Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Three, Step Six: Starved

'Damien?' I ask as I step into the hall where he waits for me, his head lowered into his hands as fingers run slow circles on his temples, but he doesn't react to my unspoken voice or the sound of my room door snapping shut behind me.

'Damien.' I try again, a bit more force behind the thought and his head snaps up. Worry blooms in my chest as I see the grimace on his face, at the sudden motion or perhaps the bright light above us, and he looks genuinely startled by my sudden appearance.

"Ah, forgive me." He smiles, though I can hear his teeth grind as his jaw clamps in an uncomfortable looking way.

'Are you alright?' I ask, frowning as he waves dismissively.

"Nothing to worry about, though I feel it would be unkind not to tell you that you look lovely." He tugs at his collar as he compliments me, a nervous habit of his that draws color to my cheeks as I cast a quick glance down at my choice of apparel.

The neckline dips lower than I would like but the black fabric clings tightly to my form in just the perfect way that, coupled with matching stockings, covers the worst of my scarring.

'Are you sure? If it's a headache I have pain medication.' I offer, not letting him dismiss me so easily as I find myself unable to stand the tension in his rigid body or the way his brow furrows at every sudden movement, though I can tell he does his best to mask it .

"Thank you but sadly it won't help." He replies, an honest answer that brings a question to my mind but he effectively changes the topic, reaching forward to run a finger along the edge of the choker that consistantly adornes my throat as he inquires. "Surely you have jewelry that would better suit your dress."

I stumble back a step as his arm falls back to his side, surprised at his sudden boldness, and reach up instinctively to make sure it's still properly affixed to my neck as he watches me with equal parts patience and curiosity. 'No, I'm quite fond of my choker.'

"I've noticed." He chuckles, his gaze lingering on the strip of black cloth, but he pushes no further as he motions toward the stairs. "Shall we?"

"Tomorrow!" My fathers voice booms as we decend the grand staircase, clapping James on the shoulder as he makes a valiant effort to argue, for all the good it does him. "Let's not worry about it tonight, an evening to relax will do us all good."

"But we will talk tomorrow?" Damien asks, pointing to me as he voices my thoughts before I have the chance to open my notebook.

"Look at you! Absolutely beautiful!" He beams as he turns to me, looking quite handsome himself in his tweed vest and black slacks. "Of course, we will have plenty of time to talk tomorrow."

He pulls open the front door, drawing his wool coat over his shoulders before helping me slip on mine, and ushers us into the cool spring evening. I slide into the passenger seat of my fathers car and I'm surprised when Damien pulls Erik into the backseat with him, casting me a reassuring smile, as the others climb into James' car.

Muted whispers drift from the back as we cruise down the winding road, trees darkening the sky above as the waning sun struggles to peek through their leaves, and I spend a good part of the drive peering at the men in the back through the rear view mirror. Only Damien speaks aloud, a somber look on his face as Erik listens with pursed lips, and they both cast occasional glances in my direction. Though his words are too soft for me to make out it doesn't stop me from watching him, only realizing how long I've been staring when my father's voice cuts through the silence and I see the streetlights and buildings now looming where trees once did.