First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess

Viola tilted her head, a slow grin creeping across her face as she leaned against the wall, arms folded under her chest. ”So that’s your grand plan, huh? Fudging my stats just to push me into Ethan’s lap?”

Xavier ended the call with a simple, ”Do it,” before his gaze slid back to her. ”You heard that?”

”Hard not to when you’re saying my name in front of me,” Viola said, pushing off the wall and sauntering closer. ”Manipulating the records, twisting the system... all so poor little me can get a fat paycheck from a spoiled rich brat. You really know how to flatter a girl.”

”It’s not flattery. It’s leverage. If Ethan thinks you’re one of the best, he’ll hire you without question. Once you’re close, we get a direct line into whatever game he’s playing. I will also get my money back, and then Ethan would truly lose everything.”

Viola chuckled, stepping right up to him, close enough that he could smell the faint sweetness of her perfume mixed with sweat. ”So I’m just a pawn, huh?” Her grin widened as she jabbed his chest with a finger. ”A pretty pawn, sure. But a pawn nonetheless.”

”You’re more useful than most,” Xavier said, deadpan, tossing the towel aside.

Her laugh rang out loud and bright, genuine amusement glinting in her eyes. ”Gods, you’re cold. Most men bend over backwards just to impress me, but you? You’re out here rewriting my whole résumé behind my back like it’s nothing.” She leaned in, her voice dropping to a teasing whisper. ”Almost makes me want to thank you... in my own way.”

Xavier’s lips curved into the faintest smirk. ”Save the theatrics. Just be ready when Ethan comes calling.”

Viola pouted dramatically, then spun away, stretching her arms over her head. ”Fine, fine. But admit it, Xavier. You enjoy pulling strings like this. You like shaping the board, moving the pieces. Makes you feel like a god, doesn’t it?”

He didn’t answer. He just adjusted his jacket, eyes distant, already thinking five steps ahead.

Viola’s grin faded as she reset her stance, circling Xavier. Her tone softened, the teasing edge gone. ”You really trust me with this kind of role?” she asked, throwing a jab that Xavier parried. Her eyes lingered on him, sharp, searching. ”Why didn’t you just kill me when you found out who I really was? You knew I was hired to take you out.”

Xavier caught her wrist, twisted it lightly, and let go, his face unreadable. ”Why didn’t you fulfill your mission then? Why leave me alive?”

For a moment, the room grew still except for the sound of their breathing. Viola’s lips parted, but instead of answering, she spun into a kick, which Xavier blocked at the shin. ”You ask too many questions,” she muttered, dodging it neatly, but her eyes didn’t meet his.

”When did you find out?” she pressed, slipping back into guard, fists up. ”And what gave it away?”

Xavier moved with fluid precision, his voice calm as if discussing the weather. ”When I visited your showroom. You were too flirty. Too forward. It didn’t add up.”

Viola blinked, lowering her guard for a second. ”That’s it? That’s your great deduction?” She let out a laugh, shaking her head. ”Handsome boys get flirted with all the time, Xavier. And you—” she tapped her finger against his chest ”—you don’t just top the chart. You blow it apart. Even in space, I don’t see men who look like you often.”

”Maybe,” Xavier said coolly, sidestepping her sudden strike, ”but girls don’t throw themselves at a stranger who’s flanked by two others. Not when they’re supposed to be acting professionally on a job.”

Viola froze mid-punch, then let her fist drop. Her lips curled into something between amusement and disbelief. ”That’s your logic? Doesn’t make sense.”

”Made enough sense,” Xavier replied, locking eyes with her.

For a moment, silence lingered heavy between them. Viola chuckled low, shaking it off, and raised her fists again. ”You’re something else, Xavier. Fine, let’s keep going.”

The sound of their strikes and footwork filled the apartment once more, the sound of fists smacking against forearms, bodies slamming into mats, and heavy breaths bouncing off the walls.

Viola had Xavier pinned against the wall for half a second, her chest pressing against him, sweat rolling down her neck, but Xavier twisted out effortlessly, hooking her wrist, flipping her onto the mat with a sharp thud. She groaned, half in pain, half in something else.

”Again,” Xavier said flatly, offering her a hand only to yank her forward into another hold when she took it. Their bodies collided hard, muscles straining, her leg sliding between his as she tried to regain footing. The friction was sharp, steamy, every motion uncomfortably close.

”Damn you,” Viola hissed, twisting her hips, but Xavier’s grip held like iron. He wasn’t just countering—he was reading her, breaking every rhythm she tried to create. She tried to shove him back, only for his forearm to press across her stomach, his chest brushing her back, their breaths tangled. For a second, the line between sparring and something else blurred completely.

Minutes turned into what felt like hours. Viola’s hair clung to her cheeks, her tank top sticking to her body, curves straining with every labored breath. She stumbled back, hands on her knees, gasping, her chest rising and falling in sharp bursts.

Viola’s eyes narrowed. ”What the hell are you made of?” she panted, collapsing onto the mat, wiping sweat from her lips. ”I’m a damn space mercenary. I have gone days without rest. My stamina, my endurance, it’s leagues beyond normal. And yet...” She looked up at him with disbelief. ”Why the hell aren’t you tired at all?”

Xavier frowned, not smug, but genuinely puzzled. ”I don’t know.” His brows furrowed. The thought lingered. Why wasn’t he tired? Even with his enhancements, even with his grit, he should’ve been at least winded.

’What’s going on? Why am I not tired at all? Could it be that...’

Viola flopped back on the mat, chest still heaving. ”Tch... whatever.” She pushed herself up, stretching her arms above her head, the lines of her body taut and glistening. She looked at him through half-lidded eyes, a sly smirk returning. ”I’m taking a shower before I drown in my own sweat.” She walked a few steps, then turned her head over her shoulder, her voice low, teasing. ”Wanna join me?”

Xavier didn’t flinch. He grabbed his towel, his voice clipped. ”Stop with that. If you’re doing it to tease me, it’s not working.”

Viola chuckled under her breath, shaking her head as she disappeared into the bathroom. ”We’ll see.”