Chapter 23

The moon hung high over the estate, bathing everything in a silvery glow. Althea sat in Kaden’s study, curled up in a chair by the fire, her legs tucked beneath her. The flames crackled softly, throwing flickers of light across the room, but the warmth did little to chase away the cold knot of doubt twisting in her chest. She wrapped her arms around herself, staring at the tea she hadn’t touched, her thoughts tangled and restless. Kaden had said she belonged with him, but Bianca’s words whispered louder in her head, snaking into the cracks of her already fragile confidence. Bianca, with her warrior strength and effortless beauty, was everything Kaden deserved. And Althea? Althea was just the awkward girl with a limp who didn’t belong here. The quiet click of the door opening pulled her from her spiraling thoughts. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was,she could feel Kaden’s presence, commanding and steady, even before he spoke. “Althea,” he said, his deep voice soft but fir