#but it was a nice thought. thanks tariq

[archersgoon]

like there's no way in hell he hadn't realised by this point right. no no you see, my queen's personal guard must sleep within our chambers so he is always within arm's reach should she need him. for anything

[fadingreveries]

The Royal Romance, Bk1 Ch1: Once Upon a Time (Pt. 3)

Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰

Story Summary: In this novel-style retelling of TRR, beloved scenes with original commentary from the Choices stories including your favourite group of royals and friends will be expanded upon. Contains extended commentary and scenes from the original story, in-depth descriptions of bonus scenes, and premium choices and outfits.

Chapter Synopsis: Love awaits in the royal court of Cordonia as Riley competes for the Crown Prince! Will she accept his proposal, or will someone else win her heart?

Word Count: 1.8k

Disclaimer: All rights to original commentary, scenes, and characters from The Royal Romance series reserved to Choices and Pixelberry Studios. No copyright infringement intended.

~ ~ ~

On the other hand, Riley headed over to the table where the three guys sat, talking. She put on her best smile and set down a few menus in front of them. 

“Hello, gentlemen. I’ll be taking care of you this evening,” Riley politely introduced herself, pulling out her pen and notebook to write down their orders. 

Maxwell grinned at her, bouncing in his seat with excitement. “Waitress, steaks for the table.”

“How about some filet mignon, medium rare and prepared with a bearnaise sauce?” Tariq suggested, before pondering his choice for possibly something much more extravagant than he initially asked for. 

Riley laughed. Clearly, this group had never been to a casual New York dive bar before. They were a breath of fresh air, compared to the drunk locals who also came in at the same time demanding pints of beer and sloppy Joes. “The closest thing we have to filet mignon is the deluxe burger.”

Tariq frowned in disappointment, hesitating to look over the menu to see if the unfortunate news was true. “Dare I ask for your wine list?”

Back in the restaurant, Liam noticed that Maxwell, Drake, and Tariq had found a table and were talking to a waitress. Her dark brown hair hung in waves almost like a waterfall down her back. She wore a cream-coloured work shirt, black leggings, and a red work apron around her waist. 

“We’ve got an excellent vintage house red,” Riley slowly answered, having the feeling his frown would continue to turn downwards with her reply. 

Tariq gasped as if he couldn’t believe the words that came out of Riley’s mouth. “House red?”

Riley shrugged her shoulders, smiling sheepishly at the three men at the table. “It also comes in white.”

Drake laughed at Tariq’s woeful reaction, turning to Riley. “We’ll be fine with a bottle of whiskey… and four deluxe burgers.”

Glancing at the three men at the table, Riley furrowed her eyebrows in curiosity. Who was the fourth person? “Four?”

In response, he nodded behind Riley and Liam took that as his cue. There, Riley turned to see the man walking towards the bachelor party and her eyes widened. 

He had eyes as blue as the deep sea, a straight pointed nose, and a hint of a stubble on his face. He was dressed in a black blazer, white dress shirt, navy blue cravat, black dress pants, and black Oxford shoes. His copper blonde hair was neatly swept into a right-sided part and his thin lips were already working into a smile that radiated such genuinity and charm that Riley’s stomach immediately filled with butterflies. 

Whoa. He’s really cute, Riley thought. 

“Sorry I’m late,” Liam apologized with a shy laugh, making his way towards Riley. “Thank you for your patience, Miss…?”

Riley blinked before snapping herself out of her daze, mustering out a simple, “Uh, Riley.”

“My name is Liam. Charmed to make your acquaintance, Riley,” the handsome stranger flashed a dazzling white smile.

“Trust me, the pleasure’s all mine. It’s nice to meet you.” Riley shyly replied, her cheeks flushing. Liam had looked down, biting his lip with a smile as bashful as her own. “Now let me go put your order in. Be right back!”

Liam watched as Riley walked away towards the restaurant kitchen window. She tore away the paper where she had written the guys’ order in her notebook, sticking it on to a steel order wheel where other orders hung in preparation and letting kitchen staff know what their order was. 

For some reason, he couldn’t help but observe in almost a trance-like state how Riley almost seemed to float across the room. She was handing out menus to new customers one moment before balancing dishes on her arms and gracefully setting down plates in front of other tables. 

“And now that I definitely am down to get a face tattoo, that’s how we’ll end the night!” Drake exclaimed, noticing how Liam had hardly said a word during their conversation at the table. 

Maxwell excitedly grabbed his friend’s shoulders. How exciting was it that Drake had finally come around to his wonderful idea! “Yeah, Drake! That’s the spirit!”

“What do you think, Liam?” Drake questioned, arching an eyebrow in curiosity in his direction. 

With his eyes still fixated on Riley, an autopilot response slowly came out of Liam’s mouth. “Sounds great…”

“Okay, now we know he’s definitely not listening,” Drake stated, taking a swig from his whiskey. It wasn’t hard for Drake to know when something else had preoccupied Liam’s mind. Not when he had known his best friend for his entire life. 

Maxwell pouted, letting out a disappointed sigh. “You were kidding about the tattoos, weren’t you?”

“Hush, Maxwell. Something’s going on with Liam. He’s distracted,” Drake informed him, keeping him in the loop of things. 

Liam’s eyes widened, as he sat up straighter in his seat and cleared his throat. Why had his throat suddenly gone dry? “What? No. Of course not. Brotherhood. Bonding. Where were we?”

“You can tell us what’s wrong,” Drake offered to him, knowing that every once in a while Liam needed to confide in people he trusted. “Is it the rumblings in Lythikos? The water rights over the Royal Orchard? The controversy over the location of next year’s Art Festival?”

“The fact that Drake’s not going to get a tattoo with us?” Maxwell added. Maybe Liam could possibly change his mind? Drake was known for going along with things the second that Liam took an interest in them. 

There was no use lying to his two closest confidants. If anything, perhaps they had some wise words for him to help deal with these newfound emotions. Liam took in a deep breath before quickly exhaling. “It’s… our waitress, Riley.”

“I knew it!” Maxwell triumphantly cried out, looking at him with a smug look. “Now it’s a bachelor party!”

Drake leaned back in his spot, thinking to himself for a few seconds before speaking up, “Huh.”

“What?” Liam asked, wanting to know what he was thinking. 

“I’ve never seen you get this way about a girl before,” Drake commented. It was true; Liam had met so many ladies at court over the years as a prince, yet this was the only time he seemed genuinely interested in one before. Especially one who was across the ocean in America working in a New York dive bar. 

Suddenly feeling embarrassed, Liam sat up straighter in his spot. He felt a warm blush across his cheeks and he was certain that he looked absolutely flustered. “I’m not any way. I’m just worried that we’ve imposed on her good nature.”

Finally catching on to what Drake meant, Maxwell commented, “Uh-huh.”

“Sure…” Drake added, as he and Maxwell exchanged knowing looks. 

“I’m sure she wouldn’t mind being impositioned on further…” Maxwell noted, waggling his eyebrows in a playful manner. Hopefully they knew what he meant to say…

Maxwell could be clever, but this was unfortunately not one of those times. Drake sighed, running his hand down his face. “Maxwell…”

“Or you can just leave her a nice tip when we pay the check! You know a Beaumont never shorts a bill!” Maxwell briskly suggested, with a hint of nervous laughter. “Water bills, phone bills, car bills, dinner bills. We’ve never shorted any of those before! With all the money we have, of course. But even if we did, that wouldn’t be a bad thing…”

That was an uncharacteristically long answer for one simple suggestion. Drake eyed Maxwell suspiciously. “Of… course…”

Maxwell knew he had said too much. If Bertrand was there, he would reprimand him with words like, “Maxwell Percival Beaumont, why must you expose the true nature of House Beaumont’s finances in front of important company?” He could feel Bertrand’s glowering gaze at him all the way from Cordonia. Giving another uneasy chuckle, Maxwell fiddled with the collar of his shirt before taking a giant bite out of his burger. That should shut him up for now. 

Drake leaned over to Liam, whispering with a concerned expression, “Is Maxwell acting weirder than usual, or is it just me?”

“It’s hard to tell what the baseline weird level is…” Liam admitted, though he did notice that Maxwell had been quite anxious whenever money was mentioned. 

Drake stared at Liam hard for a moment. Of course Liam was still absentminded, his eyes following Riley across the room. Drake stated, “You really are distracted.”

“Perhaps…” Liam replied, only half listening to his friend. Riley giggled in front of a table of elderly women who had complimented her, making his heart warm at the sight of her smile. 

Drake noticed the look in Liam’s eyes, before he advised him, “Okay, go. Talk to her.”

“I couldn’t,” Liam declined, shaking his head. There was absolutely no chance he could talk to her without making a complete fool of himself. 

Moving on from his little comment about his house’s money, Maxwell asked, “What’s stopping you?”

“What’s stopping me?” Liam repeated, before instinctively saying, “The crown.”

“There’s going to be a revolution if you have one conversation with a waitress?” Drake responded, trying to put things into perspective for Liam. “Besides, none of that matters tonight. If only for one night, this is the moment when you get to be human.”

“Also, the tattoos…” Maxwell quietly suggested, taking a sip from his drink. 

Drake groaned, as he lightly smacked his friend on the back of his head. “Maxwell! Anyway, it’s just a conversation. What harm could there be? It’s not like one little choice here is going to change the entire fate of Cordonian history.”

Feeling enlightened by their conversation, Liam answered with relief on his face, “You’re right.”

“I usually am,” Drake plainly responded, knowing for a fact that he was right. It was very rare for him not to be. 

Liam breathed in, feeling a slight hint of nerves coursing through him. “I’ll… go talk to her.”

“Perfect. And then we’ll be on our way,” Drake responded, setting the plan in motion. 

“It’s a plan,” Liam stated, before placing a gentle hand on Drake’s shoulder. “Thank you, my friend.”

Drake smiled, reciprocating with his own hand on Liam’s shoulder. “What are friends for?”

Liam nodded, grateful as always for Drake’s steady presence. Drake had been through the best and worst times that Liam had ever experienced in his life. He always knew what to say whenever he doubted himself and this time was no exception. 

Liam stood up, feeling oddly nervous for an inconsequential interaction with an almost stranger. “I’ll be back. This’ll just take a moment…”

~ ~ ~

Click here for the TRR retelling series masterlist for more chapters! 🏰

Tag list: @kingliam2019 @princess-geek @karahalloway @twinkleallnight @tinkie1973 @tessa-liam

[leelee10898]

Fate

For this little drabble we are taking it back to the beginning. It is a what if they didn't find Tariq and Riley left. I used the prompt 'thats the way the story goes' for @choicesflashfics .

If you'd like to be added to tags, let me know.

Book: TRR; Liam x Riley

Warnings: none. Sad fluff

Word count: 874

Liam stood in the back of the crowded ballroom, a scotch in his hand as he watched the attendees of this year's UN Gala. Of course, it had to be held in New York City, the place he loved and hated equally the same. Hated may be too strong a word for the city that never sleeps, suffering may be a better fit and Liam was suffering. It had been a year since the social season and his entire world came crashing down around him. The scandal, the engagement to Madeline, her name being drug through the mud, and she handled it all with her head held high. But the one thing that stood in his way of true happiness was Tariq, who eventually was found, six months after he needed to be found. He gave his statement, clearing her name but it was too late, Riley was gone. 

He watched as a couple stole a quiet moment off to the side of the room and he felt the chains on his heart tighten. It was time to go. Quickly crossing the room, he set his empty glass on the table and stepped out into the night air. "Would you like me to call the car around, your majesty?" Fredrick, one of the royal guards asked. 

"No. I think a nice walk is needed. Thank you, Fredrick." 

Fredrick nodded and fell a few paces back as Liam maneuvered the bustling streets. He thought about the last time he was in the City. Riley, Drake, and Maxwell had flown to Los Angeles to find Tariq, but only when they arrived they found the apartment he had been staying in, just no sign of Tariq, he was long gone, and no forwarding address. The decision for Riley to leave was her own, even though they both knew she didn't want to deep down. Liam tried to beg her to stay. They would keep looking, and even if he was never found they could find a way to make it work. Riley knew the toll the press and surrounding countries would take on Liam, she read tabloids, the press would constantly question everything, Riley would be cheating on Liam at every turn according to them and then the country would look unstable, ultimately with a tear-filled goodbye, she left, changing her number and address. 

Liam knew he could never marry Madeline, he loved Riley and that was more than enough to end the engagement for him. He knew that Riley loved him and more than anything he wanted to believe that fate would bring them back together just as it had before. A few drops of water splashed across his face as he kept his pace. 

Liam walked a few more blocks, the rain began to fall heavier,  he quickly ducked into a pasty shop in hopes the rain would soon subside. 

"Can I help you with anything?" The woman behind the counter questioned.

Liam approached the counter as his eyes swept the glass "Cronuts," a nostalgic smile spread across his face. "Please." 

Liam thought back to the night Riley took them all on a late-night cronut run. She raved about this delectable confection that hailed from the USA and was both a croissant and a donut combined. He thought it too good to be true, that maybe Riley was wrong about something but that first bite only proved that the woman just like the pastry was more than what meets the eye. 

"You look about a million miles away." The sales clerk's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "Must be a hell of a thought.  " She smiled.  

"It was." Liam smiled again,  "Boy meets girl, girl travels halfway around the world to try and win the hand of said boy. Boy and girl fall madly in love and then disaster tears them apart. Or that's the way the story goes."

"That sounds like quite the fairy tale. Here, hun, it's on the house." The woman offered him a smile as she slid the bag across the glass. Liam thanked her and dropped a large bill into the tip jar. 

Liam grabbed the bag about to make his way to a table to wait out the rain when the door jingled as it opened.  "the usual Rose," the woman's voice came from behind and he stopped dead in his tracks. That voice, the same one that plagued his thoughts, his dreams. The one who whispered his name so tenderly, the voice that could bring him to his knees in an instant.  There was no way it was her, in a city so big what were the odds? 

Slowly he turned, his palms sweaty, every nerve ending buzzing with pent-up hope and want."Riley." He whispered. She stood there completely still, unshed tears threatening to spill over. He shook himself out of his daze, willing his feet to move as he crossed the space between them. 

"Li- Liam? Is it really you? Are you really here?" She reached out for him only to hesitate unsure if she should. Liam took notice of her hesitation, reaching out for her hand.  "It's me Riley, I'm here fate has brought us back together and this time I'm never letting you go." 

@kingliam2019 @ao719 @emichelle @annabellewynter @twinkleallnight  @tessa-liam @riseandshinelittleblossom @blackcatkita @katedrakeohd @tinkie1973 @ownworldresident @cordoniaqueensworld @lovingchoices14 @indiana-jr @txemrn

[dcbbw]

Praise the Lord (#MBAW)

 This story is my late af submission for #Maxwell Beaumont Appreciation Week. If I’ve done this correctly, it covers many of the topics and themes presented to honor everyone’s favorite Beaumont. You’ll hear from the love interests I’ve paired him with; an ex; family; friends; and possibly the Man of the Hour himself; all will share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives on who Maxwell Beaumont is and what makes him tick.

I borrowed @choicesflashfics’ Week #17 prompt #3: “You can disagree all you want, but that doesn’t make me any less right.” It will appear in bold.

THANK YOU to those who read over snippets of this endeavor; it truly is a labor of love and took a village. Special mention to @ao719 for her suggestions and insight.  THANK YOU to all who will read this; your likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated more than you realize.

Please excuse any and all typos, missing/extraneous words, and/or grammatical errors. MS Editor rates this story as 98% error free.

Going with T for TEEN for the rating

Not really pairings, just some Maxwell appreciation

No triggers or warnings

All characters belong to Pixelberry

Song Inspo: Norman Fucking Rockwell, Lana Del Rey

Word Count: 5,085

Duchess Riley Brooks Beaumont (Acquittal AU)

The Duchess of Valtoria enters the room slightly crouched, looking  down at her daughter Annabelle; a wide, pleased smile splits her lips as she watches her child toddle without stumbling or falling.

“I did it!” Annabelle crows proudly.

“Yes, you did, my darling,” her mother agrees.

It’s been six months since her husband’s acquittal on charges of treasonous acts against the Crown. The worry lines that had creased her brow are gone; the wariness in her eyes has faded. But she holds her daughter’s hand a little too tightly; she checks the door alarm, and her glance falls too often to the security monitors that have been installed throughout her Great House.

She reluctantly lets go of Annabelle’s hand to allow the child to roam freely throughout the room; the baby runs to play with a stuffed toy collection. It’s a sizable one, taking up nearly a quarter of the area and filled with sea creatures, farm animals, plush dolls, dinosaurs, peacocks, and a life-size, glitter-covered Peppa Pig.

“Her father bought her those,” the Duchess says softly in explanation. “Every piece.” Her eyes cloud over with emotion. “He loves her beyond measure. Belle is an answered prayer for both of us.”

She sits, tossing one shapely leg over the other. “I know no one anticipated Maxwell and I to marry; hell, I don’t think Maxwell and I expected it!” She laughs, a genuine one that tilts her head back. “Our relationship is something neither of us saw coming, which may be the reason it’s so special.”

“Mama, turn around,” Annabelle demands, and her mother looks over to see her daughter making a sequined squid and a bright green peacock dance.

The Duchess claps enthusiastically at the performance before resuming the conversation.

“People ask what I see in him, what he has that a literal King doesn’t. I don’t answer because my choice of a life partner is not and will never be dictated by public opinion or pressure. But in addition to our friendship, Maxwell is a helper. Liam defends me, which is nice and frankly the least he could do since it was his father and head guard behind the scandal.

“Drake could be considered a protector, but his arrival at my door that night in Applewood was sheer luck. But in the midst of the scandal … it was Maxwell. He helped me chase down the reporter, he helped find Tariq. Yes, it was at Liam’s directive, but Maxwell would’ve found a way to help regardless. It’s what he does. Sometimes not well, but that’s neither here nor there.

“During the social season, it was Maxwell who helped me navigate Court. Maxwell was the one who helped clean House Beaumont when the workers didn’t show up, it was Maxwell who came up with the idea of the pretentious description for an ordinary appetizer we pulled together last minute. He helps, and that’s important to me.”

She frowns slightly as she studies her wedding ring.

“He’s forgetful, loyal to a fault to the wrong people, tends to not take certain responsibilities too seriously, and DO NOT get me started on his stress dancing. But his love? His love is magnificent and unwavering and when he bestows it upon you in whatever capacity … it’s forever.”

Her eyes glance at the security monitor before falling upon her daughter who is singing Happy Birthday as she pushes a plastic teacup in front of a Raggedy Ann doll.

“And I wouldn’t have him any other way.”

Riley Brooks Beaumont (ex-wife, UnRomance AU)

Riley Brooks Beaumont enters the restaurant, the hem of her navy dress swirling about her ankles. Her eyes narrow as they adjust to the dim lighting. She makes her way to the table; Maxwell Beaumont’s ex-wife has reached her chair when her head swivels and her eyes widen slightly.

At the next table is a tall Asian man with dark hair and eyes, holding a lunch meeting with what appears to be a client. Spreadsheets, charts, and graphs lay before him, and the low murmur of his voice travels slightly as he explains what the numbers represent.

He looks up; there is no recognition as he locks eyes with Riley briefly before he continues speaking. She’s slightly flustered as she sits, and quickly swallows iced water with lemon. Her eyes, filled with puzzled disbelief, dart to the Asian man before she begins speaking.

“Max and I are still friends, still friendly,” she begins. Her voice is low, her tone nostalgic. “We’re definitely better apart than we ever were together, and it’s no one’s fault.”

A waiter arrives with a glass of wine she didn’t order, and she shakes her head negatively. The water is sufficient.

“We met in Cordonia where we were both backpacking our way through the Mediterranean. We arrived with separate groups, but we ditched them to explore on our own. I never saw those people again.” She chuckles slightly. “Our romance was a whirlwind, much like Max himself. He has an energy … a … restlessness that’s contagious. He sees everything through rose-colored glasses and has an inherent kindness that makes him pretty irresistible. He wants to do right by those he’s closest to, but it’s hard for him to take the necessary actions to do so.”

Her phone pings; with an apologetic look, she picks up the cell and swiftly reads a text message. She sets it face down on the table as she speaks again.

“Not saying that Max is lazy, but he needs pushing and direction at times. He needs focus.

“I need to be the partner, the helpmate, to be able to give up control and let the man lead. But I couldn’t do that with Max; I was the one working, worrying about bills, and running the relationship. I met his needs, he couldn’t meet mine. He was content to let me support his dreams, but not motivated enough to actually work on them.

“I ended up mothering him, and we both resented me for it. Yet for all the accusations and arguments, he didn’t want the divorce; I did.”

The waiter returns, this time with a tray of food. It’s the mahi mahi lunch platter, with rice pilaf and broccoli florets. A look of panicked bewilderment crosses her face; she hasn’t even looked at the menu. Her eyes dart to the next table again; the Asian man is engrossed in conversation between bites of fish and rice pilaf.

