Chapter 12

• "Briar… I am sorry. It's just that it’s late, and it’s risky,” Kai said, his voice softening but still edged with his usual impatience.
• I squinted at him, feeling the frustration bubble up. “Who gave you the right?” I asked, my voice sharp. He might be a king in his world, but here, in my house, his authority meant nothing to me.
• Kai’s eyes flicked over me, a strange expression passing over his face, but he didn’t say anything. For a split second, I thought he might actually consider what I was saying. But no—he only sighed and crossed his arms, like he couldn’t understand why I was even questioning him.