#It was an honor keeping this secret from the fandom with you Hana

[hkthatgffan]

Okay, it's time for me to reveal them!!

These right here are the 4 images Alex Hirsch sent to me and @fordtato back in 2023...months before The Book of Bill was formally announced!!

Head Statues!

Beta Cover!

Glitching in a tree!

Pines Family chess

we've held on to these for nearly 1 year now! Alex shared them between August and October 2023.

It was fun to be one of the only people in the world who probably had seen these that wasn't directly working on the book.

But my time with them is up. They are now yours.

What is the context of each image? We'll now know together!

The Book of Bill is now OFFICIALLY out!

[angelasscribbles]

Victim of Love Chapter 13: Torn

Series: Victim of Love

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Liam x Riley

Word Count: 1,243

Rating: MA

Warnings for this chapter: Language, drinking

Song Inspiration for series: Victim of Love by The Eagles

Victim of love We're not so far apart

My other stuff: Master List.

Riley paced nervously back and forth across the marble flooring of the great room at Balymore. She had returned to her Valtorian estate two weeks ago. The request for a meeting with the king had arrived at her door the next morning. It had taken her a week to respond. Not because she didn’t want to see him. But precisely because she did.

She had no idea what he wanted, what he was going to say. She had been gone for four months. Four months of complete radio silence.

She had told him to focus on Hana and the baby and she had meant it. Liam was nothing if not conscientious. Bound by duty and honor, of course he would do exactly what needed to be done, regardless of the personal cost to himself. Or to her for that matter.

It was something she both loved and hated about him. She wanted someone who would fight for her. She understood why he couldn’t. That didn’t make it any easier. Although, perhaps all the things he had done to keep her in his life was him fighting for her in the only way he could.

Four months with Drake had engendered feelings for him in her heart but had done nothing to diminish the ones she already had for Liam.

Her majordomo opened the door, “The king is here, Your Grace.”

Several guards preceded him into the room and did a sweep of the area.

Her heart stopped when she saw him. He was stiff, it was slight, no one but her would notice, but it betrayed his nervousness.

“Nice to have you back in Cordonia, Your Grace,” Liam greeted her formally, “I trust you had an enjoyable trip.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I did.”

The moment the guards and servants were out of the room, he closed the distance between them, “I’ve missed you so much!”

She let herself be swept into his arms, she didn’t resist his kiss, in fact, she returned it. She melted into his embrace, she inhaled the musky scent of him- familiar, intoxicating, heady, comforting…and laced with memories of pain.

She pushed out of his embrace and moved away from him.

“Riley, please! I want to fix things between us. I’m sorry for….everything-“

“It’s fine, Liam. We don’t need to rehash our entire relationship again. I was there. I know what happened and I understand why.”

“You understand why, but things are still strained between us…”

They stood in an awkward silence for several moments before Liam asked, almost in a whisper, “How was Texas?”

She turned her head away as she answered, “Fine.”

There was an edge in his voice as he followed up, “And Drake?”

Her eyes darted to him then away quickly, “Drake is good.”

“I’m surprised he hasn’t proposed already.”

“He has.”

Riley stood at the bank of the Nueces River, her deep auburn curls cascading out from under the cowboy hat and down her back. “Why are we here again?”

“Because you love to watch the sunset over the river.” There was a quality in his voice that pulled her attention from the orange and red hues painting the sky over the West Texas landscape. She turned slowly toward him to find him fumbling with what looked suspiciously like a ring.

She sucked in a breath of shock, “Drake!”

“Riley….these last few months have been the best days of my life and that’s because of you. I don’t think it’s any secret that my heart doesn’t belong to me anymore….it belongs to you….” He dropped down to one knee as he held the ring out and up to her. His hands were trembling so hard that he lost his grip on it and dropped it in the dirt.

“Shit!” His hands scrabbled through the mud as he tried to quell his shaking hands and steady his breathing. His fingers closed around the cool metal of the band. He wiped the dirt away with the bottom of his shirt, but before he could offer it to her again, she was on her knees with him.

Riley lowered herself to the ground in front of him, her hand instinctively going to his face, “When we met, I was broken, shattered into a million pieces... You put me back together again, you made me whole.... through sheer strength of will I believe…and I…I love you too, but-“

“But?”

“But I think there are a lot of things I need to figure out in my life before I’m ready to take such a step.”

Bitterness coated the king’s words, “So, you’re engaged now? You’re going to marry him?”

“I haven’t given him an answer. He wants to stay in Texas, but I’m not ready to leave Valtoria. I love it here; I feel an obligation to the people of my duchy. They need me and it turns out, I’m good at governing.”

“In none of that did you say that you don’t love him.”

Her head jerked sharply upward, “That’s because I do.”

Liam’s shoulders dropped forward in defeat as anguish swirled through him.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Riley, I-“

“Now you know what it’s felt like for me, watching you with Hana all this time.”

His voice rose as he pulled himself up to his full height, “I don’t love her!”

Riley arched an eyebrow at him.

He deflated again, “Okay, I do love her, in a way, but it’s not like what I feel for you! It’s not the same!”

She relented a little, “I do know that. But I’m not sure where that leaves us.”

“Are you…considering leaving Valtoria? Cordonia?” The unspoken question hung in the air….me?

She brushed a strand of errant hair out of her face with a sigh, “I love you, Liam. I will always love you, but I love him too and he's offering me everything that you promised then took away. He can give me a whole relationship, not just part of one.”

“Riley, I know what we have isn’t what we wanted, but it is real!”

The anguish in his voice was breaking her.

There was a knock on the door and the majordomo opened it, “Sorry for the interruption but you have another visitor.”

“I…what? Who?”

The visitor stepped into the room and her heart jumped into her throat, “Drake! What are you doing here?”

“Not letting you walk out of my life, that’s what! I’ve been thinking about everything you said, and I have some ideas…” He trailed off as he noticed they weren’t alone, “Liam! Sorry, I…”

“There’s nothing to be sorry for. Congratulations on your impending engagement I guess,” Liam thrust his hand out, “Just…take care of her, all right?”

“Of course!” Drake’s brows furrowed as he took in Liam’s stoic expression. His gaze darted to Riley, standing stiffly, eyes averted, “Um…what’s going on? Why do you both look like this is a funeral?”

“I’m happy for you, Drake. You deserve happiness and so does she. But surely you can understand my…disappointment in losing my relationship with her. My marriage is political, my hand was forced. None of how things worked out was my choice. I love her! Not being able to marry her and make her my queen is the worst and most devastating sacrifice the crown has ever asked of me.”

