My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Sure enough, the buoyancy did its thing and lifted them up. It had been quite the fall from the top of the waterfall to the depths; their weight and gravity had pulled them lower than Damon had thought.

Still, Damon remained unmoving, acting like a corpse so he would float. He relaxed his muscles and dispersed his will.

His presence became faint, then it disappeared — the last thing he wanted was to be sensed by whatever was inside the water.

He could still feel it swimming in the depths below them.

The woman was unmoving as well. She must have been lighter, because she floated up faster....

It was only after he looked at her chest did he come to an understanding. It wasn't that she was lighter — no, that wasn't it. She also had something to help her float.

The light from the surface and the chaotic slashes of water from the waterfall soon reached them as they broke through to open air.

As soon as she reached the surface, she spread her arms and jumped out of the water. Wings burst from her back, feathers slicked by spray, and she tried to soar out of the foaming pool....

However, she groaned, her body trembling, and fell back down into Damon's arms.

"The hell do you think you're going..." Damon mumbled.

She trembled slightly, forcing herself out of his grasp. Her scarlet eyes burned with fury. This scum had been taking too many liberties with her — from seeing her naked to kissing her....

Damon allowed himself to sink under the thick cloud of foam. He spread his shadow perception outward and found a grotto hidden beyond. It was a dry cave, concealed from whatever the hell that goblin was.

He'd use that opportunity to break the shackles on his wrist and leave without her.

Swimming through the crashing water, he dragged the reluctant woman along. When they reached the mouth of the flooded cave...

"Where are you taking us... the bank is the other way..."

Damon glanced at her with a scoff.

"I'm not blind, captain obvious. The bank is easy to spot from the top of the waterfall. And we have no idea what's in the woods."

She bit her lips, gaze flicking between the falling water and her own battered body.

Was he looking for a place to hide so she could recover? It seemed he wasn't as bad as she thought. He seemed... somewhat competent.

Damon, however, wasn't thinking about her. She was just his decoy to escape... and also a source of information if she had any about the goblin.

Without another word, he dived down, pulling her into the narrow underwater cave entrance.

Small fish and creatures darted past as Damon kept his head clear, focusing on conserving strength. After minutes of swimming, he surfaced, dragging himself up beside a slick rock.

The woman lay nearby, gasping, her body trembling as she breathed heavily. Her wet clothes clung to her skin, leaving her cold and pale.

Damon scanned the cave. Glowing ores dotted the ceiling, their light refracting against massive crystal spikes. They looked fragile, as though too much noise would send them crashing down.

The tunnel stretched deeper. From the way the air moved, Damon could tell there was another entrance somewhere else.

'This is the ideal place for crystal spiders...'

His soaked clothes clung to him unpleasantly, so Damon stood. The movement rattled the chain connecting him to the woman, dragging her across the rough stone with a soft groan.

She raised her head with an annoyed expression, her cold red eyes glaring up at him.

Damon glared right back.

"What? You're the one who shackled me to you."

She turned her face away, silent. Damon wasn't done. He yanked the chain, expecting resistance, but to his surprise... she didn't fight.

She was pulled through the air toward him. Damon shifted slightly, letting her momentum carry her past him. Her body slammed into a rock with a crunch, fragments scattering.

She gasped, staggering to her feet, her hands trembling from rage she could barely contain.

Her eyes widened, her face twisted tight. Her fist clenched, and despite her injuries she raised her hand.

".... In all my life, there has never been anyone who has debased me... dishonored me... so much. I have never suffered a slight that I have not repaid...."

Damon tilted his head in surprise.

"Yeah, that goblin did a number on you. I'd be mad too."

Her hands shook, her voice cracking.

"I was talking about you...."

Her chest heaved as she screamed.

"You walk into my tent and defile me... with your eyes..."

Damon's expression remained flat.

"Not my fault you walked out of the bath naked."

She took a deep, shaky breath, not sure if it was from anger, frustration, or the cold water.

"You defiled my body by groping me... touching me in places no man ever had..."

Damon rolled his eyes. He had no idea she was conscious.

"I was just looking for a key to the shackles you put on me. Your breasts were mid at best."

Her hands trembled, rage boiling inside her. Her lips quivered. The metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

"You... you... took it too far!" she screamed, losing all form of composure.

Never in all her life had anyone provoked her so much. Never had she felt such indignity... such fury.

This insufferable man didn't even feel he had done anything wrong. He acted like he was the victim.

"I was trying... to use an artifact, and you stole my lips... you kissed me like I was yours to kiss!"

Damon shrugged nonchalantly.

"Don't worry, that kiss meant nothing to me. It was a medical procedure. No need to thank me for saving your life."

Her body shook violently.

"Thank you...."

He raised his hand casually.

"I said no need. It's fine."

"I wasn't thanking you. Why would I thank someone who defiled me?"

Damon sighed, shaking his head.

"She's so ungrateful. I just saved her life. No decency whatsoever. What can I expect from a damn fae...."

She grit her teeth and pointed at him.

"I am Abellona of Valtheron, third princess of the great Valtheron Empire! And by the authority of the imperial family—"

Damon cut her off with a raised hand and a bored look.

"I'll stop you there. I don't give a shit. You're not even the first princess. Two people are already ahead of you. Come back when you're first in line."

Her entire body trembled with rage. Blood bubbled up her throat as her fury overwhelmed her injuries, and she coughed it out before collapsing, unconscious.

Damon stared down at her limp body.

"Hmm... did I take my rage-baiting too far...?"