#kitchen renovations regina

[cbsltdca01]

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[vzyee]

why is my own past always so beautiful to me.. barely devoid of suffering if anything the opposite. But maybe i love this world & myself unavoidably

[rgbcn]

Can you put your Shamy fanficomic (About the events we didn't see on the Opening night excitation, S9E11) on here, censored, please?

Hey! I have pending to do that! So sorry for my delay.

The comic is done, 27 pages. I forgot how many pages I posted here and instagram. Of course on Patreon is full and uncensored already, but I want to share it here too!! I need to prepare the posts (and censor some minimal stuff, it’s not that visual but more emotional).

Why I stopped posting? You might think. Here’s an update:

- on March, when I had only 4 pages left to do, I moved to a new flat (moving is never easy, imagine with an almost 3 year old tolddler 🐥)

- the renovations we did on the flat were unfinished and nobody was able to inform about this situation until we were about to move. We moved with lots of problems, no kitchen, they had to change our boiler because it broke and when we finally thought we could shower we had a gas leak. Boxes, workers, my daughter around, not even a table to work. things started to calm down but we still have a lot of issues. We have been without hot water this week and today saturday they have to come so they might be able to fix it. All our radiators leaked water, woodfloor got bad… should I stop here complaining 🤪

- with the moving, my daughter stooped going to daycare so I’m the one taking care of her most of the day and I can only work when I have family help. And I used to work at night but lately she goes to sleep so late and I’m so exhausted that most of the days I’m unable to. She is VERY energetic, she doesn’t take naps and she is very smart, needs lots of stimulation and play. Motherhood is hard dears. I’m exhausted!

- And I got a client who commissioned me a children’s book and I accepted thinking that ANY of the mentioned above would happen, so now I’m fully trying to finish this work, that is very important for me, so I can continue with my comics and other.

I might have overexplained sorry, but the summary is that I need time to go to my computer and edit the comic to post and I barely have that time. Seems ridiculous, but it’s the truth.

But I will do it. It might take long, I might do a couple of pages and then stop for a while until I have a moment….Thanks for staying with me and the patience.

I also have more comics in the making, I’m not done with fanart, and I want to draw more Shamy.

Thanks everyone for supporting my work. And to my patrons for making it possible.

Hugs to everyone!

(Post sponsored for my husband who played with my daughter while I wrote 🤣)

Regina

[erikahenningsen]

would you consider doing a taylor!regina cadina smau? yours are always so good!

Yes! I am kind of running out of usable Reneé/Angourie pictures. Taylor has a habit of deleting old posts and to be honest I haven’t really looked at her social media since she pivoted to kitchen renovation content but I can do some Erika/Taylor Cadina posts.

[resascabuilders]

Professional Home Renovations Contractor in Regina

Resasca Builders specializes in home renovation, basement renovation, bathroom renovation and kitchen renovation services across Regina & Saskatoon.

[dm1construction]

Leading the Way in Regina Home Renovations

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[richmondenterpr]

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At Richmond Enterprises, we understand that your home is more than just a place to live – it's a reflection of your personality and lifestyle. That's why we work closely with each client to tailor our regina home designers to their specific preferences and requirements. Whether you're looking to renovate your kitchen, remodel your bathroom, or overhaul your entire home, our expert designers will guide you through every step of the process, from initial concept to final execution.

One of the key advantages of working with our Regina home designers is our commitment to innovation and creativity. We stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and techniques, ensuring that your home is not only beautiful but also functional and efficient. From sleek modern layouts to timeless traditional aesthetics, we have the expertise to bring any style to life with precision and flair.

In addition to our design expertise, Richmond Enterprises is known for our exceptional customer service and attention to detail. We understand that home renovations can be a daunting prospect, which is why we strive to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for our clients. From transparent communication to meticulous project management, we go above and beyond to exceed your expectations every step of the way.

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[destinygoldenstar]

I made a new house! (100 Babies)

Now that Regina’s moved out, and we have like $35000, I thought it was time for a renovation.

And it… looks like a shoebox. I did my best.

I’m not a good builder. 😅

We have a porch in the back. Cause I don’t like yards. We’ve been doing school projects out here

We got some nice space here. Finally two bathrooms. We have a teen room AND a kid room. Nyas our only teen right now, and we have three kids, being our twins Carrie & Cheri, and Hosni.

Then upstrairs is Simone’s personal space. And there’s a room for infants and toddlers. The infant room is empty because saving money & we don’t have an infant right now. May & Peter are asleep in the toddler room right now. You probably wonder why the toddler room is upstairs and the kitchen is downstairs, seemingly inefficient for food. I realized that, but it was late at night and I was lazy, so I just put a fridge in the toddler room. Because as we all know, the refrigerators in the sims are magic transporters. This house is… eh. But that’s me being a bad builder. Once we get more money I might fix it all. And once Simone is done being a sleepyhead 😅

She earned it though. After she passed out…

SIXTY THREE TIMES.

I checked.

She only had six bladder failures, which is surprising. Yeah I’m kinda bad with energy. Simones pregnant, and we’re just gonna focus on aging up our two todds. Our gay coded and angelic May. And our first and only son so far, Peter, who is growing up really fast. Yeah I like seeing the kind of characters the kids become. It’s my favorite part of this whole thing.

Regina McCray (young adult) - The motivational big sister, careless & emotional & kinda dumb. Loves painting. Nya McCray (teen) - The curious smart geek that studies practical comedy. Carrie McCray (child) - The introverted twin that’s very hot headed and is stubborn about personal space.

