Aurora sat on the edge of the bed, her fingers gripping the silk sheet draped over her trembling legs. Her mind was racing, calculating. She knew she had to act quickly while Damian was in a rare, agreeable mood. She had played her role flawlessly, surrendering to his desires without resistance. But now was the time to strike.
Damian leaned casually against the wall, shirtless, with a satisfied smirk on his face. His tattoos stretched across his chest and arms, each one a reminder of his power and dominance.
Aurora swallowed her unease, steadying her voice. “Damian,” she began, her tone soft but firm, “have I proven myself to you now?”
His dark eyes narrowed as he looked at her, his smirk deepening. “Proven yourself?” he echoed, pushing off the wall and stalking toward her.
“Yes.” Aurora met his gaze, refusing to look away even as her heart pounded in her chest. “Am I worthy to be your mistress?”
Damian stopped in front of her, towering over her petite frame. He tilted her chin upward with a single finger, forcing her to hold his gaze.
“You’re bold to ask me that,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. But there was a hint of amusement in his tone. “After tonight, yes, you’ve proven yourself. You could be my mistress if that’s what you desire.”
Aurora’s chest tightened at his words, but she kept her expression composed. She had expected this answer, but she couldn’t let him sense how much she needed what she was about to ask.
“Then I want something in return,” she said, her voice steady.
Damian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You’re in no position to make demands, Aurora.”
“It’s not a demand,” she replied quickly, her tone softening. “It’s a request. If I am to be your mistress, then I ask that you bring back Luna.”
At the mention of Luna’s name, Damian’s smirk vanished. He stepped back slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Luna?” he repeated, his voice colder now.
“Yes.” Aurora stood, wrapping the sheet around her as she moved closer to him. “She means nothing to you. She’s just another slave, and I… I want her by my side.”
Damian’s eyes darkened, and Aurora felt the weight of his gaze. “Why?”
“Youre asking Me why?
You promised to bring her back and you said I can make wishes, and I want her back because she is my friend,” Aurora admitted, her voice trembling slightly. “She’s the only person who has been kind to me in this place. If I am to stay here as your mistress, I need her with me.”
Damian’s silence was deafening. His eyes bored into hers, searching for any sign of deceit. Aurora held her breath, praying he would agree.
Before he could respond, the door to the room burst open, slamming against the wall.
“Aurora!” Lily’s voice rang out, sharp and filled with venom.
Aurora turned to see the tall, raven-haired woman standing in the doorway, her eyes blazing with fury. Dressed in a sheer black robe, Lily was every inch the picture of elegance and seduction. But the anger radiating off her was impossible to miss.
“What is this?” Lily demanded, her gaze darting between Aurora and Damian. “What is she doing here? And why is she wrapped in your sheets?”
Damian’s expression darkened, and he turned toward Lily. “This is none of your concern, Lily.”
“None of my concern?” Lily’s voice rose, and she took a step into the room. “She’s replacing me, isn’t she? That’s why she’s here!”
Aurora stayed silent, her heart racing. She could feel Lily’s hatred burning through her, but she refused to back down.
“She’s proven herself,” Damian said simply, his tone cold. “Aurora has earned her place.”
“Earned her place?” Lily scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. “You think she can do for you what I’ve done? I’ve been by your side for years, Damian. I’ve given you everything!”
“And now you’ve given me enough,” Damian replied, his voice like ice.
Lily’s eyes widened, and for a moment, she seemed genuinely hurt. But the emotion was quickly replaced by rage. She turned her attention to Aurora, stepping closer until they were mere inches apart.
“You think you can replace me?” Lily hissed, her voice low and dangerous. “You think you’re better than me?”
Aurora met Lily’s glare, her chin tilting upward defiantly. “I don’t think anything,” she said evenly. “I’m only here because Damian wants me here. If you have a problem with that, take it up with him.”
Lily’s hand shot out, grabbing Aurora’s arm in a bruising grip. “Listen to me, you little”
“Enough!” Damian’s voice boomed, cutting through the tension like a blade. He stepped between them, forcing Lily to release Aurora.
“This isn’t your decision to make, Lily,” Damian said, his tone firm. “Aurora is here because I want her here. And you will respect that.”
Lily’s hands clenched into fists at her sides, and she looked as though she might argue. But after a moment, she forced a tight smile and stepped back.
“Of course,” she said, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “If that’s what you want, Damian.”
“It is.”
Lily’s smile didn’t reach her eyes as she turned to leave. But before she exited the room, she glanced back at Aurora, her expression a promise of future confrontation.
As the door closed behind her, Aurora released the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Damian turned to her, his expression unreadable. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Aurora.”
“I know,” she replied softly. “But I had to try.”
He studied her for a moment, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll bring back Luna. But don’t make me regret it.”
Aurora’s heart soared with relief, but she kept her emotions in check. “Thank you, Damian.”
He smirked, leaning in close. “Don’t thank me yet. You still have a long way to go.”
Aurora nodded, knowing full well that the battle had just begun.