Auren's POV:
Well shit. I just found out, we'll be moving out since we're still technically "not home" from what Kael said.
I'm never going to walk straight again.
Not after last night.
Not after Kael.
The rich silk cushions of the carriage are wasted on my numb thighs, which might as well be filled with jelly instead of bones.
I'm seated, technically, but the only reason I haven't folded in on myself like a deflated tent is because Kael– this Commanding Bastard Extraordinaire keeps one firm arm wrapped around my waist, holding me steady like he's worried I'll fall through the floor.
I might.
"Comfortable?" Kael's voice is low, lips brushing my ear with casualness.
"I can't feel my soul," I mutter, face hot enough to melt diamond. "So… no."
He chuckles. This bastard.
Outside, the entourage marches forward. Soldiers clad in his colors, banners flapping. Victory is sweet, I suppose. The once-proud palace behind us lies in rubble. The queen - dead. Kael's sword had been merciless.
Apparently, she's the spy. Odd. But, oh well. It's not my problem to dwell on it.
"So," I say, attempting distraction. "Now that your coup is complete, what happens to me?"
He looks down at me, his eyes catching the light like liquid gold. "You," he says, "will no longer be my prisoner once we arrive."
I blink. "Oh?"
"No." He leans closer, fingers brushing my chin. Angling me to face him. "
From the moment we set foot in my land…" He paused. "You will be my lover."
System Notification:
HOST STATUS CHANGE:
[Prisoner] → [Lover ]
[Mob Lifeform] → [Kael's Obsession™]
I made a noise. Not a word. Just a noise. Something pathetic like a strangled wheeze.
Kael seems pleased by it.
The capital is a gleaming thing of silver and marble. Every street was swept clean, every building was adorned with flowing banners of black and crimson. Kael's soldiers bowed. The citizens cheer. All for him. For us.
Us?
The carriage halts. I barely have time to fix my face before Kael is stepping out and lifting me into his arms.
ME! Like I'm not a full-grown man with dignity issues.
The nobles are waiting on the palace steps, dressed like peacocks with judgmental eyes.
One of them, draped in sheer fabric and too much perfume, lets their gaze linger far too long on me. My legs. On my collar.
Kael doesn't blink. Doesn't smile. He just steps closer, adjusts my robe so it covers the faintest mark on my neck, and spoke loudly.
"Touch him with your eyes again, and I'll remove them from your skull."
I choke on my spit.
System Notification:
KILL COUNT: [POTENTIALLY INCREASING]
REASON: "Looked at Host's thigh for too long"
System Screaming Log: AAAAAAAAAAAA
Another noble. More braver or dumber, murmurs something under their breath. I catch the word "whore."
Kael hears it too. His smile could slice metal.
"Say that again," he says, voice smooth and lethal.
The noble pales. "I– No offense meant, Commander."
Kael tilts his head. "You've made two mistakes. One: insulting him. Two: assuming I'm merciful in my own palace."
I whisper, "Kael, maybe let it go–"
He doesn't. Not yet. But he does squeeze my hand once before guiding me past the nobles. Up the marble steps and into a palace so massive I feel like I've been swallowed by royalty itself.
Inside, he's all velvet and restraint. At least… for now I think.
At least until–
System Notification:
MISSION ISSUED:
[COLLECT INFORMATION FROM KAEL'S INNER CIRCLE]
TIME LIMIT: 3 DAYS
SYSTEM ADVICE: Host, stop blushing. Stop smiling. Please STOP—WHY IS KAEL ALREADY TOUCHING YOUR FACE AGAIN??