11. Sasha

Chapter 11

Sasha

C hirps and squeaks are the first thing I hear as I wake up. A smile tugs at my lips at Chowder's cheerful noises. I push myself up from the bed, feeling as if I've had the best night's sleep for the first time in who knows when. It's as though the bed has somehow become softer, embracing me.

Once I blink my eyes open, I stare up at a black ceiling, and I startle at the fear that collides with me.

I'm not in my bedroom or my bed—or anywhere I recognize.

Heart thundering, I frantically scan the room, grasping the bedsheet tightly as if, somehow, it'll give me the answer. Three of the walls are arched windows, looking out into an aquarium with faint lights illuminating the water, casting a serene glow. Fish of every color—magenta, sun yellow, sky blue—swim gracefully, weaving between rocks, stones, and plants.

Am I in an aquarium and the fish are watching me? Is this a dream?

Panic crawls up my spine as I try to remember how I got here. I'd crashed in my bed from exhaustion, trying to forget the police encounter and me being mistaken for my mom in a murder investigation. I took a sleeping pill to ensure I slept, but clearly, that worked too well.

So, where am I?

A subtle smell of roses fills my nostrils, mixed with a powerful masculine scent that brings my insides to life. I know it instantly.

Kaden .

"Is this his room?" This can't be the dilapidated mansion by the fjord. Can it?

Chowder is by the window, tapping the glass, making those chirping sounds, probably wishing he could reach the fish. Did he sleep through the transport, or is he a traitor now, taking Kaden's side?

Pushing the blankets back, I'm still wearing my PJ shorts and tank top.

My feet touch the glass floor that has more fish swimming underneath, making it feel like I'm floating in the water. For a few moments, I forget about the whole being kidnapped from my home and brought here. Instead, I'm taking in the most glorious room I've ever seen.

The bed is covered in plush, silken sheets in deep ocean blues. Crystals glint from the chandelier, casting tiny rainbows across the room. The wall without the windows is adorned with intricate themed artwork of waves crashing, the pattern carrying over the closed door.

The situation washes over me. "Great," I mutter under my breath. "He's finally gone all serial stalker, hasn't he? Just what I need."

Chowder chirps again, and I walk over to him, the glass cool under my bare feet. "Gorgeous view," I say, running a hand over his soft fur.

He turns his head up to me. "Who doesn't like this place?"

"Right. It's gorgeous, but we don't belong here." I make my way out of the room into a hallway that leaves me gasping. This place is built for a god.

Intricate carvings continue on the walls out here, the rolling waves that seem to move under the frosted, aqua-colored arched ceiling. More chandeliers hang from above, casting a soft, enchanting glow. As much as I need to speak with Kaden, I can't help but be awestruck by the beauty of this place. It must have cost a fortune to craft something so elaborate.

Passing by closed doors, I peer into one and find an extravagant bathroom made of amethyst crystal for the bathtub, with black marble on the floor and walls and more windows to the aquarium. I stand here, my mouth dropped open, imagining how amazing it would be to have a bathroom like this. It's easily bigger than my entire cabin.

At the end of the hall, I follow the curve to the right and enter a large living area. It's circular, with bookcases made of dark wood lining the walls behind leather lounges facing each other. The shelves are filled with books, and there's a fireplace nearby. Overhead, the arched ceiling is made of glass, with fish swimming above and small star lights resembling a night sky underwater.

I'm stunned, unable to believe this place exists. The carpet cushions my feet as I step out farther while Chowder bolts past me and darts onto one of the couches.

"What place is so magical?" He's lounging against a cushion like he's some baron.

I giggle, turning toward a half-circle bar, complete with stools and more glass windows, looking into the aquarium. It's darker inside here, with most of the light trickling in from the water outside the bar.

The whole place is surreal, a scene from a fantasy novel.

Sensing movement from my right, I turn toward a figure standing in a shadowy doorway, filling the space.

"Morning, my little mermaid." Kaden steps out of the dark, sporting a devious grin. "Welcome to our home."

"I don't know where to start," I admit truthfully. "This place is absolutely breathtaking, yet you kidnapped Chowder and me, bringing us here against our will."

He strolls into the room, not seeming bothered one bit by my words.

"Is it kidnapping if you are my fated mate and in danger? This is now as much your home as it is mine. Here, I know you're safe. Out there, I can't protect you all the time."

I blink, taken aback by his honesty.

"You can't keep me prisoner here."

He turns to face me, sitting on the end of a couch, legs crossed at the ankles, hands gripping the armrest he's leaning on.

"You're not a prisoner, but there's no way my fated mate is living in a separate home from me. And your cabin isn't big enough for me and all the space I need."

The weight of his words leaves me frustrated that all of a sudden, we're living together.

"I'm… I'm not ready."

"I know you're not," he admits. "Which is why I've given you the master bedroom. I'll sleep in one of the spare rooms until you're ready."

Anger slithers through me. "I have my belongings in the cabin, I have a rental contract, and?—"

"I've already paid it for the term of you giving notice, and your items will be packed and delivered here," he interrupts, speaking smoothly, as though he's had this planned for weeks and I'm supposed to just go along with it.

Hell no!

"I didn't give you permission." I blink at him, feeling a burning inside me. "And what if I don't want to move into this fancy mansion but want you to move in with me?"

