Cassandra dragged herself out of bed after a restless night's sleep, getting Akia and herself ready for breakfast. She was so close to succumbing to Edward the night before. His words were dangerous; she could easily become engrossed in them. But he was a jerk, and she didn't want to be just another notch in his headboard.

"Did you get enough sleep?" Edward inquired as he sat across from her at the table, his mind urging her to look up at him.

"Fine, thank you," Cassandra replied, avoiding his eyes, those eyes in which she could easily become lost.

Akia was hyperactive and kept asking when they were going riding....