Drake looked back and forth between his best friend and the woman he loved in perplexity. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”

[fectless]

(This is technically in response to the post right below this one, as world building totally counts for it, right?)

Anywho, more fandom thoughts, but for BLEACH this time. I recently started rewatching the anime again for the nth time as part of my language practice (and having the Japanese subtitles on while watching it in Japanese is an experience) and reached that episode where Aizen and co. get rescued by Menos Grande after declaring their intentions to Soul Society. And then a few things hit me.

The first: Rukia says, the first time Ichigo sees her sending someone on via Soul Burial, that one neither feels hunger nor gets sick in Soul Society. We know that this is false for a few reasons.

Those who can become shinigami definitely need to eat and all souls need water which implies that they can suffer from thirst (and perhaps heat exhaustion).

Captain Ukitake is suffering from an unknown disease that makes him literally cough out his lungs. I’ve read something about it being a defect in the make up of his soul that is only not killing him because of the pact with the Soul King’s arm, but I cannot recall if this was canon or fanon (as the Blood War arc was just like that). If so, does this mean that sickness does occur in Soul Society, but so rarely as to not be mentioned? Or does it occur more in the outer districts? Why does it occur?

Hisana died from a sickness as well. Yes, it’s stated to be exhaustion, but I feel like that doesn’t make sense? Like, the flashback in the anime has her abandoning Rukia after she collapses while carrying her around. And she collapses later when she regrets this and goes to look for her sister. And then she dies.

Seriously, why does it occur? It’s weird. And it cannot be an Aizen thing as I’m pretty sure Aizen is younger than Ukitake. Is it because of what happened to the soul king? Does it have something to do with when people get sent on (like if they were close to being a hollow)? Is it because they died while sick? Is it because of their resolve?

...Do we never see sick souls in Soul Society other than them because they usually just. Die pretty soon after arriving?

And if spiritual power leaking is what causes spiritual pressure, and the “vents” can be closed... do people in the districts sometimes close them by mistake and then blow up? Is spontaneous combustion a thing in the afterlife?

The second: I’m pretty sure “Ichirin no Hana” is a love song that Byakuya is singing to Hisana’s memory.

Someone has probably stated this before, but the lyrics of the song literally say how some one, a “single flower,” is precious and can’t be replaced. How that flower bloomed despite being stuck somewhere dark and how they looked lovely but like they were about to wither away. And that the singer would accept all of their pain if only that person would smile and stay with them...

The title of the song also matches the title of the chapter in which Byakuya reveals to Rukia the secrets he’d been keeping from her about Hisana. He uses the same words, “ichirin no hana” to describe the season in which she died

Literally his whole dilema during this arc, the entire way he interacted with Rukia up to this point, was that he was conflicted between his sense of duty (to his parents, his wife and keeping his word) and his feelings for his beloved Hisana. Rukia’s physical resemblance to her sister is almost uncanny and the lie she is told when she asks why she was adopted was, “You look like Byakuya’s late wife.” How much must he have hated that? A person whom he had sworn to protect that, had she arrived two years earlier might have saved his wife’s (after)life? A person that looks just like his beloved, who reminds him of her every time he sees her (for those first 50 years), but is not and never will be Hisana. And then. To know that she’s going to be executed for crimes, that she felt she could not rely upon him enough to even let him know she’d encountered trouble in the human world when he’s been doing his best to ensure she’s safe (because that is one of the few reasonable explanations for why Rukia hadn’t been promoted yet, and then was promoted during the 3 year gap)? To see her stripped of her rank, her strength even (with that collar and the stone of the prison tower). To see a small form who so resembles his beloved all listless and soon to die, wearing a white yukata like his wife had in her last days...

Watching it again made me feel things, okay? Like yeah, it seems like it’s a stupid dilema from some perspectives. Especially considering Central 46 had a run in with Aizen by then, but. Byakuya was raised in the Seireitei. He was raised knowing that his life was the Seireitei’s tool. That his duty, his reason for existing was for the sake of his family’s honor, so he must be composed, must act as the family and Soul Society bid him. That’s some mighty powerful brainwashing/indoctrination right there. And he broke it once already to marry some nobody from the slums. He did something not only against the norms, but something selfish. Maybe if she’d had high spiritual power this would have been accepted, but she was sickly and likely did not. He went against the clan elders who had probably instilled obedience in him since birth and was afraid of doing it again.

(And if you count the filler arcs, you can bet that they held that one Kuchiki who went traitor against him too. Like: “he married that Hisana girl against our orders? What next? Will he betray Soul Society too?”)

And maybe I’m making a bigger deal out of his upbringing than I need to. Maybe it wasn’t really like this. But I feel like it really was. (Moreso with the filler arcs and what I’ve heard of the light novels.)

Also, this song and the way that the opening animation fit together really solidifies the whole “Ichigo and Rukia were always meant to have a tragic romance” vibe that I kept getting the first time I encountered this series.

The third: Rukia was likely younger than six months (physically) when she was abandoned, but I’m pretty sure that she was older than three months when she and Hisana died.

Her blanket was pink in the flashback.

Sure, the above might not seem to have much significance but it’s been proven in canon that clothes are part of oneself. I reblogged a post a while ago that went into detail, but to sum it up, clothes are part of your self image and your self image determines a bit about what you look like when you die.

Babies are usually no longer swaddled by the time they’re six months old, and some places recommend that you stop by the end of their second month.

Babies have pretty bad vision when they’re born. They take four to six months to reliably track objects in motion and use binocular vision decently. They take about four months to see across a room, and about two months to see farther than maybe 30 cm away. And around the three month mark, they start having decent color vision. Around then is when babies supposedly start showing color preference.

Babies tend to have poor long term memory. (To be fair, they’ve got a lot going on compared to being in the womb and sensory overload sucks.) Their memory by the age of six months is only a few weeks. Two months old had a memory span of a few days.

If she’s been consistently wrapped in a pink blanket, then by the time she’s old enough to see color, she would be old enough to remember what color her blanket usually is— or if it was a different color that particular day.

The fourth: when Gin raises his spiritual pressure on Aizen’s orders, Chad remains standing. This raised a bunch of questions as Gin is stronger than Yammy (to the best of my memory).

