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Trust Aznai to do his job without breaking a sweat.
My hands were still wrapped protectively around Madison, her body soft and warm against mine.
Her fingers were gently curled around the fabric of my shirt, and I could feel the silkiness of her hair tickling my neck.
The adrenaline gradually receded, replaced by my relief and the pull of sleep once more.
I allowed my senses to relax, the quiet hum of the inn soothing my heightened alertness.
Letting out a slow breath, I felt the tension drain from my muscles.
With a small sigh, I rolled over, pulling Madison closer.
She stirred slightly, her eyebrows furrowing in sleep before relaxing again.
The feeling of her body snug against mine, the comforting scent of her, the whisper of her breath against my skin — they all melded together in a lullaby that coaxed me back into the dreamy depths of sleep.
The faint hint of a smile lingered on my lips, a mark of victory against the unwanted invaders.
Victory was sweet, but the warm presence of Madison in my arms was sweeter.
Underneath the soft glow of the ambient lights, I slipped back into a peaceful sleep, my dreams filled with images of her vibrant sketches and the echo of her laughter.
The room returned to its previous state of tranquility, the lingering traces of the midnight encounter dissipating like stardust in the cosmos.
The rest of the night passed uneventfully, leaving us cocooned in our shared comfort, waiting for the dawn of a new day.
12
RURDRAX
The morning light filtering through the room’s narrow window was still weak when the soft chime of my communicator roused me from my sleep.
Its vibration against my skin was like a ripple of cold water breaking through the heat that Madison’s body radiated next to mine.
I gently disentangled myself from her, not wanting to wake her up, and moved to the far corner of the room to take the call.
The holographic projector built into my forearm sprang to life, casting a miniature three-dimensional image of Onshev into the room.
He had a round face that radiated amicability, a demeanor at odds with the high-stakes deed we were undertaking.
“Lorik, good morning,” he greeted me, his voice, although filtered through the communicator, still resonated with the hospitable tones I’d come to associate with him.
“My apologies for being late, Onshev,” I started, carefulto keep my voice low. “The fog was heavier than expected, and I lost my way. Ended up in an inn for the night. But I assure you, I’ll be at the mine later today.”
“Ah, no worries at all,” he dismissed my apology with a wave of his holographic hand. “We’re looking forward to your arrival. And what might be the time of your arrival?”
“I should be there sometime after twelve,” I estimated, knowing full well that I was buying myself some extra time in case of unforeseen circumstances.
The news about the Anto’skar mine had dropped into my lap like a golden nugget.
Ever since the discovery of wormhole technology, these mines have become priceless.
They were the key to instantaneous travel across the galaxy, a leap from the cryogenically frozen trips at light speed.
This mine, nestled on Enchor’s Heart, was my golden ticket, a way to prove myself to my father and earn a place in his good books.
Onshev, oblivious to my royal lineage, knew me as a successful merchant.
