Auren's POV:
The carriage rocked gently beneath me, draped in gold-trimmed velvet and lit with amber sunlight slipping through its lace-covered windows. Kael had insisted on luxury, and of course, being Kael, he delivered. The moment we left the smoldering ruins of the conquered land, he scooped me up like I weighed nothing, cradling me with one arm while barking orders with the other.
He didn't let go.
Now, I sat bundled in a silken cloak that's Kael's, obviously. Wrapped so tightly in his scent it was impossible to think of anything else. Musk, leather, cold steel... and him. Kael had been glued to my side until moments ago, when a knock came at the carriage door.
"Urgent summons from the capital," his knight had said. "You're needed to oversee the political integration"
Kael's jaw clenched. Then he turned to me with a gaze that scorched.
"I'll be gone in a week." His thumb brushed my lower lip. An annoyingly possessive gesture I should've swatted away. "When I return…" His voice dipped, "You're no longer my prisoner, Auren."
He leaned down.
"You'll be my lover."
The door shut behind him.
I stared. Blinked.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION] Host has been sufficiently dickmatized. Estimated recovery time: 3-5 business days.
[MISSION REMINDER] Objective 1: Investigate the power structure of the Kingdom of Solvanyr. Objective 2: Survive. Objective 3: Don't get railed into a political puppet.
Time remaining: 5 Days.
Wait. Five days—
"WAIT?!" I shrieked inside my own mind. "Five days?! I thought the mission was complete!"
[SYSTEM:] You thought—wrong. You finished the bonus objective: 'Compromise Kael's Emotional Integrity.' Main quest? Still on.
I choked on air. "You didn't tell me it was a bonus!"
[SYSTEM:] Sorry. You were busy… receiving divine revelations.
My face exploded with heat.
[SYSTEM:] So now that the future emperor has given you a week of breathing room (and post-destruction snuggles), how about you USE IT to do your actual job?
Suggested task list:
Sneak around the palace.Gather intel.Find out who really holds the power (hint: it ain't the queen).Try not to trip on your own post-orgasmic glow.
I buried my face in my hands and groaned into the cloak.
Kael was gone. I was alone. And the System is back on its bullshit.
*****
Day One of Kael's Absence:
I stood before a mirror taller than most doorways. The room Kael left me in was the size of a ballroom. His room, obviously. Over-decorated. Gaudy in a rich, terrifying, 'please don't touch the drapes they cost more than your life' kind of way.
And I was pacing.
"I can do this," I mumbled.
[SYSTEM:] Host has spoken 63 variations of 'I can do this' in the last 12 minutes. Probability of success: 37%. Unless you want Kael to finish all your future missions on top of you, I suggest you get moving
"Okay, okay!" I hissed.
[SYSTEM:] Starting recommended route: The eastern wing. Guards are rotating in 30 minutes. You'll have a window.
"And what exactly do I say if I get caught?"
[SYSTEM:] 'I got lost looking for the royal dick again, please escort me back.'
I nearly face planted into the floor.
No Kael. No backup. Just me in a ridiculous cloak, and a sassbomb system in my head.
And one hell of a mission.
Let the spying begin.