Sapphire squirmed weakly in Lord Typhon's arms as he carried her with ease, her cheeks were flushed from the tavern ale, her words slurred, her breath warm against his chest.
"Put me down…" she mumbled, pushing at him feebly.
"You can barely stand," Typhon muttered, kicking open her chamber door. "Stop fighting me."
He laid her gently on the bed, brushing strands of hair from her face as she tried sitting up in protest. "I'm fine," she insisted, voice thick. "I don't need—"
He ignored her, picking up a wooden cup from the bedside table and filling it with water from the jug.
"Drink," he ordered, holding it out.
She turned her head stubbornly. "Don't want to…"
His jaw clenched. With a sigh, he took the cup back, dipped his fingers into the water and brought them to her lips.
"Then you'll drink it like this."
Her lips parted in shock as cool water touched her mouth. Her gaze fluttered to his, steady, unwavering, frustratingly close.
"This is ridiculous," she whispered.
"Agreed," he said, brushing a drop of water from her lip with his thumb. "Now drink."
As he brought the cup to her mouth again, she met his eyes, something sharp and quiet stirring between them. And this time… she didn't turn away.
She drank, slowly, the rim of the cup brushing against her lips as Typhon tilted it gently. His hand remained steady, eyes locked on her, unreadable. When she finally finished, he pulled the cup away, setting it aside with silent care.
"You're insufferable," she murmured, voice soft and unguarded, eyes half-lidded.
"And you're reckless," he replied, brushing her damp curls away from her face. "Don't do this again."
Her brows furrowed. "I didn't plan to get drunk…"
Typhon sat at the edge of the bed, his back tense.
"I gave Raphael one task, to guard you. And I find you half-conscious, flushed against him."
Sapphire blinked slowly, shame creeping into her features.
"I just wanted to do something kind…"
A silence fell between them, warm and fragile.
"I'm sorry Milord" she added, barely a whisper.
He didn't answer at first. Instead, he reached down, pulling the blanket over her. Then, softer than she'd ever heard from him, he said, "I know "
Her breath caught. She turned her head slightly to him. "Why are you being… like this?"
He stood, eyes shadowed. "It was just a small indulgence. Get some sleep, Sapphire."
And with that, he turned, leaving her alone with a heart beating faster than it should.
An hour earlier…
Typhon stood at the manor's entrance, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the bleeding horizon. The sun dipped low, throwing long shadows across the courtyard, and yet… no sign of her.
"She should have been back an hour ago," he muttered, more to himself than to Eugene, who stood quietly behind him, hands clasped and posture as still as ever.
Eugene adjusted his gloves. "Perhaps the collection ran long."
Typhon scoffed, eyes narrowing.
"She went with Raphael. That alone should have cut the time in half."
But the irritation that laced his voice wasn't just about time. He knew it. And Eugene knew it too.
It wasn't the delay that made his jaw clench.
It was the image of her, alone, with him.
He'd told himself it didn't matter. That she was just a means to an end, a human tool to help cleanse his cursed soil. A temporary solution to the people's barrenness.
And yet…
"You care," Eugene said simply, like stating the weather.
Typhon's shoulders stiffened.
He didn't deny it. He didn't confirm it. He just stared into the descending night, jaw tight, heart traitorous.
Why did it bother him? Why, of all things, did she, a human, unravel him this way?
***
The moon hung low over Creedom's palace, casting long silver shadows through the ornate windows of the throne room. It was late, too late for formal visits. Yet Baron Albert stood tall before King Kai, draped in dark velvet, the flicker of torchlight casting sharp angles on his face.
Kai sat reclined on his throne, robe loosely wrapped, goblet of wine in hand.
"You barge into my court in the dead of night," he said with a slow grin, "and for what, Albert? A midnight drink?"
Albert smirked. "Neither, Your Majesty. Just informed."
Kai raised a brow.
Albert stepped forward, his voice quiet. "The full moon is next week."
The king's hand paused mid-sip. "So?"
Albert's smile widened. "So… it would be a shame if word got out that Queen Dalia of Hivites paid off your debts."
Silence cracked between them.
Kai set the goblet down slowly. "That's classified information."
Albert's eyes gleamed. "Not to those who know where to listen. You've been hiding it well… but not well enough."
The king's face hardened.
"And what do you want in exchange for your silence?"
Albert with his chin lifted and his voice calm.
"I want to be named emissary to the Hivites."
King Kai's brow lifted, his fingers swirling the wine in his goblet.
"Do you now? And why would I entrust you with foreign affairs?"
"Because you're standing on bare ground, and from your recent choices… I smell betrayal."
King Kai scoffed not ashamed to admit it
"Why should I remain loyal to the Hivites? They've taken our lands, our goods, our women, our gold. Parasites disguised as allies."
Albert chuckle was low and sharp.
"And yet, if they so much as catch a whisper of your thoughts, Creedom will fall before they blink."
"Which is why I should go. I know how they think, how they move. I can cover your tracks."
King Kai leaned back as he said
"Not if they fall first. Queen Dalia has promised us protection."
Albert scoffed.
"And you believe a woman's word?"
Kai's smile was thin.
"I believe no one. Which makes me careful."
Albert pressed, "So? About making me emissary—"
Kai's smirk widened.
"Always ambitious, aren't you, son-in-law?"
Albert's eyes flared.
"Don't call me that."
The king raised his brow, amused.
"Why not? You're still legally wed… aren't you?"
Albert's lips curled, venom in his voice.
"Don't forget what I did to your daughter."
Kai's smile didn't falter.
"And you overestimate your worth."