After freshening up and changing clothes, Vaelorian and Riven stepped out of the hotel, a swath of tension clinging to the air around them. They were joined by Sir Eryndor and Barron, and the gravity of their mission weighed heavily on each of them.
With a single command from Vaelorian, the world around them twisted and turned, spiraling through the void until they landed at their destination, a high cliff overlooking a magnificent estate. Vaelorian's breath caught in his throat as he surveyed the sprawling manor below.
"The audacity," Vaelorian muttered, his voice a low, simmering fury. His gaze hardened, reflecting the storm brewing within him. "All this time, the man we sought was right under our noses, sending us on a wild goose chase. He was probably laughing at us all along."
Sir Eryndor nodded, his expression grim. "Duke Morwyn is one of the most respected men in the kingdom. Who would have thought his greed could sink to such depths?"
"His greed knows no bounds," Vaelorian replied, his eyes narrowing on a small figure walking in the garden below—one of the Duke's daughter, perhaps, blissfully unaware of the darkness that surrounded her lineage. "He would sacrifice anything for more power. He was even willing to marry off his daughter to me, all for an alliance that would further his dark agenda."
Riven's head whipped around, shock etched across his features. "You think this is why he wanted to marry his daughter to you—so you would turn a blind eye to his dealings?" His voice lowered, the weight of the revelation settling heavy in his mind.
Vaelorian nodded, his eyes still on the estate. He took a deep breath, his hands balling into fists. He had to be calm. He had to be in control.
"I won't let him use his position for evil deeds any longer." His breath deepened, and he clenched his fists, steeling himself. "Let's split up here. You three, secure the estate. No one leaves until we get what we came for. It's time for everyone involved to face justice."
As they dispersed to carry out their plan, Vaelorian took a moment to steady his rattling nerves and calm his ragged breathing. He prepared himself to face the Duke, his anger and determination burning brighter with every step.
With a soft pop, Vaelorian appeared in the center of the Duke's study. The Duke froze, his eyes widening in shock as the cut-crystal glass slipped from his numb fingers, shattering on the polished marble floor and sending a spray of amber liquid across the intricate rug. The crash was all it took for the ornate double doors to burst open, and a squad of men in dark uniforms swarmed in, their firearms raised and pointed directly at the Prince.
"Your Highness," the Duke stammered, his face draining of color. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice quivered as he gestured for his guards to lower their weapons.
Vaelorian stood still, his gaze piercing through the Duke like a blade. "Cut the pleasantries, Morwyn. I know what you've done. You've had your fun, but your little game is over. Very soon the whole empire will know just how disgusting you are."
The Duke's bravado faltered for a moment. "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a man of honor and integrity. Ask anyone..."
Vaelorian's laughter rang hollow, a bitter sound that vibrated with malice. "Honor? You have no honor. You built a whole network of human traffickers, and you have been selling people into slavery for your own selfish gains. Tell me, did you enjoy watching me chase my tail for months?"
The Duke's smirk faded, replaced with a flicker of panic. "That's a serious accusation, Your Highness. Do you have any proof?"
"Oh, I have to hand it to you. You did a good job hiding your dirty business under the pretense of providing jobs for citizens. You really had me believing someone as spineless as Lord Tharron could orchestrate this entire operation on his own. But you know, I have a confession from your ringleader. The poor chap sang like a canary about all your dirty little secrets." Vaelorian taunted, holding up a scroll.
The Duke's face morphed from pale to ashen, his eyes darting around the room like a cornered animal. "It's a lie. This is blasphemy. You must have forced him to say those things."
"We will find out soon enough, won't we?" Vaelorian's voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "Now, you can come with me willingly or by force. The choice is yours."
The Duke swallowed hard, his trembling hands the only tell of his growing terror. He had no more cards to play. He had lost the game. But he wouldn't go down without a fight. With a sudden movement, he reached under his desk, clicking a mechanism. A shotgun appeared, its menacing barrel now aimed directly at Vaelorian.
"That's your plan?" Vaelorian asked calmly. "You're going to kill me?"
"Your Highness, who said anything about killing you? I would never do something like that." Duke Morwyn paused, a sinister glint in his eyes. "However, accidents do happen all the time." He twirled the gun in his hands like it was nothing.
Vaelorian tilted his head slightly, a glimmer of amusement breaking through the tension.
"Oh! How clever!"
