Everything's Coming Together

The meeting (7 days until the wedding…)

Aurora frowned. 'If Grand Empress Kheaweth knew about the contract loophole, maybe she took Velox on purpose.'

"Okay, so assuming the Grand Empress thinks you're brainwashed and assuming you are actually in control of your body," Aurora said, then paused. "Why you?"

Aurora narrowed her eyes. "Why would the Grand Empress pick you?"

'Because I'm your son,' Ryan wanted to say but held himself back.

"Because I'm Ravier's best enhancer," Ryan said with pride. "That's what allowed me to win over all of these ladies," Ryan said, gesturing to everyone sitting on his side of the table.

"For my Master, of course," Ryan added to keep his story straight.

He had told Aurora that his Master was the one that saved him from the brainwashing and that he was the one who hated the Kheaweth Empire with a burning passion.

Aurora's lips tugged up in a slight smile. "You captured all these ladies?"

Ryan nodded.