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She let her fingers skim over the railing, absorbing the peaceful drone of tranquility, success, and a dream realized. ‘It’s so beautiful; I can’t wait to explore it.’

His grip on her hips tightened as he nibbled on her lobe. ‘You’ll love it.’

Her attention drifted to a group gathered at the clubhouse’s far end: tall, confident figures, their laughter carrying over the space like a shared melody.

‘The Riders,’ Ki’Remi said, his voice laced with warmth. ‘Whom you’ve met already. Those you haven’t are their women. Come meet them,kidaya.’

He led her toward the Sablemen and their partners.

Kainan, the formidable bosskhan, and Selene, his elegant, quick-witted wife, also the Prime of Dunia, which Issa hid her surprise about.

Kage and Harlow, the enigmatic ship designer turned chef, and his firebrand with fierce eyes.

Zane and Illanna, the intense tactician warrior and the wildfire woman who, heated his ice core.

Xion and Katya were a beautiful duo who exuded effortless power and smoldering sensuality, deep in love.

Every one of them was stunning, potent, radiating confidence and strength, yet there was an ease among them, a bond forged through devotion and loyalty.

She fell in like with them all at once.

‘They’re family to me, as are you now,’ Ki’Remi murmured as he placed a crystal-rimmed cocktail in her hand.

He pulled her into an embrace, hands stroking over her spine in a sweet, claiming caress.

The night unfolded with laughter and shared stories between bites of delicious grilled and charred meats, fragrant rice, and platters of exotic fruits and spiced pastries.

At some point, Issa sprawled across Ki’Remi’s lap on a spacious, cushioned divan perched on the terrace, a luxurious space adorned with plush silk throws and warm, lantern-lit ambiance.

The atmosphere carried the soft buzz of Eden II’s nightlife.

From the distant thrum of sky lanes to the pulse of music from the terrace of The BirdKage lounge one building over.

Ki’Remi’s fingers idly traced the curve of her bare shoulder, a small, almost absentminded motion, yet undeniably possessive.

Issa, who’d spent a lifetime on battlefields or living in the shadow of her hunters, rarely allowing herself the company of friends, leaned into him sheltered, safe, loved, encircled by love.

Ki’REMI

Ki’Remi’s eyes tracked Issa as she disappeared into one of the rooftop alcoves with the other Sable women. Her golden curlsbouncing, her laughter a clear, melodic chime.

She was bonding with them like she’d always belonged.

His gaze lingered on her, his chest tightening with an undeniable, fierce love.

‘She’s good for you.’

Kainan’s voice pulled him from his trance.

The Sable leader stepped in beside him at the rooftop’s sleek bar, swirling a tumbler of dark whiskey, his aureate flame-tipped eyes assessing as he followed Ki’Remi’s line of sight.

Ki’Remi huffed, running a hand over his jaw. ‘She’s something else.’

Kainan smirked. ‘That’s an understatement.’

Ki’Remi sipped his rum as the pair drank in comfortable silence.

When Ki’Remi spoke, his tone was introspective, laced with unfolding wonder. ‘She makes me believe anything, andfokk, everything is possible. Now, I have faith in concepts greater than science.’