The words “You’re mine” had become something Gavriel said often around Althea. Each time he said it, it stirred something deep inside her—an odd mix of warmth and defiance.

She told herself over and over that it was just his way of control, his way of reminding her that she was his captive. Yet no matter how she tried to reason it out, her heart still fluttered every time those words left his lips.

After a long ride, they finally reached another town. Althea instantly noticed how ...