Ahicia moved through the halls of the grand estate, her mind occupied with turbulent thoughts. The encounter with Damian's mother had left her unsettled, but she was determined not to let anyone see the cracks in her armor. She tightened her grip on the banister as she descended the sweeping staircase, her injured leg protesting with every step.
Damian had noticed Ahicia avoiding him all day. It wasn't subtle—she'd vanish the moment she heard his footsteps, her presence lingering in rooms he entered only moments after she'd left. The realization irritated him more than he cared to admit.
So when he saw her descending the staircase, he made no effort to hide his approach. She didn't notice him until it was too late.
Distracted by her internal turmoil, she didn't notice her footing falter until it was too late. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as she stumbled forward, her balance lost. Instinctively, she braced for the impact of the marble floor, but it never came.
Strong arms encircled her, steadying her before she could fall. The scent of cedar and something distinctly Damian enveloped her, and she looked up to see his golden eyes staring down at her, equal parts concerned and annoyed.
"Really? Playing knight in shining armor again?" she said, her voice laced with sarcasm. "You must really enjoy these moments of heroism."
Damian arched an eyebrow, his hold on her firm but not rough. "And you must enjoy testing how much your body can take before it gives out," he shot back, his tone dry.
Ahicia wriggled free from his grip, brushing herself off as if to rid herself of his touch. "I didn't ask for your help," she said coolly. "But thanks for the unsolicited rescue. Truly gallant of you."
His jaw tightened, and he took a step closer, his golden gaze narrowing. "Maybe not, but you clearly need it. Or do you enjoy being reckless for the sake of proving a point?"
She smirked, crossing her arms. "Oh, is that concern I hear? Or just your ego trying to justify meddling?"
Damian's lips quirked into a faint smirk, though his eyes remained serious. "You're impossible, you know that?"
"And you're insufferable," she shot back, her chin lifting in defiance. "I've managed just fine without you hovering over me."
"'Just fine'?" he echoed, his brows arching in disbelief. "You were about to faceplant onto solid marble. That's your definition of fine?"
"Yes," she replied with mock sweetness. "Because unlike some people, I don't need to rely on others to pick me up."
"Clearly," he said dryly, stepping closer, his towering presence forcing her to tilt her head to maintain eye contact. "But maybe handling everything on your own isn't the smartest choice."
She opened her mouth to argue but found herself momentarily stunned by the intensity of his gaze. It was infuriating how easily he could disarm her with just a look.
"Why do you even care?" she challenged, her voice sharp but wavering slightly. "What do you get out of this?"
Damian's expression softened, though his frustration lingered in his golden eyes. "Because I do," he said simply. "Whether you believe it or not, I—" He cut himself off, taking a deep breath as if steadying himself.
Ahicia stared at him, her heart pounding as she tried to decipher the emotions playing across his face. She wasn't prepared for what happened next.
Damian leaned in slightly, his hand brushing her arm as he pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to her cheek. It was over in a heartbeat, yet it left her utterly frozen.
When he pulled back, his gaze searched hers for a reaction, though his own expression was unreadable. "Get some rest, Ahicia," he said quietly. "And try not to push yourself too hard."
She blinked, recovering quickly as she quipped, "Wow, a kiss on the cheek. Should I swoon now or later?"
Damian's lips twitched, but he merely shook his head, turning to walk away. "Goodnight, Ahicia," he said over his shoulder, his tone faintly amused.
As he disappeared down the hall, Ahicia stood there, her cocky facade faltering as she touched her cheek. The warmth of his lips lingered, and she shook her head, muttering to herself. "He's insufferable."
She made her way back to her room, determined to push the moment from her mind. But no matter how hard she tried, the memory lingered, stirring feelings she wasn't ready to confront.