Chapter 3 Arrival

(Damian's POV)

A week after our visit to the darkhorse family estate, I was abruptly summoned by my father, requested for a meeting in his study with a few of the upper ranked clan officials. The moment I arrived I was ushered to sit next to my father as the meeting commenced.

"Sir Nicholas, if you don't mind me asking, what's your opinion on the young Miss Elisa?" The head official enquired.

Father let out a chuckle before finally responding. "She's just like her mother, an ill-mannered brat but my opinion of her won't matter much when she's six feet under." He mocked as laughter erupted amongst them.

"Is it really necessary to involve her in any of this? Don't you think it's a bit low using her to bait her father?" The entire room went silent upon hearing my words.

Father's eyes darkened as he stared at me with disdain. "Are you feeling sympathetic or was that supposed to be a poorly composed joke?" he voiced, his eyes sending a warning through his glare.

Understanding the message he was trying to pass across, I remained silent for the rest of the meeting. I watched in disappointment as they revised their plan to use the marriage proposal as a font to take Elisa hostage. "After the alliance is accepted and Elisa is in our custody then we'll be able to strike the darkhorse family until there's nothing left of them, and if that bastard Eliot tries to retaliate we'll threaten to eliminate his beloved daughter, after completely crushing Eliot we'll take over his operations, seizing his bases before getting rid of his useless spawn. Maybe we'll even toy with her a little, just as we did her mother" father rejoiced, basking in the glory of his early victory.

Unable to continue listening to their schemes, I excused myself from the meeting, faking exhaustion. I headed back to my room in silence.

I tossed and turned in bed, unable to remove the image of Elisa from my mind. Our first encounter looped in my head as I blushed at the memory of her beauty and strong headed nature. I couldn't help but chuckle as I remembered the manner in which she spoke to father and the envoys. My heart falls in turmoil each time I think of how closely I held her, going up the stairs. I could barely suppress my excitement at the thought of being married to her but despite my happiness I didn't dare outwardly show my feelings towards her, it would only complicate things if I fell in love with the daughter of the enemy. Regardless of the fact that I was completely opposed to the schemes of my clansmen, I have no choice but to agree in order to gain my father's approval and the recognition of the clansmen. My understanding of the decade old rivalry between our clans is more than enough for me to put my feelings aside and fight alongside my father.

After finally managing to push my thoughts aside, I fell asleep only to be awoken minutes later by the sound of gentle knocking on the door.

In a daze I answered, only to be shoved aside by none other than Sophia (my stepmother and ex fiance).

I stared down at her in disdain as she barged into my room uninvited, making herself comfortable as she laid shamelessly on my bed in a revealing lace night gown.

"What do you think you're doing?" I voiced, barely restraining my anger as I walked over, ready to throw her out.

I grabbed hold of her arm, yanking her off the bed, causing her to fall to the ground.

Just as I tried reaching for her again she averted my grasp, finding her way back to the bed. "Damian" she called out, yanking me by my belt buckle causing me to fall on top of her in a rather intimate position. I tried prying off but she rapped her legs tightly around my waist as she pulled me in, forcefully claiming my lips. Her hands were firmly placed around my neck forcing us even closer together as she deepened the kiss. Whilst mid kiss she forced a strange pill into my mouth, shoving it deep into my throat with her tongue before finally releasing me. I wiped my lips in disgust as I roughly grabbed her by the neck, squeezing tightly. "What was that?!!!" she smirked at the sight of me provoked, whispering something inaudible. I loosened my grip on her neck, giving her a chance to speak. "Choke me harder, I like it a little rough" she whispered.

I released her completely, taking a few steps back as I stared emotionlessly at her. "I'm giving you one last chance to get out of here, or else I'll bring your advances at me over the past few months to father's notice. You of all people should know exactly how he would react, after all I believe you're no stranger to being abused by him."

Her face darkened upon hearing my words, she hesitantly drew closer to me in an attempt to coax me once more but froze mid way and silently headed for the door. Just as I took a step forward to ensure her departure, a wave of dizziness washed over me as my vision blurred and before I could understand what was going on, I was knocked unconscious.

By the time I regained consciousness, it was already noon the next day. I laid in bed disoriented as my head throbbed. It was only after taking a few minutes to regain composure that I noticed I was completely naked in bed with a familiar figure laying beside me, buried underneath the sheet. Before I could fully assess the situation my father barged in angrily.

"DAMIAN!!!" he yelled, staring directly at us both in our disheveled state. It took me a moment to notice he wasn't alone. His gaze shifted from me to the figure standing by the doorway, Elisa.