ugh a never-ending labyrinth. Each room she entered was grander tha

orner holding the weight of Damnon's ever-watchful presence. The staf

ne. But there were moments_ moments where she felt like sh

udy, the door opened with a creak behind h

". One of the s

wards her direction.

before speaking. " You're in charge of

uster down and turned to face her. The staff stood

ly be her for few d

ow. How do you call that a few day?" Her wor

"It's...nothing."

Anna feel like she'd been reprimanded. She sto

her shoulder, her voice firm but not

he took a deep breath, letting her eyes wander around the grand study. The room was imposing, with ta

, but she pushed the feeling aside. She had a j

art racing with anticipation. She had never been inside his

ocked softly on the door. There was no response,

ightly as he took in her presence. Anna felt a jolt of electricity run

said, her voice steady. "I

eyes adjusted to the dim light inside, and she took in the sleek, modern decor. The room was surp

e, his presence making her skin prickle with awareness. But as the minutes ticked by,

ved around the room. It was subtle, but it lingered, like a thread

e quiet-Anna froze at the spot. She had m

its fragile base wobbling dangerously. Time s

d to steady it, but it was too late. The vase slipped from her

eadable expression. His eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, she thought she might

rd the shattered vase. Anna's stomach twisted. She opened her mouth to apol

n pieces of the vase. He didn't speak immediately, but A

is voice low and controlled. "B

ight that Anna couldn't quite decipher. S

, her voice barely above a

aze softening just a fraction. "

was hard to read, but the way he looked at her made her feel like s

p and gesturing toward the door.

her pulse still quickening with every step. As she re

re thing

, her breat

s this nice, the next time this hap

looking int