Cold water splashed my face, and I sat up immediately. I glared, looking up at the culprit. Damien's eyes mine with a childish glint, holding an empty glass.

"Sweetheart, is this where you have been all day?"

It seemed I had fallen asleep under the oak tree reading the diary. The soft rays of the sun through the tree and rising temperature must've made me drowsy.

"We have a dancing lesson starting in ten minutes, Princess."

Princess... the book!

I hid it under the folds of my dress, gazing up into Damien's blue-gray eyes. His dark hair fell around his face like the waves I had imagined in Descuvi, silky and smooth.

"What are you thinking about?" He smirked down at me, knowing I was checking him out.

"How we need to get to the dance lesson, but now my dress is wet due to your childish actions."

"Well then I can help you take it off," he winked at me, offering a hand. I rolled my eyes, taking it, still holding the diary from the outside of my dress.

"You know, that sounds like a plan."

"Really?"

"I was talking about the dance lesson."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"You're doing it all wrong. I take the left, then you step right."

I grumbled out a few incoherent words, trying the dance over again. I stepped on Damien's foot, causing him to give me a look of disapproval. I retracted out of his grasp, a glare set in his direction.

"I'm not like you, Damien. I can't get everything right off my first try."

"I know, I'm perfect aren't I?" He smiled down at me, trying to lighten the mood. I continued glaring, because he knew I was right.

"You just need to have fun... you're not letting loose." He wrapped his arms around my waist, speaking into my ear.

"Well you're not helping at all in this position."

"Sorry," he loosened his hold, relishing in knowing he made me aroused.

"No, you're not." I huffed out, trying to keep the feeling of lust away. He grabbed my hand, lightly tracing his lips over my knuckles.

"What will help you focus?" With his other hand around my waist, he traced over my lower back, keeping a firm but comfortable grip on my body. I felt like jello in his hands.

Though Roswell had tried to attack me about a week ago, he never got close to the exhilarating feeling that Damien gave me. I had yearned for it the past week he had given me space, which was respectful of him. But I have been through more trauma then Roswell almost uniting my laces- and I wanted Damien's intimacy more than ever. He made me feel worshiped and loved, and I felt peace in his presence.

"Perhaps a goal might." I replied, an aching in my stomach that needed to be subdued. His eyes glossed over my face, making me fluster under his gaze. The look he gave me wasn't kind, as if he was hungry and wanted to ravish me- I would easily let him.

"What were you thinking?" He dropped my hand, replacing it on my waist with the other. He pulled me closer to him, letting me feel how hard he was. I tried to even my breathing, not wanting to give him the reaction he wanted.

"What would be a fair deal to you?" He replied, moving the stray hair away from my neck so I could feel his voice; his hot, minty breath dared me to shiver and his woodsy scent engulfed my senses.

I would let him have his way with me in the middle of this dance hall.

I stood on my tippy-toes, pressing harder against his member. "If you are able to teach me this routine like a true teacher, and I don't make any mistakes by the end of the lesson... then I want to loose my virginity to you."

His eyes widened exponentially. He took a step back, and I gazed at him curiously. Instead of being more aroused, he took this in complete seriousness.

"Last week..."

"I want you, Damien. Now more than ever. Do you remember that day in the cabin? We talked about-"

"Yes, I remember. But are you one-hundred percent sure about this? I would never want you to do something you weren't ready for, and you've been through so much recently."

"Who's been by my side through it all?" I reached up, placing my hands on his face. I gave him my full attention, not daring to falter, I wanted to show Damien I was completely serious. He smiled down at me, grabbing my wrist to kiss my palm. I felt butterflies in my stomach at his simple touch, wondering how the electricity I felt between us never seemed to fade. "I love you, Damien."

"I love you more, Annalise. I'll be the best teacher you've ever had."

"In what department?"

"You're killing me, sweetheart."

"That's my job, Daruis." He placed a long kiss on my forehead, pulling away to face to mirror. I ended up learning the routine perfectly, due to the fact that Damien didn't try any more "tricks" on me. He knew we could save it for later.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"When are you going to show her? I mean, look at this place, Henry! You are ready to open shop." Hazalen walked around the shop, a skip in her step. Landon followed behind her, stopping at a particular suit.

"If I had the money, I would buy this in an instant." His hands traced the navy suit, then looked over at Hazalen.

"You can have it." I smiled in appreciation. He wanted to look good for Hazalen, like a true noble that her father could marry her off to. I didn't mind giving it to him, because I knew a lot of sales were coming in soon.

"Really? You don't have to do that, Henry."

"It would be my pleasure. You need something to wear for the Tarzlian Princess's Arrival ball anyway." I remarked, taking the suit off the mannequin. As I placed it on a hanger, I noticed the silence throughout the room.

"What do you think this means for them?" Hazalen asked, breaking our obvious thoughts aloud.

"I don't think Damien is going to go through with it. He's going to finally defy his father, he loves that girl so much." Landon replied, sitting on a now refurbished chair.

"But he knows she's a Descuvi. Damien said so himself. If the king really wanted to, he could eliminate her." Hazalen sat beside him, taking his hand for reassurance.

"He's stuck between risking Annalise's life for their love, or his kingdom and her safety. The logical choice would be to marry Princess Amelia of Tarzla." I stood at the checkout desk, turned away from them. I viewed the box sitting above the closet marked "to: Annalise".

I ended up reading the letter that Annalise's mother had written her. I hadn't expected much at first, between the "I love you's", until the seamstress revealed that Annalise was just the Princess of Descuvi.

It all made sense now. Between Cole capturing her, the diary she possessed, her remarkable appearance against Demotis. The way she held herself among people, a presence dared to be spoken against. She had a heart of gold and a fire that couldn't be put out- a queen in the making.

By the gods, she was already a queen!

Alas, I would have to break the news to her with the present her mother left behind.

I couldn't let anybody find out. Not even Hazalen or Damien.

"That's why we must come up with a plan for them to run away together, to the land of Descuvi. And we're coming with." When I turned back around, Hazalen and Landon were staring at me with utter disbelief.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He was bound to find out you guys. Like Henry knows all 😭you can't get past him.

How did you think Annalise will react when Henry tries to "break the news"?

Also, Annalise wants a little more from Damien🤭. Wonder how that will play out.

And what about that princess from Tarzla? The dance lesson Damien had with her was a little fishy.

— and i am sorry I have not been updating recently. My grandfather died recently, and we were very close. He lived with my family and I for about two years after a hurricane wrecked his house, so we grew very close. He taught me how to drive, love football, and eat blue bell ice cream late at night. Just know I'm doing a lot better now and he's in a better place.

Honestly, the kind of love I write about is how I imagine him and my grandmother. They dated since they were 14, true soulmates, twin flames or whatever, and I'm glad they are together now💗.

If you still have a grandparent, please check up on them every once and a while. It means a lot to them, and you will appreciate it one day.

I love you guys, and I hope you're staying in good health, mentally and physically!!! Mental health is just as important as physical. Do something for yourself tomorrow!! Go on a walk, do a face mask, straighten your hair- everything helps.

I love you guys, and thank you for your continued support. It means so much to me.