Chapter 513 Elvenia
The night had grown deep and quiet.
Aurelia and Nathaniel lay entwined against the headboard, their bodies still humming from the most passionate encounter they'd shared in all their time together. This hadn't been mere physical intimacy—it had been desperate, consuming, as if they were trying to memorize each other through touch alone.
Aurelia wasn't naive. She understood with crystal clarity that his journey to Elvenia would be fraught with danger, perhaps more treacherous than even her worst imaginings could conjure. Fear coiled tight in her chest while he maintained his stubborn silence about the risks.
Her pale arms tightened around him like a lifeline. "Don't go. Please."
Nathaniel's fingers found her hair, threading through the silken strands with absent tenderness. "If I don't go, who will? Stay here and wait for me—I'll bring Burry home safe. Besides, your brother's flying out in a few days to join me. Nothing's going to happen, I promise."
Aurelia would have been a fool to feel reassured, but she was powerless to stop him.
The next morning, Nathaniel systematically arranged his affairs, delegating everything to Zack with instructions to seek Marcus's signature when necessary. His flight was scheduled for the following dawn, and he departed precisely on time.
Joe abandoned a mountain of corporate responsibilities to see him off at the airport. After Nathaniel's plane lifted into the gray morning sky, Joe drove Aurelia back to the office in contemplative silence.
She remained wordless throughout the journey while Joe studied her reflection in the rearview mirror with growing concern. "Aurelia, you don't need to torture yourself with worry. I've made arrangements—there will be people waiting to assist him. In three days, I'll fly out myself to help extract Burry. We'll all be back in time for Cathy's birthday celebration."
Aurelia drew a shaky breath. "Joe, grandmother's birthday party is only a week away. You'll have her home by then, won't you?"
Joe's voice carried the steady confidence of a man accustomed to keeping promises. "We will. Trust me."
Aurelia's heart remained suspended between two impossible fears—one for the father of her child, the other for her family. She couldn't bear to lose either of them. Still, knowing that Nathaniel and Joe would work together significantly improved their odds of success.
Throwing herself into preparations for her grandmother's birthday became Aurelia's salvation. The jewelry set she'd secretly commissioned had finally been completed—a masterpiece crafted from the flawless ice-grade agate Brenda had left behind.
For years, Aurelia had treasured the stone without daring to touch it, but now it had been transformed into exquisite earrings, a diamond-studded necklace, and an elegant ring. The agate's warm translucence would complement her grandmother's mature beauty perfectly, and knowing it carried her mother's memory made the gift even more precious.
Joe had already provided the guest list, and Aurelia had entrusted The Velvet Palate with the entire culinary operation—chefs, managers, servers, and procurement specialists would handle everything beyond her expertise.
That evening, her aunt summoned her for a final coordination meeting. The invitations had been dispatched, the backyard fireworks were ready, and Aurelia had personally designed the birthday cake, delivering detailed sketches to their pastry chef. The only remaining concern was Cathy's dress, which hadn't arrived yet—they needed to follow up immediately to allow time for alterations if necessary.
Aurelia worked until the early hours, grateful for the exhaustion that kept her mind from spiraling into dark possibilities. Only when she finally slipped beneath her covers did she notice Nathaniel's message: [Connected with Joe's contacts. Checked into the hotel.]
Calculating the time difference, she realized it was early morning where he was. After traveling all day, he should be resting. She typed back simply: [Good morning.]
Almost immediately, her phone buzzed with an incoming video call.
"Aurelia, why aren't you sleeping?" Nathaniel's face filled the screen, looking surprisingly alert and energetic rather than the exhausted traveler she'd expected.
She switched on her bedside lamp and propped herself against the pillows. "Why aren't you sleeping?"
His smile was rueful. "Jet lag. First day—my body hasn't adjusted yet. It's late there—what kept you up so long?"
"Planning grandmother's party with my aunt. So many details to coordinate, I lost track of time." She paused, then asked quietly, "Will you be there? For the party?"
"Of course. I've already chosen her gift—it's in the bottom drawer of my nightstand at home. If I don't make it back in time, promise me you'll get it and present it for me."
Aurelia's breath caught. "Joe says there's plenty of time. You'll be back to give your own gift."
Nathaniel's expression softened with affection. "Fine, I really can't count on you for anything, can I?"
"Stop deflecting. Tell me what's happening there."
His playful demeanor vanished. "I just arrived—haven't met with the private investigator yet. Your brother's police contact handled my reception. Word is, the authorities are planning to move within the week. My first priority is connecting with my Elvenia contacts to infiltrate the hospital where Burry's being held, establish communication with her so we can coordinate the extraction."
"Be careful."
His voice turned tender. "I will. Now sleep—do you know what time it is? You'll ruin that beautiful complexion."
Aurelia murmured agreement but couldn't bring herself to end the call.
"Lie down now," Nathaniel instructed gently. "Put the phone aside and let me watch you fall asleep."
She obeyed, nestling into her pillows. Despite expecting a sleepless night, she drifted off peacefully, comforted by his presence even across the vast distance.
On his end, Nathaniel waited until her breathing deepened before ending the call.
Daylight streamed through his hotel windows as he prepared to meet the private investigator at a downtown café. Chnnell was a Saleehish native who'd spent years in Elvenia working private cases. When Nathaniel arrived, the man was already seated with coffee, a small bouquet of daisies marking their table as arranged.
Nathaniel scanned the café before joining him, dispensing with pleasantries to focus on business.
"Do Alex and Burry have a permanent residence?"
Chnnell had been tracking the drug lord for days, mapping his patterns with professional precision. "No fixed address, but they rarely leave the city. I've documented several locations they frequent. Tomorrow should be Burry's medical appointment—she sees the doctor alone, no Semona Family escorts allowed inside. Could be our best opportunity."
"What's the timing?"
"Based on their routine, they typically arrive at the hospital around ten in the morning, finish by noon. After each appointment, Alex takes Burry to a safe house in the city center." Chnnell gestured toward the window. "That apartment complex directly across from us—Burry's bedroom window faces this direction."
Nathaniel followed his gaze as Chnnell handed him binoculars. "This location isn't coincidental—it's my primary surveillance post."
Through the lenses, Nathaniel could see into a meticulously clean apartment. The rooms appeared empty and somehow forlorn, but the clear sightlines would prove invaluable for their mission.
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