“There were good times. Fun times. At our wedding, we delivered our vows via a rap battle. We would get drunk off cheap wine and lay on the rooftop, staring at the stars and making wishes.  We danced, and dear God, could he make me laugh! We wanted children, but it never happened for us. Maybe things would’ve been different if it had.” Her voice trails off, and she looks sadly at her plate of food.  

“Max and I were what we wanted, but not what we needed. Since our divorce, he’s been focused on his goals and growing up. He’s dating my best friend, which is slightly awkward for me, but she isn’t trying to mold him or control him. Penelope lets Max be, and he thrives best when he can just be. His timetable is different from everyone else’s; he’s always been one to march to his own beat.”

At the next table, the businessman is putting away his paperwork; he stands as he and the client shake hands. He picks up his phone when he sits back down, fingers typing swiftly. Riley’s phone pings again. She glances down, then across at the man who is now signing his receipt.

“I have to go,” she says as she rises from her chair. “Please know that Max is a great guy, he just needs too much support; I couldn’t continue to give it to him.”

Her lunch sits untouched as she walks out the restaurant’s doorway, in step with the man from the next table.

Olivia Nevrakis (Max’s girlfriend, DC AU)

“I can sum Maxwell Beaumont in two words,” Olivia Nevrakis states as she blows over a cup of fragrant tea to cool the liquid. “Perfect peace.”

Her very expression softens as she gazes as a picture of the two of them that sits on a floating shelf. Olivia is facing the camera, her tongue poked out through unpainted lips while flipping the photographer the bird. Maxwell stands behind her, his head dipped downward and his lips pressing into her hair; his face is in profile and shadow.

“I’m a difficult woman; I’m self-sufficient, stubborn, and used to taking care of myself. Max … he doesn’t try to change me. He’s my safe space. I can vent to him, I can laugh with him.” A slight pause; she appears to struggle with her next admission.

“I can be vulnerable with Max. I can cry around him. I can tell him my secrets, my innermost thoughts. Do you know how hard that is for someone as jaded as I am? But with Max, everything is just … easy.

“You know what? We never quarrel. Never. And trust me, I try it. Because he’s a little too good to be true sometimes. But he looks at me with those impossibly blue eyes of his and says, “You can disagree all you want, but that doesn’t make me any less right.” She sips her tea and grimaces at the taste. “Who can argue with that?”

Olivia reaches for a jar of honey and pours some into the cup, followed by cream. She stirs briskly, blending the flavorings into her beverage. An expression of satisfaction settles over her features when she sips again.

“Max is … balanced. That’s the only way to describe it. For all the weed, sex, junk food, and silly dancing … there’s meditation, massages, flowers for no reason, deep conversations, and cuddles. We share the chores and split the bills. We support each other in whatever way we need to. He doesn’t pigeon-hole either of us into roles or societal norms. We’re a team and a team gets in where they fit in.

“Now if I can just get him to curb his generosity when it comes to freely sharing the good green, he would be absolute perfect peace. “

Duke Liam Rys (Max’s fiancé, Laxwell AU)

“Max is my favorite subject; he’s my favorite everything!” The Duke of Valtoria laughs as his cheeks color pink.

“I’ve known him practically my entire life, but it took Drake Walker running away for me to truly see Max, to wonder what he and I could have without losing our friendship. And I want to clarify right now that Max is NOT a rebound! He’s too special, too pure to be anything other than first choice. Hell, only choice!”

Liam looks through his closet, pulling a pair of tan-colored linen pants and tossing them onto his bed. The bed he shares with Lord Maxwell Beaumont. He’s agreed to pick his fiancé up from Ramsford; from there they are headed to Portavira for a seafood dinner with the Ebrims.

“Max is horribly underestimated. Everyone sees the party boy, the slacker, the former fat kid with the jokes. But there is so much more to him than that. He’s in university, working on a double major in economics and digital marketing. His social skills are the envy of Court; he isn’t the best at reading a room, but Max is the best at reading a person. He has not one enemy within Court, and that is a testament to who he is as a person.

“His jokes are his way of covering his insecurities; he’d rather make you laugh than be the butt of laughter. He can keep a confidence. If I had to choose only one of his best qualities, it would be that he doesn’t gossip. Except with me, and even then, it’s on a need-to-know basis.”

A short-sleeved linen shirt the exact color of the pants gets tossed onto the bed as well. The Duke squats as he inspects rows upon rows of shoes.

“He saved me, you know,” Liam whispers, almost to himself. “Max was there at the two lowest points of my life. First Drake, then the assassins. You know how they say when one door closes, another one opens? You just have to get there. Believe me, it is utter hell in the hallways between doors. Max held my hand in the hallways.”

He pulls a pair of cognac-colored fisherman sandals, his eyes narrowed as he studies the contrast in colors. “It’ll work,” he sighs as the shoes join the outfit.

“Max is the yin to my yang. He stops me from being too serious, and overthinking everything. He turns the fear into excitement. Everything with him is an adventure.” The young noble gives a boyish grin. “I need adventures.” The smile falters. “I’m only able to love him because he loved me first. He taught me how to love both of us.”

His cell rings, and his face lights up. It’s Max. With a nod and smile, Liam walks away as he murmurs into the phone. Silence as he listens.

“NO WAY am I bringing ANY of those murderous peacocks with me! I will swim to Portavira first!”

Drake Walker

Drake’s expression is introspective as he takes a long pull from his flask. After a long swallow, he swipes at his mouth with the back of hand as he sets the flask a little too loudly on the wooden tabletop.

“Maxwell Beaumont? So, we’re going there.” Drake rakes shaggy bangs off his forehead as he ponders what he can safely say in appreciation about Lord Beaumont.

He pulls a pack of cigarettes closer to him, his fingers pulling one out of the pack. He digs in his shirt pocket for a lighter. The pad of his thumb scrapes the spark wheel; the small flame briefly illuminates his stubbled jawline before it’s extinguished.

“My relationship with Beaumont is … complex. There’s a lot of moving parts.” He inhales deeply; when he speaks, his words mingle with bluish-gray smoke.

“I’ve been told I’m ungrateful, but what people fail to realize is I’ve been baptized in dirty water. Every break I’ve gotten, every blessing bestowed … it’s come with a price I had no choice but to pay. I don’t owe anyone here anything.”

The Commoner’s hands clench, his jaw tenses. “Beaumont … that bastard KNEW where my sister … the only family I had left in Cordonia … he knew where she was the entire time! I was going fucking INSANE trying to find her. He was there all those times when I was taunted and teased by Olivia as to Sav’s whereabouts. He KNEW where she was when Liam sent security to find her.”

Drake’s voice cracks. “And he never once said a word!”

Silence as he smokes his cigarette, plucking columns of dead cinders into a full ashtray. “Motherfucker,” he mumbles.

“Yet, I don’t hate him. I can’t. For all the bullshit he’s put me through, I can’t help but admire him for his loyalty to and friendship with Savannah. I’m grateful someone had her back and made sure she and Bartie were taken care of.

“And despite our stations in life, Beaumont is the one person I would say gets me. We’re both outsiders, for different reasons of course; we’re the slackers of the bunch …our jobs are being friends with a King, but I’m the one who gets the heat for it. Beaumont gets a pat on the back. And let’s face it, we’re both mooching and sucking at the tit of the Crown.

“The difference is, in exchange, he’ll give them a song and dance and a helluva party. And I give him crap for it. Me … I give ‘em the finger, and he defends me for it.”

Drake scoffs before shrugging his shoulders. “How can someone have your back and still stab you in it? I mean, what are you supposed to do with a guy like that? ”

He shakes his head before barking out a wry laugh. “I swear to God, me and Beaumont are a couple of half-assed orphans … we aren’t complete orphans because as much as they don’t have anything to do with us, we each have a surviving parent … and we’re just walking each other home.”

He pulls at the flask again. “It’s nice walking with him. Sometimes.”

Bertrand Beaumont

“The one question I am constantly asked is if Maxwell and I are really related. The unfortunate answer is yes,” the Duke of Ramsford says slowly as his eyes read over treaties and agreements. “We are blood brothers. Literally.”

Bertrand pauses to sign and seal an arrangement between the Duchy of Ramsford and the Isle of Crete for the import and export of wines between them. He places it in a stack of papers to be couriered to the Palace for final review and approval by the King.

“We have both suffered the consequences and effects of having Barthelemy Beaumont for a parent, but Maxwell definitely received the brunt of it. Nothing he did was ever good enough because in father’s eyes, Maxwell wasn’t good enough. As the second-born, father had little use for Maxwell, so he grew up with mother as his primary parent.

“I believe that is where my brother learned and honed his humor skills, and how he is able to see the potential and not the worst-case scenarios.” A small smile plays upon the noble’s lips. “Perhaps his fear of missing out as well. I believe people call it FOMO.”

Bertrand���s eyes mist over ever so slightly, and his voice takes on a faraway tone. “Maxwell was determined to spend every available minute with mother. He would awaken before the sun rose and sit outside our parents’ bedroom door, waiting for mother to step out. As a toddler, he rarely used the bathroom for fear of being parted from her; he once went 17 hours without relieving himself.

“He and mother would go for walks, they read to each other, they danced. From courtly waltzes to disco to American pop and rap … they danced and laughed and shared inside jokes. However, for as much as Maxwell loved mother, he was never a mama’s boy. He’s always had a bit of a rebellious streak that came to the forefront with her death.”

He glances at the vintage timepiece that sits on his desk, then returns his attention to another agreement. “I admit I haven’t been the best sibling to my brother, and that our relationship isn’t always the best it can be. It’s a clash of personalities, but the difference is, unlike father, I’m learning to listen to and attempt to understand Maxwell. All while struggling with my own FOMO.

“He had mother, who encouraged his dreams. I had father, who killed mine.”

The Duke’s lips purse in disapproval as he reads over another trade agreement. “I definitely got the worst end of that bargain.”

Duchess Savannah Walker-Beaumont

The Duchess stands in her kitchen, her hands and forearms deep in a mixture of raw meat, eggs, onions, peppers, and breadcrumbs; a whining Bartie tugs impatiently at her pant leg.

“Drake’s coming over for dinner, so we’re eating American tonight. Mom’s meatloaf,” she offers in explanation.

Savannah glances down at her son as her hands knead and combine the ingredients in an Amish Farmer bowl. “Mama’s gonna make you some lunch real soon, okay?”

The child nods slowly as his eyes dart suspiciously between his mother’s face and the bowl.

A soft smile curves Savannah’s lips as she speaks. “Max? I love Max. Not in the way I love his brother, but I definitely don’t love Max as a brother. It’s more than that, but not like that.” She laughs in embarrassment. “Quite sure that made absolutely no sense at all, but it’s hard to verbalize what Maxwell means to me.

“You know, growing up in the Palace, surrounded by Court, it’s easy to blend in. Get lost. I was lost.  Court didn’t know who I was. I was never Jackson’s daughter; merely Drake’s little sister. The guy who hated their guts was more well-known and well-liked than the person who actually wanted to be there!

“I was one of three things: an oversight, an annoyance, a joke. I had two friends at Court: Maxwell and Kiara. We were the misfits. They were the only ones who knew about me and Bertrand. When I got pregnant and Bertrand pushed me away, they were the ones who helped me plan to run away to Paris. Kiara gave me French lessons, not only speaking it but reading it as well. Max arranged for the travel and helped me find lodging.

“I know lots of folks think I just mooched off Max the entire pregnancy, but I landed a job quickly when I settled in Paris. I was a waitress, just like Riley, until I couldn’t work any longer. THAT is when Max stepped in with offerings of the financial kind. He insisted that Bert owed me and Bartie. I didn’t feel right taking the help, not with Bertrand not knowing, but Max insisted, saying a Beaumont always takes care of their obligations.”

She wipes and washes her hands before reaching inside the refrigerator for barbecue sauce and minced garlic. The mother looks quickly over at her son, who is now loudly banging pots against the floor. Savannah studies the contents of the fridge before pulling leftover chicken, peas, and sweet potato out for Bartie’s lunch.

“I never wanted to be a burden or have Bartie viewed as an obligation, but Lord knows the extra money was a godsend.” Her voice grows quiet. “Max is my guardian angel, even now. Drake has Liam, I have Max.”

The Duchess scoops her son in one arm, and the pot with her free hand; she places the pot on an eye of the stove before pointing to the leftovers, explaining to her son that will be lunch. He grins happily before planting a wet kiss on her cheek. She laughs as she rubs noses with him.

“You wanna call Uncle Max and invite him over for meatloaf?”

Barite nods enthusiastically. “Unca Mack, Unca Mack,” he chants.

She opens a box of animal crackers, handing Bartie one before they leave the room to fetch her cellphone.

Riam

“Oooooh, we’re talking about Maxwell?” the Queen asks eagerly as she joins her husband on the drawing room sofa.

Their three-month-old twin sons are napping, and the monarchs are enjoying a quick lunch during the downtime. Plates of food are strategically scattered along the cherrywood coffee table; the King picks up a plate with a double lamb burger laden with mayonnaise, gouda cheese, grilled onions, and mushrooms; French fries; and a sliced kosher dill pickle.

The Queen chews on a deep-fried, corn-battered chicken fritter before selecting a taco salad. She mixes rice, guacamole, beans, ground beef, and seasoned rice as she speaks.

“THAT mofo! Let me tell y’all about Lord Beaumont. The man can’t tell the whole truth to SAVE.HIS.LIFE! He’s been half-assing it with me from the very beginning! It started when he convinced me to come to Cordonia. Pack a bag, he said. Everything is covered, he said. It’ll be an adventure, he said.”

She pauses to eat several forkfuls of salad and steal some of her husband’s fries. “It was not ANYTHING he said it would be! I wasn’t noble, so I didn’t know a damned thing! Apparently Maxwell didn’t either, so thank GOD for Hana Lee! I didn’t have ball gowns and riding outfits, or the money to buy them! And let me add that suitors did not get a participation discount! I maxed out all my credit cards paying full price, which wasn’t hard because of the stupidly low limits on them.

“I ALMOST GOT KILLED ON MY WEDDING NIGHT! But, to give Max credit, dude can FIGHT! Like, he kicks ass! He beat Anton like that man owed him money. But back to bashing … that fool writes MY STORY, puts HIS picture on the cover of the book, and now he’s GETTING RICH off of me! While I’m sitting over here, a broke single mother with a poor credit score.”

She shakes her head. “I should take his ass to court and sue the pants off him because he owes me ALLLL the royalties, but I’ve heard rumors about him releasing his kraken. Liam wouldn’t want me to see that.”

King Liam stares at his wife for a brief moment; she has abandoned the taco salad for a plate of sliced grilled chicken, garlic pasta, and broccoli au gratin. He dabs at the corners of his mouth before talking.

“My wife is correct, I would not want her seeing any kracken, but I think Riley doesn’t have the complete picture of Lord Maxwell. He is sweet, kind, empathetic. He believes in fairytales and that no one is too old for them. Yes, he’s forgetful and excitable and can be a bit of a jester, but it all comes from a good place. He has good intentions.”

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” Riley interrupts around a mouthful of food. “And where was all this positivity when he dragged us along on his Hollywood tour?”

Liam mulls his answer as he pours a glass of iced tea.

“Maxwell is unused to attention. Once his mother died, he became an afterthought to his father, brother, and the majority of Court. Hierarchy plays a large role in how people are treated, especially within the upper echelons of society; Lord Maxwell is merely noble, not royal. He is second-born, not expected to ascend any higher than his current station.

“Also, he’s used to not being in the spotlight. Any questions directed to him can be fielded to Bertrand, the Duke. His biggest claim to fame before the book and film was being the architect of the Beaumont Bash and even that has to have final approval from Bertrand.

“Now, he’s the man of the hour. He’s the one with the answers. He’s the final approver. Understandably, it went to his head.”

“Are you defending him?” the Queen demanded. “When I am the reason anyone even knows his name? Who’s going to pay off those credit cards? HE OWES ME, Liam!”

“Riley, all your financial affairs were settled upon our engagement … three years ago!”

“Not by him, they weren’t!”

“Is this about your credit score, or settling a score with Lord Beaumont?”

The Queen’s eyes are narrow slits. “You don’t know me. At ALL.”

Lady Kiara Theron

“Agreeing to be Maxwells girlfriend is definitely a tally in the win column for me,” Lady Kiara Theron says happily as she steps onto the balcony of the Midtown Manhattan hotel.

The future Duchess is in New York City for a UN Junior Ambassadors event.

“He has taught me so much about letting loose and having fun. Before Max, life was all work and studies and culture. It was routine. But now, there’s freestyle dancing and late-night rides to nowhere and roller skating and all the things.

“There is a trade-off because we both believe in learning and teaching and growing. So, there are lessons and educational activities, but fun ones: cooking, languages, painting. Life with Maxwell Beaumont is something I never knew I needed, and I wonder what I ever did before him.”

The smile fades slowly from her face as she takes in the view from the 33rd floor, and her expression becomes pensive.

“When I think of all the time I spent pining after Drake Walker …”

She shakes her head.  “I think that’s something Max and I have in common. We were never seen by the folks we crushed on because we weren’t seen as threats. And I don’t mean in a dangerous, risky type of way.” She falls silent as she formulates her thoughts into words.

“Drake didn’t see me as someone who could capture his heart; I wasn’t romance material, not relationship material to him. I mean, I don’t know why … look at me!”

She spreads her arms wide and gives a little twirl, her hair flying against her face as she giggles.

“Same with Riley and Max. And when you aren’t perceived as a threat, you’re never seen as a contender.

“It makes sense now given who they eventually ended up with. Drake needs someone who’s going to meet him at his level. I can’t do that. If the best version of Kiara has to show up, the best version of you does too. Not the best you can do, the best version period.

“Riley wants the huge romantic overtures; the glitz and the glamour. Max isn’t an overt person in that way. One thing I’ve learned being with Maxwell is that love isn’t always butterflies and heart palpitations. It isn’t always loud. It’s small gestures and meaningful actions. I’ve discovered that like love finds like love.”

The smile is back on her lips and lights up her face. “Max and I found each other. What I love best about him is that he loves me, he loves himself, but he loves us the most.”

The hotel phone rings, and Kiara hurries inside to answer it. The conversation is quick and one-sided. After hanging up, she rummages in her purse for her wallet before pulling out currency.

“The greatest thing about being in a relationship with Max is, he insists we take time for self-care. One day a week, we spend apart doing whatever it is we need to do for ourselves. Be it errands, business-related matters, or just vegging out. It’s our day.

“Well, today is that day and I’m going to enjoy genuine New York pizza and watch that Netflix series he insists we watch together because my boyfriend is greedy and without fail, talks through movies and tv shows. Sometimes, no matter how deeply you love someone, you just need a whole pizza to yourself and uninterrupted entertainment.

“Don’t tell him that, though. He’ll get over the pizza, but not the Netflix.”

Maxwell Beaumont

“Folks are TALKING about me?? Is it bad? If it is, you can’t believe a word they say! Will it be in the tabloids? Are there pictures? Did they get my good side? I hope so.”

Tagging:   @jared2612 @ao719  @marietrinmimi @queenjilian @indiacater @kingliam2019 @bebepac @liamxs-world @mom2000aggie @liamrhysstalker2020  @neotericthemis @twinkleallnight @umccall71 @superharriet  @busywoman @gabesmommie1130 @tessa-liam @beezm @gardeningourmet @lovingchoices14 @mainstreetreader @angelasscribbles @lady-calypso @emkay512 @jovialyouthmusic @princessleac1 @charlotteg234 @queenrileyrose @alj4890 @yourfavaquarius111 @motorcitymademadame @queenmiarys  @choicesficwriterscreations @burnsoslow @harleybeaumont @maxwell-beaumont-appreciation​

[sincerelyella]

Crossroads Part 2 - Unbothered

Book: The Royal Romance (AU)

Song inspiration: Unbothered by Tori Kelly

Pairings: past Leo x OC (Ella); Liam x OC

Summary: A now sour relationship pushes Ella to take a job in a small Mediterranean country. What’s in store for her there?

Catch up here

A/N: Participating in @wackydrabbles this week, prompt will be in bold.

Thank you for talking me through this @ofpixelsandscribbles - it helps to talk things over with someone. Lis and @sfb123​ you are the bomb diggity for prereading, love you guys!

Warnings: Adult language; tw: infidelities

Words: 1985

Smelling roses all the time, Can't mess with my peace of mind

Used to be so blue but I'm unbothered, babe

The weeks went on to become months and Ella began to feel more at home in Cordonia. She was at peace with her past with Leo, her job kept her busy, as did Liam. When she first arrived, Ella’s contract required her to work six days a week with one day off. She was working the night shift at the time, and it was mentally exhausting in the critical care unit. Ella would clock out every morning, go home to shower, and then take a walk in the park to unwind. The rest, as people would say, is history because that is where she met Liam, looking lost in thought.

