Chapter 40

Steam curled lazily in the air, rising from the small body of water as Kaden leaned back into the warm water. The sun peeked through the frosted glass, painting soft patterns on the floor. It was quiet here—his only sanctuary in the sprawling chaos of the palace. Yet, even this rare peace couldn't silence the thoughts clawing at his mind.

Lily.

Her name alone was enough to make his chest tighten. He could still feel her presence as if she lingered in the very air around him. It wasn't just her defiance—though that, too, was maddeningly unforgettable—it was the way she looked at him. No fear, no reverence, just raw, unflinching honesty.

He ran a hand over his face, wiping away the water and the restless thoughts. What was it about her that haunted him like this? Was it the way she trembled in his arms during that fleeting, forbidden moment? Or perhaps it was the kiss—unexpected, burning, and impossible to forget or when she wrapped her arms around his neck?