Third POV
“I’m going to die!” Gavin wailed dramatically, holding his index finger like it had been amputated, not grazed. “I’m going to lose the whole hand, and then what? How am I supposed to hold a knife again, huh? Axel! It’s bleeding!”“It’s a paper cut,” Axel deadpanned, but he was already pulling Gavin by the wrist and inspecting the shallow cut. “Correction, a knife cut, because someone insists on pretending he’s Gordon Ramsay when he can barely boil water.”Julian sat on the couch, a kitchen towel pressed to his face to muffle his laughter. He couldn’t believe this was the same Gavin that once sulked through workouts and taunted Axel for being too serious. Now he was sniffling like a toddler who dropped his lollipop.“You don’t understand,” Gavin sobbed, eyes wide and watery. “It’s deep, Axel. I saw a flash of white. That’s bone. I’m sure it’s bone.”Axel rolled his eyes and applied a bandage, sealing the small wound neatly. “That’s gauze. It’s literallyThird POVEnzo was still double-checking the silent phone in his hand when a firm knock echoed at the door. One of the guards pushed in, looking mildly panicked.“Sir… Cassiel’s asking for you.”Enzo blinked. “Now?”The guard nodded quickly. “At the gym house.”Enzo exhaled through his nose, quietly pocketing his phone. He muttered under his breath, “Shit. I knew he’d smell the shift in air.”The guard tilted his head, confused. “Sir?”“Nothing,” Enzo said, waving him off. “Just Cassiel being Cassiel.”He walked out calmly but inside he was calculating—how much Cassiel had seen, how much he’d guessed. He hadn’t told him. Not a single word. Julian was already being escorted to the airport under Lucian’s care, and Cassiel? Cassiel was still unaware his so-called “honeymoon” was already halfway planned, prepped, and practically executed without his knowledge.But if Cassiel asked the right questions now, things would get messy. Enzo shook his head an
Third POV“Do I need to pack?” Julian asked Lucian, gesturing with the envelope.Lucian nodded. “Just enough for the flight and a night. Everything else is already in Greece. Miss Maria coordinated with the villa owner. It’s all set.”“And Cassiel?”“He’ll come when he’s done settling a few final things with Enzo,” Lucian said. “He wanted you to have a moment of peace first.”Julian smiled to himself. “He really thought of everything.”Axel, still hovering near the doorway, nodded. “He’s changing. Bit by bit.”“Love does that,” Lucian murmured.Julian ran a hand through his hair, standing up. “Guess I better go check on the exiled prince before he floods the second floor.”“I’d give it five more minutes,” Axel advised. “He’s probably writing a letter to the UN about injustice.”“I’ll bring snacks,” Julian muttered.He climbed the stairs slowly, not surprised to find Gavin’s door slightly ajar. From within came muffled sniffles and what sou
Third POV“I’m going to die!” Gavin wailed dramatically, holding his index finger like it had been amputated, not grazed. “I’m going to lose the whole hand, and then what? How am I supposed to hold a knife again, huh? Axel! It’s bleeding!”“It’s a paper cut,” Axel deadpanned, but he was already pulling Gavin by the wrist and inspecting the shallow cut. “Correction, a knife cut, because someone insists on pretending he’s Gordon Ramsay when he can barely boil water.”Julian sat on the couch, a kitchen towel pressed to his face to muffle his laughter. He couldn’t believe this was the same Gavin that once sulked through workouts and taunted Axel for being too serious. Now he was sniffling like a toddler who dropped his lollipop.“You don’t understand,” Gavin sobbed, eyes wide and watery. “It’s deep, Axel. I saw a flash of white. That’s bone. I’m sure it’s bone.”Axel rolled his eyes and applied a bandage, sealing the small wound neatly. “That’s gauze. It’s literally
Third POVMiss Maria tiptoed through the front gate like a teenager sneaking out past curfew. Her scarf fluttered around her shoulders in the early morning breeze as she waved down a cab waiting two blocks away. She didn’t want any of the guards reporting her “escape” to Cassiel. After all, if he found out what she was planning, it would ruin everything.The cabbie raised a brow when she climbed in with a leather handbag packed full of documents, a small suitcase, and an unusually excited glint in her eye.“Airport,” she said with a warm smile. “And step on it.”Her heart fluttered with nerves and excitement. This wasn’t just any trip. It was a mission. A mission for love. For peace. For Cassiel and Julian.A few hours later, Miss Maria arrived at a small town near the coastline of Greece. The air was salty and rich with the scent of fresh olives and sun-warmed earth. Her heels clicked softly against the cobbled path as she walked down to the small, vine-draped c
Third POVThe mansion gates opened, and the vehicle rolled into the wide courtyard. Cassiel barely waited for the car to stop before he swung the door open and stepped out. Enzo shut his tablet, tucked it under his arm, and followed behind him.Before either could say a word, Miss Maria burst out of the main entrance with a bright, motherly smile plastered on her face."You're both back!" she clapped her hands joyfully. "Oh, good heavens, you both look like you’ve been dragged through a battlefield. Come on, come on, the food is ready, your favorite—""I'm not hungry," Cassiel interrupted bluntly, brushing past her."Of course you’re not," Miss Maria raised her brows. "Because the idea of rest and food is foreign to you, isn't it?"Enzo blinked, looking between Cassiel and Miss Maria, then turned toward his boss. "Forgive me, boss," he muttered suddenly, and before Cassiel could react, Enzo grabbed him by the collar.“What the—Enzo!” Cassiel growled, twis
Third POVThick smoke curled into the dimly lit room, dancing lazily toward the ceiling before disappearing into the shadows. The scent of sandalwood and tobacco settled deep into the old leather of the chairs, into the cracks of the mahogany desk, and into the silence itself.A massive man sat still as stone behind the desk, one hand gripping the stem of a long, polished pipe that glowed faintly at its bowl. His face was hidden behind a veil of shadow, only the sharp gleam of his eyes cutting through the dark like embers waiting to ignite.The door creaked open, and a younger man stepped in. He moved with caution, like one who had seen too many punished for stepping too fast or breathing too loud in this room.“My lord,” the younger man said, bowing low, head never rising.“Speak,” came the gravel-thick voice from behind the smoke. Calm. Cold. Ancient.“It’s done,” the man reported. “Marco, Renata, Elder Samuel... even Valerian. All gone.”A moment of si