The moment Damon wrapped his arms around me, I felt my anger fade a little. His chest was warm against my cheek, and though part of me still wanted to yell, another part wanted to melt into that comfort.
"Lisa," he whispered softly, his hand stroking my back, "tell me what you want right now. Anything. What will calm you down?"
I pulled back slightly and gave him a small smile, though my lips still trembled with leftover anger.
"Something spicy," I said, almost laughing at myself. "Something hot enough to burn my tongue."
Damon chuckled softly, his fingers brushing along my cheek with a gentleness that almost made me forget my frustration. "Spicy? Really?" he teased, his eyes warm and amused.
"Yes," I insisted, nodding with sudden determination. "I don’t care what it is, Damon. I just want something that will make me forget all this... all this tension sitting in my chest. Something so strong that it replaces everything I’m feeling right now."
He tilted his head, studying me, then sighed with that smile that always made me feel both foolish and safe at once. "Alright then. If that’s what my lady wants." Follow current novᴇls on novel·fiɾe·net
He turned slightly, clapping his hands once. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and within seconds, the door opened. A maid appeared, bowing her head respectfully, her eyes lowered as if she dared not look directly at him.
Damon’s voice came out calm but firm. "Prepare something spicy for her. Make it rich and hot enough to satisfy her craving."
The maid nodded quickly, her apron swaying with her movement. "At once, my lord," she murmured before quietly retreating, closing the door behind her.
Damon took my hand gently and guided me to the bed. "Sit," he murmured.
I lowered myself onto the edge of the mattress, smoothing my dress nervously. "You don’t have to fuss over me ."
"I want to," he replied, sitting beside me. His hand found mine again, firm but gentle. "There’s something I want to tell you. Something important."
I raised my brows. "What is it?"
He hesitated for a moment, his thumb tracing circles over my palm. Then, with a breath, he spoke: "I want you to meet my mother properly. You met her once, but in an improper way. And... I want her to see the baby."
My heart almost stopped. My mouth fell open, and I just stared at him, unsure if I heard correctly. "Y-your... your mother?"
"Yes." His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp, serious. "It’s time, Lisa."
"Time?" I repeated, stunned. "Damon, I... I can’t even imagine that. Your mother? Me? No." I shook my head. "That’s not something I can do so suddenly."
"Why not?" he asked, tilting his head as if he genuinely didn’t understand my panic.
"Why not?" I scoffed. "Do you even hear yourself? She’s your mother. I don’t even know if she’ll accept me. I don’t know what she thinks of me. What if she doesn’t like me? What if she sees me as nothing but trouble? And the baby..." I pressed a hand protectively to my stomach. "What if she doesn’t approve?"
Damon leaned closer, his voice low. "Lisa, my mother isn’t a monster. She’s strong, yes. Sharp-tongued, maybe. But she isn’t cruel. And you’re carrying her grandchild. Do you think she won’t care for that? For you?"
I swallowed hard, my lips parting, but no words coming out. The thought of facing his mother, even though she wasn’t alive, made my stomach twist in knots, but before I could answer, the door opened again.
The maid returned, holding a silver tray. Steam rose from the bowl she carried, and the sharp scent of spices filled the room. My nose tingled immediately. She set the tray on a small table beside the bed and bowed.
"I brought spiced venison stew, my lord," the maid said softly. "Cooked with red peppers, cloves, and ginger, as it is prepared for those who crave fire on their tongue. I also added flatbread to soften the taste if it burns too much."
The smell alone made my mouth water. I hadn’t even realized how hungry I was until that moment. "Thank you," I said quietly, my eyes locked on the food.
The maid bowed again, then slipped out of the room, leaving Damon and me alone once more.
"Here," Damon said, lifting the bowl carefully and placing it on my lap. "Eat, Lisa. You need strength."
I looked at him suspiciously. "You’re trying to distract me from what you just said."
He grinned slightly. "Maybe. But I also want to see that smile on your face when you eat something you like."
I shook my head, though a reluctant smile tugged at my lips. I tore off a piece of bread and dipped it into the red stew, then brought it to my mouth. The moment it touched my tongue, fire exploded inside me.
"Oh..." I gasped, fanning my lips quickly. "That’s... that’s hot."
Damon chuckled. "Too much?"
I shook my head rapidly. "No. It’s perfect." I shoved another bite into my mouth, tears stinging my eyes from the spice. "Oh, gods, it burns."
"Then stop eating," Damon teased.
"Never," I said through a mouthful, grinning at him despite the heat. "This is exactly what I wanted."
He leaned back, watching me with a softness in his eyes that I hadn’t expected. "You’re stubborn."
"Yes," I said, reaching for another spoonful. "And don’t think you can change my mind about your mother just because you fed me stew."
Damon laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Lisa, do you really think I’d throw you to my mother without care? I’ve thought about this. She needs to see you. She needs to know you. And let’s go after informing Kael and Rowan."
I paused mid-bite, staring at him. "Why? Why now?"
"Because," he said simply, his voice dropping lower, "you are not just anyone to me. You’re carrying my child. You’re... ours. And my mother has a right to know. I don’t want to hide you away."
My chest tightened, my eyes suddenly burning. "You make it sound so simple."
"Maybe it is," he replied softly, reaching out to wipe a bit of stew from the corner of my mouth. His thumb lingered against my lips, and for a moment, the fire on my tongue was nothing compared to the heat in my chest.
I whispered, "Damon... I’m scared."
"Don’t be scared, Lisa. I’m here for you,"