Jordan walked toward his newly bestowed ho after passing the trial.
The streets of Aiz’s central district shimred beneath his boots, condensed starlight that felt solid yet faintly gave with each step, like walking across the surface of a frozen nebula.
Towering spires of translucent crystal rose on either side, their surfaces alive with captured constellations that slowly rotated in silent majesty.
The air carried the clean, cool scent of ionized ozone and distant cosmic blooms, a fragrance both invigorating and strangely lonely.
He pushed open the door to his assigned residence, a modest but elegant structure of dark obsidian and silver-veined crystal, perched on a floating platform overlooking the lower districts.
The interior was minimalist: smooth black floors, low furniture of polished teorite stone, and walls that offered panoramic views of the swirling violet void beyond.
Nick was already waiting inside.
The governor stood near the panoramic window, arms crossed, reptilian eyes fixed on the door.
His presence filled the space like a storm held in check, scales glinting faintly under the soft interior glow, aura coiled and ready.
"It’s quite rude to be in soone’s house without being invited, don’t you think?" Jordan asked.
He threw himself casually onto the wide couch, sprawling with deliberate nonchalance.
One leg draped over the armrest, head tilted back against the cushion as he regarded Nick with lazy amusent.
Nick said nothing.
He simply stared, unblinking, the slit pupils narrowing ever so slightly.
"While you’re at it," Jordan continued, "you can whip up a nice tea for both of us. Maybe so snacks to go with it."
"What?" Nick’s composure cracked.
Flabbergasted disbelief flashed across his face, quickly buried beneath cold fury.
"What’s the matter?" Jordan asked, smile widening.
"You could enter without being invited. Don’t expect to treat you like a guest."
Jordan had already seen through Nick’s plan the mont he stepped inside.
The governor had chosen this exact mont, this exact location, to establish dominance, to make Jordan feel constantly watched, to strip away any illusion of privacy or safe haven.
A petty power play wrapped in the guise of oversight.
"You really are arrogant," Nick said coldly.
He rose to his full height, robes rustling with restrained violence.
"The only person I’ve seen more arrogant than you is my brother. You two are just annoying pieces of shit."
"Leaving so soon?" Jordan asked, smile never wavering.
"We could have a little chat while you’re here."
"I’m afraid I have to leave," Nick replied. "Unlike you, I have tasks waiting for . I’m a very busy man, after all."
"Yeah, sure," Jordan said easily. "You can visit anyti. The door will always be open for you."
"Annoying piece of crap," Nick muttered under his breath as he strode toward the exit.
"We will be having a special military assessnt soon," he added, pausing at the threshold. "Join if you will."
"Oh, can I make a request?" Jordan asked.
He rose smoothly from the couch and followed Nick outside, stepping onto the floating platform where the cosmic wind stirred faintly against their clothes.
"What’s that?" Nick asked. A deep frown creased his brow.
"I wish to join the escort team escorting the forr governor to the sovereign council," Jordan said.
Nick’s frown deepened.
Irritation flashed in his reptilian eyes, the sheer audacity grating against every instinct he had.
"You are not trustworthy enough to partake in such sensitive operations," he refused flatly.
"Earn your keep, and then you might be allowed to."
"Oh, co on," Jordan pressed.
"But I was trustworthy enough to save the sovereigns’ face and ward off enemies with my life on the line? Besides, don’t be too strict. We both know the escorts are mostly for formalities."
"Maybe they are," Nick conceded through gritted teeth.
"But why should I even consider agreeing to your terms?"
"Because," Jordan said, smile turning sharp, "you can get off your back for a day. And secondly, I might just give you the chance you need to kill . And lastly... I have so friends there. People of standing that I can invite to your military assessnt to increase its prestige."
He tilted his head slightly. "That’s the reason Lilith is here, no?"
"You bastard!" Nick snarled.
"Don’t you dare call her Lilith. Refer to her with respect."
His aura flared briefly, a ripple of demonic pressure that made the platform’s starlight floor tremble.
"And there’s no point in getting you off my back like that. You can’t disturb . People of standing? Co up with sothing better, please."
"We both know I’m not scared of you," Jordan said calmly, "nor do I give a damn about protocols. I can disturb you whenever I want. As for not trusting n with standings that I have... let’s make a bet."
Nick’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.
"What bet?"
"If I can provide at least one person with a great na," Jordan said, "then you give a position second only to yours."
"And if you don’t?" Nick asked. His gaze bored into Jordan, predatory and calculating.
"Do whatever you want with ," Jordan replied without hesitation.
"You can finally get the chance to kill ... or make your slave."
Nick listened in silence.
The offer hung between them like a drawn blade.
Jordan’s confidence was infuriating, arrogant, reckless, almost insulting in its certainty.
Every instinct scread at Nick to crush him now, to reject the gamble outright. Rational thought urged refusal.
But the temptation was too strong.
The thought of finally having Jordan at his rcy, of breaking that infuriating arrogance, of proving once and for all who truly held power, outweighed caution.
"Very well," Nick said at last. A slow, cold smile spread across his face.
"Prepare. They should be leaving soon. I will add you to the team. Enjoy yourself before returning and being my slave."
"Alright," Jordan replied. His smile widened.
"Then I should tag along and join them now."
Nick stared at him speechlessly.
"You want to take you there?" he asked, incredulity cracking his composure.
If he could, he would take the words back.
The man before him was arrogant beyond asure, worse than his brother, worse than anyone he had ever t.
"Of course," Jordan said lightly. "Don’t tell that’s too much work for you. How lazy can you be?"
Nick stared at Jordan, the urge to slam his fist into that smiling face nearly overwhelming.
He forced it down, jaw clenched so tightly the muscles stood out beneath his scales.
"You won’t prepare?" he asked through gritted teeth.
"Prepare?" Jordan echoed, deliberately provocative. "
That’s for weak people."
Nick exhaled sharply, a sound halfway between a hiss and a growl.
"Very well," he said, voice tight with barely restrained fury. "Co with ."
He turned on his heel and strode toward the teleportation platform, desperate to rid himself of Jordan’s presence as quickly as possible, even if it ant escorting the infuriating bastard personally.
Jordan followed, smile still perfectly in place, the hook firmly set and the line already tightening.
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