The younger man’s face had changed. Hardening. In his eyes, the hard edge had taken center stage.If looks could kill…, Henry Kramer mused.“I think we should clear the room first,” Henry rumbled. “Unless, of course, you want your business known to outsiders.”“What outsiders?”“Your Lady, and whoever is watching this room.”Tyler’s back stiffened.Lord Kramer’s expression softened by a degree.“Mister Esteil. I come in peace. I am Lord Heinrich Avery Kramer. On my word, on my honor, such as it may be in your eyes, I will not harm you. Not today,” the old Lord stated proudly.A declaration.Common in noble houses.A bond promise. Sealed by being spoken aloud.A pact. An oath.Emily Jergens reacted naturally to it. She stood from Tyler’s side, where she had been seated on the edge of the mattress, holding his hand as she had the day before when the Lord was in the room with her as Tyler slept.She had moved from the chair to Tyler’s side when the Lord had declared that he had tested Ty

As compensation, Belinda pushed herself even further, working with the gem refining division, using her alchemy skills to upgrade the power and therefore the value of stones that were collected for special customers and special tools.Work that left her in bed for days afterward, every time she did it, much to Avery Kramer’s chagrin once he found out about the effects on her health, a year later.The year when everything changed.==========Avery had stormed into Belinda’s home in the countryside and had raged at her as she lay on the bed, half asleep.She had watched him shake his fist at her and slam her dressing table stool down more than once.“I just wanted to help,” she whispered. “Your father wasn’t happy with closing down the mines. I wanted to give something back, that’s all.”“To this extent? Did I ever tell you I needed compensation? For months, you’ve been bolstering the product with magic? We have machines for that! What

They didn’t see each other again for a full month. Belinda was on leave, and for Avery, office work continued per usual.During this time, the lack of communication was absolute. Avery sent no messages and did not return to her home.Then, it hit the news, and she went to him.“What in the name of Harlen is this?!”Harlen, the name of one of the most powerful sorcerers in old Ashrone. As a believer and proponent of nature and natural magic, Belinda was old school in her beliefs, and her expletives.Avery’s gaze never left the wall.“Sir!” she shot at him.“Leave us,” he rumbled to the room full of technical staff. Everyone left quietly. They were all familiar with their leader’s secretary, the formidable Belinda Molrow, whom everyone gave gifts at every holiday, just to make sure their proposals would get approved by the boss.Parks nodded at her as he passed, his brow lightly furrowed.She nodded back a

Three months after Edward Kramer and his wife, the former Baroness, Ginnie Kramer, had their child, Avery Kramer and Belinda Molrow had theirs, in the same year.While the birth of one was announced and celebrated by noble houses far and wide, the birth of the other was celebrated in his father’s arms, surrounded by the warmth of his mother’s smile, in a cottage, by a lake, in Asia.Belinda Molrow was on extended leave and would return once her distant relative, whom she had been caring for, was well enough for her to do so.Avery Kramer, on his part, had taken off. Staying out and away from Kramer Estate for two years following the birth of his nephew, from the woman who was supposed to have been his wife. Such were the stories, and Avery Kramer allowed them to flourish.He knew he couldn’t stay away for the six years he needed, but he wasn’t going to let his two doves be apart from him for an indefinite period, while thieves were freely cavorting around

“Of course,” Ashton Belarnt rumbled. His aide withdrew silently as Ashley stared at a man she was beginning to recognize less and less.Lord Belarnt leaned forward, holding his heir’s gaze. “You don’t allow rats to flourish, my dear. Never do that. Otherwise, they will overrun you,” he rumbled, his voice steady, his eyes clear.“So… what Vincent did is something you agree with?” she remarked, her mind laughing at her even as the words left her lips.Of course he would! Of course he did! What did he do to his own fucking nephew! The only difference is that the world didn’t witness it! She chided herself as scenes from that day replayed in her mind.Her father was staring at her. His face like stone. “If he were going to pull a knife, the stupid boy should have done so from the beginning,” he replied, his voice like ice, and Ashley felt the chill in her hands and feet.Before she could retort, her father’s computer pinged, and he turned his