Aurora followed Damian out of the room, her steps light as she kept close to him. She didn’t want to draw attention to herself. Damian’s presence was commanding, and walking beside him, she felt like a shadow in his overwhelming light. The grand hallway stretched ahead, its high ceilings adorned with intricate designs and gilded chandeliers. The soft carpet underfoot muffled their steps, but Aurora’s heart was loud in her chest.
Damian walked with purpose, his posture straight and unyielding. Aurora couldn’t help but glance at him from the corner of her eye. His face was calm, but she knew there was always something simmering beneath the surface. He was a man who controlled everything, and she doubted anything escaped his notice.
As they approached the large double doors leading to the gardens, Aurora caught sight of someone standing nearby. A man, tall and strikingly handsome, leaned casually against the doorway. He had the same dark hair as Damian, but his features were softer, more approachable. His smile was warm as his eyes landed on Damian.
“Brother,” the man said, his voice smooth and friendly. “It’s been a while.”
Damian’s steps faltered for the briefest moment, and Aurora saw his expression harden. He didn’t return the smile. Instead, his voice was cold and sharp. “Why are you here, Raphael?”
The man Raphael spread his arms in a mock gesture of innocence. “I’m just here to see my dear brother. Isn’t that great?”
Damian’s jaw tightened. Aurora could feel the tension radiating from him. She hesitated, unsure of what to do, but her instincts told her to offer some form of comfort. Gently, she reached out and placed her hand on Damian’s shoulder. The simple touch seemed to pull his attention back to her.
Damian didn’t say anything. Instead, he bent down and scooped Aurora into his arms as if she weighed nothing. She gasped softly, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck to steady herself. Without a word to Raphael, Damian strode past him, his grip on Aurora firm and unyielding.
“Always so dramatic,” Raphael called after him, amusement lacing his tone. But Damian didn’t respond.
Aurora’s heart raced as Damian carried her through the doors and into the garden. The morning air was cool and fresh, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the hallway. The garden was sprawling, with perfectly trimmed hedges, vibrant flowers, and a gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming roses.
Damian didn’t stop until they reached a secluded area, where a stone bench sat beneath a tall oak tree. He set Aurora down carefully, his hands lingering on her waist for a moment before he stepped back. His dark eyes met hers, and for a second, she thought she saw a flicker of something other than anger in them.
“Why did you touch me back there?” he asked, his voice low but firm.
Aurora swallowed hard, her hands resting on her lap. “You seemed… tense. I thought it might help.”
Damian’s expression didn’t change, but he let out a quiet sigh. “You’re too kind for your own good,” he muttered, almost to himself. He turned away, his gaze sweeping over the garden as if searching for something to focus on.
Aurora watched him, her mind swirling with questions. Who was Raphael, and why had his presence upset Damian so much? She wanted to ask, but she didn’t dare push him when he was like this. Instead, she waited, hoping he might offer an explanation on his own.
After a moment of silence, Damian spoke. “Raphael is my younger brother. He likes to meddle where he doesn’t belong.” His tone was clipped, and Aurora could tell there was more to the story than he was letting on.
“He seemed… different from you,” she said cautiously.
Damian let out a bitter laugh. “That’s one way to put it. He’s always been the charming one, the golden child. Everyone loves Raphael.” There was a sharp edge to his words, and Aurora sensed that this was a sore subject for him.
“Do you not get along?” she asked softly.
Damian turned to face her, his eyes narrowing slightly. “We’re brothers. That’s all that matters.” His answer was vague, and Aurora knew better than to press further.
The sound of footsteps drew their attention, and both of them turned to see Raphael approaching. His smile was still in place, but there was a calculating look in his eyes now.
“Am I interrupting?” Raphael asked, his tone light but his gaze fixed on Aurora.
Damian stepped in front of her, his posture protective. “What do you want, Raphael?”
Raphael held up his hands in mock surrender. “Relax, brother. I just wanted to say hello to your lovely companion.” His eyes flicked to Aurora, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
“Stay away from her,” Damian said, his voice like steel. “She’s none of your concern.”
Raphael’s smile widened. “So possessive. You always did have a way of keeping things close to your chest.” He turned his attention back to Damian, his expression shifting to something more serious. “You can’t hide forever, you know. Father won’t wait much longer.”
Damian’s jaw clenched, and Aurora could feel the tension between the two brothers. It was clear there was a deeper conflict at play, one that she didn’t fully understand.
“That’s none of your business,” Damian said curtly.
Raphael shrugged. “Suit yourself. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.” With that, he turned and walked away, leaving the garden as quickly as he had appeared.
Damian let out a breath, his shoulders relaxing slightly. He turned back to Aurora, his expression softening. “Are you all right?”
Aurora nodded, though her mind was still reeling from the encounter. “Who is your father?” she asked cautiously.
Damian hesitated, his eyes searching hers. “That’s a story for another time,” he said finally. “For now, all you need to know is that Raphael’s presence here isn’t a good sign.”
Aurora wanted to ask more, but the look on Damian’s face told her it was better to let the matter rest. She nodded, trusting that he would tell her when he was ready.
“Come,” he said, holding out his hand to her. “Let’s walk.”
Aurora took his hand hesitantly, and together they strolled through the garden. The tension from earlier began to fade, replaced by the soothing sounds of birdsong and rustling leaves. But Aurora couldn’t shake the feeling that something big was looming on the horizon, and that Raphael’s visit was only the beginning.