Darius stirred slowly as the morning light filtered through the grand windows of his chamber.
The cheerful chirping of birds outside brought a rare moment of peace, washing away the exhaustion from the previous night's chaos.
He stretched languidly, a relaxed smile spreading across his face. His mind, now clear and sharp, immediately began formulating plans for the day ahead.
Specifically, plans for dealing with that insufferable Cassius.
'The Holyfield estate will retaliate, of course.' He mused, his smile turning cruel. 'There will be negotiations. Conflicts. Political maneuvering.'
'But in the gaps between all that, I'll find my opportunity.'
He imagined it vividly: Cassius bound and helpless, forced to watch as Darius systematically destroyed everything he loved.
One by one, he would take those beautiful wives—the blonde maid, the lamia, the healer, all of them and bring them back to his estate.
