Chapter 28
“Damian, let me go!” Deborah’s voice came out raw and ragged.
She never imagined she would be humiliated like this–stripped bare, pinned down in such a degrading position.
D
She thrashed and struggled with all her strength, but Damian’s hand pressed firmly against the small of her back. She couldn’t move.
“Get off me! Go away!” she cried, biting her lip, doing everything she could to avoid his gaze.
But she couldn’t escape it. Her delicate body was completely exposed beneath the firelight, laid bare in the most shameful way. Her chest tightened with emotion, and tears nearly spilled from her eyes.
Even Damian hadn’t meant for things to go this far. He hadn’t expected that one tug would leave her this vulnerable. He thought–at the very least -there would be another layer.
There had been. But somehow, he’d torn through both layers, and now, she was completely uncovered in front of him.
His breathing faltered. His entire body tensed the moment he saw her. His gaze locked onto her–like he’d fallen under a spell–and wouldn’t let go. His hand twitched, almost involuntarily, drawn to her like a man possessed….
No!” Deborah trembled violently as his fingers brushed her lower back, inching lower.
Her voice cracked as she finally broke, whispering hoarsely, “Please… Your Highness, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. Please let me go… I’m begging you.”
Damian closed his eyes tightly. After a long breath, he released her, shoving her aside. “If I ever catch you sneaking into a restricted area again, don’t expect mercy.”
Without another word, he turned and left.
As Deborah looked back, she caught sight of his figure slipping out the window–not the door.
A moment later, chaos broke out outside. Shouts echoed from the distance. Her mind snapped to attention.
The guards from Skyrift Hall were searching the grounds–and they were heading this way.
“My lady is already resting! You can’t just barge in-” Zyla rushed forward to stop them, but a shadow guard shoved her aside without hesitation.
Within moments, Deborah’s door was kicked open. A swarm of guards flooded in, two of them holding torches that bathed the room in flickering light.
“Luann?” Deborah gasped, startled. She quickly pulled the blanket tight around herself.
“What’s the meaning of this?” she snapped, face flushed with anger. “Kicking down my door in the middle of the night–what crime are you committing now?”
But Luann didn’t even blink. She strode up to the bed, her tone cold and clipped. “Princess Deborah, did you leave your chambers tonight?”
“I’ve been resting,” Deborah said sharply. “Can’t you see that?”
Luann ignored her and called out, “Light the room.”
“Luann, my lady is already asleep. She’s not properly dressed–and there are men here. Lighting the room would be improper!” Zyla stepped forward, shielding Deborah protectively.
But Luann’s expression turned steely. “There’s been an intruder here. Every part of the grounds is under investigation. Anyone who interferes will be treated as an accomplice.”
“Luann-”
“Zyla,” Deborah said quietly, cutting her off. “Go ahead. Light the lamp.
Zyla hesitated, visibly torn. After a moment, she obeyed, walking over and lighting the candle. The room brightened instantly, the shadows retreating into the corners.
Luann stepped up to the bed, face like ice. “Will you come out on your own, Princess Deborah? Or shall I pull you out myself?”
Zyla looked over, heart pounding. She knew Deborah had left earlier that night–she’d checked, and the room had been empty. But she thought,
1/2
‘Princess Deborah couldn’t possibly be the intruder. Could she?‘
And yet, she hadn’t budged from under the blanket the entire time. ‘Is she… hiding something? What now?‘
Still, Deborah didn’t move.
Luann’s expression darkened. She stepped forward. “Then forgive me, Your Highness.”
With that, she grabbed the blanket and yanked it away.