Chad remained standing. Yes, his whole fight with Captain Kyouraku was about his resolve and how he would stand by his friends and fight for their safety/ideals but. Like. Earlier that year, his spiritual strength was on par with Yuzu. He’d been friends with Ichigo for years which was why he was even that strong. He’d been in a Hollow attack maybe three times before Rukia was arrested and could only barely see them the time Ishida pulled a stupid and used Hollow Bait. Sure, he has experience fighting and he’d trained under Yoruichi, but it feels sus considering how the others fared.

Orihime fell to her knees pretty quickly after Gin turned up the pressure. She’d also fought against high-ranking shinigami at that point, and trained under Yoruichi, and fought off Hollow (alone even! And she was the reason why Sora moved on, despite Ichigo’s Blade purifying him) before. And yet... It could just be a lack of resolve, as that had come up in earlier chapters but it doesn’t feel right.

Ishida is excused from this due to circumstances.

Tatsuki has been friends with him for ages. Sure, it seems like they weren’t as close after his Mom’s passing, but by then they’d already known each other for quite some time. I’m pretty sure that they were hanging out semi-regularly through junior high/middle school, at which point he got close with Chad and she got close with Orihime. She also has experience fighting (admittedly in martial arts rather than the street fights Ichigo and Chad get dragged into). She experienced at least one hollow attack during Ishida’s Stupid Day. But she collapses as soon as Yammy shows up? That feels off.

In contrast, Ganju was struggling about the same amount. He was born to a noble family— who are known to typically have decently high spiritual power, like his older brother Kaien and his cousin/uncle Issin. He was raised in the Rukongai, meaning he likely came across Hollow attacks. (And those definitely occur.)

Makes me wonder things about Karin’s strength. Like, she managed to escape from the hollow who attacked their house to run for Ichigo’s help (manga) or lived long enough while alone with it that Ichigo and Rukia could come save her (anime), both of which are quite impressive for an eleven year old. She also kept up with Hitsugaya when they played soccer and he’s a captain. Based on Ichigo’s experience, it’s likely that she too will become stronger as she grows up. And does she have an inner hollow too, or is that Ichigo only? If White was simply a parasite and decided to stick to Ichigo I could accept it. But as a hollow Ichigo is a Vast Lorde, and hollows of that level can split into parts (like Starrk and Lilynette).

Does Yuzu not really have any spiritual strength because she inherited more of the Quincy genes from her mom and the hollow genes she inherited don’t balance out that same way it does in her siblings...? Food for thought.

TLDR: how and why is sickness as thing in Soul Society? Byakuya listens to rock music and I’m p. sure the third opening song is him angsting over his wife’s death; it also gave me strong feelings about how he was prolly brainwashed growing up so his angst over Rukia’s fate is not actually stupid. I continue to have IchiRuki feels. Rukia and Hisana died when Rukia was about 3 months old. And I am more confused now about how spiritual power works than I was before I started rewatching the anime for language practice. Also, more questions have arisen about hollows.

[aworldoffandoms]

Runaway - Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Duty Calls

Pairing: Liam x MC [Ariel]

Word Count: 3, 857+/- (my words got away with me)

Rating: T 

Warnings: Minor swearing

Summary: Liam continues with his duties as king but stumbles upon information that brings him a step closer to getting the answers he seeks.

MASTERLIST

Tag list: @hopefulmoonobject @annekebbphotography @am-i-invisible777  @blznbaby @khakie4 @lauradowning29 @blackcoffee85 @captain-kingliamsqueen @moneyfordiamonds @super-secret-fandom-blog @jovialyouthmusic @zaffrenotes @ao719 @umccall71 @carabeth @furiousherringoperatortoad

Let me know if you want to be tagged!

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Pixelberry and all characters belong to them. The plot is all mine.

A special shoutout to @ernestsinclairs ! Thank you for all your edits, suggestions and rewrites! You are honestly the best! :) 

The sun had chosen today of all days to hide behind the clouds as Liam exits the palace to head into the capital. Situations like a queen’s disappearance still didn’t exempt him of his duties. There was the grand opening of a new cancer wing of the Children's hospital, the annual yacht race preparations, the tedious task of approving foreign business licenses afterward. A little pang speared him in the heart as the first task strayed into his mind. The treatment had been set in a new healthcare scheme that Ariel had spearheaded as queen. One last act of the most benevolent person he knew. Families would be able to claim treatment on this scheme and be able to pay the treatment off within their price range. A win-win in any case. Liam would do anything to make it easier on the families going through turmoil with a sick child.

Liam knew he needed this, not only because Regina had urged him to, but for his people as well. He hadn’t been out of the palace for an official engagement in almost a month. His people were getting anxious and it didn’t help that the media was exacerbating the situation -- even bringing up Ariel’s disappearance more than twice in each broadcast.

In all instances, Liam had to agree with this statement, because, in some way, it was true. Although finding Ariel was his top priority, he feels his heart squeeze with guilt as he realizes that his people, his country, needs their King. He couldn’t afford them losing faith in him now.

Having a country which didn’t support him would be the final nail in his heart and his mental stability.

Ariel needs me also…

Liam had to prioritize in some way. This searching was becoming all-consuming and maybe, just maybe, it was starting to wear on him.

He was exhausted all the time. Less than 4 hours sleep, paired with those eight o’clock meetings every day and signing off on royal papers in between, while also searching for Ariel and he’s already on thin ice.

This was unhealthy and his people were starting to see the cracks.

Liam steels himself as he squares his shoulders while taking a deep breath and plasters the regal smile on his face he used for all royal occasions.

As soon as he steps out of the black SUV, the dulled voices of the crowd outside erupts into cheering and loud exclamations from the excited crowd at seeing their King again.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

“Oh my goodness! It’s the King!”

“I feel like we haven’t seen King Liam in ages. Does he look tired to you?”

That last comment hit a nerve but he pretends not to notice and keeps his carefully composed mask on his face as he continues his march towards the hospital.

He gives the crowd a smile and waves as he makes the rounds talking to a few commoners and nobles that have gathered for the cutting of the ribbon.

Bastien then guides him to the wing of the hospital where he is met with the Director of Medicine of the Cordonian Children’s Hospital. What was her name? Ingrid, probably.

Ingrid curtsies and raises her hand to Liam and gives him a smile. “Thanks for coming, your majesty. We are so honored to have you here.”

Liam smiles, reciprocating the gesture as he gives the director a firm handshake. “I am always happy to offer my support in any way possible that helps the children of Cordonia.”

Ingrid flashes him another warm smile.

“Well…if you’ll follow me I’ll give you a tour of the new wing and then you can cut the ribbon to commemorate its opening.”

