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."

it-rage and jealousy controlled her every move. She was slipping into the dark side, and that path only leads to destruction.

the same mistakes. Keep clear of that filth, and your

chair and stood. "Tell me, Samuel-have you met the

the sound echoing off the walls as he walked toward the

met him too, Kane. And your daughter-her eyes are sharper than yours. The king will never put you back

sharp eyes?" Jericho muttered, his mind already turning. He was a calculating man-one

night, he summoned

you think if I took

Bella didn't even pause.

as hard as Kelly, earn twice the

put you back." She popped a snack into her mouth, chewing like it

And a smart man doesn't waste an opportunity like this. You've been lying

"Why is the king

loved these talks with Bella. His daughter wasn't just clever-she was

anyone else he

too emotional,"

choices. She never should've gone after Sophia Lancaster. The king clearly favors Sophia, yet Kelly dared to strike at

glinted. "If Kelly falls, what happens to

Alfred Kingston will believe that if you die, he

hardened. "And in your

he's poking a tiger. If Alfred dares lay

two months-I'll take

arched a brow. "And how exactly will you

hand like

him in power. The king placed him there. Half the city hates him as governor. They've already built their underground,

if he comes at us first, that

his head, then smiled. He stepped to

men like open books at ten

not smart," Bella said coldly. "Everyone else is

chuckled. "True enough. The world's full of

"But Alex is different. He's

always calculating

studied her. "You're

lied to

too soft too sentimental to be a real man. Maybe that's his weakness... or maybe that's his charm. A gentleman."

said,

I take

Everything. But he hesitated, then leaned close don' trust your

tilted her head. "Why? You think she'll steal

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

life to strengthen himself.

family. He'd always feared his wife would take from

"You know?" Jericho whispered.

years from me white I slept. I've counted-ten years, gone. I learned the art in secret, Father. I know

face twisted

locked her gaze with his.

can. I'll teach you how to take years. Take mine. Live

his eyes burned with tears as