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
Shaping the NarrativeThe morning sun streamed through the tall windows of the Lokir Estate, filling the war room with warm, golden light when Kerrigan finally entered.Conor stood near the head of the table, feeling the weight of the decisions that were about to shape his future and the futures of everyone who had fought beside him.As he prepared for the upcoming press conference, he felt the faint but growing presence of Celia, her power still weak but guiding him with the occasional whispered thought.Kerrigan walked up to him, and playfully slapped his arm, her face a mask of forced anger. “You scared me.” She whispered.He looked down at her, concerned and confused.“I woke up and you were gone… I don’t like that.” She said, before her false anger broke and she stood on her tip toes and kissed him, dispelling any lingering hostility.“I will keep that in mind, my lady,” Conor said. While the words sounded strange at first, and from anyone else would be a formal statement, for Co
The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow across the lake behind the Lokir Estate. The waters, usually calm and reflective, seemed to shimmer with the vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple, painting a serene yet somber backdrop for the evening's ceremony. Tonight, the air was thick with unspoken grief, the weight of loss pressing heavily upon the gathered company.A small, solemn group had assembled on the expansive lawn that stretched to the lake’s edge. The dragoons stood in formation, their faces etched with the silent sorrow that came from losing one of their own. The soldiers of Targu’s provincial army, stationed at a respectful distance, stood at attention, their rigid posture a testament to their respect for the fallen. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath, allowing only the soft rustling of leaves to break the stillness.At the center of the gathering, a simple wooden stand held a single framed photo of Gabriella. There were no remains to bury, no b