Liam nods as he follows Ingrid with Bastien and the King’s Guard following close. The media trails behind them with a few cameras recording his journey through the hospital with avid interest.

The tour goes well and Liam offers a genuine smile to the cameras as he cuts the ribbon. On his way to the car, he stops and offers a few words to some kids that were clamoring to get a glimpse of the king. He had a few kind words to them until Bastien ushered him away. Duties in Valtoria awaited.

Hana and Maxwell had put all their energy into keeping that duchy alive and since both were on the Royal Council they had enough power to help. Liam had no qualms with that, given that he gave Ariel that duchy, to begin with.

Another royal engagement and another day without his queen. He almost wonders if this is what he’ll end up doing for the rest of his life. Taking it day by day, barely existing as the world moves on around him.

Liam sighs as he loosens his tie, stepping into the wardrobe that he once shared with his wife. His eyes glance to her side and another wave of pain spears through him at seeing it empty.

He swallows the lump in his throat. How can he still feel this way? Why can’t he move on? It was like he was stuck in mud or bound by chains and only Ariel had the means to get him out. She was the only one to lift him from this horrid, dark place that he’s been in ever since she left.

Liam turns around to step onto his side of their wardrobe and strips off his official daily regalia. As he shrugs off his jacket a flash of white catches his eye under the lights and his breath catches as he realizes that it was his royal wedding outfit. His heart thunders in his chest and his mind flits back to that day when Ariel’s face lit up as their eyes met from opposite sides of the cathedral. He wanted to run to her but knew it wasn’t the customary thing to do and instead marvelled at her beauty.

He runs his fingers down the sleeve of his wedding jacket, despite the pain he feels he can’t help but smile. He has to remember the good times he had with Ariel. He needs to have hope. That’s all he has left.

As he turns to go into the bathroom, his fingers catch on something as they were still trailing down the front of his jacket and he snaps his head to his white tux and furrows his brow.

What could that possibly be?  

Liam’s brow creases even further as he steps closer and digs into the front pocket of his jacket. His fingers latch on to something hard and paper-like. He lifts it from its confines and finds a folded piece of paper.

His eyes narrow as his mouth twists in confusion.

“What is this?” Liam mumbles as he flips it over.

Something nags at him and his stomach clenches when he realizes that this is another letter as he finds his name on top of it in the unmistakable cursive script of his wife.

Why would Ariel write me another note?

Liam’s heart almost stops. A new note? She honestly couldn’t break his heart more than she already has? Her words in her goodbye letter still haunt him.

He gulps as he slowly opens the note with shaking hands. His pulse increases when he finds his name at the top of the note, but it patters off in confusion when he finds a cluster of letters underneath it.

***

B TF WHBGC MABL YHK PHNK IKHMXVMBHG. 

PAXG RHN WXVBIXK

MABL, FTR RHNK CHNKGXRZ MTDX RHN MH FHLVHP  – KHNY TGLPXKL PBEE UX MHXKE

UX LTYX, FR EHOY

***

I am doing this for your protection.  When you decipher this, may your journeys take you to Moscow - your answers will be there.

Be safe, my love

***

What in god’s name is this?

They were all a jumble of words, though their meaning was obviously forthcoming. Something so important and astounding that it could blow this whole investigation of trying to find his queen wide open. As a king…should he know what this means?

Maybe he came across a topic like this in his studies as a teen, but being a teen and a prince at the same time, he’d followed in Leo’s example just once, wanting reckless adventure and wallowing in luxury. His education was important, but he found himself bored with Machiavellian theory and fork placement for five hours a day when all he wanted was to sneak out and play maze tag with his friends and brother.

Right now, he wants to kick his younger self.

One thing was for sure…he needed to get this piece of paper deciphered and the only person who knew how to at least try to understand that paper was Regina. Surely she would be willing to help - this was her daughter-in-law and the chance for a grandchild after all.

Liam wants to get to it straight away but as he glances at his watch, the time had simply flown by. Regina would most definitely be asleep, and she didn’t particularly like to be waked.

He’d ask her in the morning, he thought to himself as he felt a yawn overtake him.

Stepping in front of the vanity, the contents of the note still perplexing him as he finishes, dries and gets ready for bed.

Liam closes his eyes, the letters dancing behind his closed lids.

His gut told him that those jumbles of words were important. Hadn’t Ariel been the one to teach him that? It had to be a test. But…why did it take him two years to find it?

That suit jacket had hung on his shoulders for so many times since her disappearance…how did it just show up now?

Could it be possible that Ariel had planned this in her own way?

Liam’s face lights up in a smile, even as sleep starts to come for him. To this day, Ariel still surprises him. Her unpredictability and decisiveness always manages to surprise him. Damn, she was a force. And he loves her more for it.

I miss you, Ariel.

Liam’s eyes prickle with tears, the cloud of sorrow almost drowning him again as the remains of his broken heart melt on the floor as it calls for his life back.

Liam turns to his side and splays his hand out on Ariel’s side of the bed. He sighs. He wishes. He yearns and he aches and desires for her to be beside him so he can cradle her in his arms, sink into her scent of freesia and strawberries.

Liam drifts off into a deep slumber with the face of his beloved behind his eyes, hoping wherever she was, she was thinking of him too.

***

“Breaking News just coming out from Sweden...Prince Carl Philip has been confirmed missing by King Carl Gustav and Queen Silvia. The prince was last seen out with friends before disappearing after a royal engagement. The prince’s security detail was reportedly neutralized.

The Swedish Royal family has released a statement to the public:

“We are utterly distraught at the prospect of our son, Prince Carl Philip, missing. Our security staff and national police are looking into his disappearance. If anyone saw anything last night, please ring the royal press office at 9398-2345-5443 or email at royalpressoffice@swedenroyal.com

We thank you for all your thoughts and prayers at this tough time and we hope against hope that Prince Carl Philip will return to us soon.”

______________________________________________________________

“Prince Carl Philip was out celebrating his third wedding anniversary at the Villa Solbacken.

This news comes as a number of other royals have disappeared throughout Europe. Queen Letizia of Spain went missing three months ago. Today marks the one year anniversary since Prince Amedeo of Belgium also went missing. It’s been two and a half years since Queen Ariel of Cordonia vanished into thin air. Should the rest of Europe be worried?

Royalists like to think so. However, we cannot jump to conclusions.

Please remember that if you have seen or heard anything about Prince Carl Philip, let the royal press office know on the number on the screen.

Until then, I’m Kerri Constance, goodnight.”

