for a second, please?”
He turns his head to look at me but doesn’t stop walking forward.
“Why?” he asks, clearly suspicious of my motives for asking.
“You didn’t give me any time to brush my hair. At least let me straighten it with my fingers.”
Damon turns his gaze to my hair. “There’s nothing wrong with your hair. It looks like you just had sex.”
This time when I yank my arm free Damon doesn’t resist. He simply laughs as I frantically try to comb through my hair with my fingers.
“Would it be so bad if people thought we were lovers?” he asks with zero shame.
“Do you really want the men you have vying for my hand in marriage thinking their king has already impregnated their future wife?”
Damon shrugs and gently grabs hold of my arm but only to direct me down the right corridor when we come to a Y in the hallway.
“I couldn’t care less what they think. They would be lucky to have my child as theirs to raise.”
“Then at least care about my reputation. If you want me to be an effective queen here, I need to have the people’s respect. They’re not going to have a very high opinion of me if they believe I’ll spread my legs for a man I’ve barely known for two days.”
“Who cares what they think? Gossipers will find anything to talk about whether it’s true or not. I assure you, the rumor mill has already begun spinning a story about us.”
I hate to admit it, but he’s right.
“That doesn’t bother you?” I ask.
“Why should it? Does it bother you?”
“Yes.”
Damon finally stops walking and looks at me. “Why?”
“Women have to watch their reputations. It’s fine and dandy if a man sleeps around with a lot of women. You’re considered a stud if you do, but if a woman does the same thing, she’s considered a whore. You know that as well as I do, and I’m no one’s whore.”
“Least of all mine?” he sneers. “Am I not good enough for you?”
“I didn’t say that.” Where is all of this coming from? “I’ve already told you I’d rather have you standing by my side than any man who wins these games of yours. What more do you want from me?”
Damon’s jaw tightens. “Nothing.”
He strides away, purposely not waiting for me. I have to run after him to catch up and not be left behind.
I don’t know what his problem is, but I hope he snaps out of it soon. The last thing I need today is a brooding Damon.
When we reach the grand staircase that leads down to the entryway, Damon stops and turns to me. He looks me up and down as if to make sure I’m presentable to the others.
“Keep close to my side,” he instructs. “And let me handle all the talking.”
“What is that supposed to mean? Is that a polite way of telling me to keep my mouth shut?”
Damon starts to walk down the stairs. “If you want to think of it that way, you’re more than welcome, but it’s not what I meant. I don’t want it to appear that you favor one contestant over any of the others. People might start to think the game is rigged. Does that make sense to you?”
“I guess, but it sounds like you don’t think very highly of the people you surround yourself with.”
“I just know how bored people can get at court. They’ll take the smallest hint of trouble and blow it way out of proportion. I’m trying to avoid any type of scandal, so your marriage isn’t burdened by rumors.”
“You’re really going to go through with it.” I feel my temper flare, getting the best of me, but I can’t help it. “You’re actually going to make me marry someone I don’t know just so I can pop out the miracle baby for Midnight.”
Damon smiles, which only makes me angrier.
“Miracle baby,” he mumbles, sounding amused. “I have a feeling any child you bring into this world will be a handful and a half.”
“Of course, she will. She’ll be my daughter!” My voice echoes in the large entryway, causing everyone present to start whispering. Thankfully, there are less than twenty people there. I spot Anya and her cronies whispering and giggling to each other. My back still itches, but I’ll be damned if I give them the satisfaction of seeing me scratch it.
As we exit the castle, practically everyone invited to either attend and/or participate in the challenges seems to either already be present or slowly making their way out of the castle to watch the next challenge take place.
I feel woefully underdressed considering how almost all of the women are in colorful and impeccably tailored silk gowns. I get more than a few sideways glances from those in attendance.
Damon takes hold of my hand so casually anyone who is watching would have thought we were a couple.
“Don’t mind them,” he whispers to me. “They’re just jealous.”
“Jealous of me wearing your clothes?” I tug on the front of the shirt to straighten it a little. “I highly doubt it.”
“Jealous that you’re walking by my side and they’re not,” he says. “Never let others make you feel less than you are. Only you know your true worth, and it has nothing to do with the clothes you’re wearing.”
