Chapter 20

The moonlight filtered through the large windows of Kaden's private quarters, casting long, soft shadows across the room. Althea sat curled on the edge of the plush couch, her fingers nervously picking at the hem of her dress. The flickering fire in the hearth provided the only sound in the otherwise quiet space, but her heart hammered so loudly in her chest she was sure Kaden could hear it. “Why are you so quiet?” Kaden’s voice broke the silence. He was leaning back against the large oak desk on the far side of the room, arms crossed, his silver eyes fixed on her. “I’m not,” Althea said quickly, though her tone betrayed her nerves. She avoided his gaze, staring down at the fire instead. “You are,” Kaden countered, his voice calm but steady, with that soft edge of authority that made her heart race. “What’s on your mind?” Althea hesitated, unsure how to put her feelings into words. Everything about Kaden,the way he spoke, the way he carried himself,still intimidated her, even after eve