Nathan's POV
I stirred slowly, the sheets clinging to my bare skin. The room was dim, but through the window, I could see the sky. The sun was bright, though slightly tinted.
Beside me, Derrick's soft snores filled the space. I climbed down from the bed. My body ached all over, but it wasn't an unpleasant pain. It was the kind that lingered, reminding me of what had happened between Derrick and me a few hours ago.
And the conversation before that. Specifically, Derrick telling me I could never be more than a slave.
I dressed quickly, pulling on the same clothes we'd discarded during our wild encounter. My mind was quiet—even my thoughts—but all I could hear were those words. And all I could see was the anger on Derrick's face when he said them.
Outside, the evening breeze brushed coolly against my skin, despite the sun still hanging in the sky. I walked around the official's house and noticed a large group gathered in one room, in particular.
