Free Web NovelChapter 273: Chapter 273
Aeris didn’t say a word. Instead, she took a slow, deliberate step forward, her emerald silk lounge set catching the light as she glided right back into his personal space. She rested her hands heavily on the armrests of his chair, trapping him in place as she leaned down, her intoxicating scent filling his senses.
"Which means," Aeris whispered, her green eyes locked onto his with absolute, unchecked possessiveness, "you belong entirely to us for the rest of the day. No distractions."
Aeris leaned in closer, her full breasts brushing against his chest as she prepared to capitalize on their newly cleared schedule.
Then, a sharp, distinct knock echoed against the bedroom door panel.
The heavy, sensual tension in the room instantly came to a halt. Aeris froze, letting out a highly annoyed groan as she slowly pulled back her head, her green eyes narrowing at the interruption.
Ravena shifted in her chair, her posture instantly straightening as her playful smirk vanished.
"It’s open," Aeris called out, her voice dripping with clear irritation.
The door hissed aside, and Mireille stepped into the room. She was fully dressed in her crisp Agent’s uniform, her posture squared and entirely professional, instantly bringing a cold wave of military reality into the hazy, warm bedroom.
Her eyes swept over the three of them, entirely unfazed by the intimate positions she had just interrupted. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
"Zaeryn," Mireille said, her tone direct and unhurried. "Get changed. We are leaving for the Citadel immediately. The High Commander has called for you."
Zaeryn blinked, a sudden look of genuine surprise crossing his features. He adjusted himself in his chair, the lingering heat in his veins momentarily chilled by the heavy title. "The High Commander? Lysara?" he asked, his brow creasing. "Is everything alright?"
"I don’t have the specifics," Mireille replied smoothly, crossing her arms. "But when the High Commander summons you, you don’t keep her waiting. We better get moving. Arya and I will be waiting out front."
Without another word, she turned on her heel and glided back out, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
An immediate, heavy wave of disappointment filled the room.
Aeris let out a dramatic sigh as she utterly deflated. "This better be important."
Ravena leaned back in her seat and crossed her legs. "The military’s timing is genuinely atrocious," she muttered, though her eyes remained fixed on Zaeryn with a lingering, possessive heat.
Zaeryn offered them a weak, apologetic smirk as he stood up from his desk chair, smoothing down his clothes. "Well... looks like I have to go. Honestly, I’m just as surprised as you guys are."
A few minutes later, Zaeryn made his way down the staircase leading to the lounge.
The lower lounge and foyer were bathed in the soft glow of the late afternoon light. As his boots clicked against the polished stone floor, he immediately spotted Ysmeine standing near the center of the hall. She looked incredibly majestic, her posture immaculate as she waited for him.
A few paces away, Kayla was leaning casually against a stone pillar. She wasn’t paying attention to the stairs; instead, her eyes were locked onto a flickering, blue holographic display projecting from her wrist comm.
A miniature image of a decorated woman in high-ranking armor was speaking rapidly, and Kayla was conversing in a low, authoritative murmur, likely coordinating something with one of her fellow Warlady friends.
Hearing his approach, Ysmeine turned toward him. Her expression was always difficult to read, but the moment her eyes locked onto Zaeryn, a soft, reassuring warmth softened her face.
"Zaeryn," Ysmeine greeted as he stepped off the final riser.
"Mireille said High Commander Lysara wants me at the Citadel," Zaeryn said, stepping into her space. "Is there a problem?"
"Relax," Ysmeine murmured, reaching out to rest a comforting, elegant hand against his arm. "Lysara did request your presence, but I assure you, it is nothing concerning. There is no danger."
Zaeryn let out a quiet breath, but his curiosity instantly spiked. "Then what is it? Why the sudden summons?"
A mysterious, beautiful smile touched Ysmeine’s lips. She tilted her head, her gaze holding his eyes firmly. "I can’t say. You’ll find out when you speak to Lysara."
Before he could press her for more details, Ysmeine stepped fully into his chest. Her fingers glided up to the back of his neck, gently pulling him as she captured his lips in a deep, lingering kiss, one full of quiet reassurance and an intense, underlying devotion.
"I love you, my Zae," she whispered against his lips as she slowly pulled away, her eyes searching his face.
Zaeryn smiled softly, the residual tension from his surprise entirely melting away under her touch. "I love you too."
Ysmeine’s smile deepened. "So I must be special. Am I the only one you’ve said that to? Sage tells me you’ve never said it to her."
Zaeryn always felt awkward saying that word for whatever reason. So he never said it, except with Ysmeine because he was very comfortable around her.
"You’re the most important person in my life," Zaeryn said. "You know that." He paused, the second part landing a beat later. "Sage actually told you that?" freёweɓnovel.com
"She did. It bothers her more than she lets on, that you never say it back." Ysmeine watched him absorb it. "You should fix that."
"I will," he said, and meant it. Then his eyes narrowed slightly. "The two of you talk that much?"
"We talk about almost everything these days." A faint, knowing smile. "Sage and I have grown close these last months. You’d be surprised how much comes up."
Zaeryn considered that, and found he wasn’t surprised at all. He’d suspected for a while that Ysmeine and Sage spoke more than he was aware of.
"Right," he said.
Ysmeine kissed him again. "Alright. You should go."
Zaeryn turned and walked out of the estate’s entrance, stepping onto the outdoor transport pad.
A sleek, armored military cruiser idled on the deck, its repulsor engines emitting a low, vibrating hum that rattled the air. The heavy side doors were already slid wide open, revealing the reinforced, glowing interior of the tactical vehicle.
Zaeryn stepped up and climbed inside.
The doors hissed shut behind him, sealing out the ambient noise of Sector Seven, and as his eyes adjusted to the dim red light of the cabin, he saw that Arya was watching him with a bright familiar spark.
"Hey, Arya?
"Ready to leave?" Arya asked.
"Yeah, let’s go." Zaeryn dropped into the seat as the cruiser lifted off the deck.
Then it occurred to him, and he turned to Mireille with a grin he didn’t bother to hide. "Wait. We’re going to the Citadel."
Mireille met his look evenly. "We are."
"You told me you wouldn’t spar me at the estate because you’d bring the house down." He let the rest hang there, watching it land. "The Citadel has training halls built for exactly that."
For a moment Mireille only studied him, that same flawless composure she wore everywhere. Then the corner of her mouth curved into a small smile.
"It does," she said. And she nodded, once, which from her was as good as a yes.
Arya let out a low laugh from across the cabin. "Careful what you ask for, Zaeryn. Mireille is a different kind of fighter."
