Conor stood in front of the large mirror in his room, adjusting the uniform collar for what felt like the hundredth time. The fine fabric of the guardsman’s uniform fit perfectly, tailored to his frame, yet it felt foreign, a symbol of a role he wasn’t sure he was meant to play. The dragon ring on his finger caught the light, the dragon’s eyes gleaming as if to remind him of something he couldn’t quite grasp.Dinner. This dinner was meant to be a political maneuver, a showcase by the Duke, and Conor knew it. The stakes were high, and everyone had a role to play, even him—though what that role was, he still didn’t fully understand. The thoughts of Kerrigan’s earlier words, the distance that had grown between them since they arrived at the Duke’s estate, weighed heavily on him. And now, there was the added tension of meeting a prince, someone who could very well be a potential suitor for Kerrigan.As he made his way down the long corridor to the dining hall, his thoughts churned. He had
The first course was served, and the conversation continued, shifting from business to culture and politics. Prince Khalid spoke of his homeland, of the advancements they had made in technology and infrastructure, and of his hopes for continued peace between Surret and Golan.Kerrigan listened attentively, occasionally offering her own insights, but Conor noticed that she never mentioned him—not once did she refer to him or acknowledge his presence in any way.It was as if he were invisible, just another guard standing by, ready to protect but not to be seen.The Duke, meanwhile, seemed to be in his element, steering the conversation with ease, occasionally directing questions at Kerrigan that forced her to think on her feet.He was testing her, Conor realized, seeing how she would handle herself in the presence of a prince, a man who could be a potential suitor.Conor’s discomfort grew with each passing minute. He watched as Prince Khalid complimented Kerrigan on her beauty, her inte
The early morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of Kerrigan's guest quarters, casting a soft glow over the room. She sat on the edge of her bed, still in her nightgown, staring at the small wooden box in her hands. The events of the previous night played over and over in her mind—the formal dinner, the conversation with Prince Khalid, and the way Conor had watched her, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and uncertainty.She had seen the pain in his eyes, the way he had stiffened when the Duke subtly pushed him aside, treating him as little more than a bodyguard. She had felt the weight of her own words, the careful diplomacy she had employed, knowing full well that every word, every gesture was being scrutinized—not just by the Duke, but by Conor as well.But there was something else gnawing at her, something that had been tugging at the edges of her consciousness ever since she arrived at the Duke’s estate. It was a feeling she couldn’t quite place, a sense that there
Conor’s eyes snapped open to the sound of barking echoing through the halls. For a moment, he was disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings of the Duke’s estate reminding him of where he was. He sat up in bed, the previous night’s events flooding back to him in a rush. The formal dinner, the prince, the veiled judgments—it all weighed heavily on his mind.The barking continued, more insistent now, drawing Conor out of his thoughts. He recognized the sound immediately—it was Faolan. He quickly pulled on his clothes, his mind already working on the likely scenarios that could be causing Faolan to make such a ruckus.She had been with the kennel master since they arrived and hopefully this was just her feeling neglected, away from Kerrigan. They had been lax in visiting with her since arriving and it likely was to much for the loyal dog.Conor knew the kennel master would have taken good care of her, but for a dog like Faolan, she needed her people.Stepping out into the corridor, he foll
Kerrigan stood by the window in her guest quarters, gazing out over the sprawling estate of her grandfather, Duke Atholl. The morning sun bathed the grounds in a soft, golden light, but her thoughts were far from the beauty of the scene before her.The past few days had been a whirlwind of political maneuvering, strained conversations, and subtle tensions. And now, as their time at the Duke's estate drew to a close, she felt the weight of it all pressing down on her.The meeting with her grandfather had been taxing, to say the least. The Duke had made it clear that he expected Kerrigan to consider her future carefully, particularly where marriage was concerned.The arrival of Prince Khalid had only added to the pressure, leaving Kerrigan feeling as though she were being pulled in a dozen different directions at once.But there was something else nagging at her, something that had been building since that fateful dinner. Conor’s silence had been palpable, and she could see the doubt an
Kerrigan and Conor approached the Duke’s private dining room with measured steps, both of them keenly aware that this lunch would be more than just a simple meal. The Duke had requested their presence, and that alone was enough to signal that there were still matters to discuss—matters that would likely shape the next phase of their journey.As they entered, they found the Duke and Duchess already seated, engaged in quiet conversation with Prince Khalid. Kerrigan hadn’t expected the prince to be there, and the sight of him sent a jolt of surprise through her. She kept her expression neutral, though, and moved forward to greet her grandfather and grandmother.“Kerrigan, Conor,” the Duke greeted them with a nod. “Please, join us.”Kerrigan offered a polite smile as she took her seat beside the Duchess, with Conor settling in across from her, beside Prince Khalid. The table was set with a selection of light dishes—grilled fish, fresh vegetables, and a variety of fruits and cheeses. It wa
The Duke’s study was a room steeped in history. Adorned with portraits of the Lokir lineage, each face was a reminder of the legacy Kerrigan was expected to uphold. The Duke sat behind his massive desk, his fingers steepled as he regarded Kerrigan with a measured gaze.Kerrigan stood before him, her posture straight and her expression composed, though she could feel the weight of her grandfather’s scrutiny. The lunch had been tense, filled with unspoken expectations and subtle power plays, and she knew this private meeting would be no different.“Kerrigan,” the Duke began, his voice calm but firm. Then he gestured for her to sit across from him. Once she did he began, “I’ve been thinking about your decision to visit Lokir. It’s a journey that, under normal circumstances, I would encourage. But these are not normal circumstances.”Kerrigan nodded slightly, waiting for him to continue. She had anticipated this conversation, but that didn’t make it any easier to navigate.The Duke leaned
Conor made his way across the estate’s courtyard toward the helipad as a faint breeze stirred the leaves of the ancient trees that lined the path.He walked with purpose, his thoughts heavy with the events of the past few days. Kerrigan had been clear in her decision to visit Lokir, and he had resolved to support her in every way he could. Yet, the doubts planted by the Duke and the presence of Prince Khalid continued to gnaw at him.Faolan trotted beside him, her ears pricked and her gaze alert, as if sensing his unease. The Dragoons were nearby, quietly preparing for their departure. Parker was working with Evelynn and Gabriella loading the luggage, while Reilynn was engaged in a quiet conversation with one of the Duke’s guardsmen.As Conor neared the helipad, he noticed a familiar figure standing by the fountain in the center of the courtyard, his posture relaxed as he admired the water’s graceful arc. The prince turned as Conor approached, his expression unreadable but his eyes sh