Liam knew about Ella’s past hurts, why she felt like she needed to have her guard up and why she had trust issues. He had his past hurts and his most recent one was Riley Brooks. Riley was invited to Liam’s social season about a year ago by Maxwell Beaumont after they spent a nice night together in New York City. Riley seemed like the type of woman that liked Liam for Liam, not for his title, money, or possessions. He was so wrong; everyone was so wrong. It seemed as though as soon as Riley found out about Liam being royalty, she latched onto him and wouldn’t let go. She was determined to marry him and be part of his world, playing the part of loving suitor and soon-to-be Queen. It was an act, and it was Drake who found out about Riley’s extra-curricular activities in Applewood when he stumbled upon her and Tariq in her bedroom that night. Drake had feelings for Riley, everyone did, but he was the only one that confessed to Liam, feeling terrible and so guilty that it was making him ill. Thankfully, Liam understood, knowing that Riley was just loveable, and appreciated Drake’s honesty since he hadn’t acted on his feelings. It was the affair with Tariq that Liam had a hard time believing, but little did he know, Riley was dallying with Hana, Kiara, Tariq, and Leo.

After Liam chose Riley at the coronation ball and became engaged, she had a change of heart and confessed everything. Riley still wanted to be Queen of Cordonia, but she didn’t want to get married with so many secrets from her soon-to-be husband. Liam ended the engagement and sent Riley back to New York, and dealt with the fallout of the press, his father, the council, and his heart. Since then, he hadn’t even looked at another woman - until Ella.

So Liam knew all about needing time, and he wasn’t going to push Ella into anything she wasn’t ready for. His thoughts were interrupted by his ringing phone and he grinned when he saw her picture smiling at him. “Hey.”

“Hey,” Ella heard him smiling on the other end. “Why are you smiling?”

Liam cleared his throat and his voice turned serious. “How do you know I’m smiling?”

“I just know your smiling voice, sir, and that was it,” her playful tone gave Liam butterflies.

He couldn’t keep up the facade and he let out a chuckle. “Okay, you got me. I was smiling because I saw your picture on my phone when you called.”

“I hope you used a nice one,” she laughed. “Not one with me having spinach in my teeth or something.”

“How’d you know I liked vegetables in a woman’s teeth?” He feigned shock.

Ella laughed harder. “Stop,” she snorted. “I’m trying to eat my lunch.”

“What’re you eating? How’s work?”

“It’s good, one of the doctors bought us food, BBQ Haven from the capital and some boba from-”

“Boba Forever?” Liam’s eyes widened. He hadn’t had that since their opening a year ago before the social season started; now his mouth watered.

“Yep,” Ella playfully slurped her drink loudly so he could hear.

“Wow, you pretty girls are mean,” he pouted but grinned listening to her laugh over her end of the phone.

Medical alert, adult code blue, 3 South, room 344 …

Liam winced, pulled the phone away from his ear, and put her on speakerphone. “I know you have to go,” he said loudly over the voice. “I’ll talk to you later.”

He heard chairs scraping and a door slam. “Okay, bye!”

Liam hung up and put this forehead on the large wooden desk in front of him. He had to tell her that he wasn’t just Liam Rys, but he was King Liam Rys of Cordonia. He ran a country and was falling for a woman who had no idea who he was.

The door opened suddenly, and Liam jolted up like a jack-in-the-box, then scowled as Leo stepped inside. “Do you know what knocking is, Leo?”

“Sorry, I just wanted to know if I could head home today,” Leo helped himself to some scotch and sat across from his brother.

Liam sighed and ran a hand through his blonde hair. “Yes, that’s fine. I’ll have the jet prepared,” he glanced up and saw the dark circles under Leo’s eyes. “You okay?”

He shook his head. “I stopped trying to call my ex,” his voice wavered and he cleared his throat. “I … I never heard back from her so …”

Liam nodded in satisfaction. “Good. You don’t treat people like that Leo, especially someone you claim to love.”

“I’m so sorry, fuck,” he tossed back the rest of his scotch and hissed as it went down. “I know we talked about this already. But this is probably my karma for what I did with” - he swallowed thickly and looked up at Liam, who had arched his brow - “I was so fucked up in the head, Li, I swear I-”

“What? You didn’t mean it?” He used his fingers as quotation marks. “Is that what you said to your ex too?”

Leo nodded. “I deserved that, but I swear, Liam, Riley was the one who initiated it and I had no fucking clue who she was!”

“Why should I believe you?” Liam stood from his desk and walked to the bar cart. He tossed the cap to the side and drank straight from the glass container. “You’ve always been this way, Leo, always. No consequences, no responsibilities, and you dumped them on me, fine. But you slept with the person I thought I had feelings for during my social season!”

The heels of his hands were pressed against his eyes. “I know, and you don’t have to believe me but … I am so sorry. And I love this girl, Li! I just couldn’t … keep it in my pants.”

The young king nodded. “You’re right, and neither could Riley.” He placed the cap back onto the scotch container and returned it neatly to the cart. “It’s fine, Leo, I forgive you. Riley wasn’t who I thought she was, and I finally met someone that I’m truly falling for. It’s not an act either, there are no red flags,” Liam chuckled as he sat back down onto his desk chair. “Just green ones.”

“That’s great, Li, I’m happy for you,” he gave his brother a small smile.

“Now to figure out how to tell her I’m a king,” Liam muttered as he dropped his head back.

“I’m sorry … you need to what now?”

He let out a sigh and straightened his neck out, rolling his shoulders back as he did so. “She doesn’t know about who I am yet. I want to tell her but I’ve been waiting for the right time.”

“Gotta rip the bandaid off, Li. Don’t fuck up like I did and not tell her shit.”

Liam nodded. “I know.”

The brothers talked for a little bit until Leo excused himself to pack before his flight back to Los Angeles that night. Liam sent a text to Ella about meeting her to talk to her about something, she agreed and sent him her address. He quickly stood and made his way to his quarters to get ready to see her.

*

An hour later

Ella paced in her apartment, chewing on her bottom lip as she did so. Talk? Talk about what? They talked on the phone an hour before. This is how I get dumped, again. How the fuck do you get dumped twice in a year?! You must suck, Ella. A knock on her door interrupted her thoughts and caused her to look up. Checking who it was first in the peephole, she saw blonde hair and smiled. She unlocked the door and swung it open.

“Ella,” he smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

“Hi,” she leaned her head against the door and stared up at him.

Liam grinned. “May I come in please?”

“Oh,” her cheeks flushed as she stepped back to let Liam in. “Sorry,” locking the door behind him she turned and met his gaze. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Can we sit, El?”

He looks nervous. She nodded and gestured to the couch in the middle of the living room. “Did you want a drink?”

“I’m okay, thank you, but you can have one if you want …”

“I don’t want one.” But I may have one after you leave depending on what this is about.

Liam gave her a small smile as she sat next to him, waiting expectantly for him to start speaking. “I … I’m sorry for the mystery, but I didn’t want to hide anything from you. I want to be honest.”

Ella nodded, not trusting herself to speak. There’s another woman. There’s always another woman.

“My name is Liam” - he took a breath in and let it out - “But to the country, I am King Liam of Cordonia.”

Her lips were parted as she stared at him for a full minute, like she was waiting for more; then confusion crossed over her features. “Oh.”

“Oh?” Liam was starting to freak out with her lack of a reaction. “Oh. Is that good or bad?”

“Oh. Oh! It’s … uh,” Ella pursed her lips together. “I … I don’t know! I guess I didn’t expect … that. So … there’s not another woman?”

“What? No!” Liam took both of her hands in his, his thumbs brushing over her knuckles. “There hasn’t been anyone for me, for a year or so. I just wanted to tell you who I am because I don’t want to have any secrets. I … have feelings for you and I want to get to know you more.”

“More?” she whispered. “Like, more than I’ve already told you? I think that’s all there is to know about me, Liam.”

“You told me superficial things,” he smiled. “But I want to know how your eyes change color when you cry, or your sleepy face when you first wake up, or what you look like when you think at work … I want to know all those things. The things you don’t see.”

Ella bit her bottom lip hard to keep it from quivering. She didn’t think she was all that interesting, Leo never asked about her except what she did for a living. “Oh, okay,” she said.

“So, I just told you I’m a king, and you just said ‘oh.’ Can we go back to that part please?” They both chuckled. “I want to know what you think about it.”

“Right,” she rolled her bottom lip between her fingers in thought, then shrugged after a moment. “You’re still you, Liam, and I honestly don’t care if you’re a gardener or a trash collector. I like you for you. For Liam.”

He heaved a sigh of relief. “I am so glad to hear you say that you like me.”

Ella rolled her eyes. “That’s all you heard?”

“I heard all of it and it was music to my ears,” he pulled her to his chest and they both grinned.

A sudden knock sounded at the door and Ella pulled back to look up at Liam. “Are you expecting someone?” They said at the same time and laughed.

She shook her head, stood and walked towards the door, flinging it open. “Oh …”

“El? Who is it?” Liam stood from the couch and made his way to her.

“Leo …” she whispered.

[queenmiarys]

@honey358luv @luvquit @yolandawalker @socalwriterbee @shewillreadyou @kingliam2019 @lilyoffandoms @angelasscribbles @bebepac @harleybeaumont

Book: The Royal Romance/Royal Heir

Series Summary: this book starts off in book two before the engagement tour, the Beaumont’s don’t have financial issues Bertrand and Savannah are already married their son is three, this Maxwell is not canon.

Chapter Summary: Liam think of way’s to get out of his engagement, Maxwell past hunts him and Drake askes Hana out, Leo is mentioned in past tense.

Pairing: Drake x Hana, Maxwell x Juliana

Warning, Mention of past drug use, possible blackmail, flirting, profanity. Not suitable for anyone under the age of 18 if you read you acknowledge you are 18 or older

I hope that you enjoy reading

Chapter2-Deals

“Lord Maxwell, may I have a word?"

“What do you want with me?"

“We have something in common, I want to be Queen ruling besides Liam, and you want Lady Juliana, am I right?” I’m quite sure that we want to keep them apart in some way."

“Madi, Liam is my friend."

“Sure, he is, but you can’t keep your hands off his suppose to be girlfriend, I know the real reason Leo abandicated, he was in a bad place in his life and the crown was to much."

" Constantine made sure no one found out, but he wasn’t the only one, “See I know that you had to go to rehab to because you liked partying too, not even your brother knows, it’ll be quite embarrassing for your family for people to find out you had a drug addiction, my requests are simple not much."

“Madi, are you trying to blackmail me?"

“Not at all Lord Maxwell I’m simply asking for information from you that’s all and some simple request."

1. “I need your old dealer’s information?"

2. “Keep Juliana occupied."

3. Try to keep Tariq hidden, I know house Beaumont has an open investigation, I need you to run an interference with that."

“Why would I help you? And why would you want my old dealers’ number?"

“Because you are in love with Juliana and you want her a way from Liam. “The dealer part, the less you know the better."

“Okay here’s the information."

“Look I really loved Leo but his life turned dark at one point and he turned to drugs, and I’m not sure what made you but I’m glad you are clean, but to secure my place I must do what I need to do, do we have a deal?" Your part will be simple since you’re already probably fucking her anyway."

He sighs, “You have a deal but I still need to help her find Tariq."

I didn’t say don’t help her I said slow down on finding him for a few weeks then resume and let me do what I need to."

Madeleine thought back to the night of the engagement ball, hoping that Maxwell loved Juliana enough to betray his friend in the name of love, she claps her hands “okay people let’s get to work this Royal picnic must be perfect."

“hello darling it’s so nice you come to help me, have a seat I can get someone to fix you breakfast." Liam took a seat as everyone was busy around them.

“So, how’s everything going here?"

It’s going better then I thought, you know we leave in a few days for the tour, on to another issue I say by your look that Juliana didn’t accept your proposal for me to be Queen and she be yours?"

"I don’t want to talk about my personal life."

"Okay suit yourself, you know I’ll be there if you need me I’m not that heartless you know."

“Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind."

___________

Juliana wakes up, thinking uabout Maxwell, since they returned, she hasn’t seen him or talked to him, she wonders if he’s mad because she still cares for Liam, there’s a knock on the door, “wait just a moment, she gets Max favorite teddy and the matching silk robe, she perks up her breast and opened the door. "Oh so sorry she shut the door and tied her robe Then open the door back. " Hana what are you doing here?

“I didn’t know you were into girls, Hana laughed.

"Get in here!" she said as she hugged her

I’m now apart of the royal court, thanks to Liam, she looks at her curiously, who were you expecting?"

“No one, it’s not important tell me how things went with your parents."

“Okay avoiding my question, ok but you’re not off the hook, for now I’ll let it go, but you know you need to be careful, and while I was home just bored being there, my mom didn’t hardly speak and my father was kind of playing peace maker with us."

” I know, guess I’m not thinking I got so much on my mind, sorry about your mom."

“How was Thursdays Ball? And your first-time seeing Liam in 3 weeks?"

She sighs, “I was fine and I told Liam as long as he’s engaged there is no us."

There’s a knock on the door, she opens the door and Maxwell is standing there.

“Hey Jewel, sorry I been keeping my distance for last few days, but I’ll explain."

“Max don’t."

“Look Jewel I should stay away from you; he pauses noticing Hana sitting there, “Hana when did you get here, gave her a quick hug, look I should go and let the two of you catch up. "

Hana looked between the two, her eyes went wide in realizing what was going on, as soon as the door closed, “So you and Maxwell?

“I don’t know what you mean!"

"Hmmm you came to the door dressed like that, and I know it wasn’t for Liam because he’s with Madeline helping with the picnic, not trying to pry but you know you can trust and talk to me, it won’t leave this room I promise."

“Okay me and Max been sleeping together, but now I don’t know what we are, I really can’t explain it, I thought we were just two people having sex for comfort. But I fell in love with him."

“So, you have fallen for him?"

“Yes."

“How do you feel about Liam now?"

“I still care about him, but I feel that I was led here for Maxwell and not Liam, I so wish I was dreaming, I haven’t Heard or seem Max in a few days, I’m going crazy wondering because he’s so distance."

“I’ll help you out, meet me in my room in 15 minutes, I’ll leave and send Max up I’ll give you 1 hour."

“Hana, you don’t need to do that."

“I insist you need it. I saw how you lit up when you saw him, and how sad you were."

"Thank you, Hana."

Hana texted Max to meet her in her room.

.

Max thought it was strange, but he went, knocked and Hana answered

“Thank you for coming, my other guest will be along shortly."

"No thanks, look Hana I’m not up for this."

"I think you will be, there’s a knock on the door, what took so long, okay I’m off you two talk or whatever."

“Jewel, you told her about us?"

“No, she guessed and I couldn’t lie to her, she knew I wasn’t answering the door for Liam she had just left him."

“You got to be careful here baby you can’t be that way here like at home."

“I know and I’m sorry, I miss you so much, been keeping your distance, I told you there’s nothing going on with Liam."

I trust you, it’s something I want to tell you, it’s a part of  my past that  I’m not proud of, but when I was 19 I started making   some stupid decisions, I started using coke, I was going through a hard time with my mom passing and my father was a total ass, but  I wasn’t hooked to bad, I did it a few times a week for almost for 3 years."

“Wait before you respond okay, “I used to  party with Leo,  and he overdosed while we were at a club in LA, because of who he was it was handled privately."

“ I was   21 almost 22. I didn’t want to turn into that kid, even Bertrand don’t know, Leo father made sure that no one knew we went to rehab and I haven’t used it in almost 7 years, that’s one of  reason I love dancing  so much it keeps me sane and keep me focused."

She grabbed him and kissed him. "I'm not going anywhaere, that only made you stronger, look at the man you become, I had a little wild side myself with pills. "I grew up and give up doing it."

“Madeleine has her suspicions about us, and she knew about Leo and me."

“What did she want from you, she’s engaged to Liam so why she talking about something that happened 7 years ago?"

“She wanted the info of my supplier."

“She uses?"&

“I don’t know I never saw her do so, I just wanted you to know all of me if we ever moved forward with whatever this is jewels."

"I saw Liam yesterday he said he’s trying to find a way to break things off with Madeleine so the two of you can start over."

"Max, we been apart 4 days and I missed you like crazy, I haven’t slept good because you’re not beside me until I fall asleep, I panicked thinking you wanted to end things." Let's not talk about Liam I'm with you."

"I’m sorry I just had so much on my mind , and I can definitely do that no Liam talk, I love you."

“I love you too." they kissed and continued to talk a little, neither of them got much sleep, laying on his chest she drifted off to sleep and he just letting her rest.

_________

Hana was walking through the gardens, when she heard Drake calling," hi Drake?"

"Hana what are you doing here?" He gave her a hug, “So how did it go back home?"

“It was weird my father has kind of soften it’s my mother that’s the problem, don’t get me wrong I love them but they get on my last nerves."

“Juliana really helped me speak up for myself I would like to fall for someone on my own terms not some arrangement."

Drake put both hands in his pockets, look Hana I know 'I’m not a noble man, or really rich for that matter, would you like to join me for a breakfast date ? It's a place in the Square called Estiatorio."

"I’ll love too, Hana was surprised at Drake new truck, he’s doing well for himself he definitely not broke as people think she thought, “this is a nice truck, did it cost a lot?"

“About $100,000, don’t worry I can afford it."

She nods okay, but still confused they pull up to a very expensive restaurant for breakfast, Drake if you’re trying to impress me you don’t need to, I really like you."

“That’s not what I’m doing, I’m a regular here it’s my favorite place for breakfast come on, my regular table Scott?"

“Drake but you said you are broke so what’s going on?""

"I have money, but I worked for most of my money, my father was killed in the line of duty, Liam’s mother made sure that before my father died that money was put in a trust for me and Savannah, there was a million for each of us, plus the money I’ve earned, but I don’t want people knowing other then Liam and his family and now you I’m broke, I don’t want to be some noble guy, I’m just a regular guy who take care of his self."

“Okay I understand."

"Also have news after next weekend I’ll be second in demand, I’ll become Lieutenant Bastien is my boss but basically, I’m over everyone else."

“Congratulations Drake, she gives him a hug, can I ask you something?"

“Sure anything. “

“Well do it ever scare you going into this line of work."

He smiles, “No not at all; I have been doing it for years secretly, now I’m have a title I love what I do."

“I understand."

“I just had my new home built and I wanted to show it to you."

"Okay cool I’ll love to see it, they pulled up to a beautiful Ranch style home and parked in the garage."

“You are my first guest my lady, right this way, this is my office, 2 half baths for guest, the sitting room, the dining area, the living room, here are the two bedrooms downstairs one master and one regular the bathroom is down the hall, they made their way upstairs 3 bedrooms upstairs, all with full baths, at the end of the hall was a movie theater, hot tub and Jacuzzi out back."

“Wow impressive Mr. Walker, now can we test out that hot tub she winks?"

“Right this way, look I hope you don’t think I brought you hear expecting anything, I would like to get to know you better and build a friendship and more, only if you want too of course."

"I really like you Drake, honestly I really do think your hot, and handsome, I think most of the men who put you down are jealous they wasn't born with your looks and definitely not with that body damn, she bit h bottom lips, you don’t know how sexy you are do you?"

He gives a shy smile, "I’m told all the time but that’s it I don’t believe no one wants more with me."

"I want to see where this goes, but I have something to tell you, I like both men and women, if I met a girl and wanted her to be apart of our life would you be okay with it, or you rather me not date girls?"

" Hana, I like you for you, you have a big heart, I’m willing to open my door to another person as long as it’s a woman and you invite me to join in occasionally, look I want to ask you something we have a week before we leave for the engagement tour, I was hoping that we spent more time together here? Before we left next week."

I would love that." they started kissing.

_________

Liam sits in his room in the hot tub thinking, how the hell was he going to get out of this engagement and how to get Juliana back, he noticed how she changed and started to wonder if someone has changed her or she didn’t love him anymore,

“Liam?" A voice called out we need to talk, he looked over his shoulder to see Regina standing in the door.

“Yes, Regina how may I help you?"

He frowned his brow, wow you don’t get it, I only want Juliana as my wife, having my children I only want her, and I know someone set her up, I'll never believe she has or had anything with Tariq."

“I talked with Madeleine earlier; I know you are in love with Juliana and she’s a lovely young lady, but I don’t believe she’s fit to be Queen; Madeleine on the other hand has been raised her whole life for this, that’s why I made her offer you Juliana and she rules beside you, now that’s a win all around don't you think given Juliana reputation?"

"I just hope this girl doesn’t hurt you again."she says as she walks out.

He let out a heavy sigh, another knock on the door, " Mr. O'dell what do you have for me?"

"Your majesty, She had a meeting with your father and your security, she then went to Ms. Rodriguez room, there was no answer so then she made a call and left she met up with a guy he appeared to give her pills or something but I was to far away to tell Sir."

