Ara's POV
The moment the queen’s carriage vanished into the trees, Damon steered me toward a secluded tent—larger than the others, furnished with a wide bed and carved oak wardrobe. His grip on my waist didn’t loosen until I was seated on the edge of the mattress.
"What did she say to you?" He asked in a warm voice.
I hesitated for a moment. Then, I offered the velvet box, “she gave me this.”
The instant he saw the ruby inside, his expression iced over. A hurt surfaced in his eyes.
"I won’t wear it if you don’t want me to," I whispered.
A sigh escaped him as he pressed his lips to my forehead. Then, to my surprise, he reached into his coat and produced another box— this one lined with midnight silk. Nestled inside was an emerald pendant, its green so deep it mirrored the forest
