Daemon managed a nod through the pain, and the next instant, it was gone.
“Good.” Davina patted his chest as she sidestepped him and headed toward the door.
As she pulled it open, she looked over her shoulder at him, a Cheshire smile plastered on her face. “I think this is the start of abeautifulrelationship.”
The door latched behind her, and Daemon had the strong urge to purge the contents of his stomach.
Rushing to his desk, he pulled out a piece of parchment to pen Auraelia a letter.
He needed to let her know what he’d discovered.
But as he began to write, he remembered the sapphire in his pocket, its weight growing heavier with every passing moment.
Fuck.
Chapter Five
Daemon
Daemon winced as streams of sunlight danced across his face.
What the fuck?
His head throbbed, and his mouth felt full of sawdust. Pushing into a sitting position, he looked around the room.
He was still in his study, but he didn’t remember falling asleep. Didn’t remember much of the previous night if he was candid with himself.
What the hell happened last night?
He remembered Davina being there when he’d returned from Lyndaria. Remembered drinking—too much, if the pounding in his head was any indication. From there, it was a blur. Just flashes of memories. Of slate-blue eyes and sensuously curved lips that had almost managed to fool him into thinking it waswhom he longed for. Of moon-white hair and snow-kissed skin as she’d climbed into his lap.
Fuck.
Daemon groaned and pressed two fingers into his throbbing temples. His head pounded with every beat of his heart. How had he let it get that far? Let her get that close to him?
He winced as he peeled his eyes open into thin slits and stood. He made sure to move slowly so that his head wouldn’t spin. As he took a step, the sound of paper crinkling beneath his foot stopped him in his tracks. Looking down, he saw the letters from Auraelia scattered around the floor near his couch. The memory of Davina throwing his failed relationship in his face barreled back into his mind.
As well as her little tidbit of information about the treaty.
He still needed to tell Auraelia. Still needed to figure outhowto tell her now that she’d given her pendant back.
Daemon rubbed at his sternum, at the ache in his chest that had nothing to do with the previous night’s indulgence.
Stooping down, he compiled the letters and then headed into his bedroom. He needed to wash off the feeling of Davina’s body pressing into his.
It didn’t matter that nothing happened. It didn’t matter that Auraelia seemed to no longer be interested in pursuing what was between them. He still felt like he’d betrayed her somehow.
Turning the water as hot as it would go, Daemon stepped into the streams.
The initial chill had a sobering effect, giving him a brief moment of clarity.
He couldn’t stay in Kalmeera. Not whileshewas there.
Thankfully, it was his turn to check in on the Priestesses.
The wind whipped against his cheeks as the Nevermore sliced through the water. It would take two days to reach Lunaria, even with the wind on their side.
Daemon stood on the quarter-deck while his captain stood at the ship’s helm.
