Chapter 21 His palace . His rules . I swallowed hard , having forgotten for a second who I was talking to . But my curiosity got the better of me . I glanced up at him , biting my lip before finally asking , " That hairpin … Who did it belong to ? " Damon's jaw twitched . " It's important to you , isn't it ? " I added , watching the way his expression tightened . I thought he wouldn't answer , but after an agonizing stretch , he spoke more to himself then to me . " It's … a memory , " he said finally , his tone quieter than before . " A precious one . And I won't allow anyone to defile those memories . " Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten and I didn't press further . Instead , I forced myself to breathe , shifting the conversation . " You've been watching the training , " 1 murmured . " Is it what you expected ? " Damon studied me for a long moment . " You've been pushing yourself , " he said . " More than the others . " " I have to " He narrowed his eyes . " To win ? " " Yes , " I said without hesitation . Damon's eyebrow rose as though he didn't believe me . Or maybe he didn't like my answer . " You told me before that you didn't want to be chosen , " he murmured . I hesitated , my fingers tightening in the fabric of his oversized shirt . " I changed my mind , " I lied . His eyes traced over me - lingering , unreadable . Damon stepped closer , and suddenly , the space between us felt unbearably small . More of his scent wrapped around me , making my pulse flutter . His fingers brushed the hem of his shirt where it hung loose against my thigh . Barely a touch , but I felt it everywhere . there was no combat training tomorrow , " he asked , "would you still come ? " I blinked . " What ? " I swallowed , my skin burning where his gaze lingered . " If there was no fight , " he repeated , " would you still come ? " My lips parted , words failing me for a second . Then , finally , I nodded . " Yes , I would . " Damon reached up , tucking a damp strand of hair behind my ear . His fingers lingered against my cheek , a whisper of warmth . His eyes searched mine and i had the sudden , dangerous feeling that he could see right through me . My heartbeat pounded in my ears , a wild , unsteady rhythm . +15 Bonus Then , as quickly as it had happened , he pulled away . The space between us stretched , and the air grew colder without his body heat . " Go , " he said , his voice quieter now , but firm . " Before curfew . " I nodded , my throat too tight to speak , and turned toward the exit , hyper - aware of the oversized shirt draped over me , of the scent of him clinging to my skin . By the time I returned to the dorm , it was late . Thankfully , no one seemed to notice the oversized shirt I was wearing ; not that I would have explained if they had . I slipped inside my room quietly , carefully folding Damon's clothes and setting them aside . I barely remembered climbing into bed . Sleep pulled me under quickly , exhaustion taking over . But the moment my eyes cracked open the next morning , something felt … off . I frowned , rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I reached for the small slip of paper on my nightstand . The lot I had drawn yesterday that determined my opponent in the combat selection . I unfolded it absently , still groggy and stared at the paper , my stomach twisting violently . No. I blinked , my fingers tightening around the slip . The name had changed . Instead of the quiet girl I had been assigned to fight , the lot now bore a different mark . The Lycan King's insignia . My hands trembled . This wasn't possible . My chest tightened as I read and reread the name , disbelief flooding through me . Someone had switched it while I slept . And I was going to have to fight Damon .