The campfire burned down to red embers as Bloodfang warriors settled into their bedrolls for the night.

Rutheus fell asleep leaning comfortably against a wagon wheel, while Thora and Sira retired to one of the empty carriages.

Kessa stayed awake the longest as her beastwoman instincts kept her highly alert in unfamiliar territory, but she eventually retreated to her blankets, too.

Kane got up from his spot near the fading warmth and walked toward the tree line completely alone.

Grieselda’s earlier conversation sat heavily in his chest since the afternoon ride.

An entire empire built on fear was a fascinating concept. A paranoid queen sealed twelve powerful beings away simply because their mere existence made her uncertain about her own supremacy.

The other empires must’ve had a part too.

Taking this world from the gods and sharing it among themselves must have been what started this game.

Kane stood at the edge of the managed forest and let his mind run through the political puzzle.

[System Note: Thornwall proximity detected] 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

[Passive scan active]

[The forest is cataloguing your energy signature]

[Your Harem Bond is interacting with the ambient magic]

[Note: The queen will know your emotional state before you arrive. She reads the trees like other rulers read letters.]

’She’s afraid,’ he thought, looking up at the bright stars peeking through the gaps in the magical canopy.

The queen’s can be felt in the air.

Kane could almost taste it through the leaves. It felt less like a threat and more like an open invitation.

He was going to turn that fear into something much wetter.

As he was lost in thought, careful footsteps approached from behind, silent on the soft forest floor.

"Perimeter check?" Kane asked the darkness without turning.

"Standard procedure," came the cool reply.

Vaela.

The youngest Silver Warden trainee stepped out from the shadows.

She stood closer than protocol allowed, the professional distance she’d maintained for days completely gone.

Her silver hair was cropped short, giving her elegant face a striking, almost statuesque beauty. The fitted armor hugged her lean, athletic body, toned legs, narrow waist, and a surprisingly full chest that rose and fell faster than usual.

"You’ve been watching me since Sylvandar," Kane said, turning to face her.

"I watch all my assignments," Vaela replied, but her voice lacked its usual ice.

"Not like this."

Kane took one slow step closer.

"You’ve been staring at me like you’re trying to decide whether you want to kill me... or ride me."

"I was assessing a threat," she countered, but her voice had lost its edge.

"And what’s your assessment now?" he asked softly.

Her eyes flickered down to his mouth, then back up.

"That you are... unpredictable."

"And that frustrates you?" Kane stated.

"It contradicts my training." Her hand came up, not to push him away, but to rest lightly on her own armored chest, as if holding something in.

"Barbarians are supposed to be simple. Brutish."

Vaela didn’t retreat as her pale cheeks flushed faintly, but her eyes stayed locked on his.

"Tomorrow we reach the capital," she said, trying to end the conversation.

"After that, you become the queen’s problem. Not mine."

"So tonight’s the last chance," Kane murmured, closing the distance until only a breath separated them.

Vaela’s pulse fluttered visibly in her throat. She stared at his mouth, then back up to his eyes.

"It’s not a chance," she whispered, voice cracking.

"It’s a boundary."

"One you’ve been dying to cross for days."

The silence stretched between them.

Then Vaela moved first.

She surged forward and kissed him hard.

Her lips crashed against his with desperate hunger. A soft moan escaped her throat as she pressed her body flush against him, her armored chest rubbing against his.

Her hands gripped his shoulders tightly, fingers digging in as if she was afraid he’d disappear.

Kane let her kiss him for a few heated seconds, tasting the sweetness of her mouth, feeling how badly she wanted this.

Then he pulled back firmly, holding her by the short hair.

Vaela’s lips were swollen, her breathing ragged, and her eyes were glassy with lust and shame.

"Say it," Kane growled, voice low and commanding.

"Say you want this."

Vaela trembled. "I... I shouldn’t—"

"Say it," he repeated, tightening his grip on her hips.

"Tell me you want my cock, Vaela. Be honest for once."

Her thighs pressed together.

A visible shiver ran through her body.

"I... want it," she finally whispered, voice breaking.

"Gods help me... I want you."

Kane’s cock throbbed at her admission.

’One fuck before we reach the capital isn’t too bad,’ he thought, eyes darkening with hunger.

’She’s been wound so tight for days. Time to unwind her.’

"Are you married?" he asked, sliding one hand down to grip her firm ass through the armor.

Vaela shook her head quickly.

"No... not yet. There’s... an arrangement. With a noble. But we haven’t—"

"Good," Kane cut her off.

He pulled her back in and kissed her hard.

This time, there was no hesitation. His mouth claimed hers roughly, tongue pushing past her lips to dominate the kiss.

"Nngh!"

Vaela moaned loudly into his mouth, melting against him as her hands roamed over his broad chest.

She kissed him back with equal desperation, sucking on his tongue, biting his lower lip, grinding her hips forward instinctively.

Kane’s hand slid under the edge of her armor, finding warm, smooth skin. He squeezed her ass possessively, pulling her even tighter so she could feel how hard he was against her stomach.

Vaela gasped, breaking the kiss for air.

"This is wrong," she panted, even as she rolled her hips against his hardness.

"I’m supposed to be guarding you... not... not wanting you to fuck me."

Kane chuckled and kissed her again, deeper.

His tongue fucked her mouth in slow strokes while his hand slipped further down, fingers brushing between her thighs from behind.

"You’re soaked already," he growled against her lips.

"Your pussy is dripping for a barbarian cock. Say it."

Vaela whimpered, face burning with shame and arousal.

"I’m... I’m wet for you," she admitted in a broken whisper.

"Please... just this once..."

Kane kissed her even harder, devouring her mouth as his fingers pressed against her clothed slit, rubbing slow circles that made her knees buckle.