“Master Damien, please, you really must get up. We cannot afford to disrespect the Woodsman family. It’s your wedding day, sir, and arriving late will not only get you in trouble but me as well. I’m just the household butler, and Master Argent won’t go easy on me. Please, Master I beg of you, save us both.” His voice wavered as he looked at his young master, visibly conflicted and dejected. “Really? Now you want to cry, Axel? You talk a lot for a human. My pet parrot is quieter than you’ll ever be,” Damien muttered with a chuckle, removing the blanket from over his head and sitting up on the bed. “Okay, okay, I’m awake now. You don’t need to beg any further. It’s my wedding you shouldn’t be crying. You’ll need all the energy you’ve got just to keep me from running away from this whole thing.” A smug smirk formed on his striking morning face. “Master Damien…” Axel called out, shaken by what he’d just heard. Damien burst into laughter and headed for the bathroom. “I’d kill thousands just to see that expression on your face, any time, any day now wouldn’t I?” he said suggestively, disappearing into the bathroom.