Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Mate
Chapter 65: Not Concerned?...

Chapter 65: Not Concerned?...

"Do you..." Damian began, his voice a rough whisper, "really mean what you said?"

Evelina’s breath caught.

Her mind raced, replaying everything she had poured out moments before. A blush crept into her cheeks, and she found herself unable to look away from him, the question hanging between them.

"Uhmm... w-what are you saying?"

His eyes searched hers as he asked again, "Do you really care and love me?"

She pulled back slightly, shaking her head. "You’re delirious. You don’t know what you’re saying."

His grip on her hand tightened just enough to stop her retreat. "Don’t lie to me, Evelina," Damian said, his voice growing stronger despite the weariness etched into his features. "I love you. Do you love me?"

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

His silver eyes gazed into hers, showing a mix of vulnerability and intensity that left her breathless. She found herself unable to look away, unable to ignore the truth reflected in her trembling hands as they held his.

Still, she couldn’t bring herself to admit it.

Tears filled her eyes once more, spilling over as she said quietly, "I don’t know what you heard." Her voice trembled, and she looked away from his keen gaze. "But I’m just happy you’re awake, that’s it."

Damian’s brow furrowed slightly, confusion flickering across his features. "Just now, you said—"

"You misheard," she interrupted, her words tumbling out too quickly. "I never said anything like that. Nor am I even here."

Her heart pounded as she tried to free her hand, but Damian’s grip tightened just enough to hold her in place.

"What are you doing leaving your hideout?" he asked, his voice sharper now. His eyes flicked to her attire—a simple maid’s uniform—before returning to hers, raising an eyebrow. "And dressed like that?"

"You didn’t see me," Evelina said hurriedly, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I’m not here. I wasn’t concerned or anything."

Damian’s lips curved into a weak smirk. "You weren’t concerned?" he teased lightly, his gaze dropping to her face. "Yet you have tear stains on your cheeks."

Evelina’s hand flew to her face as she quickly turned away, her voice rising defensively. "I said you didn’t see me. I’ll go now."

But before she could take a step, Damian’s hand shot out again, catching her wrist.

With a sudden pull, Evelina lost her balance, stumbling forward. She landed against him, her hands splayed across his chest.

"Damian!" she protested, trying to pull back, but his arm snaked around her waist, holding her firmly in place.

His free hand moved to her face, his fingers brushing away the strands of hair that had come loose from her scarf.

"I was so scared," Damian murmured. "When I couldn’t find you... when I thought I’d lost you..." His words trailed off, and Evelina’s breath hitched as she saw the vulnerability in his eyes.

Their faces were very close now, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. Her heart raced as Damian’s gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips and then back to her eyes as if waiting for her permission.

"Damian, I..." Evelina began, but her words were cut off as his lips claimed hers ignoring her protests.

Damian had waited, hoped, and prayed to see her safe and alive. Now that she was here, he threw caution to the wind.

His tongue pushed into her mouth the moment Eve gasped slightly and deepened the kiss.

His tender kiss ignited an unspoken desperation and relief in Eve that set her nerves alight. Her body stiffened for a moment, her mind racing with a thousand thoughts.

But then, something in her melted.

She too had been scared but knowing all he did for her and seeing him in that state, made her heartache.

As Damian’s lips moved against hers, she found herself leaning into him, her hands curling into tight fists on his shirt.

Her heart pounded wildly, her mind quieting as the moment’s warmth engulfed her. Slowly, she kissed him back, her movements hesitant but genuine.

Damian pulled her closer, his arm wrapping securely around her, while his free hand moved behind her head to hold her in place as his tongue dove deeper, tasting her and needing her.

Eve opened her eyes briefly, staring at his closed ones to see how invested and intense he had gotten. She swallowed, shutting her eyes once more.

Instinctively her hands moved, her fingers brushing against his cheek as her tongue pushed against his, softly folding around his.

The kiss deepened, each second stretching endlessly between them.

The more they kissed, the harder it was for her to let go and the more she craved him and his kisses.

For a moment, Eve let herself go if only to quiet the thoughts in her mind while feeling this genuine bliss.

Relia surged in her mind, pushing through and igniting the mate bond.

Their breathing became laboured, barely stopping before they tasted each other once more. And that was when she felt it, Storm pushing at the bond, waiting to claim her.

Eve gasped softly, but Damian wasn’t letting go. His hand moved down her back to the side of her rib, leaving fire in its wake as shivers ran down her spine.

His fingers stopped close to her breast, trying to control his wolf from taking over and doing something stupid they’d make Eve regret later.

When they finally broke apart, their breaths mingled in the small space that separated them. Damian’s forehead rested against hers.

"Don’t," Damian began, "ever scare me like that again.

Evelina’s breath was still shaky, her chest rising and falling in sync with Damian’s, whose lips hovered mere inches from hers.

His silver eyes had darkened slightly and searched hers with a gaze so intense it made her heart race.

"Yes, Your Highness," she murmured softly.

Damian’s expression softened for a brief moment, but then his body tensed, his muscles going rigid beneath her touch.

Evelina felt the change immediately, her brow furrowing as she leaned back slightly to study him. "Damian?" she called. "What’s wrong?"