Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL)
Chapter 83 - 78: Help (5)

Chapter 83: Chapter 78: Help (5)

The ceremony seemed to go on forever, a monotonous procession of young nobles stepping forward to greet one another, their voices blending into a dull murmur. Damian barely noticed them, his thoughts elsewhere. His sharp gaze had been fixed on Gabriel since the attendant approached him, whispering the summons that led him out of the ballroom.

Maximilian, standing to his right, shifted slightly, leaning in just enough to say, "You are staring."

Damian did not react, maintaining a composed expression as Gabriel’s dark silhouette vanished through the discreet corridor leading to the private balcony.

"He is not going to vanish into thin air," Max said, amused. "Though, judging by your expression, one might assume you believe otherwise."

Astana remained silent on Damian’s left, but there was a faint shift in his stance, indicating an acknowledgement of Max’s words. Christian, still engrossed in the grandeur of the ceremony, paid no attention to their quiet conversation.

Damian exhaled slowly, calming his irritability. "You talk too much."

"And yet, you listen every time," Max remarked, his lips curving into a smirk. "Aylin Sinclair, huh? "I did not think Gabriel was the type to entertain ambitious young ladies."

Damian curled his fingers against the armrest of his throne, his patience dwindling. He had already noticed how Aylin had stood close to Gabriel, laughing at something he said. It had been far too easy for her to slip into Gabriel’s space, which, more than anything else, had set Damian on edge.

He was not envious of the people who were constantly hovering around Gabriel, but rather of the fact that they could approach him with ease and without consequence, unlike him. Damian resented having to force any interaction with him.

His brother was still watching him, too perceptive for his own good. "Are you going to keep standing there, or will you actually do something about it?"

Damian finally turned his head, leveling Max with a cool look. "And what exactly do you think I should do?" Max didn’t know that Gabriel was going to meet him and there was nothing to be worried about.

Max chuckled, shaking his head. "Now that’s the fun part. Figuring it out."

"Well, it would be funnier if Adam were here, don’t you think?" Damian asked, straightening one of his heavy sleeve creases.

Max was speechless. How did Damian find out about his mate’s name? He was confident that nobody knew anything about him. He felt panic rising in his chest.

Max’s smirk faltered briefly, but Damian noticed. His eyes narrowed, and his composed expression hardened. The subtle panic on Max’s face was not unnoticed.

"Adam?" Max echoed, his voice tight. He quickly recovered, leaning back against the ornate armchair behind him, but the change in his posture was noticeable. "I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about."

Damian did not respond right away, instead allowing the silence to stretch, prolonging the discomfort. He continued with the formal greetings until the last of the young adults for the day appeared before him.

"You always talk about your mate’ with such... ease," Damian added, his voice light but with an unmistakable edge. "But you have never mentioned their name. It is funny how I happened to learn it."

Max’s smile returned, but it was strained, a little too forced. "You must be mistaken," he said, but his words lacked the conviction they once had. "I suppose even you can get confused sometimes."

"If you say so." Damian said, shrugging lightly so that the people in front of him wouldn’t see. He rose, and the ceremony was closed by the herald.

As the herald’s voice echoed throughout the hall, signaling the end of the ceremony, a wave of relief washed over the nobles. Conversations heated up, with hushed whispers filling the air as people approached the dance floor. Damian’s sharp gaze shifted to Gabriel’s retreating path, his attention drawn once more despite the formalities unfolding before him.

Max, still visibly unsettled by the earlier exchange, shifted uncomfortably beside him. "You’re really going to leave me hanging with that, aren’t you?" His tone was playful, but there was an edge to it that betrayed his unease.

Damian glanced at him with a cool expression. "Do you think I would let you tease me without paying for it?"

"Of course not." Max said calmly that it was fine if Damian used that name to get back at him, but he would make sure his partner was safe from everyone.

"I will be on my balcony; enjoy the night." Damian said while opening the heavy wooden doors.

The moonlight filtered softly through the curtains, casting gentle shadows across the room. Gabriel lay in one of the plush armchairs, his breathing slow and even, the stress of the day fading into the quiet solitude of the night. His dark hair was spread out against the chair, and the only sign of unrest was a slight furrow in his brow, which seemed to fade as he slept soundly.

Damian approached the chair slowly, making sure that no noise would wake Gabriel up. He took the chair in front of him and, leaned back, closing his eyes, Gabriel’s soft breathing calming him.

Damian sat silently for a long while, watching Gabriel; his features softened in the quiet peace of the moment. The sound of Gabriel’s steady breathing, the slight rise and fall of his chest, was a soothing rhythm that slowly began to erase the tension still coiling in Damian’s own body. There was something about the stillness of Gabriel’s presence—so calm, so unaware of the pressure weighing on him—that made it impossible for Damian to pull away.

Damian twitched his fingers and instinctively reached out, hovering near the edge of Gabriel’s seat but not touching it. He held back, watching, waiting. His heartbeat slowed to match Gabriel’s soft breathing rhythm.

He imagined he could stay here for hours, immersed in the quiet solitude of the night, but he knew he couldn’t. The world outside was still turning, and it would not be long before Gabriel awoke.

When he finally leaned forward, his fingertips lightly brushed Gabriel’s hair, just enough to test the waters. Gabriel’s breath caught at the slight sensation, a flutter of movement beneath his eyelids.

Damian’s heart raced at the simple act. He pulled his hand back before Gabriel could fully wake, but, greedy, he touched his pale cheek. Gabriel shifted slightly in his chair, letting out a soft groan, his eyes fluttering.

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