Page 92 of Taming Chaos

Warm. Satisfied. Safe. How good it felt to lay in his arms, knowing that nothing in the Universe could touch her.

As Seph drifted away on a blissful tide, it occurred to her that Torin had just given her the best ever cure for her insomnia.

Sweet, impossible man.

And when it finally stole her away, her sleep was as deep and serene and dreamless as the endless Universe itself.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Soft voices woke her from sleep, and for a moment, she lay with her eyes closed, feeling the deep rumble within Torin’s chest as he spoke.

The one who replied was male, and he spoke perfect Kordolian.

Wait… what? Seph’s eyes flew open. She saw a silhouette in the doorway; a man who looked similar to Torin, only more intimidating, if such a thing were even possible.

The man’s face was cast in shadow, and as Seph sat up in alarm, clutching the sheet against her chest, he nodded sharply and disappeared.

“Who the hell was that?” she gasped, as Torin chuckled.

“Bastard snuck up on me. Only he could do that and get away with it.” He propped himself up on one elbow, the sheet falling away to reveal his smooth, broad chest.

Seph’s gaze roamed for a bit before returning to his face. “But who is he?”

“The boss.” Torin shrugged. “It is always good to surprise him. Even omnipotent beings can be kept on their toes. He wasn’t expecting you.” He smirked, looking awfully proud of himself as his dimples emerged. “Come, let’s get dressed and prepare. Our transport is waiting.”

“Wait, that’s…” Thoughts whirled in Seph’s mind as she recalled everything she knew about the Kordolians on Earth. “General Akkadian himself?”

The notorious traitor who had broken the Kordolian Empire and stolen half the military from under Empress Vionn’s nose was here?

“He really isn’t as bad as his reputation might suggest. Well, he is, but only to his enemies. I’m not surprised he came personally.” Torin’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “I think he was actually worried.”

“Huh.” Suddenly feeling a little nervous, Seph got up and started searching for her clothes. “I hope you aren’t in any trouble.”

“I am in plenty of trouble, my dear Persephone, but that isn’t unusual. Don’t you worry about a thing. I’ll deal with the Big Bad General, and once we’re onboard Silence, you will be treated like a queen.” He winked. “Remember, you’re with us now, my love.”

And for the first time in her life, Seph felt free, because she didn’t have to tone down any of the things that made her who she was. Her hair, her curves, her outspokenness, her habit of asking a million and one questions…

The things that intimidated others didn’t bother Torin. He embraced everything about her. He made her feel like herself, not some impostor who constantly needed to prove her worth.

And in return, she embraced him, darkness and all.

Chapter Thirty

They found General Akkadian sitting in on a low stool in the dining compartment, surveying the small outpost as if it were his kingdom.

Parrus scurried toward him on silent bare feet, a mug of steaming bitter tea in his hand. “Y-your tea, Master.” He bowed.

He actually bowed. Parrus might have the deferent act down to a T, but even though he’d been shit scared of Torin when they’d first met, he’d never bowed before him.

“Thank you, Parrus.” Akkadian nodded in acknowledgment, his lips curving slightly—although whether that was a smile or a frown, Seph couldn’t quite tell. His nod was also a dismissal, and Parrus disappeared in a flash, his eyes wide with fear and reverence and… excitement?

Seph took a moment to study the infamous General, wondering what kind of man could possibly be qualified—and badass—enough to be Torin’s boss.

Akkadian possessed the same silver skin and pale hair and unusually colored eyes as Torin, but that was where the similarities ended. His hair was a shade darker—more platinum than white, with sprinklings of grey at the temples—and unlike Torin’s messy, oh-so touchable mop, the General wore his in a severe high-and-tight military cut. His eyes were a shade darker too, more of a deep wine color as opposed to Torin’s bright crimson.

And then there was his face; hard, enigmatic, probably capable of striking great fear into a soul in the right circumstances.

Torin had a wildness about him that was barely suppressed beneath his polite, articulate exterior. The General, on the other hand… he was intimidating, controlled, and completely unreadable. Scary. Authority radiated from him like heat off the sun, and Seph had to resist the weird urge to greet him with a Federation salute.

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