“Thank you, O’Dell I need a new detail on Ms. Rodriguez I need to know if she’s seeing anyone, and keep detail on Ms. Amaranth as well, I need to know if she set up Juliana, you know what but someone on my father too." Since he dead set on me marrying Madeleine he thought.

_________

“Kiara I need to talk to you, meet me in an hour? Dear."

“Madeline what’s going on?"

“Well, Juliana won’t be a problem, she’s fucking Maxwell."

I don’t know about Tariq but I’m sure she’s fucking Maxwell, look I just need him to keep her away from Liam, I’m going to sleep with Liam, I need to get pregnant with his child.

Kiara mouth hung open in surprise. First Tariq now Maxwell? C'est vraiment une pute n'est-ce pas?"

Look I can’t go into detail the less people know the better I’m just waiting the right time to do this.

"Est-ce que tu réussiras quand il ne te verra pas comme ça?"

[sfb123]

The Final Goodbye - Chapter 1

Book: The Royal Romance, Book 2

Pairing: Liam x Riley

All characters belong to Pixelberry.

Description: In a slight canon divergence from book 2, Riley reaches her breaking point with the engagement tour and decides to restart her life when the court gets to NYC. Can the rest of the group clear her name, and convince her to come back before it’s too late? 

Rating: PG (I think there are a few swear words in there, very angsty, but otherwise pretty mild)

Word Count: 1,496

A/N: So, I did a thing. This started as a one shot that I half wrote like a month ago and gave up on. Then I got haunted by Whitney Houston (and later, when she got sick of bugging me, she moved on to @jessiembruno, I’m assuming to send her to harass me about finishing). This week, inspiration struck and I finished it...and it became a mini-series. So look forward to this over the next 4 Wednesdays. 

A couple of quick shout outs I wanted to get out there: @callmeellabella, thank you for being so sweet and taking a look at the snippet I provided. @queenrileyrose, thank you for taking the time to chat with me, I hope the story lives up to the hype I gave it. 

A not so quick shout out to @jessiembruno, I pretty much annoyed you every step of the way in writing this one, sharing screenshots, and letting you know every time that damn song showed up in my life. Your notes when you read it for me gave me so much encouragement, you were invaluable in helping me get through that last emotional push at the end. Hell, you even titled the thing! I don’t know why we hurt Liam the way we do, but I know in the end, we’ll always give him a happy ending (wait...not like that...well, maybe sometimes like that). 

Tags: Listed below. If you’d like to be added or removed, just let me know! 

Riley sat on the rooftop overlooking New York City, Maxwell rattling off the different images he saw in the stars as she got lost in her thoughts. They were in New York as the last leg of Liam and Madeleine’s engagement tour. Soon, they would be going back to Cordonia where she would be expected to sit in a cathedral and watch the love of her life marry another woman. 

They had been investigating the scandal that came out at the coronation for weeks, and didn’t seem to be any closer to finding Tariq. As the time ran out, Riley’s hope of a cleared name faded further and further away. Could she really go back there and watch another woman steal her happily ever after? She was already in New York, it would be easy to just stay and try to start her life back up again. Honestly, if she wasn’t going back there to marry Liam, what was the point of going back at all? Sure, she had made a couple of great friends, but there were a million and one ways for them to stay in touch. Or ghost them, to avoid hearing about Liam and his wife. She wasn’t quite sure which option she would choose once all was said and done.    

She weighed out the pros and cons, and finally decided that she would not be returning to Cordonia with the rest of the court. But she wasn’t going to tell anyone, she wasn’t going to give them the opportunity to team up on her and talk her into going back. And she certainly wasn’t going to tell Liam, he had already talked her into being the other woman for this entire tour, a moniker she swore she would never take on in her lifetime. She knew she wouldn’t be able to say no to him, and would be convinced to come back to Cordonia and be miserable. She would do it tonight, once they returned to the hotel, she would get her things together, and sneak out while everyone else slept. Daniel had an extra room, conveniently, he was using it to store the stuff she didn’t bring with her when Maxwell whisked her away. 

“Earth to Riley. Are you even listening? I’m dropping some of my A+ material right now.” Maxwell waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her thoughts. “Where’d you go?”

“Sorry Max, I was just thinking. Must have zoned out a little.”

“It’s ok, I get it. There’s a lot going on right now.” He replied empathetically, suddenly jumping to his feet in excitement. “I know, let’s go out!”

“We are out.” She looked up at him.

“No, not boring UN Gala out. Fun out! I’ll grab everyone, the dream team will cheer you up!”

Riley paused to think about it for a second. If she wasn’t going to give her friends a proper goodbye, maybe one last adventure would be the perfect way to remember them. They could do it up big, and then she would start over in the morning. She smiled softly at her friend before responding. “That sounds really nice Maxwell, I’d love to.”

“Yes!” Maxwell raised his fist in the air and pulled her into a hug. “You go back to the hotel and change, I’ll get the gang together and text you where to meet.”

Riley went back to the hotel and put on some more comfortable clothes. Something she would typically wear on a night out in New York. She didn’t want to start packing yet, in case Maxwell offered to walk her back to her room. She reached out to Daniel to make sure she could stay with him. Of course he said yes, while also trying to get the details. She promised to fill him in on everything when she got there. The more she thought about her plan, the more she started to worry. Maxwell said he was going to get everyone together. Did that mean Liam would be there? Would she be able to keep herself composed, and keep her secret, knowing that this would be the last time she would ever see him? She started second guessing her plan, she should have just left. Tonight was going to suck. 

She entered the bar, and immediately noticed Maxwell, Drake, and Hana in a corner booth. No Liam. She took a deep breath and approached them. “Hey guys!” She put on her cheeriest face. 

“Thank God, Brooks. Maxwell can harass you now.” Drake rolled his eyes and patted the seat next to him. 

Riley slid into the booth and put her arm around Drake, giving him a side hug. “Aww, poor Drakey. I’ll save you from big bad Maxwell.” Hana and Maxwell laughed, and Drake rolled his eyes. “So Maxwell, why this place? You know I’ve lived here for like ever, I could have picked.”

“No, this is your cheer up night, so I needed to find the perfect place, and this is it.” He gestured to the stage. “It’s karaoke night!” 

“So, if this is to cheer me up, and it’s karaoke night, does that mean Drake is going to serenade me?” She turned to face Drake, smiling sweetly and batting her eyelashes. 

“Fat chance.” Drake looked at Riley with a stern expression. “I’ll buy you drinks, that’s as cheery as you’re getting from me.”

“Sold!” She put her hand out and shook Drake’s. She signaled for the waitress to come over, and ordered a round of shots for the table, and a drink for herself.  

As the night went on, the group laughed and sang and told stories. Riley was having a great time, and wasn’t letting on in the slightest that this would be the last time they were all together. Maxwell had just come offstage from his third performance of the night, as he walked toward the table, his smile grew and he waved his hand to greet someone. “Liam, you made it!” 

Riley’s breath caught in her throat, and she could swear she felt her heart stop. She closed her eyes briefly to compose herself before standing and turning toward the door to greet him. “Hey, I didn’t know you were coming.”

Liam’s eyes started to sparkle the second they met hers, his smile lighting up at the sight of her. She looked just as beautiful as she did the night they met, he loved when she was dressed casually. Sure, she was stunning in ballgowns and expensive designer clothes, but this was her. Authentic Riley. The Riley that had captured his heart. “It took me some time to get away, but Maxwell said you needed cheering up, so this is where I need to be right now.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek gently. 

Suddenly, Riley was frozen. She wasn’t sure what to do, or what to say. Everything had been going so smoothly. Why did he have to show up? She couldn’t be there anymore. Not as long as he was. Now that she was faced with the reality of her plan, she didn’t know what she was thinking just leaving Liam without saying goodbye. Without telling him how much he truly meant to her. But she also knew she couldn’t give him a chance to talk her out of it. She decided she would use this opportunity to sing her feelings. 

“I have to go. It’s my turn to sing.” She turned away from Liam abruptly, pulling the shot glass out of Drake’s hands before it could reach his lips, bringing it to hers and throwing her head back. With that, she walked to the front of the bar.

After a quick conversation with the DJ, she walked to the microphone and looked down. As the music started, she looked up and locked eyes with Liam. She proceeded to sing ‘I Will Always Love You’ while keeping her eyes locked on his. Their friends looked back and forth between the two of them, seeing the pain in both of their expressions. As the songs continued, Riley was finding it harder and harder to keep her emotions in check. She started to avoid Liam’s gaze, only glancing up at him occasionally. To most of the room, it sounded like she was leaning heavily on her vibrato, but her friends all knew that was her emotions getting the best of her. 

Once the song finished, she placed the microphone back on the stand and quickly ducked into the crowd, before any of her friends could catch up to her. She carefully made her way to the door and left the bar. She walked a few blocks before she lost the battle she was fighting with her tears. After taking some time to gather herself, she continued on her way to Daniel’s apartment. There was no way she would be able to go back to the hotel, she’d figure out how to get her stuff later. 

Permatags: @anjanettexcordonia @athena-penrose @chemist-ana @cordonia-gothqueen @cordoniaqueensworld @gabesmommie1130 @gkittylove99 @hopelessromanticmonie @iaminlovewithtrr @jessiembruno @kat-tia801 @khoicesbyk @kingliam2019 @lucy-268 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @mile9213 @mom2000aggie @pixie88 @queenrileyrose @secretaryunpaid @sweatyrysconnoisseur @theroyalheirshadowhunter @twinkleallnight @txemrn

Liam X Riley:

@jared2612​

@choicesficwriterscreations​

[kingliam2019]

I Know You’re Out There Somewhere 5

Gabrielle has been gone 6 months and now at 8 months pregnant Clara has made her slow down and lessened her workload, to 2 days a week. Sitting in her office and just doing minimal computer file work. At her last Dr. appointment, she was told that the baby was fine and progressing well, which made her happy. And was told to expect back aches and rest as much as possible. Her back has been hurting more and more and no amount of heating pads and soft pillows would ease the pain, the only thing would help was a nice warm bath, which she took nightly. Sometimes while relaxing her mind would wonder to Cordonia and Liam and her friends and how she just left, but she was pissed after Madeline showed up to her door the next day and said Liam proposed, she should have confronted him right then and there after Madeline left her room but she knew that’s what King Father and Godfrey wanted, they didn’t want an outsider, someone living from paycheck to paycheck to rule their country, hell maybe they thought she was a Crown chaser who wanted the rich life knowing that she would never want again and run the Country to the ground and go spend crazy and be a modern day Mary Queen of Scots, but she wasn’t like that, growing up not poor, but worked to get by she knew what it was like to go without, so she would have never been like that. She wanted to help and turn around the Country, Help the poor, and homeless and make sure all children had a warm home and adopted parents who loved them as their own, hell if it came to it, she would have talked to Liam about having them work at the palace, even if it were to clean the dungeons. But that’s all water under the bridge, she has a great job, a great place to live and is surrounded by beautiful co-workers.

The day after Bas left Leo’s Quarter’s with the information on Tariq being in the Sonoma Valley, Madeleine did some investigating into the area. Bas was nice but he did things old school, not relying on computer’s, he called in favor’s making other people do the work while he came out reaping the benefits, hell just about the only thing he was good for was his fighting skills. After some computer digging, she made a few calls to get her plan in motion.

Drake, Olivia and Maxwell were with Liam trying to help keep his mind from wandering to Riley, they convinced him to start eating more and drinking less, that his country was falling apart and needed their King back, Leo could do so much as King Regent, so with their help, meetings were made, charities were back to being cared for and the people were starting to rally around their King. He and Drake were in the gym more. Every time Liam wanted to drown himself in booze to rid his pain of Riley not being there, they were in the gym, either exercising or honing up on their fighting skills. “How ya holding up there Liam feeling better? I don’t want to wear ya out.” “Na man I’m good, I feel really good actually, thanks for this Drake it does really take my mind off things.” Sitting in the Sauna relaxing after a workout, Liam stretched out on the bench, Drake sitting with his head thrown back stretching his back, Liam turned to Drake with a look of guilt, he sighed softly.” Drake, I wanted to thank you for helping me get out of my funk, I know that you and Max and Liv and Leo and Bas have been helping in finding Riley, I know I should be helping too but I was just so caught up in my own self at her leaving and the stupid thing I did by kissing Madeline, but we were all so drunk, I’m not mad at her for kissing you,” “ Li I’m sorry man I didn’t know she was going to do that…” Liam held up his hand stopping Drake from going on. “I know man, I know but like I said I’m not mad at either of you, I was going to her room the next day to apologize after I woke up, but when I got there, she was gone. I found out what Madeline did that morning telling Riley that I proposed, I went to confront her, I went to her room and knocked on her door wanting to give her a real good tongue lashing for what she did, but when she opened the door, she crumbled at my feet with her head in her hands sobbing and telling me how sorry she was. I took in her disheveled appearance; I saw the honesty in her eyes.” He blew out a breath and shook his head. Looking back at Drake before adding more water to the stones. Drake raked his fingers through his hair. “Do you believe her Li? I mean come on its Madeline, we all know she’s as calculating and as cunning as they come, could have been another act? I mean …”

“ No Drake she was sincere, she never wanted the crown, she just joined the season because Regina and my father, (and I use that name loosely,) didn’t want her to get hurt like my mother did, which is bullshit to me but anyway yea I do believe her, she told me while we were on the tour she found someone with whom had his eye on her for some time, and they have been seeing each other when they could.” Drake’s eyes were wide while his jaw hit the floor… “Wait What? Are you serious?” “Yea she told me that the night we all went out to the beer garden, she was leaving Cordonia to go live with him and wanted to see where it could go.” “Wow Li just…. WOW. okay, care to share who?” “Um yea ya ready for this? Franchesco.

@ao719 @bebepac @the-soot-sprite @angryschnauzer @bobasheebaby @txemrn @dcbbw @queenrileyrose @kingliamandriley @hertzwritings @burnsoslow @ladyangel70 @fictionloveevie @kat-tia801 @sirbeepsalot @twinkleallnight @busywoman

[twinkle-320]

Look What You Made Me Do

Book:  The Royal Romance 3 (somewhat AU) 

Pairing:  Drake Walker x MC, Liam x MC

Summary:  The unexpected happens while everyone is in Las Vegas for Riley and Liam’s stag and doe party.

Rating: Teen

Warnings:  mild language, hints to sexual activity

Word count:  2062

A/N: I wrote this little one-shot after seeing an AU Prompt list that sparked the idea.  I don’t know if this is something that’s been done before...I don’t recall reading anything like it but then again, my memory is horrible so I’m sorry if this has been done.

Tags: @ladyangel70 @gkittylove99 @lovingchoices14 (if you only want to be tagged in my series posts, please let me know) @choicesficwriterscreations​

Woken by a wave of nausea, Riley rolled onto her back with a groan, stretching the aches and pains from her body.  As the throbbing in her head got stronger, her eyes fluttered open and she was thankful that the curtains had been drawn tight.  One too many of Maxwell’s glittery cocktails the night before, in addition to the whiskeys she consumed at the after-party made her feel like death and there was no way she could tolerate the sun.

Feeling the familiar weight and warmth of her fiancé beside her, Riley sighed softly to herself.  Even with the wedding only a few days away, it still felt surreal and she still wasn’t quite used to sharing the bed.  “You’ll have to get used to it,” she told herself.  In a few days time, she’d have everything she never wanted…a powerful husband, a country to rule, and the weight and expectations of a crown on her head.

As she grappled with her reality in her foggy mind, images of Drake ran through her mind unbidden. Their first real moments of connection in Lythikos.  Finally admitting their feelings after he’d saved her from Tariq.  Forbidden kisses in the Beaumont study and in the courtyard before the Coronation.  It was the night of the Coronation that she had realized she was falling in love with him. Despite that love, she had been prepared to say yes to Liam’s proposal out of fondness for him and obligation to those that said she needed to become Queen.  Everything changed in the blink of an eye though when the scandal broke.

When she returned to court, obligation was no longer enough of a motivation.  She had returned with no intention of pursuing Liam; her only goal was to clear her name.  In the weeks that followed she fell even more for Drake and Liam kept drawing her into his orbit wanting to maintain a secret relationship causing even more confused emotions.

On their final stop of the engagement tour in New York they finally located Tariq and Riley’s name was cleared.  Despite their agreement to talk about them when her name was cleared, Drake had left New York ahead of the rest of the court, leaving only a note saying that they couldn’t be together and that she and Liam deserved each other.  On their final night in the city, Liam took her back to the Statue of Liberty, got down on one knee, and proposed.  Riley had tears in her eyes but they weren’t the tears of joy that Liam assumed them to be.  With her mind screaming “No,” Riley nodded and said “Yes, Liam…I will marry you.”

From there, everything became a whirlwind.  Attacks at the palace and orchards, a Unity Tour, an attempted coup at Lythikos.  Through it all she smiled at Liam’s side as they grew closer, but she still wasn’t in love.  Each day though she made herself promise to find happiness in her upcoming marriage. Even though the threat to their country had yet to be eliminated, Maxwell surprised them with a stag and doe party in Las Vegas.

While they partied the night before, Riley told herself with each drink that she was just celebrating her wedding.  Sitting at the bar with her chin in her palm, drinking her whiskey, and watching Kiara throw herself at Drake, she feigned a smile when Liam joined her.

“Has this evening been everything you hoped for, love?” she recalled him asking.  Afraid her voice would betray her, Riley simply nodded.  “Is there anything else I can do for you to make it perfect, my future queen?”  All she could recall from there was being touched by how loving and kind he was, everything else was a blur.

Standing slowly from the bed, Riley grabbed a blanket to wrap around her naked body and made her way to the mini-bar for some water and ibuprofen.  Groans filled the room and she heard the rustling of blankets coming from behind her.  Grabbing an extra bottle of water she returned to the bed, leaning against the headboard with her legs stretched out in front of her and holding out the extra bottle.

“Thought you could use some water. I know I can, my head is pounding.”

Suddenly the bed covers flew off. “Nevin?”

Riley turned, over come with panic, looking where she had expected to find Liam and instead found Drake staring back at her in shock.

“Drake?  What are you…?  How? Did we…?”

A quick glance to where the covers had been thrown off told Riley that Drake was as naked as she was.  “Oh my god,” she gasped, noticing the condom that had been opened but laid unused on the nightstand beside Drake.  Things must have gotten hot and heavy before they could put it on because the tingle in her body alone was enough to tell her what they had done.

Drake ran his hands through his hair, still not making any move to cover himself up.  “Holy shit!  What did we do?”

“From the looks of it I’d say…”

“Don’t!  Don’t say it.”  Drake stood from the bed and began to gather his clothes that were strewn all about the room.

Despite herself, Riley couldn’t help but admire his body.  “Well this is a nice view,” she said with a nervous laugh.

“Do you really think this is the time for jokes, Nevin.”

“Sorry,” Riley shrugged.  “Just trying to cut the tension.”

“Not even Olivia’s sharpest blade could cut this tension.  I can’t believe this…how did I let this happen?”

“Drake, calm down, you’re freaking out.”

“Uh-huh,” Drake said buttoning his jeans, “join me, won’t you?”

“No…I won’t.  We’ve both wanted this for a long time now.  It was bound to happen.”

“Not this way…not when neither of us even remember it and not when you’re marrying my best friend in three days.”

“I’m only marrying him because you want me to.”

“Don’t say that, Nevin.”

“Why?  It’s true,” she said, watching him pull a t-shirt over his head, “it should be…”

Riley stopped, a breath caught in her throat watching Drake tug his t-shirt down his waist.  “Ummm…Drake?” she stammered, nodding to the t-shirt.  “Where did you get that?

Drake looked down at what he had assumed was his standard plain white t-shirt and saw the word “Mr.” in bold black letter screen printed on the front.  “I don’t…I don’t know.”  

When he turned in search of his normal shirt, Riley gasped again.  “Oh.my.god.”  Across the back of the t-shirt were the words “Just Married – Cupid’s Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas.”

Drake ripped the shirt off again holding it to see the back.  “No, this can’t be true,” he stammered.

Riley rose from the bed and scooped up her own clothes.  Sifting through them quickly, she found what her gut knew would be there, a shirt matching Drake’s with the word “Mrs.” emblazoned on the front in black script lettering.  “Drake…” she said, holding it up for him to see.

“Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit…” Drake began chanting, pacing nervously around the room.  It didn’t matter that it was 9AM, Drake needed whiskey, stat.  Pouring a finger for each of them with shaky hands, he carried Riley’s glass over to where she stood silently staring out the window, clutching her t-shirt.

“No, thank you,” she shook her head when he tried to hand it to her.  “Isn’t that what got us here in the first place?”

Drake nodded solemnly.  “Look what you made me do,” he whispered to the glass in his hand, not caring if it was crazy to be talking to the booze.

“How much do you remember?” Riley asked.

“Some…not a lot,” Drake replied.

