Damien helped her over to the counter, alerting the bartender with a wave of his hand and ordered some food for Luna. She didn’t hear what he had ordered; despite being rejected, she’d still been too busy admiring his broad shoulders and the way his jaw moved when he spoke.
It’s the alcohol. Just drunk eyes,she tried to convince herself.I’m not actually attracted to this man.But even as the thought entered her mind, she knew she was lying to herself. For whatever reason, she was drawn to him in a way she had never been drawn to anyone before. Not even Clyde.
It wasn’t long before the bartender brought over some bread and cheese. Luna devoured it without delay—thankful that her mother wasn’t there to see her right now. Maybe it was the liquor talking, but she could have sworn it was the most delicious food she had ever eaten.
“Thank you,” she said once she had eaten nearly half the plate.
“Just doing what any gentleman would. No need to thank me.”
“It’s kind of ironic how you’ve been the monster in my nightmares, and today, you’re my saviour.”
With a twinkle in his eye, he responded, “I’ll be whatever you desire if it keeps me in your dreams.”
She reached up and playfully flicked his nose. Then teased, “Wouldn’t you like that? You think you’re just sooo dreamy, don’t you? In fact, I’m surprised you don’t go by the nameDreamyinstead of Damien.”
He chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Not sure I’ve ever been called dreamy before, but I will definitely be adding it to my list of titles.”
“List? Are you a lord or something?” she prodded.
Briefly, he looked away, his gaze distant, as if he were contemplating the answer. Finally, he admitted with a shrug, “Something like that.”
“Then let me address you properly.” Luna jumped out of her chair. “Greetings,Mister Dreamy.Lord of Handsomeness. Commander of the Shadows. How do you do?” She tried to perform a mocking curtsy, but her impaired balance made it less than graceful, requiring his assistance to prevent her from falling over.
Although she had been mocking him, he laughed. The sound resonated in her ears as he helped her back into the seat. She rather liked hearing him laugh. She tilted her head, curious. “Why are you here, Damien?” It was the same question he had asked her earlier, the one she hadn’t answered. “Nina’s been the only kindhearted unicorn this kingdom has ever seen. Am I supposed to believe you’re the second?”
He scoffed. “You truly don’t know much, do you?”
She was about to ask him what he meant when she heard Marion’s voice over the music calling her. “Luuunaaaa.”
Marion was slumped against the bar, using it to support her weight, leaving Gregory alone on the dance floor. “I was telling Gregory how nice your necklace is . . .” Marion’s words slurred together as she reached out and plucked the chain out from underneath Luna’s collar. Luna stiffened. No one else had touched her necklace since her mother had gifted it to her. Marion continued, “I told him he needs to buy me one just like it.”
It was doubtful he would be able to buy anything like this considering its age and Luna told her just that.
With a delicate touch, Marion turned the pendant over in her hand before running her fingers along the chain to straighten it. “Can’t blame a gal for trying.” With a side glance in Damien’s direction, she asked, “So tell me, are you going home with Damien?”
Luna gasped. “No! Of course not.” An odd sensation draped over her, filling her body; she definitely had too much to drink.Wait a second.“How do you know his name?” Her eyes shot to Damien. “Do you two know each other?”
Damien was glaring at Marion with a look of a hundred knives being thrown through the air.
Marion stepped back. With a high-pitched nervous squeal, she said, “Did I forget to mention it . . .”
Yes. Yes, she had. Luna’s mouth hung open. She had been under the impression they were all strangers. This news made the ground beneath her feet feel unsteady. If Marion knew Damien, did she also know he was a unicorn . . . Was Marion a unicorn? Luna’s stomach flipped.
Damien groaned, his hands washing over his face. “Why do you not think before you speak . . .”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Marion patted Damien’s shoulder, turning to Luna with a warm smile on her face. “Yes, we know each other. He told me about your little escape from the palace, and I have to say, I admire your bravery.” She dropped her voice to a mere whisper before adding, “It takes a strong person to break out of their cage.”
“The palace isn’t a cage,” Luna interrupted, whispering so that no one else would hear their conversation.
“If that was true, you wouldn’t have had to escape. You would’ve been able to walk through the gate.” She had a point there, not that Luna was going to admit such out loud.
Taking Luna’s silence as acceptance, Marion’s smile widened, and her voice returned to its normal volume. “Anyway, I decided I had to meet the lady responsible for ruffling up Damien’s feathers. He’s not one to care about a stranger’s well-being. And now that we’ve met, I can see why he was drawn to you. You’re a delight.”
Though it was creepy that Marion had stalked her, all the compliments made the invasion of privacy less unsettling. Or maybe it was her drunken state still fogging her mind. Either way, Marion’s words brought warmth to Luna’s face. Did Damien think of her as a delight as well?Skies above!She inwardly cursed herself. Unicorns were the enemy. Why was she having such a hard time remembering that?
From the corner of her eye, Luna saw Marion flash Damien something in her hand before she slid whatever it was into her pocket. Damien scowled at her. “Why would you . . .”
“Oh, don’t look so concerned, Damien,” Marion teased, interrupting him. “She was going to find out eventually. Why not now?” Marion didn’t wait for his answer. Instead, she turned to Luna and whispered, “You deserved to know. Best of luck.”