"You do?" he asks.

I notice Chowder hasn't moved from his cushion, just watching us.

"No." I pause. "Maybe… I don't know, but what I'm saying is you can't kidnap me because I bet you wouldn't like it."

He studies me, lips tight, his dark hair sitting messily around his face, a few strands hanging over an eye. Dressed in black pants and a matching button-up shirt, it's hard to ignore the muscles that push against the fabric and how the curled tattoos peer out, spreading across his collarbone and thick neck. The guy is pure muscle, and he's the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Yet I'm fighting him because I'm scared of how fast things are going.

The whole true mate is not a joke. We're talking about a forever decision, and it kind of freaks me out every time I come face-to-face with it.

"I know how being ripped out of your house feels more than anyone. I left the only home I knew back in Tartarus, a world away, and moved here."

"Wait, what did you just say?" Coldness slides through me. "You're telling me you're from Tartarus? And you escaped? Because no one walks out of Tartarus." I'm suddenly pacing and shaking all over. Of course my fated mate is also a criminal. It's my track record of love interests.

"They opened the portal, and after interviewing me, they released me."

He's talking like this isn't a big deal. My thoughts are rushing ahead. My boss told me that his grandfather was put in there for a crime he committed, and anyone born in that place stays there, serving a life sentence as well. So, Kaden had no choice. I jumped to conclusions, but can you blame a girl?

My response is jammed in my chest, mostly because I want to keep being furious at him, but instead, a sliver of pity fills me. He would have been forced to grow up in a prison for no wrongdoing of his own… I swallow hard, trying to process this revelation.

"So, you were born in Tartarus, raised in that hellhole?"

He nods, his gaze steady.

"But still," I protest, anger and confusion swirling inside me. "You can't make decisions for me. I have a life, a job… responsibilities. How can you do this?"

"I'm not taking anything away from you," he replies calmly. "I'm giving you a better life, a safer one."

A hitched breath spills past my lips. "I don't need saving. I've looked after myself this far and did pretty well."

His head tilts to the side, studying me, most likely pitying me, and I grizzle internally at the notion.

"I know you can," he says softly. "This is about giving us a chance to get to know each other and without danger."

I shake my head, but he's on his feet.

"My little mermaid, we'll make this work, no matter what I have to do. You tell me anything in the world you want, and I will move oceans to make it happen."

"Not everything," I murmur, mostly to myself.

His words hang in the air, and there's almost sorrow in his voice, disappointment. I won't deny that the idea of not making it work with my fated mate squeezes my chest, shortening my breaths. Deep down, I want this so badly, but what happens if I turn? Will he face the same fate as my father?

"So, you're saying if I want to leave, I can go?" My inhales are coming faster now, my thoughts flinging about in my head between giving him a chance and hating that I'm losing control.

He doesn't respond immediately. His jaw is tight, his chest is sticking out, and there's no denying he's a predator who gets his way.

"You want to leave me?" he asks in a cold voice, striding across the room, stealing the space between us.

I stand my ground, even as his fingers reach out and stroke the length of my throat, running along my jawline. Goosebumps race over my skin, covering me, as an excited shiver zips down my spine.

I half expect Chowder to go all feral on him, but he surprises me, staying on the couch quietly, studying us. Has he completely betrayed me and already taken to Kaden?

Glancing back up at Kaden's dark expression, my insides squeeze, knowing I've pushed him too far.

When I don't speak, he drags his thumb across my lips.

"It would devastate me if you ever leave."

His touch has my body melting, ready to give in to him. It's the fated-mate connection between us that weakens me. That has me wanting to fall to my knees before him.

"You're confusing me." My words tumble out in a whisper. "I can't leave, then?"

"Of course you can. You head to work, go anywhere as you wish," he explains. "But you return to your home here."

Fear and allure twist inside me. "I'm not your possession."

Silence meets me as his intense, deep blue eyes burn into me.

"You are mine, Sasha, my fated mate, my everything. You think I won't fight for that?" he states with a growl in his throat.

His hands slide down my arms, gentle yet firm in their hold. I can barely breathe, hating how vulnerable I feel, how desperately I stare at his mouth, needing him.

As if reading my thoughts, he leans in, our lips meeting, our kiss a clash of worlds—intense, tearing through me, anger and lust fight for power. I grasp his shirt, pulling him closer, needing to taste him, lifting myself up on my tippy-toes, though I'm also secretly hating myself for falling under his charm so quickly.

I suddenly rip myself from his kiss, somehow having found a sliver of strength to fight the infatuation consuming me. Kaden is stubborn, and whether I want to ignore the situation or not, he's my fated mate. And he's not going to leave me alone either, is he? It also doesn't help that part of me craves him insatiably.

"Fine," I exhale the word, my pulse thundering. "I'll give living here a try."

Kaden smiles, a dazzling, relieved grin that has my heart doing an involuntary flip, yet I see the tightness around his eyes that says it's not exactly the response he wants, but that's all I can give him right now.

"A man like me isn't capable of letting go of something as precious as you, something that belongs to me." His hand slides into mine, our fingers intertwined. "Come, I've arranged for breakfast."

An overwhelmed sensation washes over me as if I've now completely lost control of my life. Except, who am I kidding? I lost that the moment I moved to Norway.