The Almighty Dominance

Last week, Samuel Prescott sat across from Jericho Kane in a private study thick with the scent of oak and old leather.

The table between them gleamed with crystal glasses and an unopened bottle of wine.

"Samuel," Jericho said. "I don't understand you. You want me back in the governor's seat? You don't have the power to make that happen."

Jericho uncorked his finest bottle, pouring deep red into Samuel's glass.

"I don't," Samuel admitted, accepting the pour. "But the king does. He could put you back."

Jericho laughed, sharp and bitter. "You know where I stand. I am always on the old king's side. Thee new king? He despises me. He gave Kelly Kingston the governorship just to keep me out."

"The king sees more than you think, Kane." Samuel swirled the wine, took a sip, and let his eyes widen. "Remarkable vintage."

Jericho smirked faintly.

"He's been watching you," Samuel continued. "You've done nothing. You've stayed in the shadows. To him, that means you're teachable-maybe even useful again."

Jericho's smile wavered. He sipped his wine, the weight of it heavy on his tongue, and let out a tired sigh.

"When a man has only a few years left, Samuel, he stops looking for wars. He searches for peace."

Samuel's eyes narrowed. "So it's catching up to you. How long? Ten years?"

Jericho shook his head, slow and grim.

"You know the old king. His greed had no limits. My father-in-law drained forty years of my life's core to strengthen himself. I feel it slipping from me every day. At best, I've got a year-maybe two."

He set the glass down with care, voice dropping to a whisper. "For now, all I want is peace."

"Is that truly what you want?" Samuel asked, his voice calm but cutting.

Jericho turned his gaze to the blue sky beyond the window.

"When I was young, giving up my life span for power and authority felt like a fair trade. But now? No. Time is not something you sell. It's priceless."

"I'd give anything to see my daughter marry, to hold a grandchild. But that's impossible now. All I can hope for is a brighter future for Bella."

Samuel studied him carefully. "Then will you take the king's offer?"

Jericho leaned back, his face unreadable. "First-if it means Bella has a chance

to be governor, then yes. But second-what happens to Kelly Kingston? She's the governor now."

"She'll be stripped," Samuel said flatly. "Stripped of her position and her place in the Kingswell."

Jericho chuckled, a low, weary sound. "Fallen from the king's grace. That's no small punishment."

He tilted his glass again, smiling thinly. "Fine. No problem. But tell me, Samuel- what was her mistake? What line did she cross? I want to know, so I and Bella never step on the same land mine."

Samuel pushed back his chair and stood. "Every eye in Vermont reports to you, Kane. Tell me did you see anything different about Kelly in her last term?"

Jericho's face hardened. "She became obsessed with killing Sophia Lancaster. And worse-she started helping Charles Kingston plot against Alex."

the dark side, and that path

don't make the same mistakes. Keep clear of that filth, and

back his chair and stood. "Tell me, Samuel-have you met the king? Is

and loud, the sound echoing off the walls as he walked toward

Kane. And your daughter-her eyes are sharper than yours. The king will never put you back in the governor's seat

Jericho muttered, his mind already turning. He was

night,

Jericho said, studying her face, "what would you think if I took the

Bella didn't even pause.

as hard as Kelly, earn twice

mouth, chewing like it was the simplest truth in the world. Jericho leaned forward. "And how do you know the king will choose

waste an opportunity like this. You've been lying low, showing no hunger for power. That makes you look safe,

"Why is the king losing

His daughter wasn't just clever-she

anyone

emotional,"

clearly favors Sophia,

"If Kelly falls, what happens

leaned forward. "They'll mark you as their enemy. Alfred Kingston will believe that if you die, he can shove Kelly back into power. He won't stop

hardened. "And

comes after you, he's poking a tiger. If Alfred dares lay a hand on

two months-I'll take Los Angeles for

a brow. "And how exactly will

waved her hand like

put him in power. The king placed him there. Half the city hates him as governor. They've already

money, Los Angeles will bleed from Alfred's grip. And if he comes at us first, that gives us the excuse to crack his skull and throw him

his head, then smiled. He stepped to Bella, pulling her into

reading men like open books at ten years old. With an IQ of two-fifty, this world is too dull for

coldly. "Everyone else

"True enough. The world's full of

"But

are always calculating

studied her. "You're

to you?" she shot back, eyes

kind. Alex is the first-he's different. Smart, yes. But too soft too sentimental to be a real man. Maybe that's his weakness... or maybe that's his charm. A

Jericho said,

I

everything Everything. But he

"Why? You think she'll steal my life energy

father-in-law had mastered the forbidden art-stealing years

life to strengthen himself.

the ritual worked on family. He'd always feared his

"You know?" Jericho whispered.

"Mother has already taken years from me white I slept. I've counted-ten years, gone. I learned the art in secret, Father. I know when she drams me

twisted

gaze with his. “Grandfather

art. But I can. I'll teach you how

into rough, guttural laughter, though his eyes burned with tears as he crushed her against