Damien smiled then, wry and knowing, a teasing glint barely hiding the fear behind it. "I have given Lady Sharona the order to leave Blood City at first light with her maid."
"Damien!!!" Her eyes flared.
"I mean, it's only reasonable to put temptation at a certain distance, isn't it?" he said, trying to add a hint of levity to ease the blow. But it didn't help.
Luna clenched her fists and took a slow, shaking breath. "Don't do this, Damien."
"It's already done," he said softly, but his voice lacked conviction. It wasn't a decision he made easily. It was desperate.
Luna's shoulders sagged, exhaustion suddenly overtaking her. "Get some rest."
Damien watched her closely. The set of her jaw. The tight coil of her stance. The way her eyes refused to meet his. "You are not thinking about sneaking out in the middle of the night, are you?"
