"Hm... looks like things aren't going as planned."
The voice sounded like a restrained whisper, but laden with displeasure. A long, dark-haired man raised his emerald eyes, looking at the figure in front of him with an irritating calm. Around them, the henchmen held their heads down, tense, as if every word of that figure was a death sentence.
But not Ryland.
"What was the setback this time?" His voice was devoid of any trace of submission.
"The Emperor did not give permission for the marriage" came the firm, almost dry response, accompanied by a hard crossing of arms. "I cannot give you your precious bride."
Ryland's eyes narrowed slightly. It was the second time their relationship had collapsed.
"It's getting harder and harder to keep our business going, you know?" Ryland muttered, crossing his arms with an expression bordering on boredom, but carrying a sharp weight. "I turned a blind eye to the incident in the Port of Baydenn, even with the loss. And now you will not give me my bride?"
The gaze of his interlocutor became darker, laden with a silent threat, one that made others tremble with fear. But Ryland remained unperturbed.
"Elyon failed miserably after swearing that he would take the front of Porto. Not only was it useless, but its supporters were arrested" the figure responded with disdain.
Ryland gave a thin, almost debauched smile, leaning on the rustic wooden table. He slammed his fingers lightly on the surface, the sound echoing in the tense silence of the environment.
"I assume your henchmen must be trembling with fear of being the next impaled by you" he said sarcastically.
The person in front of him smiled, a smile that would send shivers down anyone's spine. A smile that promised destruction.
"I believe so."
"See, I have no interest in your little games of power. And frankly, your threats bore me" continued Ryland, leaning slightly over the table. "But I hope you keep your word. I want the sea free and my bride. That was the deal, wasn't it?"
"You should fear me a little more, you know?" came the answer loaded with poison. "I can kill you if you irritate me."
Ryland laughed. A light, almost contemptuous laugh.
"If it was so easy to finish me, you would have done it already, don't you think?"
The other's eyes narrowed, a dangerous glow danced in the depths of his iris. Ryland knew he was playing with fire, but that was part of the game.
"Put yourself in your place, captain. For someone who loves to venture into the sea and sell stolen trinkets, you are barking too much for your size."
"And yet here I am" replied Ryland, now rising from the chair and putting his beaten jacket over his shoulders. "After all, it was you who came to me. You needed my silence and even helped your enemy to enter your territory. So who's really desperate here?"
The growl that echoed through the room was enough to make the henchmen tremble. But not Ryland. He just smiled more sharply, turning to the exit.
"Keep it up, annoying" said the cold voice behind him, charged with restrained fury. "I have no problem in finishing you off when it suits me."
"Who knows?" Ryland shrugged, the arrogant tone. "Just don't make me look stupid. I'm also running out of patience."
And without paying more attention, he went out, disappearing through the door, leaving the last word spoken. He knew that he would not be intimidated so easily. Business is business, and Ryland always did his part — but never without something in return.
(…)
Days after Eugene's graduation, Lucian had a letter in hand. His fingers slid on the paper while he read, and his expression, initially neutral, began to light up with a cunning smile. Magnus, sitting in front of him, watched him with a mixture of curiosity and impatience. He had arranged this official visit to the temple, but an unexpected letter from someone involved with the underworld had just arrived.
"Well, well... it looks like we have good news" Lucian said in a light tone, folding the letter.
Magnus frowned, suspicious.
"Are you talking about the Jupiter family? I asked Jesse to investigate them, but we didn't find anything conclusive connecting them to the underworld."
Lucian laughed softly, handing the letter to Magnus.
"There may not be enough evidence, but saving the Baroness's daughter has brought the results I had hoped for."
Magnus raised an eyebrow as he read the content.
"Is she interested in your diamonds? Says she saw some pieces made by the jeweler of Quinn Pendleton."
Magnus opened a satisfied smile. Quinn, the talented jeweller that Lucian had recruited, had become a real success. Her pieces not only won the nobility, but also attracted the attention of the Baroness of Jewels — a prominent figure among the underground businesses.