“Seriously, Liam? You’re watching this shit?” Drake says as he arches his eyebrow at his best friend.

Liam gives Drake an exasperated scowl, his eyes still trained on the screen.

“No, Drake. I’m not watching this shit for fun. I’m watching it for a reason. The Prince of Sweden has gone missing.”

Drake’s eyes widen as he settles beside the king in the palace drawing room. The TV was blaring the six o’clock news, the anchors eagerly jumping on the story of the newest missing royal.

Liam stares intently at the screen and Drake just watches him for a minute, seeing the cogs turning in his mind. He was thinking and Drake liked to think that Ariel was on his mind. After all, why wouldn’t it be?

“They have been running this story all day. They’ve mentioned Ariel’s case a few times already.”

Drake nods as he leans forward in his seat, as he glances up at the TV listening to the anchorwoman talk about the missing prince and other royals that have been vanishing over the last few months.

“Have other royals been disappearing too?” Drake inquires.

Liam nods as he leans back against the couch, ticking off all the missing people on his fingers.

“They have. The Crown Prince of Denmark, Queen Letizia of Spain, the Belgian Prince, and Princess Marguerite of Monaco. She was at a summit for international relations with country leaders at the Royal Palace there. She went to freshen up, never came back. They’re . . . understandably upset over there.”

Damn! That many royals missing over a few months? And all of them in Europe? 

That put a bad taste in Drake’s mouth. 

Something didn’t feel right.

“Have you had any luck with the prisoners?”

Liam finally tears his eyes away from the television to give Drake his undivided attention. An actual smile seems to play on his lips, although faint.

“Yes. Under careful interrogation by Bastien and his men, they have managed to uncover plots that they were going to implement if the kidnapping was successful. One was using past indiscretions against us to blackmail into abdicating. They also got some information about some offshore accounts. Bastien did some digging and all of these link to many places in Europe and America.”

Drake nods, their American contact's words straying back into his mind. Nazario was his name, was it not? He’d be valuable in the future.

Liam sighs, his expression grave.

“I have a feeling that The Sons Of Earth have been funded by these people. And it seems like they are pretty powerful people considering that none of the money has been found anywhere else. Anton was sneaky. He went undetected for months as Ariel’s press secretary...so I wouldn’t put it past him to somehow get away with this.”

Liam glances down at the paper in his lap, fingering it for a few beats before he hands it over to Drake.

“What’s this?” Drake asks, his furrowing his eyebrows in concentration, the deciphering of the code now at play.

“A note I found in the pocket of my wedding tux.”

Drake’s eyes widen as he stares at Liam, then glance down at the note again. “What? How did it get in there? It’s been nearly three years since your wedding.”

Liam shrugs, exhaling heavily. “I have no idea. Ariel seems to have had everything under control even before she left. My guess is it’s a code or something.”

Drake glances at the note. The letters swam before his eyes almost teasingly, beckoning him to come and decipher them. But after a few minutes, the only thing he’d gleaned was that it was a sentence of some sort. What a pity that was. 

Drake leans forward on the couch as his mind runs, his mind latching onto some information he gathered when flitting through a Cordonian history book during one of his many journeys through the palace when a ball was underway. “I swear it was in a book...but I remember you mentioning something when we were kids...when that warrior Queen that founded the five kingdoms would use ciphers and hidden messages to send her allies details of where she was when she was in exile? Could this be something like that?”

At Drake’s words, Liam freezes, his back straightening in firm realization.

“Drake,” is all he says, the word pushed out like the dying breath of a man gasping for air.

Drake’s heart beats heavily, his stomach twisting in concern for his friend. Liam hadn’t stopped staring at him for a good two minutes.

“Uh...yes, Liam?”

Without a word, Liam snatches the cipher from Drake’s palm and stands up, charging out the door and stumbling into the main atrium.

“Liam, where are you going?”

Liam glances back at Drake, his eyes alight with the determination he saw only a few weeks ago when they were all gathered in his office.

Liam smiles. “I’m going to Regina to get this cipher figured out. She has experience with these. She had to decipher some letters my father would get in the mail. And then…”

“And then... what?” Drake says, Liam’s animated state disconcerting as his actions were almost robotic in nature.

“And then we find Ariel.”

Liam doesn’t say another word and continues on his way, Drake following after him at a brisk jog, still trying to catch the man’s attention.

“Liam...wait! Are you sure this is the right way to go?”

Liam glances behind his shoulder, addressing his friend as he takes the gilded steps up to the third floor two at a time. 

“Of course I am, Drake. Just have a gut feeling that’s all. I have no indication how long this,” Liam pauses, raising the folded piece of parchment up in the air. “...has been sitting in my jacket for. For all I know, it was there the whole time and I was too dense to notice it! It was right in front of my eyes this whole time!”

Liam takes a deep breath, his pulse rising in anger, his fists clenching beside him. He was angry. Angry at himself for being so consumed by his pain that he didn’t see the little details. At Ariel for sending him on this wild goose chase. At this whole situation. He should be living happily ever after with Ariel and here he was trying desperately to hold on to anything that could give him that.  

Add that to the fact that European royals are going missing and, deep down, Liam had no idea what was happening.

How could he be so foolish? How could he be so blind, so overcome by his pain that he couldn’t look at his wedding tux until nearly three years later? What kind of lurid joke was this? Had Ariel intentionally put that there? Would she be angry at him that he had taken nearly three years to find it?  

Liam sighs as he glances at Drake.

“What else can I do? Bastien has spent the last two weeks interrogating the captured prisoners. This may be the last bit of evidence we have. It could be what breaks the case and we have a solid lead.”

Drake stares at his closest friend and his heart tightens as he sees the light he saw earlier faltering in those blue eyes.

He couldn’t see his friend falling back into those old, destructive patterns again.

Drake sighs, nodding in resignation.

“Okay, let’s do this. Whatever answers we get from Regina - I’m with you all the way.”

Liam’s mouth lifts up in a winsome smile as his hand comes to Drake’s shoulder as he tightens his hold in gratitude. “Thank you, Drake.”

Drake shrugs. “All good.”

Liam chuckles at his friend's noncommittal answer as he knocks on the door three times. The pounding in his ears grows louder by the second until it’s replaced by another noise - the pattering of feet behind the door. A voice calls out, and Liam answers as he steps through the door.

“Regina? It’s Liam.”

Regina glances up and her grey eyes slightly widen as she catches the sight of both of them, disheveled from their trek up the stairs, Liam still slightly breathless.

“Liam? What is the matter? Is there something you wish to discuss with me?”

