na

cold weight of the stone feeling almost surreal against my palm. Beside him, Public Relations C

dson pressured the Hub all week to block my appo

save their own skins today, Director Reid! The Supreme High Command just issued a special military decree-not only did

me High Command answered directly t

eaning against the far wall, casually tracing an old defensive rune

's side corridor with Atticus, I moved directly in front of him, blo

with pure innocence in his gray-blue eyes. "Why? Is the new

a border officer make the High Command blacklist House Dodson on

called in a favor," he said smoothly, reaching out to flick the center of my forehead

til two tall mermen in gleaming silver Warlord armor swam around the c

s opening to salute and shout "High Com-" before Atticus sh

lowing the title back down their throat

rred brow-Axel-stammered wildly. "Wh

cus said calmly, drawing me half a step close

a megalodon had suddenly sprouted wings. Recovering first, both elite Warlord

I inclined my head politely. "Hello. Are you t

ently to Atticus, "Boss, the inner circle and the Council elders are already whispering behind closed doors... They say you only ru

e are even betting you will sever the bon

-pulse locking the water around the two Warlords like a vise. "She is my fated, lawful wife-not

he heavy word "fated." Across from us, Axel and Julian turned deathly pale,

. "Your handover is done. Take your assistants into the main control hall to sort out

y, clutching the basalt seal as I watched him glide awa

er scrolls until dark twilight swallowed the Outer Shoals. Exhausted, I swam home to my quiet coral cottage-and