His tone dripped with sarcasm and just then, Riven appeared in between them, and the shotgun was now pointing directly at him.
"Who the fuck are you?" Duke Morwyn exclaimed, wide-eyed.
Riven's gaze locked onto the Duke, his eyes flashing with warning. "Me? I'm his bodyguard," he said, nodding over his shoulder at Vaelorian. "Also, don't cuss. He hates it."
Vaelorian almost cracked a smile at Riven's words, but the situation was too serious. Riven's eyes never left the Duke's face.
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Riven spoke into Vaelorian's mind, his voice a gentle contrast to the tension in the room.
Vaelorian's response was laced with amusement. "You're more worried about me with a gun pointed at your face?"
Riven's response was immediate. "Sorry, I'm late. He had too many men stationed outside."
"I'm fine; besides, you came just at the right time. I wouldn't want you to miss all the fun," Vaelorian replied, amusement creeping into his tone when suddenly, they were interrupted.
"What is going on here? Are we having a staring contest?" the Duke cut in, his irritation flaring.
"Right! You're still here," Riven said, his voice loud and annoyed that the Duke interrupted their the mental conversation.
"I'll advise you not to pull that trigger, Morwyn," Vaelorian began in a very calm and dangerous tone. "You might not be able to kill him, but if you hurt even a hair on his head, I'll tear you apart limb by limb. And if I'm not satisfied by the time I'm done, I'll continue with everyone you hold dear."
Vaelorian finished with an icy tone and the Duke's eyes widened, and the guards took a step back, their guns still trained on Vaelorian and Riven. The air was thick with tension as Vaelorian's words hung in the air like a challenge.
"Damn, that was sexy as hell!" Riven told Vaelorian through telepathy. "We should try roleplay one of these days. I think I now have a kink being fuck..."
"Riven! Seriously?" Vaelorian groaned, interrupting his mental conversation before he could finish.
"What? Don't sound so disappointed, alright?" Riven retorted mentally. "Something has to kill a man, and I'll die happily while being ravaged..."
"Focus!" Vaelorian scolded through their link, and Riven rolled his eyes, but his gaze sharpened, the playful air evaporating the moment he turned to the Duke.
The Duke, who had been watching the bizarre exchange with a confused frown, watched as the Prince turned his attention to him with a sinister smile.
"I would love to see you suffer as payment for what you've done. For that reason, it's only fair for you to be punished by the person responsible for unearthing your evil deeds." Vaelorian said, his voice dropping to a low purr as he turned to Riven. "The floor is yours, my love."
The moment those words left Vaelorian's mouth, the Duke's eyes widened, and a terrible realization dawned on him. He had spent so much time trying to figure out why the Prince had refused to marry his daughter, Lysandra, a woman who most men in the empire referred to as a goddess. This kid... this was the reason. The wrong kind of bride had been offered.
"Alright, gentlemen. Shall we get down to business?" Riven called out, clapping his hands to get everyone's attention. He moved with a predator's grace, his easy smile belying the sheer force of his presence. "Hey! Don't look at him," he commanded, catching the Duke's gaze straying to Vaelorian. "You'll be dealing with me from now on."
"What the hell..."
"Don't you dare finish that sentence!" Riven commanded, his mind control gift activating. "I told you not to cuss. This is your last warning, Duke Morwyn."
The Duke visibly gulped, confused as to why he was listening and obeying this kid.
"Alright, let's get back to business. Morwyn, my man. You're used to playing charades, so this next activity is right up your alley..." Riven began, but the Duke, momentarily freed from the younger boy's hold, snapped.
"Just who do you think..."
"Pick up the pen, Morwyn!" Riven commanded again, and the Duke, his movements not his own, picked up a pen from the table. The Duke's henchmen, their eyes practically bulging from their sockets, were utterly useless, frozen in place.
Riven turned his attention to them. "I'm sure you're all very confused about what's going on, but don't worry, you won't be around long enough to figure it out." He informed them with a chilling smile before returning his attention to the Duke. "You're going to write down how this whole thing started because heaven knows I can't stand the sight of you. And oh, before you think about leaving anything out, think about your family."
Riven's smile broadened as he dragged out a chair for himself and Vaelorian to sit down, the absolute power of his words hanging in the air like a thick fog. The Duke's hand, holding the pen, trembled, but he had no choice but to write. The game was over. And Riven had just taken the board.