Kerrigan paced her room, the lights of Velyki City twinkling outside the hotel suite window. The phone felt heavy in her hand as she debated whether to make the call to Theo. It was late—midnight, to be exact—but there was no time to waste. She needed him to be on board, and she needed him to understand the gravity of the situation.Taking a deep breath, she dialed Theo Bryant’s number. The phone rang several times before he picked up, his voice groggy and irritated.“Kerrigan? Do you have any idea what time it is?” Theo’s voice was thick with sleep.“I do, and I’m sorry to wake you,” Kerrigan replied, trying to keep her tone calm and steady. “But this can’t wait. I need you in my office first thing in the morning. There’s something important we need to discuss.”There was a pause on the other end of the line, and Kerrigan could practically hear Theo rubbing his eyes as he processed her words.“Fine,” he finally said, his tone resigned. “I’ll be there. But this better be worth it.”“I

Kerrigan arrived at her office early, hoping to catch up on some work before the day’s meetings began. The morning sun filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the room. As she stepped inside, she was immediately struck by the sight of Natalie standing on a chair, carefully hanging a large framed painting on the bare wall that Kerrigan had always meant to decorate but never quite got around to."Morning, Natalie," Kerrigan greeted, walking over to get a better look at the painting. It was beautiful—a serene waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pond, surrounded by lush greenery. The detail was incredible, each brushstroke capturing the essence of nature in a way that made it almost feel like you could hear the water rushing down the rocks.Kerrigan’s eyes were drawn to a spot near the pond where a dog was perched on a rock, its coat glistening in the sunlight. She blinked, leaning in closer. It wasn’t just any dog—it was Faolan. There was no mistaking the slee

The late afternoon sun filtered through the apple tree’s branches, casting dappled shadows on the ground where Conor sat in the park. It had been a few days since the war room meeting and ahe air was turning crisp with the first hints of autumn, a cool breeze rustling the oak leaves as they slowly began to turn from green to shades of gold and red.It was a beautiful day, the kind of day that usually brought peace to his heart. But today, the beauty of nature only served as a bittersweet reminder of what he had lost, and what he was still trying to hold on to.Conor shifted slightly on the bench beneath the tree, the worn leather journal resting on his lap. The Bayan provincial crest was embossed on the cover, a proud symbol of the land he loved.Wrapped around the crest was the image of a dragon in flight, echoing the design of the ring he wore on his finger. The journal had become his most trusted confidant, the only place where he could be completely honest about his feelings, his

Kerrigan sat at her desk, her fingers absently tracing the edges of a folder as she tried to focus on the work in front of her. The morning had been a whirlwind of meetings, reports, and the constant hum of emails demanding her attention.She barely remembered what she was reading when the Prince’s call came through, his voice smooth and confident, yet carrying an undercurrent of expectation."Countess Lokir," his voice filled the silence of her office, "I trust you received my gift?"Kerrigan’s mind scrambled to recall the item, and then it hit her—the gaudy necklace. She fought to keep her tone polite, though her heart wasn’t in it. "Yes, Your Highness, I did. Thank you. It’s... very generous.""Generosity is the least I can offer to someone as remarkable as you," the Prince replied, his charm evident, though Kerrigan could hear the pride behind it. "I hope it suits you. I chose it with care."Kerrigan smiled politely, though the expression didn’t reach her eyes. It wouldn’t matter,

Kelan drummed his fingers rhythmically against the polished wood as he mulled over his father’s words. The plan was audacious, but if executed correctly, it could cement his place in the upper echelons of power. Still, the stakes were high—one misstep, and everything could come crashing down.He reached for the glass of whiskey he kept on his desk, taking a slow sip as he let the warmth spread through him. The liquid courage helped to steady his nerves, but it did little to ease the growing tension in his chest. He needed to start putting the pieces into place, and quickly.His thoughts returned to the prince. The man was an annoyance, hovering around Kerrigan like a lovesick puppy. Kelan sneered at the thought. The prince’s interest in Kerrigan was more than just romantic—it was strategic. And that made him a threat.Setting his glass down, Kelan picked up his phone and dialed a number he knew by heart. It rang only once before a voice answered, smooth and professional.“Mr. Benedict