Liam nods. “Yes, there is Regina.”

Liam lifts the paper, Regina giving it the careful appraising look she was so famous for. “What is that?”

Liam takes a seat in front of Regina and passes over the note with the incomprehensible jumble of letters written on it.  Regina stares at it, before opening what was given to her, her fingers almost hesitant as she does so.  

Liam stares at his step-mother with intensely, his eyes scanning her face for any twitch or change in expression.

So, when he sees her eyes widen and a gasp escapes her lips, panic sets in. “What? What is it, Regina?”

Regina glances up at him, her eyes wide with shock. “Liam…”

Liam grits his teeth as he says, “What is it, Regina? Did you decipher it?”

It surprised Liam that it only took Regina a few minutes to read the cipher, but he shouldn’t be so surprised about that considering that she did it for his father all the time. He still kicked himself for not studying them in greater detail.

Regina sighs as she gestures in vain towards the letter in a futile attempt to explain its meaning.

“This cipher isn’t complex in the least but what it says is rather direct.”

Liam gives Regina a pleading look. “And does it entail exactly?”

Regina sighs, raising her gaze to his, her words blunt and piercing.

“It says the answers you seek are in Moscow. Ariel left to protect you. But from what?” Regina shrugs, as she shakes her head. “I’m not quite sure. But, I’m guessing it’s something big if it entails her leaving you and Cordonia behind.”

“Could the Sons of Earth be more involved in Ariel’s disappearance than we first thought?”

“As much as I don’t want to believe it -- I think they are. If we find the answers in Moscow…maybe the real reason that Ariel left may be revealed.”

Liam groans as he stands and runs his hands through his hair again, the frustration settling back into his shoulders.

He finally turns to Regina for a faint smile.

“Thank you so much, Regina. I will keep you updated on what we do next. You have helped me out immensely.”

Regina smiles and then turns back to the book she was reading, a quiet signal that the conversation was over.

Drake follows Liam out of the room, his voice ringing a little too loudly for his liking in the deserted palace halls.

“Liam. What do we do now?”

Liam glances to Drake, his eyes set in steely resolve, his jaw set.

“I’m not wasting any more time. We are going to Moscow. Tonight.”

[legendary-js-world]

Recommended Reading: 2017 the Year of Yuri

*originally posted to Blogger on December 12, 2017*

For those of you unaware I am a fan of the yuri genre which is a subsection of the romance genre that primarily focus on a romantic relationship between two or more female characters. Why bring this up? Well it just so happens that this year there are many series coming out as well as multiple on going series that are getting updated and one series that I have been waiting seven years for it get a physical release. With so much coming out I figured that I might as well give my opinions. So without further delay here are my recommended reads based off everything I have read. Also I am a firm believer that the 'journey' is just as important as the 'ending' and since a lot of these stories are mainly about how the characters interact with each other I will do my best to avoid spoilers.

The Kase-san and series:

I have a particular fondness for slice of life type shows/ manga. what can I say I am sucker for likable characters and character interaction. It is written and drawn by Hiromi Takashima and published by Seven Seas Entertainment ( the publisher is a pretty big name in yuri fandom). The Kase-san series basically a compilation of one-shot chapters revolving around the characters Kase and Yuma. Yuma is a member of the Greenery Committee while Kase is the star of the schools track team. As stated before each volume is a compilation of one-shots as such there is nothing I can really say about this as the main meat of the story is their interactions with each other in each chapter.

Overall I really like the interactions between the two and the comedy mainly revolves events in life such as days at the beach and picnics. The two are very likable. The art work is nice and the exaggerated style really helps to complement the happy and goofy nature of some of the chapters. This is a series that helps me feel and an makes me smile.

As of the time of this post there are three volumes of this series and I think a few OVA's as well.

Secret of the Princess:

This was quite possibly the most surprising story I have read this year (with the exception of a series that I will talk about later.) This story is both written and drawn by Milk Morinaga ( Girl Friends; Kisses, Sighs, and Cherry Blossom Pink; and a ton of other works that I can't possibly list due to the sheer number of them.) and published by Seven Seas Entertainment. Interesting fact: this was the first writer I followed when I got into reading yuri manga and I do enjoy a majority of her works.

The story follows Miu, an average high school student who from a young age was raised to always look her best in case she meets her 'prince'. After witnessing Fujiwara, the captain of the volleyball team, accidentally break one of the principles most prized possessions she agrees to keep it a secret... On the condition that Fujiwara go out with her so that she can get some experience dating. Throughout the story Miu starts to feel bad for blackmailing Fujiwara and starts to develop actual feelings for her.

Overall this story is alright. It's pretty much par for the course with most of  the authors work though it stands out as for the most part both parties are open about what they want and don't try to hide their feelings for each other. Once she realizes her feelings Mui tries to pursue these feelings while Fujiwara is fully accepting of them and trying to make the arrangement a pleasant experience for Miu. The art work is alright, its standard fare for Morinaga as its fairly consistent with her other work except for her early stuff. If you can find this for a cheap price its worth a look and if you have never read/ seen yuri before you could do worse.

Sweet Blue Flowers:

Just look at the water colors on this cover. It's gorgeous.

This is the series mentioned at the start, the one I have been waiting seven years for it to be released. Now before I go any further I will admit right now that I am biased towards this book because I am a fan of the anime that spawned from it. The anime itself never got finished. This is a series for which not only did I buy the anime on DVD but I went out of my way to avoid scanlations and spoilers. That's right I was willing to wait years for this to get an official English release so that I could support it to find out the ending. As such I was hyped as hell for this series because I finally get to see the ending.

Sweet Blue Flowers (Aoi Hana) is written and drawn by Takako Shimura (Wandering Son) and Published by Viz Media. It follows a girl named Akira Okudaira who is a high school student starting her first year at Fujigaya Woman's Academy. While one the way to school she meets a childhood friend, Fumi Manjome, who she wasn't seen in years  and the two start to rekindle their friendship. Though technically the story starts off with Akira the first volume is more about Fumi then anyone else. At the start of the story it is made clear that Fumi is going through some issues. Basically she is dealing with her sexuality and the fact that not only was her first love another woman but said woman is also getting married. As such a majority of the first volume is her trying to overcome these issues and live her life while Akira tries to help her cope as best she can. I know this one is vague but I don't want to spoil this for anyone as I recommend others read this story.

Overall I do like this story, Fumi is a very sympathetic character and her plight really helps the reader connect with her. Akira is likable enough though as stated this volume is mostly about Fumi. Be warned though if you have seen the eleven episode Aoi Hana anime then you basically know what will happen in this volume.

