As Nathaniel left his father's office, he could feel every step he took resounding in his head. It had taken him every ounce of his self-control not to immediately lash out at his father. He couldn't yet. He wasn't strong enough. If he were, how could Soteria have slipped through his fingers? How could he have let her go? She was his. She would always be his, and no one, especially his father, could take her away from him. Not even his mother, who pretended to hate her for whatever reason. Yes, she probably thought he didn't notice, but he always looked at Soteria. How could he not notice that someone else's eyes were on her as well?