Seduce Me ~ The Path To Forgiveness

Path Three, Step Eight: Join Me?

I awake in my bed, the only light illuminating the room a small lamp on the desk where Damien sits, bathing in its soft glow with a book across his lap. He glances up with a smile as I stir, disoriented as I sit up.

"Are you alright?"

'My head.' I groan, my hand shooting up to caress my throbbing temple.

Damien frowns as he walks over to me, the warmth of his hand as he presses the back of it to my forehead slightly alleviating the incessant pounding.

"Just your head?"

'I'm a bit tired.' I begin when I suddenly remember what events led to this, looking up with worried eyes.

'Are YOU alright?'

"You don't need to worry about me." He replies as he lowers his hand, a reassuring smile on his face, and for a moment I stare at him in disbelief.

'I nearly got you killed!' I exclaim but he chuckles.

"I'm stronger than I look, though I will admit that Sam hits like a tank." He rolls his shoulder for emphasis, no doubt still sore. "It was exhilarating while it lasted."

'You shouldn't have taken the hit.' I chastise, both of us being well aware it was avoidable, but he shrugs.

"And then we would have been subjected to a very long, and unpleasant, conversation."

'You didn't tell them?' I ask, surprised.

"I gave my word, didn't I? Though we should probably speak with William when he returns, I've never witnessed anything like what you did."

'It's not strange for untrained warlocks to lose control of their magic.' I reassure him, having performed some bizarre feats as my magical abilities began to manifest. 'I.. I wonder if I can do it again.' I ponder as I bite my lip, understandably intrigued by the idea of seeing into the future, even if it's a simple glimpse.

"I wouldn't try, at least not until we speak with William. It seems to have taken quite the toll on you."

'I've passed out casting spells before, it's not a big deal.' I inform him, still very inexperienced with my gifts, but Damien quirks a questioning brow.

"For nine hours?"

'What?' I ask in alarm as I turn to the clock, reading seven thirty. 'Usually only a few minutes. Have you been waiting this whole time?'

He tugs at his collar, pointing over to the stack of books piled on the desk. "Yes, but I've kept myself entertained."

I shake my head as I smile at him, rising to my feet only to be struck by an almost overwhelming hunger, my hand clutching my stomach.

'I haven't missed dinner, have I?'

He laughs lightly at my words, though an odd look crosses his eye. "They've been waiting for you to wake up, some more patiently than others."

Sam groans in relief as we step into the dining room, Matthew glancing up from the small metal ring puzzle in his hands.

"Your alive! Are you okay? What happened?"

"What indeed." James muses as Matthew finishes his tirade, cocking a brow, before rising to his feet and heading to the kitchen. "Thirty minutes till dinner."

"God damnittttttt." Sam groans as he throws his head back, tilting the chair and propping his feet up on the table.

Damien chooses to ignore the question as he takes his seat and I'm saved from answering, having gotten so used to not needing my notebook, as I join him.