Sloane's Pov
Athena flinched like I'd physically struck her.
"Don't force him to do anything, Athena! He's not a maid. Get one of them to do your bidding instead!"
She clearly didn't expect to see me. Surprise flashed across her features before settling into something more guarded. More calculating.
The other day I'd noticed Rika fidgeting badly at dinner while seated next to her. The way he'd barely eaten. How his leg bounced continuously under the table in nervous energy. How he'd excused himself early despite normally being the last to leave family meals.
I didn't understand exactly what was happening. But I knew without question that Rika felt deeply uncomfortable around Athena.
"Butterfly..." Rika's voice came out strangled. He stood so quickly his chair scraped loudly against
