Chapter 3 Not Ready - Damian's POV

As I catch sight of her, I notice she is everything I hoped for, and yet everything I should have known she would be as well. She is beautiful, but it is her fiery spirit that catches my attention the most.

This is a blazing fire in her eyes and a defiance in a way she holds herself. Most women would cower before me and obey without question. But she isn't like most women.

"Maya Sinclair," I whisper as I take her in.

She stands taller, her posture unwavering, which is a subtle challenge as she meets my gaze, even though she doesn't know it yet. Her father, who is standing beside me, looks shocked and almost irritated at her strong presentation. Apparently, this must not be how he envisioned this going.

Honestly, I don't pay him any mind because my focus lies elsewhere. My eyes are locked on the little sprite in front of me who is going to make this very interesting.

"Miss Sinclair," I say again, this time a bit louder. "I think it is time for us to go. Your father said he will send your things to us starting tomorrow. Do you have what you need for now?"

I catch a slight shift in her eyes, radiating more defiance that makes me giddy. Most would be trembling by now and desperate to either escape me or please me. But not her.

She is definitely not some fragile, helpless woman that could be controlled by anyone. No, she is a force all her own and one I am not exactly prepared for, but long to conquer.

I watch her closely, my eyes tracking every subtle movement, only to realize I need a different approach. Breaking her will come later.

"Mr. Blackwood will be expecting you later tonight," I add, keeping my identity concealed. "I think you can take a few hours to pack some more things because I know that little bag isn't going to hold you over for long."

With that said, I turn and walk back through the open doorway to the car.

"Wait, I thought you were going to take her there now," her father says as he comes through the doorway behind me.

"It's a little early and my arrival wasn't expected yet. Let her pack a decent bag. We will be back soon for her."

I open the car door, slide inside, and sigh when I shut the door behind me. Her father doesn't even know what I look like and doesn't realize who he has been casually chatting with

My thoughts begin racing, then I feel them as they almost choke and suffocate me. I feel as if I might lose it right here and now. He has not shown the slightest bit of emotion in giving her away. Not until I didn't take her.

It's as if she is nothing to him. What kind of father does that to his children?

Not only that, but why do I feel upset about it?

I shake my head as I start back for my estate. It won't be long before she'll be here and I will need to prepare a little more. It's not exactly like we are overrun with women at the manor.

I settle in my seat, my fingers gripping the steering wheel as I try to steady my thoughts on the way home. The engine hums beneath me, but the stillness inside the car is suffocating me to no end.

What kind of father?

The question plagues me, but I don't understand why it bothers me so much.

The only stake I have in her life is the fact she will fulfill the prophecy over my family. She is just another piece in the game I have long been playing. Yet for some reason, the way her father doesn't care to just hand her over for a bit of money and treats her like a mere paw digs under my skin.

It's not like I haven't seen things such as that before. The rich, powerful families hand over their children as bargaining chips when they hit a snag. It is a cold, cruel world and I'm accustomed to it.

But this felt different. There is something about her and the fire in her eyes that tears me up. She isn't just some pawn to be used.

She is something else entirely that makes me want to claim and own her fully.

I take one hand off the steering wheel and run it through my shaggy dark locks as I hit the road that leads home and keep going. No matter how hard I try to shake the thoughts, they won't leave. They wrap themselves around my mind like a vine that refuses to let go. Then they squeeze tighter the more I try to push them away.

"Get it together, Blackwood," I mumble to myself.

She isn't mine to protect, nor mine to care about. The only thing she is good for is to fulfill the prophecy.

Yet here I am, feeling just that and a faint pull to her. It is like a knot in my chest and I have this urge to do something, even though I know I shouldn't.

She is dangerous and might ruin everything I have built or be my salvation to fulfill the prophecy.

I take another deep breath and turn the car down the winding driveway leading to the estate. The house looms in the distance, seeming dark and imposing. I am not ready for her.

Not yet. But I have to be for the deal and the power.

As I park the car in front of the sprawling estate, I can almost taste the tension building in the air. I step out and make my way up the stone steps.

Before I reach the door, Simon is already there, waiting for me.

His face is unreadable until I can see confusion crossing his features. "Where is she? I thought you went to get the girl."

I hesitate for a moment, then exhale slowly. "She is packing at home for the next two hours, then I'll send someone to get her. I did what I needed to and saw exactly what I needed to as well."

"Why didn't you just bring her with you and save us another trip?" He asks, his voice sharp and full of curiosity.

"Because I can," I say without offering further explanation.

Simon doesn't push any further because he knows better and knows me entirely too well. He falls into step beside me and we both head further inside.

The house, as always, feels like an impenetrable fortress that is cold, empty, and dark. But this time, something shifts and feels different.

Amongst the looming presence is hope, which is something unfamiliar and I can't shake the feeling of being watched.

It doesn't matter if I'm ready or not because the prophecy waits for no one and never cares if I'm ready or not.

"Get things ready. I'm sending you after her in two hours, then she will be here."

He only laughs as he stops walking beside me. "Do they even know you are the one who came first?"

I turn with a smirk tugging on my lips. "No, but I guess she'll be in for a shock when she finds out."