Chapter 35: A Partner’s Temptation

"Ah, Lord Cassian, stop that!"

Nalani’s exasperated voice echoed sharply through the grand reception.

She was a breathtakingly fierce panther beastwoman, with sleek, raven-black hair tied back in a ponytail. Her toned, muscular physique was tightly bound in leather armor that outlined her fit, warrior-like form. As the Second-in-Command of the Glacier’s Crown vanguard, she was used to dealing with bloodthirsty enemies and harsh, freezing environments.

What she was not used to, however, was babysitting her Sovereign.

Standing in front of a sculpture of a roaring panther, Lord Cassian simply chuckled. He casually tapped the fragile gemstone eye of the statue, the heavy stone wobbling precariously on its pedestal. It tipped dangerously to the left, almost crashing to the floor, before Cassian effortlessly caught it with a single, gloved finger and pushed it back upright.

"Breathe, Nalani," Cassian drawled. "You are far too tense. It will ruin your beautiful complexion."

He turned around, leaning his frame against the stone pillar.

Cassian was, by all accounts, a peerless beauty that could easily bring calamity to a kingdom. He possessed a head of striking, pure white hair that fell over his eyes. But it was his eyes that truly captured the soul, one was a piercing, glacial blue, while the other was a deep, mesmerizing purple.

He wore a luxurious coat of pristine white fur over an elegant, open-collared silver tunic, looking every bit the playful flirt.

Nalani exhaled, crossing her arms over her chest. Three years, and she was still nervous and wary of him. "If you break an ancestral relic of Shadow’s Edge, King Leonidas will likely mount your head on the courtyard gates."

Cassian let out a throaty laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "What is the worst my dear cousin can do? Roar at me? Brood in a corner? He has been doing that since we were cubs."

"Let us not find out," Nalani said coldly, a vein popping out in irritation. She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "And let us not lose sight of why we are here in the first place, My Lord. The borders are unstable. The feral sickness is spreading. Do not be distracted by your... sudden interest in the Empress."

Cassian’s playful smirk didn’t waver, but his dual-colored eyes glinted with a strange light. "Interest? Nalani, you wound me. I am merely paying my respects to the mother of the continent. It is only polite."

Before Nalani could scoff at his blatant lie, the doors at the end of the reception room swung open.

Click. Clack.

The sound of heels against the stone floor announced her arrival.

Empress Karina stepped into the room. She was dressed in a tailored, high-collared purple gown that perfectly hugged her figure. Her blood-red hair was pinned back immaculately, and her face was devoid of any warmth.

She looked like a supreme ice queen descending from the heavens.

Standing steadfastly behind her right shoulder was General Aldric. To her left was Lady Sophie, trying her best to look as intimidating as possible.

The moment Cassian laid his mismatched eyes on her, his playful smirk widened into a blinding, smile.

So this is the woman who has driven my arrogant cousin to the brink of madness, Cassian thought, a thrill of excitement coursing through his veins.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Cassian greeted, taking a step forward. He placed a hand over his heart and executed a flawless bow. When he rose, his white hair fell beautifully. "It is an honor to finally stand in your presence."

Karina stopped a few paces away. Her cold red eyes swept over the white-haired man, completely unfazed by his handsome face or his magnetic, flirtatious aura. She had dealt with enough arrogant, pretty men in this world to last a lifetime.

"Greetings," Karina spoke flatly. She didn’t even bother offering a smile. From what she had found out about the cousin of the king of Shadow Edge, he was bad news. "To what do we owe this honor, Lord Cassian?"

Cassian’s eyes sparkled. Oh, she was icy. He loved it.

He ignored all basic protocols of royal distance and took another step closer to her, invading her personal space. He towered over her, his dual-colored eyes locking onto hers with a frightening, yet incredibly playful intensity.

"I came because I simply could not resist," Cassian purred. "I have heard very interesting things about you recently, Empress. Things that make me wonder why a woman of your.....remarkable caliber is wasting her time in a dreary place like Shadow’s Edge."

Shing!

The sharp sound of steel being drawn half an inch from its scabbard echoed through the room.

"Stand back." General Aldric snarled. He stepped smoothly between Karina and the Sovereign, his blue eyes flashing with pure killing intent. "You are too close to Her Imperial Majesty. Step back immediately."

Nalani instantly tensed, her hand dropping to the twin daggers at her waist, ready to defend her Sovereign.

Cassian, however, didn’t even flinch. He simply raised his hands, letting out a soft chuckle as he took a single, slow step backward. "Peace, General. I meant no harm. I am merely a humble admirer."

Karina didn’t retreat a single inch. She looked at Cassian from behind Aldric’s broad shoulder.

"Things like what?" Karina asked. "What exactly have you heard, Lord Cassian, that brings you rushing to my doorstep?"

Cassian’s lips curved upward into a breathtaking smirk. He opened his mouth to reply, ready to spin a web of charming, honeyed words.

But suddenly, his strange, mismatched eyes flicked to the right, looking over Karina’s shoulder toward the grand entrance of the hall.

The playful amusement in his eyes immediately vanished, replaced with a mocking glint.

"Ah," Cassian hummed. His smirk widened into a full grin. "He’s here."

Karina frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. Beside her, Aldric stiffened, sensing the aura rolling down the corridor long before the footsteps even grew loud.

They turned around.

Standing in the massive archway of the reception room was Leonidas.

And he looked feral.

The Panther King’s massive chest was heaving, his black tunic slightly disheveled as if he had practically torn through the castle to get here. His hands were clenched into tight fists at his sides, the veins on his thick forearms bulging against his skin.

"Hello, cousin,"

"Cassian," Leonidas snarled. "Why are you here?"