“Tell me.”

“Uh, let’s see.  We were in the hotel bar for a few hours.  You were keeping your distance from almost everyone. If it, ahh…weren’t for how beautiful you looked, someone might have mistaken you for me sitting there alone brooding over whiskey.”

“You weren’t alone though, Kiara was with you,” Riley said with the jealousy apparent in her voice.

Drake rolled his eyes.  “I ignore Kiara, even when she’s right next to me.”

“Oh please, Drake.  She’s a beautiful woman who clearly wants you.”

“I told you before, Nevin. You’re the only girl for me.”

Riley finally turned to meet Drake’s gaze.  “Then why have you been pushing me into this marriage to Liam.  We never even talked after Tariq’s statement like we said we would. You disappeared and left a note.”

“There was nothing to talk about, Nevin.  I’ve told you all along, I can’t give you the life you deserve.  Only Liam can do that.  That’s why no matter how hard it is to watch, I want you to marry him.”

Riley angerly turned from the window, walking over to the table and slamming down the glass of whiskey she still held.  “Well what about what I want?  You make this unilateral decision and just expect me to be okay with it.”

“Damn it, Riley,” Drake yelled, “at least some part of you must have been okay with it because you said ‘Yes’.”

“What the hell was I supposed to do?” she shouted back.  “You left! I wanted to talk about us and then talk to Liam together, but you left!  I was going to talk to him on my own that night…tell him everything even though you clearly didn’t want to be with me.  I felt like he at least deserved to know, but before I could, he was down on one knee. God, Drake,” she exclaimed throwing her arms in the air, “when he asked, I thought of you and it made my heart ache so bad and I cried.  I’m sure Liam thought they were tears of joy, but they weren’t, they were for you.  But he looked so hopeful, and I…I just couldn’t hurt him.  Not like that.  I do care about him, he’s one of my best friends.  I wanted to say no, but I didn’t want him to feel the same heartbreak I felt when I got your note.”

“I did want to be with you, Nevin.  I do want to be with you, but I can’t.  My best friend loves you and can give you the world.”

“I don’t need the world, Drake,” Riley yelled.  “I just need love…and not the kind of love I can live with…I want the kind of love I can’t live without.”  Riley crossed the room to where he stood and placed her hands on his cheeks.  “That’s you, Drake…you’re the love I can’t live without.”

Drake shook his head and reached up taking her hands from his face.  “No, Nevin.  You may not feel that for Liam now, but you will in time.  I’ve seen you getting closer throughout the tour, Nevin.  If you let yourself fall, you can have that kind of love with him.”

Hot angry tears rolled down Riley’s cheeks.  “No…no. I believe that kind of love is a once in the lifetime thing, Drake.  And I know you love me like that too, Drake.  I know you do.”

Drake nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek.  “I do. And that’s why I can step aside for your happiness.”

“Why are you so thick skulled? Look at me?  Do I look happy?  A crown and a kingdom won’t give me the happiness you think I deserve; only you can do that.  But instead you want me to marry a man I don’t love while I have to see you and long for you every day.”

“I won’t put you through that, Nevin.  I’ll leave after the wedding.  Without me in Cordonia, you can move on.”

“No, don’t say that…I can’t…I can’t lose you, Drake,” Riley said as her body shook with sobs.

“I’m sorry, Riley.  But it’s for the best.  You need to stop thinking about me, about us…the wedding is in three days.”

Riley’s breath hitched and she looked down at the t-shirt still clutched in her hand.  “I can’t have a wedding if I’m already married,” she said softly.

Drake looked at her with wide eyes.  “What? What are you saying, Nevin?”

“I’m saying I want to stay married, Drake.  I’m already married to the love of my life, I can’t…I won’t marry someone else. There isn’t going to be a wedding.”

[bebepac]

With You

This is chapter 29 of the The Life of Riley.  To catch up with what you’ve been missing  please click:  The Life Of Riley Masterlist

This is @wackydrabbles​​ prompt # 83:  That makes my  {body part } tingle. which will appear in bold. 

Jaiden Brooks and Sal are my own characters.  All others belong to Pixelberry. 

The Book:  TRR (Liam’s last night in New York)

Pairing: Liam x Riley

Word count: 1992

Warnings: Sexual Innuendo, profanity. 

Summary:  Riley takes Liam to the Statue of Liberty 

Song Inspiration for this episode: I Like Me Better  by Lauv

I don’t own rights to the music. 

Riley giggled.   He pulled away from her with a sheepish smile.  “What?  What did I do?”

“I’m ticklish there. You were tickling me, the way you were gently touching me there.”  

He wrapped his arms around her hips pulling her closer to him again.  “Not on purpose.”

Liam smiled again. Gently touching her. "Like this?"

"That makes my whole body tingle."

He kissed her cheek, his lips drifting to her neck. He nibbled on her neck. Riley pulled away.

“Do you really have to leave tomorrow? Or is this just a game you and your buddies play and you really live on the upper east side?  It’s clear you’re some rich guy.  And you’re just down here for the night, slummin’ it?”

“Riley don’t do this….”  Jaiden said.  “Don’t push him away because now you are starting to realize what this could mean.”

“I don’t understand?”

“And I’m just another notch you’re trying to get on your belt tonight.”

“I wouldn’t treat you that way Riley.  I don’t know much about you, but I know you are more special than that.”  

His voice softened.

“And if I did have the privilege to be with you for the night, I would treat your body like a sacred temple.”

“So you’re going to take your shoes off and not touch anything?”  

“Annnndddd… Riley just killed the mood with her horrible jokes.”  Jaiden shook his head.

Liam burst out laughing shaking his head at her.  

“Maybe she didn’t… Maybe just maybe he likes that about her.”  He watched the pair.  They were now closer than ever.

“I mean…. It’s where my mind went. Be honest. You’re really from far away aren’t you?”

“That’s it Riley… believe in him…”

“I crossed an ocean to get here. To meet you.”

Riley’s breath hitched.  

There was a beep.

“That must be Sal!”  

The small boat pulled up next to them.  

“Your chariot awaits My fair Riley… plus one.”  

“Why thank you kind Sir Sal!!!”  Riley did a curtsy that surprised Liam.  It was definitely court approved. If he could get her to Cordonia, her transition might go easier than planned.  

Liam hopped down onto the boat first.

He held out his arms to Riley.  

“Jump, I’ll catch you.”  

Jaiden thought he would do just one more thing.   He’d seen that boy Tucker do it to another boy on the playground when Riley was little, that caused him to completely topple over. Just as Riley jumped, Jaiden kicked the back of Liam’s left leg causing his knee to buckle.   He caught Riley but fell on his back, Riley falling on him.

Sal laughed.  “Damn kid.  You’re clumsy. You’re supposed to catch her.  But I guess it worked out for you.”

“We have to stop meeting like this Liam.”  She whispered as she looked down at him from her straddling position.  He gripped her hips.

“I don’t know… I think it’s not so bad.  Getting kind of used to breaking your falls. I think you’re the clumsy one, Riley Brooks.”  

“He’s not wrong Riley. You are clumsy.”  Jaiden smiled.  

She stood helping him up.  

He zipped her jacket.  “I want you to stay warm.”

“So what brought you here to New York?”

“A bachelor party.”  

“Who’s? Don’t tell me that guy Tariq is actually getting married?”

“No actually, for me.”  

“Whoa, so you’ve been playing me this whole time?”  Riley backed away from him.  “I trusted you.”  

“I am getting married… I just don’t know who yet.”  

“How does that happen?”  

“It happens when you’re the crown prince of a country.”

“You’re a crown prince.”  

“Why are you not surprised?”

“I told you, you seemed different from them.”  

“I am different from them.”    

"Of Cordonia?"

"Yes, how did you know that?"

"Your credit card. I have never seen a gold credit card like that before. I always remember the unique ones."

"Good memory."

Liam glanced up. "There she is."

He rushed to the front of the boat.

Liam was in awe.

"She's beautiful."

"Why was the Statue of Liberty on your list of things to see?"

"Because she is a beacon of light for Freedom."

"You said you're a Prince, you can't get freer than that. You can do a royal decree and get whatever you want."

"And I am. Crown Prince, that means…"

"You are taking over the family business….

 I see what you did there now. Witty. Meaning… you'll be King someday."

"Despite popular belief, royalty is the last thing but free. We are the exact opposite.  We are bound by duty.  Every choice I make people are watching. Every move I make must be calculated and thought about carefully.  Not only for myself but my family, my country, and my people.  Riley, when you get married someday, what’s the reason you think you will choose to do so?”  

“For love. Why else?”  

“In my life Riley,  It’s not that simple.  People marry for alliances, for duty, love is very rarely on the list. You learn to love who you’re with. That’s my reality.”

“Then why did you come here?”  

“For more.”  

 She chuckled.  “You know that’s kind of like a movie right?”

Liam looked confused.  

“Coming to America?”

No recognition registered on Liam’s face.  Riley gasped.

“What are you doing after this?”

“Going back to the hotel, going to sleep, why? What do you have planned for me?”

“Come to my place.  And don’t get any ideas, I’m not gonna ride your royal scepter tonight.”

Liam coughed, and laughed at the same time. “Excuse me, my what?”

She glanced at his crotch and back up into his face.  “Don’t play dumb Liam.”

“What I’m hearing you say, is not tonight but sometime soon?”  He inquired, winking at her.

She laughed.   “Do you want to come to my place to watch a movie with me?”

“I’d love to.”

The boat pulled to a stop, idling in the water.  

“This is as close as I can get you two without all of us going to jail tonight. I’ll give you two some privacy.  She’s like a granddaughter to me Liam.”

“Yes sir! I will be on my best behavior."    

Liam slipped his arms around Riley from behind pulling her close to him.  Immediately she felt warmer.  

“I know what you said, about how your life is supposed to go.”  She turned in his arms so she was facing him.

“I’ve never felt this free in my life before Riley, as I have tonight spending this evening with you. I feel like I could be a different person. Thank you.”  

“I really believe you can be different Liam, if you are willing to fight for it.”

“Why do you believe in me like that?”    

“There’s a sparkle in your eyes.  I saw it when I ran into you on the street.”

“Ahhhh so she admits it now, it WAS your fault.”  

“No that is not at all what I said Your … Lord… Ship… Wreck…. Rrrrrrr mateys.. Batten down the hatches.  Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum…. Scallywag… Walk the plank.”

“Okay now you’re just saying random pirate phrases.”

Jaiden smiled.  “He’s already head over heels for her.  You deserve this little sister.  All the hurt was for this, for him.”

Liam had never laughed so much  as he did with Riley.

“So what’s the right term then?”

“To call me?  Or are we going out to the seven seas to pillage and plunder? Avast Ye Hearties!!!!!”

Riley laughed, hitting his chest.

“If you wanted to address me with my proper title, it’s Your Highness.”

“So official.”  

“But that’s not how I want you to see me Riley.”

“You’re ‘Just Liam.’ I get it.  You came here wanting what I take for granted everyday.”

He nodded, resting his forehead on hers.  

“We have to get back.”  

“Thanks Sal for bringing us out here.”  

“You’re very welcome.  I like this one Riley.  I never liked Von much.  Felt like you were settling with him.  You deserve the world.”

When they got back to the dock, Liam helped Riley off the boat.

They walked at a leisurely pace holding hands.  It was a peaceful silence between them.   “We have to cross here.”

Jaiden whispered in Liam’s ear.  “It’s safe to cross.”  

Riley had looked away for a moment to press the button on the crosswalk so the light would change.

Liam was starting to cross the street.

“Liam!!!” she screamed.  Grabbing his arm pulling him back.

“What the hell!?!?!?!”  She screamed at him again.  

“I thought it was safe to cross?”  

“NOOOOOO!!!  Look, we can’t cross until the light changes.”

“I don’t know what happened.”  

“You scared me!!!! Are you alright?”  

“I’m fine.”  

“Just my luck I got a Crown Prince killed on his last night in the United States.  Talk about an international incident.  So what exactly is the jail sentence for that?”  

Liam laughed.  “Probably death.”  

“Greaaaaattt.”  

They were silent for a few moments waiting for the light to change.  

“I love that song.”

Can’t help falling in love, was playing on the radio of the person stopped at the light.  

“May I have this dance?”  Liam asked.  

Liam and Riley slow-danced in the middle of the sidewalk.  

“Last thing sis.”  

Jaiden whispered to the cab driver to turn up the music.  

People watched the pair as they danced.  Both completely enamored with the other.  

“I think you can handle it from here.”  Jaiden faded away.

When traffic started to move again, it broke the trance the song had over them.  

They waited for the light and crossed the street.  

He followed Riley into a small apartment building.  

She stood at the door.   “I have a roommate, so we need to be quiet coming in.” 

 Liam nodded, sticking close to her. She tried being quiet when she opened the door as it was well after 1am when they arrived.

“Well it’s about time your ass decided to show up,” Daniel said when she walked through the door.

“DANIEL!” She glanced at Liam standing right behind her.

“Oh shit, I was only kidding!!!!!!!” Daniel remarked when he realized she wasn’t alone, choking on his beer.  “Riley is not an ass,  it’s how we joke with each other when we're late coming home.”

“Liam this is Daniel, my roommate, and brother from another mother .”  

“Nice to meet you,” Liam chuckled. The look on Riley's face was priceless. She has the best absolutely mortified expressions.

“Daniel, this is  Liam, Bachelor number four.”

“Stop playing, the bachelor party table, this was the one that was late?”

“Liam, what you don't know is, I covered your table tonight because Daniel had somewhere to be."

"And how was it?" She directed her attention back to Daniel.

“Still going baby, just taking a breather.”

“Well if you will excuse us.”  She took Liam’s hand pulling him through the apartment.  

“Sorry it’s not much, but it’s ours.”

"No it's ok. You have a nice place."  It was small and clean, and they were very effective in using the space they had.  He was impressed.

She turned on the TV in her room.   “I’m gonna get comfortable.”  She took a few moments to change and shave her legs.

She put on a tank top and a pair of boy shorts. Liam stared at her body in awe.  Everything was covered, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

“You look like you’re in pajamas.  Am I staying the rest of the night?”

“You should, it’s late, and honestly this is not the best neighborhood.”

“Well I usually just sleep in boxers at home.  But I can keep this on.”

“Please make yourself comfortable.”    

She bit her lip, as he undressed in front of her. He could feel her eyes on him watching.  Then he climbed into bed with her.  They curled up on the bed together and turned on the movie.  He wrapped his arm around her.  She snuggled closer to him.

She was ready for whatever the rest of that night would bring.

Tagging:  @dcbbw​​     @bbrandy2002​​      @indiacater​​     @hopefulmoonobject​​     @queenjilian​​ @sillypapermango​​ @mom2000aggie​​       @gkittylove99​​     @gabesmommie1130​​       @zoehanji​​       @queenwalton​​      @kingliam2019​​        @jessiembruno​​      @queen-arabella-of-cordonia​​   @hopelessromanticmonie​​      @kimmiedoo5​​      @furiousherringoperatortoad​​      @jared2612​​      @sevenfuckslefttogive​​      @batgirlassociationofgothamcity​​       @marietrinmimi​​       @lovablegranny​​      @iaminlovewithtrr​​      @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful​​      @sanchita012​​      @yourmajesty09​​      @cordoniaqueensworld​​     @theroyalheirshadowhunter​​ @gibbles82​​      @amandablink​​      @secretaryunpaid​​     @axwalker​​      @burnsoslow​​      @sweatyrysconnoisseur​​      @royalromancer​​    @neotericthemis​​      @nala-raines​​     @kingliamandriley​​      @sfb123​​      @twinkleallnight​​      @kat-tia801​​

[handweavers]

OK kiran i was thinking about you and your recent readings the other day — do you know tariq ali’s work? i was looking through “can pakistan survive” and it seemed like something in your realm of interest! recommended by a s.asian prof i really trust, she’s never done me wrong on the reading recs before... anyway i thought i’d pass the title along! hope your day is going nicely!

omg i'll check it out!! i've read some other work by ali before, i don't agree w him on some things but i find his work valuable and i'm def interested in checking out his writings on pakistan. thank you!! i had a quiet day and it's been mostly peaceful. i hope your day has been kind to you, take care baya <3

[axwalker]

Undeniable Miracle 2: Stranded

I’m participating in the 12 days of Christmas hosted by  @leelee10898 and @emichelle . Thank you so much  💕 💕

Synopsis: Alexis decides to leave Cordonia on Christmas Eve, but she has a car accident in the middle of the woods during a snow storm.

A/N: This AU takes place during Liam’s and Madeleine’s Engagement Tour.

A/N 2: Some vocabulary for the Spanish words.

A/N 3: I’m using the prompt: “If you’re so cold, why didn’t you say something? Come here.” requested by @mskaneko​ 

Fonda: Small Mexican restaurant.

Romeritos:  Tender sprigs of seepweed  which are boiled and served in a mole sauce seasoned with shrimp jerky blended into the mix. Typical additional ingredients include boiled potatoes, nopales and shrimp. They are usually served with bread slices and in tacos

Ensalada de manzana: combination of lettuce, beets, apple, and peanuts in a light orange vinaigrette

Bacalao:  Cod fish prepped with sautee onion, garlic, tomatoes and olives.

Pozole: Tradition Mexican soup made with Hominy, pork and peppers.

Villancicos: Traditional Christmas songs.

Warnings: I can’t think of anything for this chapter but there will be NSFW in future chapters. All my fics are for 18+ ONLY.

Words: 2718

Disclaimer: Characters and settings belong to Pixelberry.

@burnsoslow Thank you so much for beta read and for your encouragement. I love you and appreciate you so much.

The edit of the mood board is the work of beautiful @mskanekoI was dying to use it. I love youuu

When he sees I don't respond, he opens my door. "O'Brien? Are you okay?"

I blink, incapable of forming a coherent sentence. 

"Did you hit your head? You seem lost." Drake kneels in front of me.

Finally, I react. "What are you doing here?" 

"Hello to you too. I asked if you were okay."

"I'm fine. I need to call a tow truck."

"Yeah, right. There are no tow trucks in storms like this, O'Brien." He sighs and asks me to open the car's hood so he can check the engine. Five minutes later, he comes back, and I read his expression. The car is not going anywhere.  

"Sorry, O'Brien, but this car is not going to work for now, and the storm is getting worse. You're going to have to come with me."

I scoff. Drake is insane if he thinks I'll go anywhere with him. I've spent the last two months trying to forget everything about him; I don't need this right now. 

 "I'm sure I can find a way to get to Lythikos by myself."

"Shit, you're so damn stubborn, O'Brien. You aren't anywhere near there. It's about 50 miles away. I guess if your car had kept going about 50 miles through the woods, you might have landed there. Is that what you were trying to do?"

"Bite me, Drake."

"Wow, you really should do something about that attitude of yours." The asshole actually smirked. "I have a cabin a few miles up the road. We can go there and wait out the storm. My truck is parked on the road. I pulled over when I saw the car spinning."

"I'll wait here." 

"You'll wait for what? To freeze to death? Don't be ridiculous; you're coming with me."

I shake my head stubbornly. "I think freezing to death is preferable to going with you. Thank you very much." 

"You don't have much of a choice, O'Brien. I can't fuckin' leave you here. My cell phone doesn't work here, and I'm assuming yours doesn't either or else you'd be on it right now. They're expecting two feet of snow or more. So, I'm sorry if you're pissed at me or whatever, I'm not leaving you here."

I'm well aware that I'm behaving like a petulant, spoiled child, but my wish to make him as angry as I am overcomes all logical thinking. “As I said, I’m not going.”

 "I'm going to have to carry you to my truck then." 

"Carry me? No way. You are not touching me." I grab my phone again, begging my Abuela to send me just a little bit of phone service so I can call Max. 

"Either you get out of that by yourself, or I carry you. You have exactly 30 seconds to decide."

I shut my door and raise my phone, trying to get some signal. Suddenly, Drake opens the door, reaches into the car, and has me scooped up without effort into his arms before I can even protest. I barely have time to grab my purse. 

"Enough of your bullshit. Done," he states, then kicks my door shut and starts to walk up the snowy hill. 

I have no choice but to put my arms around his neck. "Let me go this second Walker!"

Drake stares at me and gently shoves a strand of hair off my face. I'm suddenly aware of how close our faces, our lips, are. Because my heart is stupid and has a mind of its own, it starts beating like crazy. Drake swallows hard, and for a second, I think he's going to kiss me; I'm almost closing my eyes when he speaks.

"Here we are." He puts me back on the ground and opens the door of his old Jeep. 

A bark coming from the backseat startles me.  

"Oh my god! He's beautiful! He looks like a wolf!"

Drake's eyes soften when he pets the animal.

"It's a Tamaskan dog." 

"Hi, boy! You're so cute!"

"He's not supposed to be cute; he's supposed to be terrifying." I turn my head, and I see he's teasing me. I shake my head and keep talking to the dog. "Don't listen to your dad, handsome; you're a cutie pie." 

