The Present Krai probably could easily sense where his master was because he flew right back to the Palace without Cassandra saying a thing.
She was still a bit afraid of flying, but she was also seeing how nice it was.
One thing shed never get tired of, the view of the Capital from above… She still hoped theyd go back to the North soon, though.
She missed the quiet Onyx Castle, her friends, and the Capital was too hot and humid.
The Dragon landed with a loud growl on one of the big courts of the Palace, some square-shaped area made of stone only.
Kairen was waiting there, his eyes set on the young concubine as they arrived.
He held out his arms, and Cassandra slid easily on the Dragons scales until he grabbed her.
She smiled and kissed him softly.
Kairen took a step back, still carrying her, to have her off his Dragon.
He seemed a bit concerned.
Did you find anything? He asked.
A bit, yes, but we still havent found her, Cassandra sighed.
…You look tired.
She chuckled, putting her arms around his neck.
My Lord, you keep saying that those days.
You really look tired.
Fine… Im hungry, actually.
We didnt even eat.
Kairen stayed quiet for a little while, and his eyes on her had Cassandra a bit confused.
What was her prince thinking about now? After a while, he seemed to decide on something and nodded.
I have something for you.
A present.
A present? She repeated, surprised.
Kairen had already given lots of dresses and jewelry… Well, more like his father or mother had, but still.
What else could she be needing, now? Something for their baby, perhaps? But Cassandra wasnt planning on raising the child here… He turned around and carried her for a while through the Palace.
Even if she had no idea where they were going, Cassandra was patient enough not to ask.
She enjoyed the little ride, caressing her Princes hairline and telling him about everything she and Shareen had learned.
He didnt react or say much, even to the part where they had encountered his half-sister, but Cassandra didnt expect him to anyway.
After a bit more walking, he finally let her down in front of a large door she had never seen before, but by the looks of it, it was a brand new one.
The redwood stood out in the stone walls, and there werent many windows nearby.
However, they definitely were near Kairens apartments, making her think it was within his private area of the Palace.
This is yours, from now on, he said.
He was handing her a key, with a complex shape and a unique redwood handle.
Cassandra took it with a shy smile, intrigued.
She then turned to slowly open the door, her heart beating a bit faster.
She didnt expect what was behind and remained speechless on the doorstep.
Green, green everywhere.
Green leaves, herbs, and plants everywhere her eye could go.
Cassandra took a few steps in, unable to close her mouth.

There were four long, long tables with hundreds of different herbs on it, in pots.
Under her feet was grass, fresh grass, and several patches of herbs or flowers were growing here and there, in delimited areas.
For a second, she had thought it was a greenhouse, but it didnt exactly have a roof.
Instead, above her head was a large pergola, with ivy and other climbing or trailing plants covering most of the framework.
The sun could still pass through, but the whole place was much fresher than what Cassandra usually experimented in the castle.
The main reason was the little fountains and rivers artificially planted that ran from one side to another and refreshed the whole area.
Actually, those fountains even had some flowers on them.
Waterlilies… she whispered with a smile.
Do you like it? She turned to her prince, baffled.
Youre giving me a garden? Kairen nodded.
Since you dont care for gold, dresses or jewelry.
So, he had thought about something that would make her happy and gifted her a whole herbal garden instead? Cassandra was amazed.
She had never thought Kairen would be able to put up such a thing and in such a short time! She was all teary just from thinking about it.
She turned around and walked back to him, throwing herself into his arms.
I love it… I love you.
Thank you! For the first time in a while, a slim smile appeared on Kairens lips, and he hugged her back, kissing her skin.
Cassandra chuckled and found his lips to kiss him, a long, sweet and grateful kiss.
He was relieved to see her happier, after her sour day and how she had been sick earlier… Cassandra kept her lips going, enjoying the proximity between them, but Kairen pulled away with an annoyed groan.
What is it? She asked, a bit surprised.
He sighed.
If we keep going, Ill want to have sex with you.
Here and now.
Cassandra blushed to her ears, looking down.
Oh, indeed, it was better if they stopped now.
She might have been teasing him a bit too much without knowing… She laughed at the Princes sour expression and stepped back innocently, turning around to explore her new herbal garden.
She truly loved this place.
It was green and cold enough to have her forget the Palaces climate she couldnt get accustomed to.
Moreover, everywhere she looked, she found new or familiar herbs, dozens of them.
Almost every medicinal herb or plant know in this Empire was gathered for her to play with.
She hadnt noticed it right away, but at the very end of that garden was actually a wide desk with parchments about medicine, ink and blank paper for her personal use.
Whoever had prepared it had also put a lot of pots and a dozen of pitchers, mortars and pestles, scales and weights, jars and show globes.
Cassandra could spend hours studying with everything here! While she was still observing everything in awe, Kairen came from behind, gently hugging her with his hands on her tummy, and kissed her temple.
So you like it, he simply said.
I love it, really.
Were you trying to cheer me up? She hadnt been happy since they had gotten to the Palace, and they both knew about it.
For the usually aloof man to actually go out of his way and prepare all this for her melted her heart.
Cassandra smiled and grabbed his face to kill him a bit more passionately, making him groan.
Cassandra, if you keep going… How far are we from your bedroom? He simply snapped at her words.
Everything that happened next was way too fast for her to realize.

