TWENTY FIVE

Cassa’s POV

I closed my eyes tightly, biting the inside of my cheek, tasting the ironic tang of my blood. A week had passed, and I hadn't seen him since that day.

I remembered how the light in his gray eyes dimmed, turning dark, his expression stern and pinched as he looked at me. Desire had evaporated, replaced by a coldness I could feel in that moment. I moved away from him, avoiding his gaze, trying to compose myself. Heavy footsteps reverberated as he stormed out and slammed the door hard. I winced.

He was angry at my rejection of what we had almost done, but why did it sting me? It should have brought relief. Breathing in the cold morning air, hands gripping the window sill, I stared out at the vast garden of Montalvo Manor. I had been here once before when I was very young, memories vague, my gaze settling on the rose section of the garden where I had been yesterday with Erish.

Erish, the third daughter of the Montalvo family, and we were the same age. At first, I thought she