One week later
--
King Markus sat in his study, the weight of responsibility resting on his shoulders, yet at that moment, it was barely noticeable. His mate, Kaia, was nestled comfortably in his lap, her arms draped loosely around his neck as she traced absent patterns along his shoulder. Despite the many years they had spent together, their bond had never wavered. If anything, it had only grown stronger, their love deepening with every passing year.
Markus inhaled her familiar scent, a mixture of warmth, comfort, and something uniquely hers. He always marveled at how, even in the midst of all the chaos that came with ruling, Kaia remained his anchor. His haven.
Pressing a kiss to her temple, he murmured, “Whatever you did and said to Livia one week ago… it worked like a charm.”
Kaia
