*** Conor POV*** 122Conor sat down hard. “I am sorry Johnathan. I didn’t even think to ask sooner what you all would need here. Are their families ok?”“Several are without power, but the city will have that fixed by the end of the day. The main issue is they live in basements, lower streets and other places that flood easily. Some still have standing water, but most just are very damp right now. Most of the town is prepared for that kind of storm. They happen often enough. But those people just cannot afford to live in better conditions.” Johnathan explained.A knock sounded on the office door. Conor nodded and Johnathan opened it to find Kerrigan and Reilynn. “Ah, ladies. Come on in if you like.”“Were we interrupting?” Kerrigan asked.“Johnathan here was just filling me in on the condition of some of the families of the kids outside. Some didn’t weather the storm as well as we mi

*** Conor, Jinstain. *** Colonel Eli proved to be a vicious task master. The second he learned that Kerrigan was able to walk on her own, he ordered that she come to the roof to be tested. “If the dragons cannot aid you, you must be able to defend them at all costs. It is our sacred duty.” He had said. Eli had paired Conor and Kerrigan up, along with Parker and Reilynn, Gabriella and Evelynn. As they began their initial warm ups, it became evident that while Kerrigan had training and skill, she was still suffering from her injury. She would guard her leg and cringe if her shoulder was struck. “Does it hurt?” Conor asked. “Not really. It’s more the fear of pain now. Let’s go again.” Conor enjoyed working with her. It was certainly easier than his bouts with Parker. The ease of training didn’t last long however. Soon, Eli swapped him to Reilynn, who looked like she was ready to pound him into the roof. “Begin!” Reilynn darted for

Training that week was brutal. Conor and Kerrigan worked together every morning alongside the Dragoons, pushing their limits and refining their skills. With each passing day, Kerrigan’s wounds healed, and her old speed and agility returned. By the end of the week, the Dragoons had little hope of keeping track of Kerrigan and Conor as they twirled and danced with their practice daggers. Their sparring sessions often took them right through the midst of the other training exercises, causing the Dragoons to curse as the whirlwind of their movement tore between them, only for Kerrigan or Conor to materialize seconds later on the other side of the rooftop.When their final session ended, Conor was putting away the training blades when Kerrigan looked up at him. “Conor, your Gala is coming up soon, right?”“Yes,” Conor replied, wiping sweat from his brow. “Peter is about ready to let us make it public. We’ve been talking to the community and many of the major CEOs in the area to set everythi

*** CONOR’s POVWhen Mr. Dries was done with Conor’s new suit measurements, he promised he would have it ready for him in a few days and delivered to Vokrizin. Conor headed to the front of the store to wait for Kerrigan. After they had been in the store for over an hour, Kerrigan emerged. At first, Conor though she was wearing something similar to what she had come in with, but soon realized her new sweeter dress was black and tailor fit and followed her figure beautifully. She had new tan knee high leather boots over black pants and had a long tan coat that matched his suit. She had a new scarf as well with swirls of green that made her eyes pop.“Wow.” Was all he could say.Carlos chuckled, “I think we did well if that is all he can come up with. The rest, my dear will be ready soon and we can have it sent to you.”“Thank you, Carlos. You and your team were amazing.” Kerrigan said“Other thing

When Conor dropped them off at Vokrizin, Kerrigan felt a small pang of loneliness at his departure. She knew it was silly—he would be back Monday at the latest. But still, there was something warm and comforting about being around him. She hugged her new violin to her chest as she walked into the building, Evelynn and Reilynn flanking her as they headed toward the elevator.“So, what do you think is the best way to a man’s heart?” she asked suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence.“Thinking about our new friend, the philanthropist CEO, Mr. Brantley?” Evelynn asked coyly. “He’d be a decent catch from what I can see.”Kerrigan did her best to suppress a blush. “He is rather good with the kids, and it is amazing what he’s doing here. So how about it, what is the best way to a man’s heart?”“Between the fourth and fifth rib normally works best for me,” Reilynn said, deadpan.Kerrigan rolled her eyes. “I’m not trying to kill him, I’m trying to date him, you loveless gargoyle.”Reilynn ch