The cool night air was a stark contrast to the suffocating heat of the mine, offering a brief but welcome relief as the team emerged from the underground hell.The clear sky above was dotted with stars and the first hints of morning light, indifferent to the suffering below, but the sound of approaching helicopters broke the stillness, drawing everyone’s attention.Colonel Eli’s team had called for extraction, and now the cavalry had arrived. Three helicopters circled above, their searchlights slicing through the darkness, illuminating the battered group of dragoons and soldiers as they gathered at the entrance of the mine.As the helicopters hovered, ropes dropped, and medics in tactical gear descended swiftly. They immediately began assessing the wounded, their faces grave as they moved from one injured soldier to the next.Conor, Kerrigan, and the rest of the team were exhausted, their bodies pushed beyond their limits, but there was no rest yet. There were decisions to be made, an
The emergency room of Lokir’s central hospital was in complete disarray. Medical staff moved frantically, their white coats billowing as they rushed from bed to bed, trying to make sense of the influx of wounded soldiers.The sudden surge of military personnel had turned the quiet, orderly hospital into something resembling a war zone.Stretchers clogged the hallways, some carrying men groaning in pain, others unconscious, their uniforms stained with dirt and blood. Shouted orders and the frantic beeping of monitors created a cacophony of sound that only intensified the chaos.Nurses and doctors worked in triage mode, doing what they could to stabilize the worst cases first.Provincial army soldiers from Targu, all clad in their dark blue and silver uniforms, stood watch over every corner of the hospital, their presence a stark reminder of the intensity of the situation.Security was tighter than anyone in Lokir had ever seen, and the tense atmosphere only added to the already palpabl
Evelynn scoffed, unable to hold back. “So, he’s bought his way into power, and now we have to bow and scrape just to hold him accountable for his crimes?”“Not exactly,” Eli interjected, his voice cutting through the tension. “We can still pursue charges against Kelan Benedict. His involvement isn’t covered by his father’s new title, and if we find solid evidence, we can drag him into court.”Parker folded his arms, his expression dark. “But you know they’ll use every trick in the book to stall and deflect. They’ll bury us in legal battles and smear campaigns.”Kerrigan’s mind was racing, trying to piece together a strategy. “We need to be smarter. Gregor’s title may give him legal protection, but public opinion is another story. If we can expose the truth—get the people on our side—Gregor’s newfound nobility won’t protect him from the outrage of the masses.”Her eyes narrowed, “Besides, now that he is nobility, his actions rise to the level of treason.”The Colonel and Captain both sh
The rhythmic thrum of helicopter blades filled the air, a relentless reminder of the chaos they were leaving behind. As the convoy of military choppers sliced through the sky, carrying them toward to the Lokir Estate, a heavy silence hung in the air.The exhausted dragoons were too drained to speak, each lost in their own thoughts, processing the trauma and losses of the past days.Kerrigan stared out the window, watching the dark landscape roll by beneath them. Her heart was heavy with grief, anger, and a gnawing sense of duty. The Lokir Estate had always been a place of childhood memories, of family heritage, and of untapped potential.But now, it would serve a far different purpose. It would be their fortress, their rallying point, and their shield against the looming threats – their sanctuary and a declaration.Conor sat beside her, his expression grim but resolute. Every so often, she felt his eyes on her, a silent comfort that helped steady her frayed nerves.The power they had
“This was yours?” he asked quietly, taking in the details that hinted at the woman he was still getting to know.“Yes,” Kerrigan replied, stepping closer to him. “This was where I grew up, where I dreamed about the future. It seems like a lifetime ago.”She moved closer, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that sent his heart racing. Without a word, she leaned in and kissed him—a tender, lingering kiss that was both an affirmation and a promise.Conor’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss, pouring all of his unspoken feelings into the embrace.When they finally pulled away, Kerrigan’s cheeks were flushed, but her smile was radiant. “I want you to stay here, Conor. With me.Conor hesitated, his gaze flickering from the bed to Kerrigan. But before he could say anything, she turned to him, her eyes filled with an unspoken promise.Without waiting for a response, she stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips to his in a soft but determined kiss. The
Kerrigan stirred first, waking to the soft morning light filtering through the heavy curtains of her old room at the Lokir Estate. She blinked, momentarily disoriented, before remembering where she was. Conor’s arm was draped protectively around her, holding her against his chest, his steady breathing warm against her neck. The events of the past days weighed heavily on her, but for this brief, quiet moment, she allowed herself to feel safe.Conor’s eyes fluttered open as she shifted slightly. He smiled sleepily, his thumb brushing gently down her arm and against her hip. “Mornin,” he whispered, his voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and tenderness.Kerrigan turned to face him, her fingers tracing the faint scars on his cheek. He was healing well, and soon, there would be little sign of their short time in the mines.“Good morning,” she replied, leaning in to press a soft kiss to his lips. It was a simple gesture, but one that spoke of shared battles, unspoken fears, and the solace
“Kelan Benedict has been spotted in Velyki,” Eli announced, setting the letter down on the table. “He’s moving fast, trying to shift the narrative. From what we’ve gathered, he’s trying to blame Zadok’s death on you, Kerrigan, and he’s positioning himself to seize control of Dragon Corporation.”Kerrigan’s face tightened, anger simmering just below the surface. “He’s trying to take everything we’ve worked for,” she said, her voice filled with barely restrained fury.Conor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “We’ll deal with him. But we need to be smart about it. We can’t just rush in.”Nuri’s voice crackled through the speakers. “We have strong cases against Kelan already—the Spice lawsuit and the abuse of interns. Those are solid charges with indisputable evidence. If we can destabilize his position publicly, it will weaken his influence.”Reilynn leaned forward, her tone serious. “It might also be time to publicly announce that you and Conor are Deinmaar, the guardians of the
Conor woke early, the soft light of dawn filtering through the heavy curtains of Kerrigan’s room. For a moment, he simply lay there, savoring the quiet comfort of holding her close. Her breathing was slow and steady, her face relaxed in peaceful sleep.He brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin, and for a time, he allowed himself this small moment of peace.But the moment was fleeting. The weight of their situation pressed against his chest, reminding him of the responsibilities that waited beyond the safety of this room. He carefully slipped his arm from under Kerrigan and eased out of bed, trying not to disturb her.She mumbled something softly in her sleep, but did not wake, and Conor couldn’t help but smile. Even now, she was the strongest person he knew.He dressed quickly, pulling on the spare clothes that had been laid out for him—a simple shirt and trousers that were serviceable but hardly befitting the man who would soon be claiming his moth