Chapter 221: Chapter 221

The first thing I felt when I woke was warmth. Not the warmth of the sun through the windows, not the warmth of the blankets, but the warmth of her, Lisa. She was still beside me, breathing softly, her chest rising and falling in a rhythm that soothed me more than any song could.

I turned on my side, just staring at her face. There was something innocent about the way she slept, as if the world could not touch her in that moment. Her lashes rested lightly on her cheeks, and her lips parted in a small sigh.

A smile tugged at my mouth. I lowered my face, brushing a gentle kiss against her closed eyes.

"Wake up," I whispered against her skin.

She stirred slightly but didn’t open her eyes yet. I kissed the bridge of her nose.

"Lisa," I murmured, my voice soft but playful. "Wake up. The day has started, and you need to eat breakfast with me."

Her lips curved in a faint smile, though her eyes were still closed. "Mmm... Damon... too early," she whispered, her voice heavy with sleep.

I chuckled, pressing my forehead to hers. "Too early? You woke up early to go and play in the rain, and now you don’t want to stand up for your breakfast, just know that I won’t let them serve us until you open your eyes."

That finally made her blink groggily, her lashes lifting. Her gaze met mine, still hazy from sleep, but shining with that familiar softness that always disarmed me.

"You’re impossible," she muttered, smiling faintly.

"And you," I said, kissing the tip of her nose, "are beautiful even half-asleep."

She gave a small laugh and pushed at my chest weakly. "Damon..."

"Yes, my love?" I caught her hand, kissing her knuckles before holding it against my heart.

She shook her head with that little smile that always made my chest tighten. "What am I going to do with you?"

"Eat breakfast with me," I answered instantly, grinning. Then I lowered my voice, brushing my lips close to her ear. "And after breakfast, I’m taking you somewhere special."

That caught her attention. Her brows arched as she turned her head toward me. "Somewhere special? Where?"

I smirked. "If I tell you now, it won’t be a surprise."

She groaned softly but didn’t argue further. By then, the servants had quietly entered with silver trays and golden plates, bowing low as they set the food before us. The scent of warm bread, roasted meat, honey, and herbs filled the chamber. It was a feast, as it always was.

But to me, the food was secondary. What mattered was feeding her myself.

I pulled the tray closer and cut a piece of soft bread, dipping it lightly in honey before holding it to her lips.

She rolled her eyes but obeyed, biting the bread. Honey glistened at the corner of her lips, and I leaned forward, licking it away before she could even wipe it.

Her cheeks flushed. "Damon!"

"What?" I said innocently. "Waste not, want not."

She laughed, shaking her head. "You’re unbelievable."

"And you’re mine," I replied firmly, feeding her another bite.

She swallowed, her eyes softening as she looked at me.

The rest of breakfast passed with light teasing, laughter, and me stubbornly refusing to let her lift a hand to feed herself. By the end of it, she leaned back, sighing happily. Follow current novels on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵·𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖·𝙣𝙚𝙩

"I don’t think I can eat another bite."

"Good," I said, wiping her lips with my thumb before kissing her. "Then we’re ready."

She tilted her head curiously. "Ready for what?"

"For the surprise," I said simply, standing and offering my hand.

She hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in mine. I pulled her to her feet and wrapped her in a cloak, not letting her argue when I fastened it myself. Her maids glanced at us but said nothing, only bowing as I led her out of the chamber.

The corridors were quiet, only the soft echo of our footsteps filling the air. Lisa looked around, her curiosity growing with each turn I took.

"Where are you leading me?" she asked again.

"You’ll see," I replied, squeezing her hand.

Finally, we reached the garden. My mother’s garden.

Lisa stopped at the entrance, her lips parting slightly. "Damon... You are actually serious about showing e to your mother?" she whispered.

"Come," I said softly, guiding her in.

We walked until we reached the stone tomb at the center, my mother’s resting place. The air felt heavier there, filled with silence and reverence.

I stopped, turning to face Lisa. She looked at me with wide eyes, her chest rising and falling quickly as if she already sensed what this meant.

I tightened my hold on her hand and led her right to the tomb. I dropped to one knee before it, pulling her down with me so we knelt together.

"This," I said, my voice low but steady, "is where I wanted to bring you. This is where I wanted to speak the truth, not just to you, but to her as well."

Lisa’s eyes shimmered, but she stayed quiet, waiting.

I lifted her hand and pressed it to my lips. Then I turned my gaze to the tombstone.

"Mom, this is my mate," I said firmly. My voice did not waver. "Lisa. This woman beside me. She is mine."

Lisa let out a small gasp, tears pooling in her eyes. I went on, my voice growing deeper, heavier with the weight of my words.

"But not just mine. She is Kael’s mate. Rowan’s mate. Our bond ties us together. I bring her before you, and I ask you... Will you accept her?"

Silence fell. Only the sound of the wind brushing through the leaves filled the air.

Lisa clutched my arm tightly, her lips trembling. "Damon..." she whispered, as if unsure whether this was real.

I squeezed her hand, still staring at the tombstone. "Do you hear that?" I asked quietly.

She frowned faintly. "What?"

"The silence," I murmured. "It is not rejection. It is not anger. It is peace. That is her answer."

Lisa’s tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks. I cupped her face, wiping them away with my thumb. "She has accepted you, Lisa," I said firmly. "Our mother has accepted you."

And then I kissed her, pouring every ounce of truth and love I had into it.

But just as I pulled back, a sudden tickle rose in my throat. I sneezed once, sharp and unexpected.

Lisa blinked at me in surprise. Her brows furrowed. "Damon..." she whispered, worry flashing in her eyes. "Did you just... sneeze?"

I scowled lightly, rubbing my nose. "It’s nothing."

But she leaned closer, her hand pressing to my forehead. "Don’t tell me you caught a cold from me," she said softly, her voice almost breaking with guilt.