All Chapters of Between Thirst and Love : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

The first thing I notice when I wake is the warmth.The second is that I'm not in my room.My eyes slowly open.For a moment, I stare at the unfamiliar ceiling, confusion settling over me.Then I remember.Damien's room.Last night.The gardens.The bracelet.The panic.And Damien holding me.I turn my head toward the fireplace.Damien is still there.He's sitting in the same chair beside the dying fire, his head resting against the back of it.His eyes are closed.I stare at him for a moment.He actually stayed.A small smile touches my lips.I slowly sit up, careful not to make too much noise.The blanket slips from my shoulders.Damien's eyes open immediately.He looks at me.'You're awake’. I say.His voice is slightly rough that makes my stomach flip.'Apparently.'‘I didn't mean to wake you’. I tell him.He straightens in his chair.I glance at the fireplace.Then at him.'Did you sleep there all night?'. I ask.His expression remains completely calm.'Yes.'I blink.'You really

The silver serpent charm is still sitting on Damien's desk.I stare at it from across the room.It shouldn't be frightening.It's barely bigger than my fingernail.But after finding it under my window last night, I can't stop thinking about what it means.Someone was standing outside my bedroom window.Watching me. Waiting for me to find it.Someone had been close enough to leave it there.Damien has been studying it for the past several minutes without saying much.I shift uncomfortably in my chair.'You're going to stare at it until it disappears?’. I ask quietly.I wish I could force my voice to sound teasing but I'm too anxious.His eyes lift to mine.'I'm thinking.' He replies.'You do that a lot.'A faint crease appears between his brows.'And you talk when you're nervous.'I look away.'Maybe.' I admit.He picks up the charm again.'I'll find out where this came from’. He assures.I nod.I know he's trying to reassure me, but my mind is still racing.There are too many question

The room in the attic stays on my mind long after Damien and I leave it.Not because of his mother.I promised myself I wouldn't push him about her, and I intend to keep that promise.It's everything else.The younger version of Damien in that portrait.The boy who smiled beside his family.The boy who somehow became the cold, guarded man I know now.I don't realize how distracted I've become until Damien stops walking.I nearly walk into him.'You're thinking too loudly,' he says.I blink.'I wasn't aware thoughts made noise.' I respond, sounding offended.'Yours do.'I narrow my eyes at him.'Maybe, you should stop reading them.'A faint smile touches his lips.'Perhaps.'We continue walking.Then, instead of heading toward the main hall, Damien turns in another direction.I look at him suspiciously.'Where are we going?' I ask for the second time,'The stables.' He answers.My eyebrows lift.'Why?'. I ask, perplexed.He glances at me.'You said you wanted to learn.'I stare at him.

Chapter 27 — CloserDamien becomes easier to understand.Not completely.There are still things about him I don't know.Things he keeps locked behind that calm expression, buried so deeply that sometimes I wonder if anyone has ever truly known him.But he talks to me now.Sometimes without me asking.He tells me about the horses and which ones are the most stubborn.He complains about books Cassian leaves lying around.He tells me about Cassian's terrible habits, usually with a quiet shake of his head that makes me laugh.And sometimes, when we're sitting together in the library, he'll tell me something from his childhood.Small things.Nothing important.The kind of memories most people would forget.But I treasure them anyway.I keep them close to my heart, always.Because every little thing he tells me feels like another door opening.Another piece of Damien I didn't know existed.And I'm beginning to realize how much I like seeing those pieces.One afternoon, we're sitting beside

The day begins with laughter.Real laughter.The kind that fills the mansion grounds and makes everything feel lighter.For once, there are no whispered conversations about the Valemonts.No warnings.No strange messages.No feeling that someone is watching me from somewhere I cannot see.Just laughter.It starts with Cassian.'Race me.' He announces suddenly.Damien looks at him from across the breakfast table.'No.'Cassian blinks.'You didn't even think about it.' He say, frustrated.'I didn't need to.' Damien replies.Cassian narrows his eyes.'You're afraid I'll win.' He says, proudly.Damien calmly takes another sip of his tea.'I'm afraid you'll complain when you lose.'Eveline laughs from beside me.I cover my mouth, trying not to laugh too loudly.Cassian looks offended.'Everyone here is against me.' He pouts.I shake my head.'You started it.' I say.He points at me.'You especially.'I stick my tongue out at him playfully.Damien's lips curve into a small smile.Cassian lo