Page 67 of Chosen

I follow Magnus out of the room, and he leads me to his private elevator.

“You seemed very comfortable holding my son,” he says.

“Well, I need the practice for my own.”

“I think you’ll do just fine. Anyway, I was going to wait until we got to my office, but I don’t want to leave you in suspense. After a thorough investigation into the incident. Your file has been updated, and the flag has been removed.”

“Really? Oh my gosh! How?”

“It turns out that Fredresk has been running an illegal underground business and hasn’t been paying his share of credits to the sector’s upkeep fund. He was using his companions to secure these unsavory deals. It should have been investigated when he was going through so many companions. But he’s been stripped of his lands, and all his credit accounts have been frozen. He’s currently in prison awaiting a trial. No more companions will suffer at his hand anymore. You’ve been exonerated.

Tears of joy sprung to my eyes. I was happy that my file was updated but happier still knowing that no other companion will experience what I did under him. But better yet, this meant I was closer to being reunited to Draken.

And then it occurred to me that Fredresk wasn’t the only one out there who treated their companions roughly.

“And what about all the people who used to attend his parties. Or people who people abuse their companions?”

“I’m working to change the law, so it doesn’t happen again.”

The first time I came to the manor, I didn’t trust Magnus, but now I do, and I trust he will fix things.

When we finally reach his office, he says, “You can go in without me.”

“What? Why?”

He smiles. “You’ll see.” He presses his hand on the heat sensory pad, and the door opens. “Go ahead.”

I shoot him a curious look before going in. I freeze when I see my heart standing in the middle of the office.

“I’ve come to take you home,” Draken declares. He holds his arms out to me, and I run to him, and he spins me around before crushing my lips beneath his.

I’ve missed him so much. For the first time in a long time, I feel whole.

I pull away from him. “You didn’t tell me you were coming!” I playfully pop him on the chest.

I stare into his pale blue eyes. I’m so happy to see his handsome face again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“And I missed you too. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long, but I’ve spent day and night trying to fix the mess Braeden made. I was able to flush out all the staff who worked with him. Some of them have been sent to the labor camps, others are in holding cells and some have been executed. Their punishments were given based on the severity of their crimes. Unfortunately, Willa was one of those who has been set to be executed. She was responsible for poisoning my food and yours.”

It was disappointing to learn that one of the people I thought was nice at the fortress was a big fat traitor.

“Well, at least Ayla will be there when I return. She was new but she protected me.”

Draken’s gaze darts away.

“What? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Ayla has gone missing.”