**~Vesper’s POV~ **

I shifted into something firm in my sleep. It was warm so I didn’t open my eyes. I snuggled into it more, enjoying the warmth. I smiled.

Then I felt a hand brush some hair out of my face. It was gentle and adoring. My smile widened and I snuggled into the warmth again.

I didn’t want to wake up. Whatever was in bed with me was firm, but gentle and warm. I needed warm. I could barely remember what I did last night. I knew I woke up and went to find someone, but I didn’t know who I found. I didn’t know what I did. I didn’t know who was in my bed, but I was still fully clothed so nothing bad could have happened.

“Sunshine, we have to get up.” The person whispered.

Wait…

Sunshine.

They called me sunshine. He called me sunshine. There was only one person who called me that.

I shot up, saw Damian, and shoved him as I hard as I could. He let out a sound of surprise and fell off the bed with a thud. I looked around panicked, but I didn’t see anything wrong. Everything was fine. I was fine.

Damian had been _in my bed._

He groaned from his place on the floor. “Ouch.” He mumbled.

“What are you doing here?” I screamed.

He smirked and looked up at me. “You don’t remember? You practically begged me to stay with you, declared your deep, undying love for me, and asked me to marry you.”

I blushed and folded my arms. “No, I didn’t!” I yelled and threw a pillow at him.

He chuckled and sighed. “Fine, you didn’t, but you did ask me to stay last night.”

I huffed. “It was an obvious lapse of judgement.”

Something flashed in his eyes. Regret or disappointment. I couldn’t tell. I wanted to reach out and soothe his pain. I wanted to fix whatever was wrong. I wanted to ease his hurting.

What was wrong with me? What was I thinking? He was using me. I knew what he was. But he hadn’t done anything to hurt me yet.

But what about what Lucian said? He had warned me to stay away from Damian. He had also threatened to tell everyone about Dane. No.

“Get out.” I said.

Damian didn’t have to be told twice. He slipped out the door without a word… and I was alone. Again.

I took a deep breath. Tonight was the fourth night of the Sun Solstice. Damian had been in my bed. Oh my sweet suns. I let Damian Vampire into my bed.

I bet the waters know what it’s like to be battered to and fro like this. My heart can’t take this. One second, I’m fine and thinking clearly. Then next, he’s there and all ration goes out the window. It’s obvious what I have to do tonight. I need to escape him.

I spend the rest of my day with my sisters. I figured I needed the distraction. Every time I think of Damian, I see his onyx eyes, swirling with emotion, his strong arms, holding me in my sleep, his soft, handsome face, lips twisted into a smirk that always catches my attentioin. Lips that could just lean down and-

I shake those thoughts from my head. He’s supposed to be my enemy. I’m not supposed to think these things about him. I know what he does to girls like me. Girls who don’t think clearly. I know what I need to do.

Charity grabs my arm. “Vesper, you almost spilled the tea!” She squeals.

I look down and see that I’m overflowing my teacup. “Oh my suns! I’m so sorry. I must be distracted.” I say. I’m distracted alright.

I sigh and we clean up the mess.

My maid comes to my room to help me get ready too early. I’m not ready to put on another happy smile and pretend my heart isn’t pounding. But my father insisted I come. He said that I need to show the kingdom that I’m alright.

But I’m not.

I dress in a gorgeous blue dress and make my way to the grounds. I’m stopped by at least thirty people. Everyone says how worried about me they were. They all say the same thing. It rattles me.

Then I see Dane. He catches my gaze and makes his way over to me. No.

No.

I can’t do this. I sprint the other way as fast as I dare. I don’t want to make the mistake again. I don’t want him to touch me. I just can’t let him. It’s wrong to say the least. It’s vile.

I crash into a body. I stare up at them. Lucian. He grins down at me. “Running from Dane, are we?”

How dare he? How dare he speak to me like this? “Stay out of my way, Lucian.” I hissed.

“No, Princess, you stay out of mine.” Then he disappeared into the shadows, leaving me alone.

Then I was running again. I refuse to be caught

by Dane. I refuse to end up in his arms again. I refuse to go down like this.

I make my way through the tents, only to be grabbed by an arm. Elle pulls me into a tent full of mirrors. “We can hide in here form whoever you are running from.” She said.

“How do you know I’m hiding from anyone?” I asked.

“Because I know you.”

At that, I smiled. I had a friend. A friend who knew me.