The scales on Cora's hand shimmered, glistening like molten gold under the moonlight. A symbol—ancient and unknown—etched itself onto her wrist, glowing softly before dimming.
Damien's sharp eyes locked onto it immediately. His entire focus zeroed in on the way the scales seemed almost alive, reacting to the water as if answering a call only she could hear. The sea lapped against her submerged hand, and for a brief moment, something unspoken passed between them.
He stepped forward, cutting through the crashing waves effortlessly. But before he could reach her, Amelia moved between them like an iron wall.
"Cora's not in the mood for your antics," she muttered, standing her ground.
Damien cocked his head, a slow smirk curving his lips. "I'll be the judge of that."
His voice was pure arrogance, smooth and deep like aged whiskey. Without another word, Amelia exhaled sharply before stepping aside, clearly knowing it was pointless to argue.
Damien didn't say anything to Cora. Instead, he bent down, the foamy waves curling around his feet, soaking the hem of his pants. He reached for her hand, fingers brushing over the wet skin as he lifted it from the water. His thumb ghosted over the glowing scales.
The moment he touched them, they vanished.
Cora yanked her hand away, standing abruptly. "There are lessons we need to catch up on," she muttered, stepping sideways in an attempt to escape him.
A low chuckle rumbled from Damien's chest as he caught her wrist effortlessly. "That's quite harsh, coming from my girlfriend." His voice dripped with sarcasm. "But I'll let that slide. Because we're going to have a proper talk about this."
Before she could protest, he pulled her along with him.
Cora frowned. "Let go of me," she muttered, struggling to free her hand.
Damien's grip only tightened, his smirk deepening as he continued walking, dragging her further from the shore.
Frustration coiled within Cora, and just as she gritted her teeth, something happened.
The sea—usually calm—rose unnaturally, the tide surging forward as if responding to her anger. A sudden, powerful wave crashed over them, drenching them both in ice-cold water.
Cora's breath hitched. That wasn't supposed to happen.
Her wide eyes darted to the shoreline, realizing just how far the ocean had reached—far beyond where it should have.
"How is that possible?" she whispered, staring in disbelief.
Damien's gaze flickered downward, watching as her wrist once again shimmered, the same golden and blue scales forming that strange symbol.
"Looks like there's been an awakening," he murmured.
Without giving her a chance to react, he pulled her even farther from the sea, disappearing with her into the shadows.
Amelia stood frozen at the shoreline, her mind struggling to comprehend what had just happened. The ocean had moved—moved—to where Damien and Cora stood which was quite far.
A chill ran down her spine. She took an uneasy step backward, suddenly feeling too close to the water.
What the hell was that?
Without wasting another second, she grabbed both her bag and Cora's, intending to follow them.
"Don't."
The deep, commanding voice made her freeze mid-step. Turning sharply, she found herself staring at Leonard. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, the fabric clinging to his skin from the sea breeze. His hair was styled to one side, revealing a piercing in his left ear—one she hadn't noticed before.
Amelia's heart stuttered.
Oh, hell no.
She tightened her grip on the bags, cursing herself for how her eyes betrayed her, lingering a little too long on his chest before she quickly looked away.
This was not happening.
She was not swooning over Leonard of all people.
Not the iceberg!. Not the guy who barely spoke more than necessary.
Maximilian and Roseline arrived then, breaking the awkward tension.
Maximilian tilted his head at Amelia, frowning. "Are you sick or something? You're red as hell."
Amelia cleared her throat. "Y-yes, the sea is making me sick. Excuse me."
Without another word, she spun on her heel and marched away, leaving behind a very confused Roseline and a suspicious-looking Maximilian.
Roseline turned toward the ocean. "Is it just me, or did something weird happen with the sea?"
Leonard's face remained unreadable. "It happens all the time."
Maximilian nodded in agreement, but the glance they exchanged said otherwise.
Cora and Damien reappeared in his dormitory, the air between them thick with tension.
Cora immediately stepped back, crossing her arms as she glared at him.
"What's wrong, little bird?" Damien teased, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You seem upset."
Cora clenched her jaw. "What are you hiding from me?"
For a moment, his expression faltered. Then, just as quickly, his mask of smug indifference returned.
"What makes you think I'm hiding something?"
"Your mother," Cora said, voice firm. "She was reincarnated. Why didn't you tell me?"
Damien let out a slow exhale, running a hand through his dark locks. "Because it wasn't relevant."
Cora's lips parted in disbelief. "Not relevant? Damien, I need you to be honest with me. I'm being honest with you."
His jaw tensed before he finally spoke.
"My whole family has been reincarnated. The king. My elder brother. My mother."
Cora's breath caught. "Why?"
"I don't know," Damien admitted. "But I have a feeling it's because of an occurrence in the past. Something significant enough to cause this."
Cora's heart pounded. "Is that why you approached me? Because you think I'm connected to it?"
A slow smirk curved his lips. "No, little bird. I approached you because I'm drawn to you. Because I've been waiting for you for centuries."
Her breath hitched. "Why?"
"Because you're my mate."
The world tilted.
Cora stared at him, processing his words. "Like a soulmate?"
"More than that," Damien murmured. "Deeper."
His gaze softened—just a fraction—as he reached up, tucking a strand of her damp hair behind her ear.
Cora's stomach fluttered against her will.
Still, she pushed forward. "I had a dream last night," she admitted, recounting everything.
As she spoke, Damien's expression darkened. His eyes flickered to the fading bruise on her forehead, and without another word, he strode to his drawer, pulling out a vial.
He poured a bit of the liquid onto his thumb before gently rubbing it into the tender spot on her forehead.
"That wasn't a dream," he murmured. "You were summoned."
Cora inhaled sharply. "Summoned?"
"Which means someone used your blood to reach you." Damien's voice was low, dangerous. "Looks like we'll have to pay another visit to the West Wing."
He trailed a finger over her wrist, where the scales had appeared.
"It looks like your abilities are awakening."
Cora swallowed hard. "Do you think I'm a mermaid?" she whispered hoping she's not.
"That's our only assumption for now," Damien said smoothly. Then, with a devilish smirk, he added, "But even if you are, nothing changes—except that instead of calling you my little bird, I might have to start calling you my little fish since a fish doesn't fly."
Cora rolled her eyes.
Her stomach growled loudly.
"Well, I heard that loud and clear." Damien chuckled touching her stomach and she swatted his hand away.
"I haven't eaten all day," she defended.
"I'll make something for you ," Damien said, walking to the kitchen. Cora followed, hopping onto the counter.
"You know, my offer still stands." Damien said turning to see that Cora was sitting with her legs opened even though she was in jeans .
Cora narrowed her eyes . "What offer?". Feeling a little conscious, she tried to close her legs.
Damien stood between her legs holding her thighs before she could close them .
"That you can sleep in my room. All you have to do is ask."he whispered and Cora tried to push back on the counter but he pulled her closer with his hand resting on her waist and her breath hitched.
"This is only the beginning of sleepless nights and you would need someone to hold you to chase your dreams away " Damien coaxed with his voice barely above a whisper.
Cora smirked. "I think Amelia can do that , unless you don't mind Amelia joining me here."
Damien's grip tightened, his expression darkening. "You make me want to separate you two permanently," he muttered, "but I suppose I'll allow it. As long as she doesn't 'bestie' you unnecessarily."
Cora rolled her eyes. "You're insufferable."
"And you love it," Damien murmured, brushing his lips over her forehead before stepping away.
Cora's heart stuttered.
This man would be the death of her.