"I'm not his dad. He's a damn dog, O'Brien." 

I rolled my eyes. "What's his name?" 

"Zeppelin. Get in the Jeep; I'm freezing my ass off out here."

I smirked at him. "I never realized how bossy you are." 

He shakes his head, but I catch the unwilling smile on his face. 

DRAKE

I glance to the seat next to me, still not believing that O'Brien is here, in my Jeep. I try to think of something else besides her maddening fruity scent or the curve of her neck, but I already know that my ability to function like a normal human being disappears when she's around. 

 I can't believe that I'm so fucking stupid to be still hung up on her after what happened in Ramsford. She made perfectly clear who she wanted to be with -- yet here I am, looking at her like a goddamn fool. 

We drive for a few minutes in complete silence. Suddenly a deer jumps out from the woods, right in front of the Jeep. I hear Alexis scream as I swerve, and the truck starts to slide and spin, gaining speed. In a second, I glance at her, throwing one arm across her chest to hold her against the seat when I see she doesn't have her seatbelt on. I try to regain control of the truck but it's not working. I feel the Jeep flying off the road and into the woods, crashing downhill and plowing down small trees, until it finally stops, wedged amongst a bunch of larger trees on the side of a hill. 

"Fuck!" I throw both hands against the steering wheel. "I can't fucking believe this shit!" I turn to O'Brien. "And why the fuck wasn't your seatbelt on?" 

“I thought you could drive!" She looks down at my arm, still holding her, and whispers, "Thank you." 

I rest my head against the wheel and take several deep breaths. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." My voice is level and calm, even if the thought that something could've happened to her while I was driving makes me murderous. "Are you okay?" She nods, still shaken. 

 "You okay, Zeppelin?" The dog whimpers and licks my hand. "That's a good boy. We're all okay." I try to restart the truck, but it's completely dead. I can't believe this; honestly, I just can't.

 "What are we going to do now?" O'Brien asks.

 "Well, we're out of cars, so unless you want to walk or ride the dog to my place, we're stuck here." 

She squints at me. "Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Walker."

"But the highest form of intelligence, O'Brien." I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes at me again. I've forgotten how much I loved teasing her. At least, I wish I had forgotten. "We're going to have to just stay put until the plow truck comes by, and we'll have to hitch a ride. Until then, we're in luck because I stopped at the grocery store on the way to the cabin. I have enough things we can eat and drink to keep us going until then. I have a big blanket in the back seat, so we should be able to stay pretty warm. It's really heavy and thick."

I saw the panic in her eyes, so I continued. "Hey, O'Brien, look at me." She raises those fucking beautiful dark eyes and meets my gaze. "I would never let anything happen to you, okay?"

She nods. "Okay. Yes, I know. I just hope we don't get hypothermia.”

"We won't, O'Brien. C'mon, I think we should both sit in the back seat, since there's a lot of room back there, and we can put the blanket over both of us. I think it will help keep us warmer."

She gives me an odd look but nods. "Right. Yes. I think it's the best idea." She climbs over the seat first, and my eyes roam over her perfect body. I suppress the urge to sink my hands in her delicious hips and sit her on my lap. I sigh and call Zeppelin to the front seat, so we have more space. 

"This is nice; it's very roomy," she says as she pulls the cover over both our legs. 

I can see that she's shivering. "If you're so cold, why didn't you say something? Come here." I put my coat on her shoulders, and she smiles at me. Fuck me if I wouldn't do almost anything for that smile. "Where were you going on Christmas Eve? I' would've thought you'd go to the Christmas ball in the palace."

She hesitates for a few seconds, but finally, she answers, "I was going to spend Christmas with Olivia in Lythikos."

I raise my brow in disbelief. "I must have a concussion, O'Brien; I just heard you were headed to Lythikos to spend Christmas with Olivia Nevrakis."  

"I know! Our friendship was … unexpected. At first, we were just trying to figure out who set us up. The whole Tariq thing that you stopped? It was a trap; someone was trying to blackmail both of us." 

I don’t want her to know that I spend every single free minute I have helping Max figure out who set her up. If I ever find the person who sent Tariq to her room that night and scared the shit out of her, I will kill him. 

"Yes, O'Brien, I knew. Liam told me."

She nodded. "Well, we're trying to get to the bottom of it together, so we've been spending a lot of late nights drinking bourbon and talking. She hides it very well under layers of sarcasm and abrasiveness, but she's extremely loyal and has a great heart. Just like you."

"If you compare me to that crazy redhead one more time, you'll be sleeping outside, O'Brien, and I can promise you, it's cold." 

She laughs. "Okay, okay, sorry. I won't do it again."  

I'm about to ask her why she's not spending Christmas with Liam, but she speaks before I can talk. "And you? What are you doing here?"

"I moved to a town close to Lythikos a month ago. I'm opening a veterinary clinic there. This morning I went to supervise the construction site and to get some groceries for the cabin." 

She looks pensive but doesn't say anything for a while. "I hope you're happier here than you were in the palace, Drake,"she finally says, so softly that I almost miss it. 

I take a deep breath because I can't tell her the truth. I can't tell her that I can't be happy now, not after her. When I kissed her that night, I lost everything. She would never be mine, and after that, we couldn’t even be friends anymore.

"Thank you, O'Brien," I reply anyway because I know she's expecting some sort of answer.

 "How did you get Zeppelin?" she asks as she pets my dog, and I swear the traitor's mouth curls up into a little doggy smile. 

"I was running some errands for the clinic when I saw him tied up outside. I came back a few weeks later on a sunny day, and this poor dog is just tied up to a fence on the side of the building with no shade or anything, and I don't even see a water dish or food. So I park my car and check on him, and he's all happy to have someone pet him, tail wagging like mad. There was an old food dish off to the side, but it was empty, and a dish with some dirty water. I went to my house and grabbed some of the toys and food I'd bought for the clinic. I also gave him some water, and he drank three fucking bowls. I felt terrible leaving him. I just had this bad gut feeling, you know?" She nods with misty eyes. "Anyway, I had to go back to Cordonia city after I gave the dog the stuff. To be honest, I kind of forgot about him. But when I came back, O'Brien, it was awful. I honestly think the last time he ate was the food I'd given him. He was nothing but skin and bones, too weak even to stand up. He was just lying there in the dirt with flies buzzing all around him. But when I kneeled in front of him, his little tail wagged a tiny bit. I think he remembered me." 

Tears spring into her eyes. "My God, Drake, what happened?" 

I see how affected she is, so I reach her hand and squeeze it. "An old man came out of the little building and started yelling at me to get off his property. There was just no fucking way I was going to leave him there. I told him that if I ever saw a dog or any other animal on his property ever again, I would fucking kill him. The douchebag just ran back to the house. I took the dog to my cabin. He was dehydrated and almost starved to death, had two ear infections, worms — you name it. We've been together ever since." Zeppelin looks up as if he knows we're talking about him. 

She wipes a tear and caresses Zeppelin's ear. "You named him?"

I shrug. "Best band ever." 

"Ha! You're so predictable, Walker."

 "How do you know my last name? I never gave it to you." 

"I asked Maxwell at the coronation. Why? You don't like it when I call you that? Turnabout's fair play, Walker." She bits her bottom lip; I look away before the impulse to kiss her becomes unbearable, and I do something stupid. Again.  

"Nah, I like it, O'Brien. Calling each other by our last names will be our thing." 

She sighs, not talking for a while. "What is it, O'Brien? I can almost see the wheels turning in your head."

"We're going to spend Christmas Eve here, stranded in the middle of nowhere."

"I know; I'm sorry, O’Brien. Do you usually do something special?"

She looks up to me with so much vulnerability in her pretty face, I find it hard to breathe. I instinctively come close to her because I hate that look in her eyes; I hate even more that I was the one who put put it there with my fucking dumb question. Her mom and grandma are dead; of course it's a sad subject.

 "Not in a long time. It was one of the holidays my mom, my Abuelita and I celebrated together. We didn't really do Halloween because my mom's Fonda was so busy preparing for Dia de Muertos. The day of the dead," she explains.

 "I know, O'Brien. You made me watch Coco with you and Maxwell in Applewood." I can't help but smile at the memory. She forced us to watch the damn movie in Spanish only to hit "pause" at every single scene to translate it and explain the traditions.

 "Well, Coco had it right! They really respected our traditions!" she replied, her eyes shining as they always did when she was excited. "Anyway, my mom worked for most holidays, and I was forced to spend Thanksgiving with my dad, his crazy wife, and her creepy son. So, Christmas was the best. Especially Nochebuena, Christmas Eve. We had this huge dinner where all our neighbors came to the house and brought Mexican dishes. We had everything; bacalao, romeritos, ensalada de manzana, and the best pozole in Brooklyn. We sang villancicos, had a piñata. The whole thing. My abuela took the holidays seriously," she says with a sad smile. 

I might be a fucking fool, but I can't stand seeing her this sad. And, suddenly, I know what to do. "We might not be able to have a traditional Mexican Nochebona ..."

She giggles. "No-che-bue-na, Drake."  

I think I could spend the rest of my life here listening to her speaking Spanish.“Yeah, that.” I watch through the window and when I see that the storm has calmed, I say, “I have an idea; just wait here." 

Tagging: 

@texaskitten30  @leelee10898 @emichelle @burnsoslow @kat-tia801

@msjr0119 @twinkleallnight @mskaneko @drakexwillow @twinkle-320  @kimmiedoo5 @kingliam2019  @drakexwillow @princessleac1 @marshmallowsandfire  @tinkie1973 

[vampiresuns]

Power Couple | JC Sanlaurento x Saoirse

⚡��� POWER COUPLE ⚡︎

1.7k words. JC Sanlaurento and Saoirse make a comeback for the prompt ‘who to see’ from @midsummer-masquerade​.

All Saoirse, Theo, Meredith and the rest of her crew belong to @apprenticealec​. Just like ‘Wouldn’t You Love to Love Her’, this is also set in the Janiverse.

You can find Sanlaurento’s outfit here, and the rest of City of Delights here.

Julianus examined the invitation —the luxurious paper and printing work— and hummed. 

“So, what you’re telling me is that Vesuvians host secret sex parties?” They asked Saoirse, who was sitting on their bed, watching Julianus sway in their place from side to side. 

“That’s a way of looking at it.”

JC snorted. “It tracks for me. What doesn’t is that Meredith knows the former Count.”

They left the invite Saoirse had given them next to Saoirse’s own as they went to sit on the quartermaster’s lap. Saoirse began telling them what they knew about Meredith’s and Lucio’s friendship, as the two of them sat unnecessarily close to each other. Saoirse liked it that way, they liked the way their Julie’s rib cage moved as they spoke, or the way their heart beated inside their chest. 

“Who got the fourth invite?” 

Saoirse’s smirk told them the answer was going to be good. “Theo.” 

Jules was already vibrating.

Vesuvia wasn’t that different from what they remembered. They had travelled to the City a handful of times when they were studying in Firent and  the plague was no longer a risk. Julianus liked it — lively and cosmopolitan, the atmosphere vibrated with magic, making it seem like anything would happen. 

As soon as they reached port, Elizabeth and Tariq dragged Meredith their own way, Drew walking calmly behind them. That left Julianus, Saoirse and Theo to go search for their outfits on their own. They walked the streets together, Jules holding Saoirse’s hand while they animatedly talked with Theo about fashion, textures and the like, sharing jokes as they browsed through the Red Market. 

When they ran into Meredith, Julianus couldn’t help but to tease Theo a little bit. Theo replied with some teasing of his own, telling his friend he was sure Saoirse and them wouldn’t even make it out of their room at the party. 

“Let’s see,” Jules said, that little smile on their face that no one in the crew knew if Saoirse had copied from them, or them from Saoirse. 

They didn’t have much more time to stroll around the City after they got their outfits. Not wanting to be late, they made their way to the Palace, meeting with Meredith on the door. While Meredith and Theo had separate rooms, Saoirse and Jules had one together, as it was customary for couples who didn’t request otherwise. They didn’t remember saying anything about it, but the pink-haired servant that was guiding them through the Palace said one could tell. 

Jules felt Saoirse short next to them, quickly followed by their arm around their back. 

They wanted to ask the name of the servant, to thank her, but she was gone before they could say anything as soon as they were shown their room. Julianus soon forgot about it anyway, as Saoirse pressed against them from behind.

“If I didn’t know you better, I’d say you were impatient.”

“How about ‘curious’? It’s hard not to be when you have been very insisting about me not spying on your outfit. Despite you helping me choose mine.” 

“You’ll have to tame that horse because I want to shower before I begin getting ready.” 

Saoirse just made a deadpan comment about their woes, that Jules fully knew they didn’t mean. Saoirse was a patient person (because Saoirse was a person, eldritch existence aside), and Saoirse liked to indulge whatever little ritual Julianus came up with in situ. They found them entertaining, and they could see why their partner liked to come up with little explanations and decorative reasons for certain things.

They just were fun to follow. Not that Saoirse ever expected to think that, but that was their Julie. 

Saoirse asked if they were allowed to have a bath with them, and they were, though of course it ended up being half bath, half make out session. Yet, the moment they began getting ready once they were out of it, Julianus shooed them out of the bathroom with a gentle push. 

“You’ll get many rewards for your compliance, thank you very much.”

“Oh, I’m the one getting the rewards tonight? I thought you liked being the one getting them.”

“For being a void with eyes and I being the horny human, you’re absolutely incorregible.”

“I thought you liked it.”

“I do,” they said, asking Saoirse to lean down to kiss their lips.

Saoirse kissed them back before going to get ready themselves, looking around their room when they were ready, and seeing how soft the bed was. It was very, to their discovery. Julie was going to like it, they thought — it had not gone past them that while they were not even close to Theo’s original royal status, or Elizabeth’s for that matter, they had come from a very economically comfortable background. To begin with, they were a lawyer who had studied in Firent. That said something on itself. 

While their Julie wasn’t conceited in the slightest and had separated their choices from those of their family, out of what Saoirse knew and could tell from having observed humans for so long, there were some things that, like Theo, they couldn’t shake off. Luxurious bedding was one of them: Julie always raided rich people’s quarters for certain possessions and home making elements were one of them. Saoirse’s bed in the ship had never looked nor felt plusher. 

Lying back on the bed, waiting, they began making conversation with them. They talked about Vesuvia, about Theo and Meredith, and the party itself. Julianus revealed they didn’t know if they would come to something like this otherwise. 

“I don’t think this is the kind of party to come alone, or at least I wouldn’t attend alone. I don’t mind doing things on my own, but again, this isn’t it.”

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of people looking for other people.”

“Well, it is a sex party,” they said, their voice carrying into the bedroom from the bath, “I just have a bit of trouble thinking about the hypothetical.”

Julianus did not know how the conversation turned from there to if they’d be interested in someone else, if they weren’t a thing. They couldn’t help trying to figure out why Saoirse was asking, even though they knew Saoirse was asking simply because that’s how they explored things they didn’t quite understand. Asking.

“I think I’m answer is not going to be as interesting as you think it will be. Though I honestly do not know what you’re expecting— the thing is I just can’t picture myself with anyone else other than you now? I know you wouldn’t care if I let you know I wanted another partner or to sleep with someone else, but unless I had a specific itch, I just… don’t see it.

“Like, okay maybe if Meredith wasn’t my boss, but Theo has the right of way there because he is my friend and I want him to be happy, Tariq is very handsome; If you make me think of other ships Jade and Louis are very pleasant to the eye, and maybe in another life I would flirt with them. Maybe in this one too as a joke, and to piss Rodrigo off. Even then they’re all very nice hypotheticals I care little for when I have you right here.

“Your all the private devotion I will ever need.”

They came out of the bathroom. They had their hair in waves, two red flowers pinned to the side of their head. Julianus was wearing a black bustier styled corselette, it had garter straps hooked to black thigh high socks, and was wearing black boots that went almost as high up as the socks. They were fitting into each arm a pair of above the elbow, black gloves. 

They looked stunning. They always did. It wasn’t the outfit that made Saoirse look at them like that.

“Mo grá?”

“Aside from the Queen, I don’t think anyone has ever chosen me like that.”

Jules walked towards them, who was now sitting on the bed, and stood between their legs. They kissed their forehead. “Well, to you, to love is to protect. For me, to love is to choose, too. You’re a wonderful person to choose, Saoirse.” 

For a being as old as Saoirse, loneliness was something they had to be used to. For a being as old as Saoirse, who also spent so much time around humans, they don’t think they would ever notice what loneliness was if it wasn’t for their proximity to them. Saoirse’s hand found Julianus’ side, as their mouth pressed itself against their skin and their clothes. 

“No comments on the outfit? You look very handsome. I am most definitely the luckiest person in this Palace, sorry to Theodore.”

“You look, you look—” Saoirse didn’t know how to finish their sentence. How human of them. How odd. How misplaced. How very Saoirse. Them and Jules were both like that: misplaced. Yet right then they looked beautiful, inviting, sexy, like the sea, like freedom on Saoirse’s hair and like not a wave, but a tsunami changing their coastline forever. 

Saoirse didn’t need to finish their sentence for Jules to get it. “See, this is what Tariq means when he says you’re bound to make me mad with power.”

“You like it.”

“Oh, I do. Nothing like being loved and fucked by my favourite eldritch entity. Like I said: my own private devotion.”

Saoirse smiled at them; a kind of smile only reserved for Julianus, one that carried a different complicity than the one they had with the Pirate Queen. 

“Do you want to have a look around, or do you want to prove Theo right?”

Sanlaurento snorted. “Never. Let's go make people jealous of how good we look.”

Saoirse was happy to indulge them. Out of their room and into the party, Julianus hooked their arm around Saoirse’s. It made them stop. Looking at them with a little smirk, Saoirse crouched down to sit Julianus’ on their shoulder, turning their head to kiss their thigh. 

“Why walk when I can carry you?”

“Mad with power, and it’ll be your fault.”

“I’ll have to find something to keep you in line then.”

“Please do,” they said, catching the innuendo in Saoirse’s tone. 

[jovialyouthmusic]

Two’s Company

Brad retrieves a vital memory, and Lucy goes to visit Hana and Sophia Lykel at the Palace.

Word Count 3973

A/N No smut, some drama and a lot of fluff. Still, due to the adult nature of other chapters No under 18s please

8 Looking to the Future

‘Sorry I’m late. Thanks for your patience, Miss…?’

‘Uh, Lucy’ The young woman looked at him with a strange expression, as if she had been knocked off balance.

As had he. There was something about her that he couldn’t put his finger on. None of the ladies of the Cordonian Court had whatever it was she had. His stomach did somersaults and his heart faltered as he gazed into her eyes, hypnotised. He pulled himself together.

‘Charmed to make your acquaintance, Lucy’ The words came easily as soon as he drew himself up into what Drake called ‘regal mode’ – the role he had practiced with his brother but never thought he’d have to fulfil. Apparently the young woman was having similar problems, as it was a second or so before she responded with…

‘The pleasure’s all mine. It’s nice to meet you’ The strange vacant expression on her face cleared, and she tucked her note pad into her apron pocket with a smile ‘Now let me put your order in. Be right back’ She turned and whisked away behind the bar, leaving him feeling like a fish stranded on dry land, and he stood gawking.

‘Brad – Brad?’ The voice seemed to come from far away. He didn’t want to answer it. He wanted to wait for the young woman to come back. He wanted to put on his best smile and charm her into lingering at the table.

‘He didn’t hit his head, did he? Please tell me he didn’t’

‘No, he went down like a bag of rocks, but he didn’t hit his head’

‘I didn’t think he’d take it like this. Should we call a doctor?’

‘He’s coming round – his eyes are flickering’ The voice was Maxwells. He opened his eyes to see his friend bending over him, a look of consternation on his face. Behind him was Drake, and beside him…

‘Miss - Lucy? Is our order ready yet?’ His own voice seemed strange, and his head hurt. He was lying on the floor, and went to sit up. That made his head feel worse, and he put his hand up, groaning. His mind was a whirl of images and voices. The young woman was by his side, supporting him and murmuring quietly. She smelled of roses and lavender.

‘Brad, take it easy. It’s okay, I’m here – and Drake, and Max’ He looked beyond her at Drake. One moment he knew who Lucy was, the next – she was a stranger. He tried to get up, and Drake helped him to a seat in the booth. It looked exactly like…

‘The dive bar – in New York’ Half of his mind understood, half did not. ‘Lucy’ his head snapped toward her ‘We met here’ She sat heavily at his words, tears welling up in her eyes and a weak smile on her face.

‘You remember’ she said, her voice faltering.

‘I - I’m not sure’ He rubbed his forehead. ‘It comes and goes.’ His hand fell to his lap and words poured from his mouth. ‘We were in New York, on my bachelor party. Drake arranged it’ Lucy was nodding, eyes bright. ‘We went to a bar like this – Max was here – and Tariq.’ He looked round ‘Where is Tariq?’ Lucy shuddered.

