Kiara's POV:

Before I could voice my concerns, Kayden stepped in, placing his arm protectively around me. His action wasn't overly possessive but just enough to draw Christan's attention away from him and back to me.

"Christan," he started, his voice neutral yet carrying an underlying sternness. "Your focus should be on assisting our queen. You report to her, not us."

The brunette's face flushed a delicate shade of pink, her eyes widening at Kayden's comment. However, it ...