I

o stand. My legs gave out immediately, sending me crumpling back to the ground. Every ner

ttered, though even

casm was unmistakable. His shadow fell over me, and before

ng to pull away, but his arms were steady and

matter-of-factly, his eyes

h my words held no bite. I hated feeling

aid curtly. "You'

quirm, to make him let go, but a deep ache in my muscles kept me still. I turned my head slightly, my gaze

ered, though I w

down at me briefly before heading

etween amusement and exasperation. "Princess, if you're gonna apolo

re that only made

g, Callum,"

pulling open the car door. "Get in. Let's ge

brushing against the floor mat. Asher was already in the back, a

aking the tense silence. Callum drove with an ease tha

while, glancing at me in the rearview mirror. "Running bar

ed warned, hi

ntinued unbothered by his brother's tone. "But next ti

f not to react. I wasn't about to

sher said quietly, hi

urrender. "Alright, alright. No

t the window, my reflection a grim reminder of everything I'd endured. My hair was a tangled mess, my clothes

his voice soft. I turned to look at him, but his

ng to the fragile hope his words offered,

awling mansion came into view, its towering façade bathed in soft golden light

asked, my voice bare

rked. "What, you thought we'd bring y

d said again,

? She

f the car, coming around to my side

gh the memory of my earlier

n I see it." Without waiting for a response, he opened the d

ed me up the stone steps, the grand

on't ha

upted, his tone leaving

h ceilings, gleaming floors, and chandeliers that cast soft, shimmering light across the space.

om," Asher said, already movi

echoing softly against the marble. Callum trailed behind, hi

ruin the rugs,"

this time, his usually

aise in the sitting room, his movements

e soon," he said, h

warily, scanning the roo

glass of water. He handed it to me, his fingers bru

at the glass as if it

ving into the faintest hint of a smile. "You

, the cool liquid sooth

ith sharp eyes and an air of authority. She took on

e to inspect my legs. Her touch was firm but

me wince, and I bit down hard on

kly as she worked. "But you'll need

m," Reed said from the d

pression unreadable, before r

id, her voice softer now. "But you'

fter she left, a strange c

and oddly reassuring. Reed remained quiet but watchful, Callum paced with r

self into, but one thing was cert