Well, Lucian knew very well that the Baroness of Jewels was from the Jupiter family. It did not matter to her whether she was a mother or daughter, or even the patriarch himself. What mattered was that she wanted to work with Lucian.
"An exclusivity contract with the Baroness, huh? Ambitious" Magnus commented, his eyes twinkling with pride. "She is very selective with who does business."
"Your friend had said that few were able to attract the attention of the Baroness, right?"
"Are you waiting for a compliment?" Magnus looked up at Lucian and let out a derisive laugh.
Lucian raised his chin, his smile now more provocative.
"But of course."
Magnus laughed, getting up and walking towards Lucian. He sat on the alpha's lap, embracing him with possessiveness, his warm body against his. Lucian wasted no time and wrapped his arms around Magnus' waist, feeling the familiar and comforting perfume of his husband.
"You did an excellent job, Lucian" Magnus muttered, intertwining his fingers in his husband's golden hair and stroking his neck with a soft touch. "I am impressed with what you have achieved."
"I knew you would stay." Lucian pulled him closer, his hands sliding around Magnus' waist in a provocative way. "And, of course, I intend to leave you as my official representative. You and Quinn can take care of all the details."
Magnus arched an eyebrow, smiling maliciously.
"Deliver me like this, on a platter, to these businesses? What a generous husband you are."
Lucian uttered a gracious laugh, his hands continuing to explore the husband's body. The familiar warmth and chills that provoked in Magnus made him forget, for a brief moment, the intrigues and responsibilities that surrounded them.
"I said you could use me any way you wanted" Lucian whispered against the skin of Magnus' neck. "I got the middle name for you. Use it to expand your reputation in the underworld."
"I will do it with pleasure." Magnus held Lucian's chin, raising his husband's face until his eyes meet. "And I will also reward you for being so good to me."
Before Lucian could respond, Magnus' lips captured his own, in a possessive and lengthy kiss. Lucian responded to the gesture with fervor, pressing Magnus against him, their bodies moving in perfect harmony. Despite always taking advantage of his visits to steal a kiss and embrace him, Lucian was unable to completely heal the longing he felt for his husband
But the moment was interrupted by sudden knocks on the door.
Both turned with angry expressions, facing Skyler, who crossed his arms with an expression of disgust.
"Don't look at me like that. Your lack of decorum is the real affront here" the priest said, the reproachful tone.
Magnus growled, hugging Lucian's neck more firmly.
"You really have a knack for being inconvenient, don't you, Skyler?" he said with a feral smile. "But it comforts me to know that soon you will no longer be a nuisance."
Skyler, however, ignored the comment, focusing on Lucian.
"There is something I need to discuss with you. The Emperor has given me permission to take you to a newly discovered ruin."
"Hm... a walk. I'd love to go too" Magnus opened a malicious smile.
"I did not extend the invitation to you, Your Grace."
"I invited myself. Besides, I intend to take my husband to the place he belongs. After all... he is a Grimwood."
The weather was even colder than winter, Lucian realized. Skyler and Magnus actually swapped barbs when they met, though Lucian found it amusing to see his husband's jealousy.
Lucian raised an eyebrow, curious.
"What kind of ruin? It's related to the temple, I assume."
Skyler nodded, crossing his arms seriously.
"Indeed. The Emperor's guards found it, and there are signs of ancient rites there. I believe we can find answers about why your soul is connected to the Goddess scythe."
Lucian shuddered slightly. Since the recurring visions, he and Skyler were trying to decipher the key to the strange events surrounding his soul. The mention of a forbidden ritual caused Magnus to narrow his eyes, clearly suspicious.
"What kind of ritual are we talking about?" Lucian asked cautiously.
"If you are going to talk with imaginary friends, what prevents you from doing it right here?" Intervened Magnus, not like to share the attention of the husband "Do you want to do something hidden and dangerous?"
Skyler opened a half smile, with a certain defiance and arrogance that would certainly further irritate Magnus.
"I would say that I intend to do a forbidden ritual, Your Grace."