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She was brought back to his bedroom not even a minute later, laid on the bed and her dress lifted above her waist, making her breathe louder.
The Prince didnt lose any time.
Cassandra cried out when he got in, biting her lips and shivering.
A hot chill spread through her skin, as he starting moving, fast and hard.
She didnt want to hold back and moaned just as loud as she needed, her heart thumping, holding on to him and letting him set the pace.
Cassandra held on to his neck and closed her eyes, focusing on the sensations.
His movements were so wild, he only focused on kissing her skin when it came close to his lips and kept moving, restlessly.
The young concubine was running out of breath, and crying out louder, struggling to keep up with him.
Kairen didnt hold back long, however, his rut reaching its edge after a few more, and he released himself, panting.
Cassandra curved her body, too, in a long sigh of pleasure.
The young concubine was exhausted after that very short but intense session.
She stayed her eyes closed a bit longer, as her breathing and heartbeat slowly calmed down.
Kairen gently sprinkled light kisses all over her smooth skin, letting her time to recover.
All the while, they were still hugging each other.
Cassandra didnt want to let go of him, not yet.
Rest here for a bit.
I dont want to… Its still early, she protested.
Youre tired.
Im fine… He was about to say something, but all of a sudden, he froze.
His reaction had Cassandra on the get-go, too.
She sat up, now completely awake, looking for what had caught his attention.
She heard it a few seconds later.
Someone yells outside.
4 Kairen got on his feet and put his pants back on before leaving the room hurriedly.
Cassandra followed right after him as soon as she could, worried.
To their surprise, at one end of the corridor, Shareen was dragging one of the men from earlier.
While she looked fine, her clothes were sullied in a terrifying amount of blood, and the man she was dragging too.
Ah, there you are! She exclaimed.
Look, I kept one for you.
Ask him.
Cassandra didnt approach from too close, as the smell would definitely make her sick, and stayed a couple of steps behind Kairen.
Who is that? One of the men who tried to attack us, said Shareen.
They mistook your woman for her sister.
Apparently, she owes them money.
You were attacked? He growled, glaring at the man and taking out his sword.
His sister rolled her eyes.
I said they tried, brother.
Krai took her away and I played a bit.
They werent much fun.

They are the ones who died a painful death, except for this one.
I kept the chief alive for Cassie to interrogate him.
Saying she kept him alive was a bit too much, in Cassandras eyes.
It would have been more credible if the man didnt have a scary trail of blood behind him, an eye missing and several of his fingers cut off.
Even for Cassandra who was used to injuries, he was a horrible sight.
She was a bit annoyed at Shareen and her games… What do you know about my younger sister, Mie? She still asked.
That bitch took my money! She… Gaaaah! Cassandra looked away a second too late.
A couple of fingers flew off, and the man screamed in pain while Shareen clicked her tongue.
What did I tell you? Watch your language, asshole.
Next time I hear you use that word to designate any woman, Im cutting off your eleventh finger, if you know what I mean.
? It took a few seconds for the man to calm down, and Cassandra to compose herself.
She knew Shareen was not patient or forgiving, but still.
My sister, she repeated.
She… That wo…woman stole our money.
We gambled and she cheated us! She took thousands from us! We tried to have her give it back, but… but she was gone from that place… We only heard from her being in the main street three months ago, but we cant find her… So… we were looking in the red district… in case shed come back… Cassandra sighed.
At least she knew Mie was still around, in the last three months… If she hadnt let before, she probably had found her way to stay without them finding her.
How did she do it, though? The Capital was so wide, if she moved to another part of the City, it would have been hard for them to find her.
Did she found a place with the money she had collected? If it was Cassandra, she would have hidden from those thugs by going to one of the upper areas, where the nobles and riches lived… What does she look like? Asked Cassandra.
That woman is… a lot like you… But she is… prettier.
With more curves.
Cassandra couldnt help but roll her eyes.
Those mens criteria were really… Did she have anything she mentioned? My sister? I dont know! She… She was good with herbs, she always bought a lot.
She made potions for the who… the prostitutes.
Her… Her husband sold a lot too.
Cassandra froze, shocked.
What? Her husband? Yeah.
She … she got married last year.
A rich merchants son.
Hes dead, though.
It didnt make any sense.
If Missandra was still working in the Red District then, how did she get married…? Cassandra was too confused.
What was his name? I dont know! She said he died of sickness or whatever months ago! Cassandra sighed.
She wouldnt learn any more from this man, she even doubted half of what he said was true.
She shook her head when Kairen sent her a questioning gaze, meaning she was done with him.
Scram, said Shareen.
W… What? I said scram before I put my sword up your butt! Youre lucky we have a pregnant woman here! The man spat blood in Cassandras way.
Your wretched sister better pay me back my money, or Ill find her and… His head rolled before he finished his sentence.
Cassandra looked away, disgusted, and even Shareen sighed.