Chapter 44

• Darian's explanation was far from satisfying, leaving Althea in a state of anger and disbelief. She couldn't understand why he would use such brutal methods to "check" something. Althea glared at him, her wounded hand still throbbing.
• "Check? By whipping me? That's abuse, Darian," she snapped, her tone filled with indignation.
• Darian's response was far from remorseful. He chuckled at her outrage, remembering the dining incident. "I liked it when you were more scared of me, Althea. Like that day in the dining room; you were like a scaredy cat. It was funny," he confessed, his laughter echoing through the chamber.