As of this post only the first volume is out though volume too will be out soon and the third and final volume will be available in March of 2018.

This story and another , After Hours (which I will talk about later), mark Viz Media's entry into the yuri genre and if these are an indication of the work they are planning on releasing, they are coming out strong.

Sunstone:

Ok I know this is technically cheating as this is neither a manga nor did this come out in 2017. That being said the reason that it is on here is because I didn't find out this series existed until the beginning of this year ( saw it on one of Linkara's unboxing videos and decided to give the series a shot.) and it also is getting re-released in two hard cover volumes this year so technically it counts.

Sunstone is a lesbian romance comic created, written, and drawn by Stjepan Sejic and published by Image Comics and Top Cow Productions. The story follows Lisa and Ally, two women who meet on a BDSM forum. Lisa is a submissive who is an aspiring writer trying to make ends meat being a waitress and writing smut fiction. Ally is a dom who, when not planing out scenarios, is a programmer with a penchant for spending tons of money on fetish gear and related products. The two find each other through the forum and bond over Lisa's stories and eventually decide to meet up in person to help each other "scratch" their respective itches so to speak. As the two spend time together they proceed to learn more about each other and develop deeper feelings for one another.

As someone who mainly reads stories about young love and first time romance this story was a nice change of pace. Most of the yuri genre revolves around first time love and usually involves young adults as such the genre has certain tropes that when seen over and over can get a little grating. One of the tropes for instance is when one character will hide their feelings for the other. Though that happens to some extent in this story for the most part they are quite open with each other about what they want and it feels kind of like watching two friends hangout. Both Lisa and Ally compliment each other very well and the romance itself feels very genuine. The two have great chemistry and the interactions with each other are both amusing and adorable. The artwork is just gorgeous (see image above). One of the things I like about this book is that while sex and sexuality is considered a major part of their relationship in the story for the most part the sex is pushed to the background and a lot of emphasis is given to their interactions between each other and their group of friends. Given the subject matter there are many instances of nudity throughout the book but nothing too graphic and they are tasteful.

Overall I personally liked this series and I highly recommend it as it's probably the best story I have read this year. Though series itself has already finished there are plans for a few sequel series focusing on some of the side characters and I think as of this post part of the first sequel series is up on Stjepan Sejic's deviant art account.With all that being said, due to the amount of nudity and the mature content/ subject matter I feel I have to issue the following statement: DO NOT READ UNLESS YOU ARE OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE!

So yeah, that's my recommended reading list/ personal favorites that came out this year. Its not everything as there are some updates to on-going series, some stuff I haven't read, and some stuff I have read but didn't care for.

Also an honorable mention to the comic Wayward. The story was created by Jim Zub and Steve Cummings and published by Image Comics. I have no idea if the main female leads are going to end up getting together but given some of the stuff that happened in volume 4 I have a hunch they will. And even if it's not yuri check it out anyway it's damn good.

The story follows Rori Lane a girl of Japanese- Irish decent who moves to Tokyo to live with her mother. After arriving and meeting with her mother she decides to got out and explore her new home. While exploring the city she finds herself in a back ally and is attacked by Kappa disguised as humans. With the help of a mysterious girl named Ayane she is able to hold them off and escape. As the story continues she learns of the existence of yokai and that she is connected to something called the 'Weave of Fate', something that the yoaki have been using to control the world from the shadows.

One of the things I like is that at the end of each volume there is a compendium of the yokai that are  shown in the volume. It lists what each monster is, some of their lore and origins, and some history associated with them. Overall as a fan of Japanese lore and history, I recommend you check out this series.

[belleszealous-blog]

TRR Appreciation Week

So after snooping on the Tumblr fandom in secret for a while, I’ve finally decided to officially join the fandom and make my first post. I figured why not start during appreciation week; plus the hiatus is driving me crazy!!! (Thank you for the idea @boneandfur and @decisso )

~ MC Aesthetic/Questionnaire

Face Claim: Gugu Mbatha - Raw

Name: Jade Johns

Age: 26

Height: 5′5

Hair Color: Black

Eye Color: Dark Brown

Love Interest: Drake (face claim Daniel Ditomasso)

Family Background: She is an only child. Parents divorced when she was 14. Split time between both parents; lived with mother, but spent summers and alternate holidays with father. After the divorce, her relationship with both changed for the worse and as soon as she turned 18, she went on her own not looking back.

Education: Graduated with honors with a degree in journalism/creative writing from Hartfield University

Favorite Color: Rainbow (too many colors to just pick one)

Favorite Season: Fall; She likes to wear her big curls with scarves and boots.

Cat or Dog: Dog; preferably puppies

Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate

Sweet or Spicy: Spicy

Coffee or Tea: Coffee

Best Friend: Hana (never really had a best friend growing up, but couldn’t fight Hana’s infectious personality)

Fave Movie: Moulin Rouge

Guilty Pleasure: Taking Drake’s clothes and making outfits out of them (He fusses, but really loves it. Seeing her draped in his clothing is a major turn on.)

Early bird or night owl: Early bird. She likes to wake up before Drake and pepper his sleeping face with kisses. Goes for morning runs.

What Initially Attracted Her to Li?: She could tell there was a lot hidden under Drake’s rough exterior and deep down he was sweet and kind. Drake was very reserved and like a mystery she wanted to solve, but in turn, he broke down her walls and solved all her mysteries.

How Do They Express Affection?: Drake prefers more intimate affection in the privacy of their home, but in public he holds Jade’s hand or keeps his arm around her. Jade likes to kiss his cheek a lot in public; it has a lot to do with his scruff. At home, he loves marking her body with his lips.

Fear: She has gotten used to having Drake, Hana and Maxwell always around, so her fear is one day being alone again. After her parents divorced, she always felt alone and forgotten. Divorce another major fear. She can tell Drake is ready to propose, but the thought of a divorce scares her. Drake is patient with her; he holds her and tells her he will never leave her while kissing away her tears.

Tidbits:

- A health junkie; loves to go for runs and do yoga. Prefers healthy foods, but indulges in burgers and fries with Drake occasionally. She does crave wine and chocolate from time to time.

- Loves music vinyls; Drake bought her a record player. She plays them and forces him to dance with her.

- Doesn’t always wear makeup, but lipstick is a necessity.

- Drake is the first guy she ever said I love you to.

