Chapter 8

Several hours later Galena appeared in what she called Thea’s secret garden, a hidden area of the gardens that were made just for Thea as a child. Finding Thea sitting next to a tree, writing in a beautifully bound journal, she noted how beautiful Thea was in such an effortless way. Her hair cascaded down around in waves as it shimmered in the sunlight that peeked through the trees. She’d always been petite but now she was petite with perfect curves that Galena knew had drawn the eye of several of the males working at D Corp. That fact drove Damian to distraction and made her smile more than once.

Now though, there was a sadness to the way she sat against the tree. She would bet every power she had that it had something to do with Damian. How he handled things with Thea made her furious. She hated how much pain he caused her. Determined to try and make her feel somewhat better, she approached her as she asked, “Hey sweet girl, what do you have there?”

“A journal. Helen gave it to me,” Thea stated plainly, never looking up.

“What’s wrong?” Galena asked as she sat down next to her. The grass was always lush in this garden and she could see why Thea often took solace here. It was serene and beautiful.

“Nothing,” Thea replied flatly, trying to hide her face. Despite that, Galena could tell she had been crying. Her eyes were red and tears still sat on her cheeks. “Why did Damian send you here, Galena?”

“He didn’t. I saw you needed a friend in my mirrors. I may be my brother's seer but I’m also your friend, dear-heart. What is wrong?” Galena repeated as she wiped her tears and smoothed her hair.

Thea just shrugged, ever resistant to her questions.

Deciding not to prod too much she switched subjects, “Have you been practising how to speak royal Daemoni?”

Thea simply nodded. After a long pause, she finally asked, “Why does Damian not like me? What did I do to make even seeing me so distasteful to him?” The pain in her eyes telling Galena how deeply hurt she truly was.

“Why do you ask that? He loves you very much!” Galena exclaimed in genuine surprise.

“No, he doesn’t. He came to see D today. He not only avoided me but when he saw me, he reacted with a grimace. Not to mention that in recent years, when I summoned him, he ignored it and sent someone else like you or Lazerin.

“Lazerin is nice and all but he’s a serious stick in the mud. I've never met someone more 'by the book'. So boring! I mean I know it probably makes him a great second-in-command but still.

“I just want to see Damian when he actually WANTS to see me. The only time I've seen him recently, when he's actually come to visit me, was on my birthday. He wished me a happy birthday, gave me a necklace with his talisman, kissed my cheek and left without so much as looking me in the eye. I’m not stupid. I just want to know why. Maybe if I was beautiful like you he’d want to come see me more,” Thea added as she looked at Galena sadly.

Galen’s had fire-red hair that flowed down almost to her knees. She always kept it beautifully done with braids in a style that flattered her modelesque features and her pristine clothes that gave an air of sophistication that Thea envied. She had black eyes like Damian and flawless pale white skin. She was tall and breathtakingly beautiful... everything Thea wasn’t.

“Theanna Daniels, you’re incredibly beautiful with the most perfect shade of pink hair. And your eyes, girl, your eyes are so beautifully unique. You’re strong and powerful with a beautifully loving heart and Damian loves you so very much just how you are. You’re his betrothed and he wants no other.”

“If he loved me that much he’d want to spend time with me. When you love someone you show it. You don’t act like it’s a terrible thing to hide from. I love him. I have always loved him. I don’t care if I’m too young to understand what that means, it’s true. But, I’m tired of not being loved back.”

Galena sighed heavily. She was afraid of this. She’d warned Damian he shouldn’t handle things this way. She was too young to understand what he was doing. Unfortunately, he was just so new to the feelings and desires he was feeling. “Theanna...”

Closing her journal, Thea stood up. “I have to go back to work. I have more training today to learn the language of the Fae. Tell Damian to enjoy his kingdom and harem. I’ll see you later, Galena.” Thea turned and walked out of the garden as she headed back to her office.

Galena sighed once again as she closed her eyes, hoping to see a happy vision of the two of them. Instead, she only saw sadness. Leaving the garden she appeared before Damian immediately.

Looking at her, he asked, “What is it?”

“You’re causing her tremendous pain and sadness. My visions of you and her are becoming darkened by that sadness.”

“I know,” Damian replied as he dismissed his lieutenants with a wave of his hand. Once they were alone he added, “She’s only seventeen. She isn’t ready. These emotions are fleeting. She’ll understand one day when she isn't so naive.”

“And if they aren’t? If you break her heart so that she moves on to someone else? What then?” Galena watched as his eyes turned turbulent.

“She is MY betrothed!” he snarled at her.

“Then start treating her that way!”

Damian growled a deep warning. “When I am with her, I want her. It’s not right. She’s still a girl.”

“You’ve learned to control many things over all the millennia since your creation, control this and stop being a selfish prick towards her. Love her and be kind to her. As the humans say, grow a pair of balls and be a man!” Galena growled right back before leaving him.

Damian sighed deeply. He knew that Galena was right. The problem was he didn’t know how to “grow a pair” and fix what he’d started. Maybe he just needed to find the right time to talk. Maybe.

~*~*~*~

A few days later Damian decided to just go for it. Thea was at D Corp. He would just go to her office where they could shut the door and just talk. Finally, truly talk.

As he appeared down the corridor from Thea's office he heard her laughter. Slowing his approach, glad that there was carpet to quiet his footsteps, he looked around the corner. His brows furrowing, he didn't like what he saw.

Who was this man, wearing some sort of medical outfit, making HIS Thea blush and laugh? Just as he felt a snarl rise up the man turned and walked away. No, he didn't like this at all.

Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, he looked around the corner once again before he approached. What in the nine realms? Another male? Why was this male, Liam he believed was his name, bringing Thea food? Why was he teasing her and making her smile?

Damian's eyes flared wide as he watched as Liam gave Thea a hug that made her smile deepen and her body relax. Now she was kissing his cheek? With a deep snarl, Damian's eyes glowed red.

“If you go to her like this you will only push her away,” a gentle voice said to him.

Damian turned to see who dared to approach him from behind. “Helen,” Damian growled. “Theanna and I must talk.”

“Yes, but not like this. Anger will get you nowhere with her. You'll only make her temper flare up.”

“Perhaps. Galena has said the same. But these males desire what is not theirs to have.”

“Damian, walk with me while we talk,” Helen suggested as she turned and led him towards her office. “Have you ever thought about why so many love and adore our Theanna? For some it has even become an obsession that Darius and I have quietly had to take care of. Your High Queen, Innara, what sort of Daemoni is she?”

“Succubus. It's how she initially lured Mordecai to her,” Damian replied thoughtfully. “But Mikael was a powerful Guardian Daemoni. Not a Succubus.”

“Have you ever thought to ask either Galena or myself about what sort of Daemoni Thea was becoming?” Helen continued to gently prod and guide.

“No, why should I? It matters not to me,” Damian replied. “But maybe I should have.”

“Her Daemoni form is that of a Succubus, Damian. While you may be immune to her call, most, especially humans are not. They are drawn to her and once they get to know her they can't help but adore her. If you approach Thea in jealousy and anger you’ll only push her away further.

“She loves you so much. I don’t agree with how you’ve handled things with her but it’s not my place to say otherwise. All she wants is YOUR love, Damian. Show her your love and she’ll return it and blossom like a flower does in the sun after a gentle rain.”

“Your words are very wise, Helen. I will think on what you‘ve said,” Damian said thoughtfully as he vanished.

Helen sighed. She hoped he did as she suggested, otherwise she knew that things would turn dark before they turned hopeful once again. She had to hope that Gaia and Chaos knew what they were doing.