I know he’s right, but the woman inside me is cringing at my appearance. Any woman who says she isn’t vain at all is either crazy or a liar. Deep down, everyone wants to be accepted by their peers. No one likes to be made fun of, and I’ve had my fill of being ridiculed by others. I was hoping for a new start in Midnight, but it appears that isn’t in the cards for me.
In the center of the large, grassy front yard, an area has been cordoned off with tall wooden stakes and thick rope. Six men stand inside the ring, but I only recognize two of them.
Simon stands tall with his long blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. Like the other men, he’s shirtless, but his skin is much paler since his time in the sun is limited by his wolf.
The other man I recognize, and who takes me completely by surprise, is Alek.
“Why is Alek with the others?” I ask Damon as he leads me up the stairs of a wooden platform with two chairs placed in the center.
“He gave a rather convincing argument on why the pirates should have a representative.”
Damon leads me to one of the chairs and waits for me to sit down before he takes the other for his own.
“I’m a little surprised you agreed to that,” I say. “Now you have two men who can win and take me away from Midnight.”
“You won’t be going anywhere,” he says confidently. “I have faith Midnight will prevail in the end.”
I study the other four men in the ring and have to admit they do look formidable, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll win all the challenges.
“Excuse me,” Damon says. “I need to tell them what the rules are so we can start before Simon goes through the change.”
Damon stands and walks to the front of the platform.
“Ladies and gentlemen!” he calls out. “Today we have a new contestant! King Simon of Dawn!”
There are quite a few boos from the audience, but Simon doesn’t look perturbed by them. In fact, he looks rather amused by the reaction of him joining the contest.
“The rules are simple, gentleman!” Damon says, addressing my would-be suitors. “Yesterday, I tested your stamina. Today, I’ll be testing not only your strength but also your skills to size up your opponents and defeat them in one-on-one combat. I don’t really care if you box, wrestle, or pull each other’s hair out. Do whatever is necessary to win. Since there are six of you now,” Damon nods to acknowledge Simon, “by the end of this challenge, there should be three men left standing. Those three will meet in the morning for another challenge.”
“Why don’t we just do that one today during the evening twilight hour?” Simon shouts. “That way Ivy and I can be on our way home in the morning.”
More boos issue forth from the crowd.
“I don’t remember saying the winner would be chosen during the next challenge,” Damon replies, clearly irritated with Simon’s interruption and reminder that he can win just as easily as anyone else here. If he does, I’ll be taken away from Midnight forever. Never to set foot on its shores again if Simon has his way.
“When will the winner be chosen?” Alek asks.
It’s a reasonable question, and I’m keen to learn the answer too.
“All in good time,” Damon says, motioning with his hands that everyone needs to remain patient. “Let’s get through this next challenge first, shall we?”
Damon raises his hand in the air, gesturing for the contenders to get ready.
“On the count of three,” Damon shouts, “pick your opponent and fight until one of you is either knocked out or taps out of the match. One . . . two . . . three!”
Damon returns to the chair beside me as everyone focuses their attention on the fighters in the ring.
“Have I told you how sexy you look wearing my clothing?” he asks, making me thankful that no one is close enough to hear our conversation.
I meet his gaze, unsure how to answer. I decide to go with the truth.
“I don’t feel very sexy. I feel like the town idiot who everyone is making fun of.” I sit back in my chair in a futile attempt to shrink away and hide from everyone else.
“Didn’t we just have a conversation about this?” he asks, sounding annoyed. “Besides, only my opinion matters, and I think you look sexy. If we didn’t have to be here, I would have kept you tied up in my room all day.”
“And what exactly do you think we would have done all day in your room?” I ask, feeling my heart start to race inside my chest again. It’s a reaction Damon seems to be good at eliciting from my body.
Damon reaches over and slowly traces a line with his index finger over the top of my hand as it lays on the armrest of the chair.
“If we had the time, I would have slowly unbuttoned the shirt you’re wearing and kissed you in places no other man has pressed his lips against.” Damon leans to the side of his chair until our heads are practically touching. “I would have used my tongue and my fingers to bring you more pleasure than you’ve ever experienced. And I wouldn’t have stopped until you asked me to, but we both know that would have never happened. You want me as much as I want you. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me, and I certainly felt it in your touch when you held me in your hand yesterday.”