- Has a blog and very prolific social media presence

- Loves to watch Drake work on his old cars (gawks at his muscles that glisten under the sweat)

(Used @ladynevrakis Questionnaire for inspiration)

[angelasscribbles]

Royal Retribution Chapter 5: Encamp

Series: Royal Retribution

Fandom: The Royal Romance

Pairings: Liam x Riley x Drake

Rating: MA

Warnings: mature themes

Word Count: 1,299

My other stuff: Master List.

We drove half the night and arrived at the Nevrakis keep in the wee hours of the morning, with zero advanced notice. I couldn’t risk calling Liv ahead of time to give her a heads up. My phone was encrypted, but hers wasn’t.

The gravel crunched loudly under the tires, echoing into the Lythikosian night. Olivia’s ancestral home was fairly isolated, surrounded by wilderness, a forest, a lake and a lot of damn snow. Sounds carried a long way there, especially at night, when the world fell largely silent. We were greeted by two Lythikosian guards, in the signature red and black of House Nevrakis. Their defensive posture dropped the moment they realized it was me.

One of the men excused himself to alert the lady of the house to our presence. It didn’t take long for Olivia to appear in the doorway. “Liam. What are you doing here? What’s wrong?”

“Liv.” I grabbed both of her hands and brought them to my lips in way of greeting, “Straight to the point, I like that about you.”

Her eyes narrowed, “What do you want?”

“We need a place to lay low and regroup and I have information I think you’ll want.” I told her.

“We?” She glanced behind me.

“Yes, we.” I turned and motioned to Alec, who opened the back door. First Drake, then Riley climbed out. I turned back to gauge Olivia’s expression.

Her lips clamped shut, pressing into a thin line, but she nodded, “Hurry and get inside before you all die of exposure.”

It was technically still fall, but fall in Lythikos was colder than winter in Cordonia. We hurried inside and she ushered us into the sitting room. I glanced over her shoulder at her guards, “Can we count on complete discretion from your men? No one can know we’re here.”

Olivia glanced back at her guards then smirked at me, “No one is more loyal than a Lythikosian Sentinel. They take their secrets to the grave, it’s a point of honor. They would never betray me, or you.”

I nodded curtly. I’d have to trust her on this.  

“Now that that’s settled, are you going to tell me why the three of you showed up on my doorstep in the middle of the night?”

“Yes, of course! Please sit.”

She took a seat on the couch opposite the one Riley and Drake had chosen as she regarded me with curiosity.

“You left the palace earlier today, well, last night by now, I suppose, in a hot hurry, after telling me you were withdrawing from the season.”

“That’s right.” She replied cautiously.

“Riley told me you were blackmailed. She also received a threatening letter.”

“I’m aware.”

“I know who was behind both things.”

“Who?” She demanded as her eyes darted from where Drake and Riley were seated, to where I was standing.

“My father.” I said with barely contained rage.

“Ok.” She replied.

“You don’t seem surprised.” I was surprised by her lack of surprise.

Her gaze softened, “Liam, I know you don’t see it but…your father has a reputation for being cold, cruel and underhanded.”

I glanced at Drake, whose face revealed nothing. Drake maintaining a poker face told me everything I needed to know. Apparently, I was the only one that had thought my father still harbored any humanity at all. “I see it now.”

“Ok, so he blackmailed me and set Riley up.” Her eyes flicked over to my beloved, “Yes, I’ve seen the news story. I may not have always been your biggest fan, but I know you weren’t fucking Tariq. Ew.” She shivered a little.

“Thank you, Olivia.” Riley gave her a tentative smile.

Olivia inclined her head slightly then turned back to me, “It’s all over the news that you chose Hana. I assume you plan to continue seeing Riley on the side, while working to clear her name. Am I close?”

“Very.” I was impressed.

“But why are you here? And in the middle of the night?”

I sucked in a breath, glanced at Drake, who gave me a reassuring nod, then I sat down next to Liv and launched into the whole story. How they drug Riley out of the coronation, how Drake and I both tried to stop it, how I was going to choose her anyway, my father’s threat and implied confession about my mother, Marco’s quick thinking and our flight from Ramsford to keep her hidden because I was afraid of how far my father might be willing to go to remove her from my life.

When I was done, Olivia took my hand, unshed tears shining in her eyes, “Oh, Liam! I’m so sorry!”

I wiped at my cheeks again as angry tears threatened, “You understand why we came here?”

“I do.” She glanced at Riley again, “Constantine won’t think to look for her here. I was going to reach out to her later today anyway.”

“You were?” Riley sat up in surprise. She had been tucked under Drake’s arm, head resting on his chest until that moment. She rubbed at her eyes as she yawned.

“Yes. We were both sabotaged, I thought we could join forces and try to figure out who was behind it. But I guess, now we know.”

“Liv.” I tightened my grip on her hand, still resting in mine, “You’re one of my oldest and dearest friends. I need your help now. Will you help us?”

She squeezed my hand back, “Of course I will, Liam. But right now, I think you could all use some sleep.” She looked pointedly at Drake who was sprawled out on the other couch, eyes half closed, head drifting back.

“I’m not asleep!” He protested, “Everyone stop looking at me!”

“It is quite late.” I agreed with Olivia, “Let’s get some sleep and reconvene in the morning.”

“How many rooms will you be needing, exactly?” She asked with a curious glance between the three of us.

“Just one, especially if it’s the jacuzzi suite.” I responded with a fond smile at the memory of my favorite room. Riley and I had consummated our relationship in that room. Drake and I had shared many nights in it as well. That room had a double king bed and Olivia had known about my relationship with Drake for years. We’d spent many nights together in the same room under her roof when we were younger. Lythikos was one place we’d never had to hide what we were to each other.

Her eyes flicked with interest from me to Drake to Riley then back to me, but she didn’t comment on it, just responded with, “Yes, that one was cleaned recently and should have new sheets on the bed. Your guards can take any room down that hallway.”

Riley’s luggage was brought up to the room, but Drake and I had none. I was still in full regalia. So, for comfort, we stripped off our clothes before climbing into bed. Normally having them both naked in bed with me would be too much temptation to resist, but we were all exhausted and had been awake for something close to twenty hours. We fell into bed with Riley in the middle, cradling her between us as we each reached an arm across her and draped it around the other.  The bed was huge, but we cuddled tightly together in the center of it, as if we were afraid of letting go of each other, which, in a very real way, was true. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep, but fatigue born from the sheer depletion of the days events overtook me quickly and I drifted into a fitful sleep where I was tormented by dreams of my mother as she took her final breaths.