Isolde's Pov

I sat on the thick rug in front of the fire with my knees pulled up to my chest. The chain around my neck rested loose against my collarbone. Drayce had not locked it to the wall today. He let it hang free like a necklace instead of a restraint. He sat in his chair across from me. Watching. Quiet. He had been like this since morning. Not angry. Not rough. Just silent. Thinking. Looking at me in a way he never did before. Soft. Almost careful.

He finally stood up. Walked over slowly. Sat on the rug beside me. His knee touched mine.

"You have changed," he...