‘One step at a time, Brad’ she said softly ‘don’t try too hard, let it come naturally’ He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His face cleared, his expression peaceful.

‘You took me to the Statue of Liberty’ he murmured. ‘You were – like nobody I’d ever met before’ he reached out to caress her cheek. ‘Thankyou Lucy’ The two of them sat staring at each other until Maxwell piped up.

‘Yay, Brad remembers. Now where’s those burgers?’

------

‘So I had the staff make the cellar out like my old bar and went into town to buy this outfit’ Lucy said as she munched away on her burger. Max was on his second and Drake had gone to fetch more barbeque sauce and salad. Alcohol was again off the menu, despite them sitting in the mock up of the dive bar Lucy had worked in when Drake had taken Maxwell, Tariq and Brad there. Drake was still not drinking and of course Lucy couldn’t. Brad felt a little guilty for having had a small whiskey beforehand.

‘Strictly speaking, if we’re going for authenticity, you should be serving at the bar, not eating with us’ Drake pointed out. Lucy reached across and punched his upper arm. He yelped and rubbed at it ruefully.

‘Shut up, you. All that matters is Brad remembering when we met’ she said sharply, then turned back to him. He was feeling a lot better with some food in his stomach, and his memory was consolidating.

‘I do!’ he said triumphantly. ‘I remember that evening. I remember waking up the next morning and wishing I could see you again, then…’ his face fell. ‘That’s it so far’ Lucy patted his hand.

‘It’s a start. We’ll try revisiting some other meetings, but I’ll check with  the doctor again and make sure you don’t have a reaction like this one.’ She frowned ‘You fainted clean away. I’ve never seen anything like it. How did it feel?’ He put his burger down and wrinkled his forehead.

‘It was all muddled. Seeing you in that outfit – it was so confusing, but it must have triggered something. I just – blacked out when it got too complicated. It was – it was like an electrical fault. Everything flickered.’ He nodded in affirmation ‘and then the memory remained.’

‘I’m so happy’ Lucy said, scooting closer to him on the bench and putting her head on his shoulder. He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head, but inwardly he wasn’t sure just how much more he was going to recall, or even if the memory he had just unearthed would remain. The question of where Tariq was niggled at him, but he could tell that it was something Lucy didn’t want to talk about.

Drake returned with more food, and Brad smiled to himself. Both he and Maxwell had healthy appetites – it was perhaps the only thing they had in common. Usually they bickered and sniped at each other, but Lucy seemed to affect the two of them in a positive way.

‘It’s the Lucy effect’ he said aloud, another memory bubbling up. Wherever she went, she inspired and united people. She was a catalyst, changing others but remaining the same. He was so lucky to have met her, and even more fortunate to have ended up marrying her – even if he couldn’t remember it. She twisted to look up at him, her expression bright.

‘Oh, you remember that?’ she said. ‘That wasn’t so long ago – or at least you told me just after we called Drake…’ her voice trailed off as Brad looked blank, and shook his head.

‘I may have made some progress, but something tells me we still have a long way to go’

------

Understandably, Lucy wanted Brad to sleep with her that night, so Drake and Maxwell sat up in the mock bar shooting the breeze.

‘It looks like Lucy’s idea worked’ Maxwell remarked ‘But I suppose you’re not letting the whole story out to the press. How is he really?’ He leaned forward on his elbows and Drake sighed heavily.

‘It’s odd. Without Lucy I don’t know how he’d cope – but he can only remember snippets of their time together. There’s other bits missing from his memory, but we can’t find anything in common with the gaps’

‘That must be hard, man’ He seemed lost for words for a moment and leaned back into the padded back of the bench. Drake was unsure about whether to tell him about Lucy’s pregnancy. She’d not mentioned it to Max herself and had been too preoccupied with setting up their distraction to discuss the matter with him. Drake’s sister knew, but he didn’t trust Max not to accidentally let it slip. That was a solid ‘no’ then.

‘So what else are you going to try?’ Maxwell asked ‘I could do an interpretive dance if you like’ Drake snorted.

‘I’ll take a pass, thanks. But the next thing has to be the Ball. Lucy still has the dress she wore, and there’s a charity event coming up for the orphanage.’ Maxwell pushed out his bottom lip and nodded.

‘See, I wasn’t far off the mark.’ He yawned ‘I’d better get to bed. Lucy said she’d arranged to see Hana tomorrow, so I said I’d give her a lift’ Drake blanched as Max got up and stretched.

‘Please tell me you’re not driving.’ Max scoffed as Drake’s expression changed.

‘You and Bertrand – I don’t know why you don’t trust me behind the wheel. Don’t worry, I’ve got my driver, remember.’ Drake scowled.

‘Just because you’ve got a chauffeur doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be in the driving seat.’ He glared at the younger man ‘Promise me you’ll sit in the back with Lucy, or so help me…’

‘It’s fine, I’d rather sit with her than drive. Then we can hold hands and canoodle…’ he dodged as Drake lunged at him, but he failed and ended up with Drake’s fist grasping his shirt front, other fist cocked. ‘Joke, Drake, joke!’ he squeaked ‘She’s already got two men to keep her happy, I’d never…’ Drake let him go, and he readjusted his tie.

‘You’d better not have any ideas’ he growled.

‘Of course not, she’s like a sister to me’ Max said reassuringly ‘And…’ he looked down at his feet, shuffling uncomfortably. ‘I think I’ve met someone.’ He looked up quickly ‘But don’t ask me anything, I don’t want to jinx it’

‘Fine, Max, find. Just don’t even hint at making my life any more complicated’ Drake shook his head ‘You have no idea’ Max looked at him with sympathy.

‘You can always talk to me, y’know. Friendly ear, a trouble halved – all that’ Drake softened. Max meant well, he was sincere – but he couldn’t risk it.

‘Thanks. I appreciate it, but maybe another time, Max. I’ll get off to bed too. See you in the morning’

--------

The following day, true to his word Max set off with Lucy, and under Drake’s watchful eye made a show of sitting in the back seat with her. Hana had been at Ramsford helping to look after Bartie, but she was at the Palace ready to help Bastien and Sophia when the twins came. She had discovered that she doted on small children and babies, and Savannah had recommended her as support and babysitter. Maxwell was only stopping to say hello before going back home to help or hinder his brother.

Hana waited for Lucy at the front of the Palace, and hugged her tight as she got out of the car. Bastien hovered behind her keeping a respectful distance.

‘Lucy, you look amazing!’ she smiled ‘How’s his Majesty?’

‘Brad is improving’ she said ‘But it’s difficult to say how much of his memory he’ll get back’ She turned to Bastien ‘How’s Sophia? It can’t be long now’ He stepped forward and took her offered hand, clasping warmly it in both of his.

‘She’s – well to be honest she’s cranky and bored’ he smiled ruefully. ‘Thankyou for asking, your Majesty. If you have time to pop in to our rooms and say hello she’d be grateful’ Bastien and Sophia had married shortly after Anton’s trial, and he had stepped down from his role as Captain when Sophia became pregnant. He was still employed as security advisor and also sat on the new Council that Brad had set up to break the power of the nobility and involve commoners more in the running of the country. For the time being they still lodged at the Palace, moving into a larger suite in the staff wing, and planned to move to their own place when they had settled more into family life.

‘I’ve ordered afternoon tea in my suite. I know it’s only lunchtime, but I thought I’d be rebellious’ Hana interjected, a hint of mischief in her eyes. ‘Sophia’s more than welcome to come along’ Bastien made a face.

‘That’s most kind of you, but she’s suffering from heartburn and can only tolerate small meals’ he replied.

‘I could go and see her first’ Lucy smiled ‘I’d like to talk to her and Hana together if it’s possible’ Bastien ran his fingers through his carefully styled hair, and Lucy wondered how his personal grooming routine would stand up to dealing with newborn twins.

‘I’ll go and ask her now – I’ll let you know, your Grace’ he inclined his head politely and went back into the Palace. Lucy turned back to the car.

‘Thanks for bringing me, Max’ she said ‘Say hi to Savannah for me. I’ll try and pop by in a week or so. Are you coming in?’

‘Nah’ Maxwell waved his hand dismissively ‘Savvy’s been texting me asking when I’ll be back, so Bartie’s probably playing up. Fun Uncle Maxie is needed’ he winked, gave her a salute and got back into the car. ‘Ramsford next – full speed ahead, Steve’ Within seconds the car had set off back down the drive.

‘What’s the betting he’ll be in trouble with Bertrand before the end of the day?’ Hana laughed. ‘Now then, you said you had some important news for me’

‘I do, but it’s strictly hush hush, and I’d like to tell Bastien and Sophia too’ Hana clapped her hands delightedly.

‘Oh – I think I can guess’ she cried, ‘More cuddles for Auntie Hana?’ Lucy looked around carefully

‘’Shhh don’t let on, it’s a secret, but you guessed right’ Lucy smiled ‘I hope Sophia’s feeling up to us visiting’

‘Oh she’s fine, she just likes to keep Bastien on his toes’ she giggled. ‘We might as well make our way there, she’ll be delighted to see you’ The two women went into the Palace and strolled the corridors on their way to the Staff wing. Just as Hana predicted, they were only halfway there when Bastien caught up with them.

‘Sophia says go right on in. If you’ll excuse me your Grace, I have a meeting. Lady Hana knows where to go’

‘Could you spare us five minutes first please, Bastien?’ Lucy asked ‘I have some news I’d like to share’ He frowned, looking at his watch, then looked up brightly.

‘They can’t start without me, so of course. Follow me’ He stopped outside the door to his quarters and paused ‘If you don’t mind, can I ask how the King is coping? He seemed to be doing quite well when he was here, but of course you’d notice more’

‘He’s improving. We’re building up a relationship. It’s almost as if we’d just met, but he’s accepted who I am and we’re working on it. I’m planning a few events to jog his memory, and we’ve had some success already.’ Bastien nodded solemnly.

‘That sounds good. Now come on in’ He ushered them inside to the lounge, the décor and furnishings showing Sophia’s softening influence on Bastien’s love of order and neatness. Sophia rose to greet them, belly prominent. She wasn’t a slight build, but Lucy wondered how her body could possibly adapt to growing two offspring. Sophia put her hand in the small of her back, and Bastien rushed over to help steady her.

‘Be careful theà mou, not too fast’ he chided, and she rolled her eyes.

‘Stop fussing, Bas. I need to get up every now and again, I can’t just sit.’ she muttered, but still held onto his arm as she made a tiny curtsey, grimacing slightly as she rose. Lucy went forward to take her hand. ‘So good of you to come, your majesty - sorry, hugs aren’t really practical right now’ Sophia smiled ruefully ‘I can hardly remember what it’s like to be a normal size.’

‘Please, call me Lucy – you too, Bas. There’s nobody to judge your lack of formality.’ She and Hana sat, and Sophia lowered herself back into her easy chair with Bastien’s help. He pulled up a footstool and helped her to rest her feet.

‘I’d offer you tea, but I can’t stomach it at the moment. I’m sure you’ll have a lovely meal with Hana’ Sophia grimaced a little, and her partner solicitously rearranged the cushions for her. She touched his hand gratefully and gazed up at him. It was obvious that they were devoted to each other, and Lucy envied them for a moment, despite Brad’s returning memory and affection.

‘I’m glad Bastien could join us’ Lucy started, her hands in her lap. She drew a deep breath. ‘It’s early days and we’re keeping it quiet for the moment, but… I’m pregnant. If all goes well, Cordonia will have a new heir in seven months’ Sophia’s hand flew to her mouth in surprise, and Bastien beamed broadly.

‘I suspected as such. Congratulations, I trust his Majesty is pleased. I know he’s always wanted a family’ Sophia was smiling after her initial shock.

‘Oh your – Lucy, that’s marvellous news! Don’t mind me complaining about all this’ she rubbed her belly. ‘You’ve caught me at the worst stage, and I’m told it’s not difficult.’ she rolled her eyes at Bastien.

‘Now that’s not what I said, theà mou’ he started ‘I just pointed out how many women…’ she smacked his hand.

‘Stop mansplaining. I don’t care what other women did, every pregnancy is different’ she snapped, her sunny mood breaking a little, and he winced. She turned to Lucy. ‘If you need any advice, ask away. How’s the morning sickness?’ It was Lucy’s turn to grimace.

‘Not pleasant’ she sighed. ‘Dry biscuits help’

‘I was lucky, it didn’t last too long, but this last trimester is a beast with two on the way. I feel as big as a whale’ Sophia sighed.

‘Well, I have to go’ Bastien said, and bent to kiss his wife ‘Is there anything you need?’

‘No, I’ll be fine. I’ll call housekeeping if I do’ He was almost at the door when she called him ‘Oh, but you could bring me some Ben and Jerrys when you get back’ He paused mid stride and turned. His face was impassive and his tone neutral.

‘Of course, my goddess, what flavour?’

‘Surprise me’ He blanched slightly at that, but smiled and made a little bow to Lucy and left. Sophia threw back her head and groaned.

‘Oh my god, there’s nothing I can do to rattle him.’ She looked at the two women’s astonished expressions and pursed her lips. ‘Bas is just so bloody perfect. I’m trying to get him to crack, it’s my only entertainment right now, he won’t let me go anywhere. Not that there’s anywhere I want to go, and I can only really manage a waddle.’ Hana made a sympathetic noise.

‘Are you sure you won’t take early afternoon tea with us? I can always have it brought here’ Sophia picked at a piece of lint on the swell of her belly, sighing heavily.

‘No, it’s fine. I’m pretty tired, I’m going to try and have a nap’ She stopped and made a little squeak and Lucy swore she could see a tiny lump appear and disappear on her baby bump. ‘If these two hooligans let me. I swear they’re having a party in there’

‘Well, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time, but it won’t be long now’ Lucy said ‘You’re welcome to come stay at Valtoria and have extra hands to help, and it will give the boys a taste of what’s to come.’

‘I’m pretty sure we’ll have that here, but if we want a change of scene I’m sure Bas will bring me over’ Sophia made as if to rise out of her seat, but Lucy put out her hand to stop her.

‘Please don’t get up again. We’ll see ourselves out. We could ask a member of staff to come and sit with you’

‘Oh don’t worry, Bas checks on me regularly. I have a panic button and he actually tunes into my fitness tracker to check my heartbeat. One of his staff hacked into it and he can keep tabs on me with his phone.’ She showed her the band she wore on her wrist. ‘If I really want to freak him out all I have to do is take it off. He’d get an alarm message and he’d be here so fast it would cause a sonic boom’ Lucy chuckled.

‘When it comes down to it I’ll probably have either Drake or Brad hovering at my side twenty four seven when I get near my due date. Probably sooner knowing them’

‘Well good luck.’ Sophia smiled ‘Thanks so much for coming. Are you staying long?’

‘No, I’m staying over and going back in the morning, but I’ll be back for a few days with Brad when the charity ball’s on. I have a plan to jog his memory’ Lucy could see Sophia was a little flushed and she looked tired, so the two women left her to rest.

Back at Hana’s quarters, afternoon tea was beautifully presented on a table by the window overlooking the grounds. She could see the maze and the knot garden, and in the distance, the summerhouse was hidden in the trees by the lake. Lucy eyed the spread of food laid out, wide eyed. Tiny sandwiches, savouries and pastries were arranged on a cake stand, and a jug of sparkling apple juice stood ready with two glasses.

‘Oh my goodness, is that Brie on the cracker? The guys would freak if they saw – and chorizo?’

‘Don’t worry, it’s safe’ Hana smiled ‘I tried to get a few things that look naughty but aren’t. You can eat anything on the table. All the cheeses are made with pasteurised milk, and the meats are vegan substitutes. I even taste tested them to check how good they are. The kitchens had already sourced a lot of pregnancy friendly things thanks to Bastien.’

‘Well, it all looks spectacular, and I’ll ask for them to send their recommendations to the Cook at Valtoria.’

‘Tuck in’ Hana smiled ‘How’s your appetite?’ Lucy frowned as Hana picked up a tartlet.

‘It’s increasing. The guys don’t know it, but I have a secret chocolate stash in my study. I locked it away in the desk and keep the key in my purse’

‘Well, you’re eating for two’ Lucy picked up a tiny sausage and popped it into her mouth, rolling her eyes at the spicy tang.

‘What is it about men trying to control what we do and what we eat? I’m only eight weeks in and already Brad’s turned into the food police.’

‘Let me guess, Drake sneaks you a few treats’ Hana giggled ‘He always did like to challenge authority’

‘Not so far, but they are kind of ‘good husband, bad husband’’ Lucy replied ‘Whatever one insists on, the other one vetoes. It’ll probably be the same with our kids. They’ll be champions at playing one off against the other.’

‘They mean well, I’m certain’ Hana picked up a dainty sandwich and nibbled at it ‘They only want to make sure you’re properly looked after’

‘I suppose so’ Lucy sighed ‘I just like a bit of alone time to feel normal, you know, and not have to think about it constantly’

‘Well you can always come and visit me, though I may have my hands full with the twins if all goes well’

‘Even better, I can get some first hand experience.’ Hana poured some sparkling water out for the two of them.

‘Let’s drink to Sophia and Bastien’s new family, and to yours too’ she smiled, and they clinked glasses and drank to the future.

@sirbeepsalot @fluffyfirewhiskey @katedrakeohd @dcbbw @camillemontespan​ @kingliam2019​ @notoriouscs​ @texaskitten30

[anjanettexcordonia]

Lady Liberty

*Trigger Warnings* -NSFW, Fluff  Pairing: Riley x OC, Liam x MC, Liam x Riley Word Count:3,348 Excuse any grammatical errors or misspellings. My first attempt at fluff. Disclaimer: All characters belong to Pixelberry & some dialogue. 

Thank you to @texaskitten30 for pre-reading & helping me get through my writers block at the end! 

Summary: Riley turns Liam down for drinks after their initial meeting at her bar. They have a serendipitous meeting later that night. Will Liam find is way to Riley’s heart? 

Song Inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMEOOgotuEs Love You Like The Movies- Anthem Lights

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.

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“Sorry I’m late. Thank you for your patience, Miss?” 

“Uh, Riley”

“Charmed to make your acquaintance, Riley.”

“The pleasure is all mine. It’s nice to meet you. Now let me put your order in. Be right back!”

Later that evening, a little after the bar has closed, you’re finishing up when someone taps you on the shoulder…

“I think we are about ready to head out. I just wanted to thank you… and apologize. I know we kept you late, and my friends can be demanding.” 

“Demanding? Nothing I couldn’t handle.” 

“I got the feeling that you could take care of yourself. If you don’t have any other plans tonight, maybe I can make it up to you by buying you a drink. We’re about to go to a club.”

“Oh? Which one?”

“We were hoping you might have some advice about that. We’re not from around here.” 

“I recommend going to the hottest club in town Kismet.” 

“I would love to show you guys around but I’ve already made plans tonight. ” Riley replies. Liam looks down at his hands. “It was very nice to meet you Riley. I hope you have a wonderful night.” 

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.

. 

After her shift is over, she quickly changes into her short emerald dress and walks out of the bar with her bag and phone in hand. Riley couldn’t wait to see Ezra, they had been dating for two years. And this was the night! Her life was about to change, she could feel it.

Ping. Riley pulls her phone out to check the text message she received.

Ezra: I’m sorry.

Riley: What’s wrong? What happened Ez? 

Riley waited for a response. Nothing. She pressed the call button. The number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please hang up and try your call again. End. 

Riley stood up and raced to hail a cab to her apartment. Riley burst through the door moments later. It’s dark and silent. “Ezra? Ezra where are you? EZRA?” She screams his name while she checks every room in the apartment. 

When she gets to the master bedroom, an envelope propped up against the pillows catches her eye.

Riley. 

She tears the envelope open and pulls out the handwritten letter.

“Riley, 

I’m sorry for what I’m about to tell you. I received a job offer in California. I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want to uproot your life in New York. I’ve always loved and always will. I know you were expecting a proposal and for that I’m truly sorry. I hope you find the person that deserves your whole heart. I’ll always carry a piece of you with me. 

I’ll always love you, 

Ezra” 

Riley sits on her bed, her legs threatening to give out beneath her. Riley crumbled the letter in her hand while she seethed with anger. She shot up off the bed and ran to his dresser drawer. She threw open the drawers with a force that pulled the drawer completely off its track and threw the drawer across the room. The drawer hit the wall and splintered into pieces. 

How could he do this? I would have gone with him. She wondered to herself. She was confused, hurt and angry. She had to get out of her apartment, their apartment. Riley grabbed her keys and marched out the door. She had no idea where she was going. 

An hour had gone by of Riley wandering around the busy streets of the city that never sleeps. She found herself in Battery Park. Exactly where she was supposed to meet Ezra. Where he was supposed to propose. She sat on an empty bench and stared at the beautiful symbol of freedom in front of her. The Statue of Liberty.

“Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” Riley whispered and the tears started. She put her head in her hands and let the tears flow, the more they flowed the harder she sobbed. 

“Are you okay, miss?” 

Riley snapped her head up at the smooth baritone voice. “Uh.. yeah sorry.. I..uh..” she wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Riley right? From the bar earlier tonight? It’s me, Liam, you were my waitress” 

“Oh yea, did you and your friends ever make it to Kismet?” 

“We did. Not my scene.” Liam shrugged. “Is everything alright Riley? I didn’t mean to disturb you but didn’t seem okay.” Fuck. Riley thought. “Yeah just a shitty night. What brings you to this view?” She asks, attempting to change the subject. Who is this stranger? And why does he care why someone is crying on a damn bench. “The statue was the one place I wanted to visit before we leave tomorrow but my friends weren’t interested.” Liam shrugged.  “This is where I was supposed to be tonight but things didn’t go as planned for me either. What do you say we go see her together?” Riley smiled. Oh fuck. What are you doing Riley? Ezra just left a few hours ago. There’s something about this stranger though. Riley pulls out her phone and makes a few phone calls to arrange a boat. Twice in one night. Not a coincidence Li. Fuck she’s gorgeous. I need to know why she was crying. Who did that to her? There’s something about her and I have to find out what it is. The boat reaches the dock and they board. “Wow this is nice” Liam was surprised by the elegance of the boat and the fully stocked bar in front of them. “I have connections,” Riley said, grabbing two champagne flutes and a chilled bottle of Dom Perignon. Liam took the bottle from her, popped the cork and filled both of their glasses. By the time they reached the statue they were on their second bottle of Dom. They were enjoying laughing together and forgetting all their troubles. They found solace in the company of strangers. But they weren’t strangers. Their souls knew each other. Maybe in another life. Riley thought. 

Lady Liberty drifted into view. “Wow,” Liam said in awe. “She’s gorgeous.” 

“That she is.” Riley said while she downed her glass of champagne. “I need something stronger. What do you say to some..umm..” she scans the bar “Johnnie Walker? Rocks?” 

“Neat please and yes thank you.” Liam said. He continued to stare up at the symbol. “Riley, what’s your dream?” 

“Dream? I don’t understand.” 

“We’re complete strangers in the city of dreams under the largest symbol of freedom in the world. You can’t be standing here without a dream. So tell me what’s your dream?” Liam turned to look at Riley. Riley could feel his crystal blue eyes seering into her like he was seeing her deepest darkest corners of herself. 

“My dream.. “We are asleep until we fall in love”. True love. A love I don’t think really exists.” Riley’s eyes were huge. She didn’t mean to say that. Way to go Riley! You idiot. Liam cupped her face in his hands and leaned towards her. So close she felt his breath against her lips. She couldn’t resist. She knew she should stop but she didn’t want to. She melted into his touch on her cheeks. “He stepped down, trying not to look too long at her, as if she were the sun, yet he saw her, like the sun, even without looking. ” Liam whispered before he pulled her into a passionate kiss. An instant electricity flowed through his veins. Riley pulled away from the kiss reluctantly. “Tolstoy” she smiled. “I should tell the captain to take us back.” 

“Oh uh yea” Liam slid his fingers through his hair. 

“We can’t use the cabin on this boat. We can go back to my place or your hotel.” Riley winked as she pressed an intercom button and informed the captain to take them back to shore. 

They decided to go back to Riley’s place. Liam didn’t want Drake, Maxwell or Tariq to disturb them. And he wanted to learn more about her. Hopefully he remembered in the morning. 

They made it hand in hand to Riley’s building. They rode the elevator to the penthouse and walked through the door. Riley lived in a spacious three bedroom modern penthouse. It had large windows all around overlooking the Hudson River and 10 foot ceilings. Riley must be well off Liam thought. Good to know. How does a waitress afford a place like this?

“This view is unparalleled Riley!” “Thanks” Riley kicks her shoes off and flops down on her Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa. Liam turns around and sees her lying comfortably on the couch. “We have the same couch. Restoration Hardware? “Yep,” Riley laughed, “best twelves g’s I ever spent.” Liam laughed. He sat down and pulled her ankles in his lap. 

Liam glided his fingertips across her silky calves. Fuck it Riley thought. She sat up and pulled herself into his lap and kissed him so deep Liam felt dizzy. “Riley” he moaned into her lips “I don’t know what’s happening right now but I need to feel you. Every inch of you.” “Touch me Liam”  he ripped her dress right down the middle. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” They tore the rest of each other’s clothes off until they were completely bare. Liam kissed her neck to her collar bone. Riley let out a soft moan in his ear. Her nails digging into his muscular back. Liam picked her naked body up by the backs of her thighs and pushed her back into a large window. “I want the world to know I’ve been here, Riley, inside of you. You’re a masterpiece. His fingers went to her dripping core. “Mmm baby, so wet for me?” He slammed his fingers inside her and rubbed his thumb around her clit until he brought her to the brink of an orgasm. As soon as he felt her walls flutter she plunged himself inside of her. “Oh my God” Riley screamed as she came undone at his first thrust into her. “You’re so tight Riley. I could stay like this forever.” Riley pointed to her bedroom and told Liam to take them to her bed. Without ever pulling himself out of her, he walked them to her bed and laid them both down. He thrusted slowly reveling in the feel of her. “I’ve never felt anything like this, baby” Liam said as he bucked his hips into her. Her lips crashed into hers as they bucked their hips in rhythm together until they both met their release. “Liam… will you… will you.. hold me?” “I’ll never let go,” Riley smirked at his Titanic reference.

Liam laid back on the pillows with his arms wrapped tightly around Riley holding her against his chest. Liam pointed to the debris on the floor, “What happened over there? “Oh...I threw it against the wall. It’s a long story.” Riley got out of bed and grabbed her silk robe off the chair next to the bed. She tied the sash and walked out onto the balcony. She gripped the railing and took a deep breath. She had sobered up from their time at the Statue of Liberty. Liam walked out with the sheet wrapped around his waist. His arms snaking around her waist. He leaned his chin on her shoulder. 

“Liam…” Riley turned around looking into his blue eyes. “I’ve never felt like this. How I feel right now with you… I know Ezra just left. And I know how I should feel but I.. when we.. touch it’s like.. 

Liam leaned in and kissed her. His hands going under her thighs to lift her, not breaking the kiss at all. Riley pulled back. Her arms went around his neck. “Tonight I thought Ezra was going to propose. Instead I came home to a letter saying he left the country and wanted to move on. So two years wasted. That was tonight.” Liam kissed her and walked to the bed laying on top of her. “I’ll hold your hand while the ship goes down” Liam whispers in her ear. They got lost in each other again and she forgot about Ezra and he forgot about his future. 

They spent the entire night talking and getting lost in each other. He told her about his brother and the social season. About the pressure from his father now that he was the crown prince. She told him about the death of her parents and her aunt that raised her. She told him her parents had left her multiple trusts and real estate throughout the world. Liam felt a void he never knew existed being filled by her presence. 

Liam woke up forgetting where he was. He looked over and realized he was still in Riley’s penthouse. She was sound asleep with her head on his chest. 

“Riley..” Liam whispered. “Wake up beautiful” Riley stretched out and smacked Liam right in the face. She sat up stunned. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry!” Liam laughed. “Want to have breakfast with me before I have to leave?” Liam said. 

“Sure.” She replied. 

A short while later they walked into Liam’s suite at the hotel. Riley let out a whistle. “We should have stayed here last night” she laughed. Liam smirked. “Being a prince has its perks. This is one of them.”  Liam called down for room service and ordered a whole spread of belgian waffles, cinnamon rolls, bacon, fruit.. He ordered EVERYTHING. “So Riley tell me more about you.” “Like what?” “Everything start from the beginning.” “It’s not that interesting Liam.” “Room service”, the attendant yelled from outside the suite door. Liam opened the door and pulled the cart in. He tipped the attendant, “let’s eat and you can tell me everything about you.” 

“I was born and raised in Connecticut. My parents and my brother still live there. We’re close. My parents are both attorneys and my brother followed in their footsteps.” Riley said while chewing her waffle. Liam listened intently absorbing her every word like it was his last meal. “I went to law school at NYU but ended up with a Bachelor’s in English with emphasis in creative writing. Hence working at the bar.” She laughed. “And Ezra?” Liam asked sipping his orange juice. “I might need to add some champagne to that orange juice for this.. Better yet Vodka.” She rolled her eyes. “We met in my language and logistics class. We dated for a couple years. Nothing out of the ordinary I guess. He was supposed to propose but left for a new job. Whatever. Wasn’t meant to be.” She took a big swig of her mimosa. “Did you love him?” Liam asked. Riley just stared at him. “No one has ever asked me that before.” She pondered the answer to his question. “Before yesterday I would have said yes. But now since I’ve met you… It wasn’t love. It became robotic. Honestly I’m glad he left, because I wouldn’t have been the one to call it quits. I hope the best for him wherever he is.” She shrugged. “I wish I had done everything on Earth with you” she wanted to say. 

“What about you?” She asked him. “What about me, what do you want to know?” “Everything, start from the beginning.”

“Well I was born in Cordonia obviously. My Dad is King. My mom died when I was young. My step-mom Regina is kind but ya know.. She’s not my mom. My brother Leo abdicated. He found some girl and they’re traveling the world together. I’m glad he’s happy.” “Relationships?” She sat back in her chair, full from her breakfast. “I’ve never really had an actual serious relationship. I mean don’t get me wrong, there have been women, but no one that I wanted to have breakfast with the next morning.” He winked. “Because I’m going to be King I have to have a social season to pick who will be the next queen. It’s an old and stupid tradition. But Cordonia is nothing without her traditions.”

 “Social season, what's that?”

 “Basically it’s just going through the motions and pleasing the nobles and the citizens of the country. And then at the end, I'm expected to choose the woman best fitting to run the country.” He replied. 

She could tell he didn't want to talk about this very much. “What about you?” She asked. “No one really cares about me as a person, only as the future king. I am expected to just enter into a Cordonian marriage agreement. Which is basically, a mistress. It’s a shitty concept.” Riley didn't seem fazed at all by his admission. He raised his eyebrows quizzically. “You don’t seem to care..” 

“Not really, Liam, that came out wrong. I do care about you. Not about where you come from.” 

Care about me? Where did this beautiful woman come from? 

He stood from his sweet and pulled her into a deep kiss. “Liam.. I.. what is this?” 

“Swoon, I’ll catch you.” He said against her lips. “Come home with me.”

“To Cordonia?” “What about your social season?” 

“You can join, my friend Max will sponsor you.” “But.. another country? My family..”

“Riley.. I think I’d miss you even if we never met. Please come. My soul needs you.” 

What do you have to lose Riley? A whirlwind one night stand with a Cordonian Prince. I’ve never even heard of Cordonia. She made a mental note to Google it. Mom and Dad will be livid. They might cut off my trust fund. Fuck it. He might be worth it. The way he kisses me makes me feel like he is the only thing worth it. 

“Okay Liam, I’ll come.” “Riley.. One night with you changed my life. They say when you meet the love of your life, time stops, and that's true.” He whispered wrapping his arms tightly around her. “It’s the romantic quotes, isn’t it?” He laughed kissing her neck. “I want to formally introduce you to my friends, you remember them don’t you?” “Yea, I remember them. I wonder how they will react. One question though.. Love of your life?” 

“You want the moon Riley? Just say the word, and I’ll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. You changed my life. I can’t leave without you. I’ve been searching all my life for you and never even knew it.” 

'Cause suddenly, it hits me

As I watch you make believe

I want to make this your reality

And if you'll be my leading lady

Even though I may look crazy

I'll grab your hand, ask you to dance

In the middle of the street

Learn to sign, cheesy lines

Like "Baby, you complete me"And in case you forget

Where we've been and what we did

I'll write it all down, read it out loud

Again and again

“Come on, let’s go meet Drake, Max and Tariq. We have to introduce my future queen.” 

“I promise if you’ll let me, I’ll love you like the movies,” Riley said. “I’m the King of the world.” Liam replied. 

[iturbide]

Now I can't help but worry about Chelle - while the Almyrans may have the grace to not shoot the messenger, I can't imagine Edelgard being so generous...

I’ve gotta say I’m completely floored and also extremely flattered by how invested people have gotten in Chelle, considering that she’s very much an OC here to provide outsider perspective -- both of Almyra (since the story’s been based there for a while) and Adrestia: Chelle might have been born and raised there, but she’s not someone inside Edelgard’s trusted circle, so she’s going to be one of the people really feeling the effects of the Empress’ policies and her meritocratic system.  In Chelle’s case, her “merit” is in her speed and solid memory, which allows her to excel in relaying both verbal messages and documents; with the Empire in the state it’s in, though, she’s severely overworked, but she wholeheartedly believes that if she works hard she’ll be rewarded, so she doesn’t complain about how hard the job is and how slim the rewards are.

(The Almyrans, meanwhile, wholeheartedly believe in showing their people at least the same consideration they’d show their horses and wyverns; messengers might have shifts that run roughly two to three weeks, but then they get at least a week to two weeks off after to recover before their next stint on the road; they might not know how overworked Chelle’s been, but given that Almyra’s a long way from Enbarr, they decided to play it safe and just give her the week off in their company.)

But rest assured Chelle is fine and is probably going to end up as a recurring side character because having this perspective of Imperial policies on the ground is honestly pretty great...though she definitely does have a little trouble in her first hour back:

Arriving back in Enbarr had always felt like coming home.  Chelle had never been prone to homesickness, which was good considering how much time she spent on the road traveling...and yet, every time she crested the last hill and saw the city come into view, she felt a sudden rush of relief, washing away her exhaustion and making her every step feel lighter as she carried on toward the gates.  Even if it was only for a few days, returning to the city refreshed her like very little else. 

And yet, seeing the heart of Adrestia now brought her to a standstill, her hand tightening on the strap of her case. 

She’d paid attention on her way back to the Empire.  The grim looks from the Alliance soldiers stationed at the Locket were hard to ignore, but the only one who bothered to speak to her was the Imperial commander who requested her credentials; she needed only to flash her messenger’s badge before he waved her on, granting her permission to take one of the horses down to the foot of the mountains.  Once she arrived at the outpost there, another Imperial officer allowed her to swap mounts and make for the Great Bridge at Myrddin...but she saw no Alliance soldiers there, even though she could clearly see the Goneril manse in the valley below. 

She passed several Imperial patrols on her way to the bridge, which itself was staffed entirely by Adrestian knights and generals; what few Alliance soldiers she saw on the road invariably accompanyied a merchant party to protect their cargo.  It hadn’t struck her as out of the ordinary on her way to the Locket -- but she’d grown up in Adrestia, where it was commonplace to see Imperial guards on a daily basis: in Alliance territory, it could only be out of the ordinary, and once she started looking for it she couldn’t ignore it. 

Even after she crossed the Airmid River, she couldn’t quite shake the thought that there were more soldiers out now than there had ever been in years past; she couldn’t recall seeing quite so many patrols on the roads through her years in the Empire, even during the height of the war.  The guard’s widespread presence in peacetime seemed odd to her, in light of Tariq’s points; more than once on her way back to the capital, she got so lost attempting to rationalize it all to herself that her meal started going cold. 

But now she was back in the capital, and even though nothing here had changed while she was gone, she had changed in the time she’d been away, so that all the familiar sights of home felt strange and even suspect.  Shaking her head firmly, she marched on through the gate, showing her badge to the watchman and proceeding down the main street, across the river, and on toward the imperial palace at the heart of the city.  Entry required her to show her badge again to the guards posted at the top of the steps -- but she’d barely managed to withdraw it before she found herself ushered inside, through the grand foyer, and to the throne room where the Empress herself sat upon the throne. 

Chelle bowed deeply, trying to keep her breath even; when she rose again, she saw the Empress smiling, and a confusing surge of excitement and fear welled up in her chest.  “Ah, you’ve returned safely.  How was Almyra, Ms. Skeates?”

“I-it was very nice, Your Majesty,” she replied shyly, fretting with the strap of her case.  “They were very gracious hosts.”

“We were beginning to worry, given how long you were gone,” the Empress replied.  “We’re pleased that the delay in your return was not cause for concern.”  She leaned forward, and Chelle straightened instinctively, holding her breath as she met the woman’s eye.  “Did the Almyrans respond?”

“Y...y-yes, Your Majesty.”  Her hands shook when she undid the clasp on her case, opening it to reveal the box; it had survived the trip intact and undamaged...but she swore she could hear the contents stirring, agitated and eager to escape that confinement. 

“Excellent.”  A shadowy figure appeared beside Chelle, removing the box and starting up the steps to the throne before she could so much as draw a breath.  “Your service is much appreciated, Ms. Skeates; should we have need of a messenger in the future, we’ll be sure to ask for you.”

“Your Majesty, wait,” she protested, taking a step toward the stairs.  

The Empress gazed down at her, seeming surprised that she had not turned to go yet.  “Was there something else?” she asked, reaching for the box her servant held out to her. 

“Don’t open that,” Chelle insisted.  “...p-please.  Your Majesty,” she added weakly. 

“It’s going to be very difficult to review this document if I don’t,” the woman chuckled. 

Chelle heard the snap of the lock releasing, and lunged for the steps.  “You could die if you do!”

The Empress froze, and Chelle was suddenly very aware of the guards around her, their lances leveled at her chest.  But she held her ground all the same, even as the woman met her pleading stare with cold suspicion.  “What is in this box?”

She swallowed hard and fought to still her shaking.  “A snake.  A lethally venomous one.”

The cloaked man stepped instinctively back, taking the box with him out of the Empress’ reach.  Descending the stairs again, he motioned for the soldiers to step back; Chelle went with them, her trembling hands fisted on the strap of her case.  She watched as he released the latch, held her breath as he pulled the lid back and withdrew...and felt a chill run down her spine anew when the viper emerged, slithering out of its prison and winding away from the cluster of guards with lances poised. 

“Hubert.”

“At once, Lady Edelgard,” the man said, striding toward the snake without apparent fear.  It raised its head and flared its fangs briefly when he approached -- but he was somehow faster, distracting it with a flare of his cape before grabbing it at the base of its head.  The viper’s body writhed and twisted, but that too soon enough subsided once the man snared it, maneuvering it back into the box with the help of the nearest guard...but Chelle only relaxed once she heard the lock snap again.

It took another moment to realize that there were still weapons drawn and leveled on her.  She looked helplessly toward the woman on the throne...and saw the Empress looking sternly down on her.  “What exactly transpired in Almyra?”

The power of her command nearly made Chelle’s knees buckle.  “I crossed through the Locket and hailed the first Almyrans I happened across; they took me to the capital where I met the king and queen, who requested a few days to prepare their response.  Th-the king…”  Her voice gave out, and she swallowed again, dredging up the words the man had spoken (and remembering his smile, cold and sharp as a dagger).  “The king of Almyra said that the snake is their response, and...and bade me deliver a message.”  

She was keenly aware of everyone in the room watching her, but she could not seem to tear her attention away from the Empress standing before the throne.  “This box is much like the treaty your messenger carried to us,” she recited, “carefully crafted of fine materials and...concealing within something fatal to those who would rush to accept on appearances alone.  Yet the viper bites only to hunt or defend itself from harm, while your terms stand as proof of how deep your cruelty runs in service to yourself.  We received your messenger, and treated her with the honor and hospitality befitting her service, for we in Almyra bear no ill will toward those who bring such words to us: our grudge is w-with the one who ordered her to speak them.”

For a moment, there was only silence, stretching on and on so long that Chelle couldn’t help but hold her breath for fear of disturbing it and causing a catastrophic break…

Empress Edelgard held up her hand, and the guards lowered their weapons, withdrawing a few steps while the woman descended the stairs.  Chelle swallowed again, prying her hands from her case and clasping them politely before her as the Empress approached...and lay a hand gently on her shoulder.  “Thank you, Ms. Skeates -- for your service in braving uncharted territory, and for your loyalty in keeping us safe from harm.  You do honor unto the Adrestian Empire, and we are grateful to have your help in building and protecting the new order we seek to forge.”

Chelle bowed her head, shy in the face of such praise from the Empress herself.  “T-the honor is mine, Your Majesty,” she mumbled. 

“I’m afraid there are pressing diplomatic matters we must address, but rest assured, we will ensure that you are rewarded as befits your efforts,” the woman continued.  “Please excuse us for now.”

“Oh, of -- of course,” Chelle stammered, bowing deeply as a pair of guards moved to escort her out.  “Thank you, again, Your Majesty,” she finished, briefly watching the Empress depart before following the soldiers out of the throne room. 

Before the doors closed, she thought she heard something about ‘dealing with Almyra’ -- but by the time she registered the words, there was no way back...and for all her fluttering excitement at earning Empress Edelgard’s praise, Chelle felt the rumblings of a deeper unease for the Empire’s future.