Archer was enjoying the sight of the city below as people were going about their business while the morning sun bead down. Monts later, Malakia appeared, holding a tray with the promised tea.
’’Here we go, handso,’’ the older woman comnted, placing it down. ’’It’ll help warm you up on this cold morning.’’
’’Thank you, Mal,’’ he replied while taking an offered cup.
Archer savored the sip of tea, its rich flavor bursting across his tongue, sending a soothing wave of warmth through his body. The lionesses’ giggle drew his attention, her blue eyes twinkling with delight at his reaction.
’’It’s called Golden Dawn,’’ she said, leaning forward. ’’Everyone in the city drinks the stuff, it’s a local favorite, made right here in the city.’’
She gestured toward the sprawling city beyond the balcony, its golden rooftops shimring in the sunlight, as if the tea itself carried the essence of the place. Following that, the two of them continued chatting for so ti.
After a while, Archer looked at the mature beauty and asked. ’’Are we together, Mal? Do you want to be with ?’’
The older woman’s eyebrow rose as she put down her cup, replying. ’’Yes, I do, handso, what makes you ask that?’’
’’Just wanted to make sure we were on the sa page,’’ he answered, finishing the last mouthful of tea.
Malakia’s eyes sparkled. She rose gracefully, her pregnant belly only adding to her radiant presence, and approached Archer, a knowing, playful expression crossing her face. ’’Now let prove it,’’ she said softly.
With a mischievous smile, she set her teacup down and moved closer, her movents fluid and deliberate. Before he could react, she swung a leg over his lap, straddling his waist. Her hands found his shoulders.
Fingers curling gently into the fabric of his tunic, she leaned in, her dark grey hair brushing against his cheek, sending a shiver down his spine, which he loved. Monts later, she pressed her lips to his in a passionate kiss, her warmth enveloping him.
Archer’s hands instinctively settled on her hips, pulling her closer as he returned the kiss. After a lingering mont, Malakia slowly pulled back, her blue eyes, lips curving into a teasing smile as she caught her breath.
’’That kiss should prove it,’’ she murmured, her voice soft but confident, her fingers still tracing the edge of his collar as she stayed close.
Following that, the couple continued kissing for a few minutes, and Malakia jumped up with a big smile. ’’I have to go sort out the farrs to the south, since your ships arrived carrying so much food, they’ve been complaining about rotting crops.’’
Archer felt bad and suggested sothing. ’’Store it away, a famine is due to hit Thrylos any week now.’’
Malakia’s eyes widened in shock at his words, but she quickly nodded, a flicker of admiration crossing her face. ’’That would cost a lot of gold to build the warehouse and everything else,’’ she worriedly revealed.
He gave a casual wave of his hand, and with a soft clinking sound, several heavy bags of gold coins materialized on the table. ’’Take this to cover it,’’ he said confidently. ’’And make sure the farrs get a share. It should be more than enough.’’
The older woman stared at the bags, then back at him, a smile breaking through her initial surprise. ’’You never cease to amaze,’’ she murmured, shaking her head in wonder as she reached for the gold.
Archer let out a hearty chuckle, leaning back in his chair as he revealed the source of his wealth. ’’Thank the Novgorod Emperor,’’ he said, grinning. ’’It’s straight from the main bank in his capital.’’
Malakia’s eyes sparkled, and she giggled, shaking her head as she leaned closer, still perched on his lap. ’’You’re a silly man, Arch,’’ she teased, her voice warm. ’’No wonder they hate you so much.’’
The lioness’ laughter filled the balcony, mingling alongside the breeze, as she playfully nudged his shoulder as she concluded. ’’Thank you for everything, handso.’’
He chuckled as she put all the bags in her storage ring, stepping forward and giving him another passionate kiss. Afterward, she left the palace, prompting him to teleport to the Moonriver lands.
Archer appeared inside Colestah’s palace and scanned the entire building, looking for the Water Elf. Monts later, he found the woman and started heading in her direction, only to be stopped by a dozen guards.
They surrounded him as the commander appeared and demanded. ’’Who are you? You’re trespassing in the Queen’s palace.’’
’’Very good, at least you’re doing your job. Now, if you don’t mind, take to the queen and she’ll explain,’’ he replied to the older elf.
The Moonriver soldiers eyed Archer, their hands resting on the hilts of their blades as they ford a loose circle around him. The commander, a stern figure with a curt nod, led the way toward Colestah, the capital’s heart.
His steps echoed on the cobblestone path, his calm deanor unshaken by the guarded escort. After ten minutes, they reached the grand throne room, its towering doors carved with intricate aquatic motifs.
Inside, the gorgeous Water Elf, resplendent in flowing silken robes, held court among her nobles. Her voice, clear and authoritative, filled the hall as she addressed them with unwavering confidence.
Archer’s lips curled into a subtle smile, enchanted by how effortlessly he drew every eye in the room. The mont was broken when the commander rapped sharply on the floor, drawing all attention.
Spotting the commander, Colestah’s face lit up. ’’Why are you surrounded by guards?’’ she asked the Water Elf man with narrowed eyes.
’’Don’t mind them,’’ he replied, smiling. ’’They were doing their job and a good one at that.’’
When the surrounding soldiers heard this, they looked at him with a confused expression, causing him to laugh as she explained. ’’This is Emperor Archer Wyldheart, the ruler of our lands.’’
The gathered n and won blanched, but Archer dismissed them with a casual wave. ’’Back to work. I’ll make sure everything’s handled,’’ he said calmly, his voice carrying quiet authority.
’’Thank you, My Lord,’’ the commander replied, bowing slightly before hurrying off with the others.
Turning to Colestah and the nobles, he offered an easy smile. ’’Apologies for the abrupt entrance. I was just checking on Avidia.’’
The Moon Elf beauty waved him away. ’’It’s nothing, Arch, take a seat. We’re nearly done here.’’
After dismissing the guards, Archer settled heavily into an ornately carved chair, its cushions offering little comfort against the weight of the mont. Across the room, the Water Elf stood poised as she fielded a barrage of tedious questions from the nobles.
Their inquiries, laced with barely concealed unease, revolved around the governance of the kingdom and the implications of his presence. She addressed the assembly and made them relax.
’’Lord Archer is our overlord, as you know,’’ she said, her voice steady and clear, cutting through the murmurs. ’’But rest assured, the rhythms of Moonriver will remain unchanged. The laws, traditions, and daily life you cherish will continue as they always have, under his protection.’’
Her words, though reassuring, carried an unspoken promise of stability, soothing the nobles’ furrowed brows while affirming his authority. Archer leaned back in the chair, his sharp gaze drifting over the nobles as Colestah expertly navigated their concerns.
The room buzzed thanks to the low hum of voices, punctuated by the occasional clink of goblets and the rustle of silks. They began to relax under her assurances, their questions growing less pointed and more procedural.
She spoke using a blend of authority and warmth, detailing the continuity of trade routes, the preservation of local festivals, and the unchanged role of the council in managing daily affairs.
Archer’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest. He admired Colestah’s handling of the nobles, her ability to balance deference to his authority with the confidence of a leader in her own right.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he watched her, the blue-haired woman commanding the room that rivaled Malakia’s. As the discussion wound down, a silver-haired noble, Lord Varyn, rose to his feet, his voice asured but firm.
’’Lady Colestah, Lord Archer,’’ he said, inclining his head toward him. ’’We are grateful for your assurances. Moonriver’s prosperity depends on us working together to make sure the people thrive, and we trust in your rule to maintain it.’’
The others murmured their agreent, the tension in the air finally dissipating like mist under the morning sun. She nodded, her expression serene. ’’Thank you, Lord Varyn, and all of you, for your trust. Let us continue to work together for our real future.’’
With that, she clapped her hands lightly, signaling the end of the eting. The nobles rose, bowing respectfully to them before filing out of the hall, their footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floor.
As the heavy oak doors closed behind the last of them, the room fell into a comfortable silence. Colestah turned to Archer, her formal behaviour softening. She crossed the distance between them, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
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