Cheri McCray (child) - The extroverted twin with evil malicious intent and will pretend to be your friend before she backstabs you. Hosni McCray (child) - The depressed one. Taken in by the twins as a surrogate triplet. They’re good friends.

May McCray (toddler) - Gay coded. Independent and cool. An Angel.

Peter McCray (toddler) - The first son that’s growing up really fast. Probably so he can be the man of the home.

[hybridreno12]

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[cbsltdca01]

Explore the Latest Trends in Modular Kitchens in Regina | Canadian Building Supplies

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[ohmightydevviepuu]

writers month prompts

day twenty:  dog (a/n:  i’m not dead yet!  😬)

--

There was a knock on the door just as he was finishing his tea and Killian glanced at the clock, surprised:  Eight-fifteen.

Knock.  Knock.  Knockknocknock—

“Swan.”  He smiled, without realizing it, until he felt it at the corners of his mouth.

“Jones.”  Her nod was perfunctory.  She moved to push past him into his apartment and he moved, instinctively, to block her path.

He wasn’t ready for that.  Not yet.

“Can I just—” Her eyes flashed.  “Listen.  I need your help.”

Killian’s eyebrow went up as quickly as he had smiled, and as automatically.  “I’m sorry?”

“Yeah, yeah.  Treasure this moment, okay?  I.  Need.  Your.  Help.”  She broke off each word for emphasis.  “Otherwise I think Regina might actually kill me.”

“Nonsense, Swan.  I’m quite sure you’ve told me that she needs you alive—”  Killian stopped speaking.  Shook his head.  

(In the corner of his eye Killian saw a crack in the mirror; he blinked, and it was gone.)

“Are you going to help me or not?” Emma was saying.  She gave no sign that he had spoken out loud and the memory of the words and the certainty was already fading.

“Of course I am,” Killian said.  He was smiling again.  “How can I pass up this opportunity for a daring rescue?”

Her eyes flashed again but it was amusement this time, Killian was sure.  Maybe he just wanted it to be.  Maybe he wanted it to be a smile on her face instead of a worried frown.  

Maybe.  He wanted.

Killian followed Emma down the stairs and through the narrow hallway of the basement of their small apartment building.  Emma was not one to make idle conversation but Killian liked to poke, and to prod, and to pierce the silence.  “I like the new lights,” he said, and was rewarded when her head turned back toward him and her eyebrow was up.

It was a sore subject between them, the building renovations.  Even the work Emma was doing in her own apartment, for her brother and sister-in-law, was a point of contention.  

Killian wasn’t even sure how it had started—it felt  as if they had always existed in this state of tension, picking at each other and sniping.

It probably didn’t help that the one time he had invited Emma in, the remains of his former life surrounded them.  Milah’s things were still in the closet—the dishes she had bought for them still in the cabinet—though she had been taken from him so many years before it sometimes felt like forever.

Killian had liked the building the way it was, and his apartment.  It was uncomfortable to wake up and feel as though he lived in a tomb.

(The hand pulled at him, dragged him back into fresh air, into bright—too bright—daylight from beneath the pile.

And the smell.  Oh—the smell.)

“I’m sorry—what?”  Killian blinked in the daylight as Emma held open the door for him that led to the building Dumpsters and back lot.

“I said that I found it here.  Crying.  I didn’t know what to do, and who even knows what Regina would do—”

“Swan, love,” Killian said, bending down and kneeling on the pavement, “she’s the co-op president, not the Wicked Witch of the West.  I don’t think she’d do anything to a puppy.”

This time, it was a smile, and Killian smiled back.

“Maybe not.  But they could be sisters, right?”  She laughed and knelt down beside him.  “Anyway, I’m not, like, a dog person.”

“I’m not sure what it says about me that you assumed—”

She blushed.  “I guess I just thought—you could use a friend.  And the company.”  She said it so softly and quietly and honestly that it made Killian blush, too.

“I don’t know,” Killian said, but it was too late.  The puppy had taken one look at him and stood on its hind legs, pressing into Killian’s chest.  

It wanted to be held, and Killian obliged.

Emma smiled again.  Killian watched her.  The dog sighed, clearly content.  

“Lucky for you, Swan.  I love a challenge.”

“I’m not sure if you’re talking to me or the dog, Jones.  And I’m not sure I want to know the answer.”  But her eyes sparkled.

“The dog, of course, love.  You and I, on the other hand—we seem to make a good team, aye?”

Killian stood, the pup still in his arms, and wished he had a free hand to help Emma up.  But she didn’t need his help, this time.

“Looks like a match made in heaven,” she said.  Her eyes were everywhere but on Killian but he felt them all the same.

True Love.

“Come upstairs with me,” he said, suddenly.  “I’d like to show you something.”

Emma eyed him, then shrugged.  “Okay.  I should get David in to talk to you, anyway, if you’re actually going to try and keep it.  He works at the shelter and he can help you get supplies, and shots—”

“Oi, I have all my shots, thank you very much.”

Emma laughed.  She threw her head back and laughed.

But when he shifted the sleeping dog in his arms and pushed his apartment door open, she stopped.

“Jones—Killian—what?”

The paint still smelled fresh.  The boxes were in a pile next to the door.  The carpets were gone and Killian had polished the wood floor until it looked new.  The window blinds were open and the light streamed in.  

“Wow,” Emma said.  “You did all of this?”

Killian let the puppy down to the floor and watched it sniff the boxes, its tail wagging.  He walked to the kitchen sink to pour it a bowl of water.

(In new bowls.)

“It was time,” Killian said.  “I just never realized it was time, not until—”

Until I met you.

Emma reached out to touch the wall and Killian swore he could see sparks where her fingers lay—green, and white.

--

@katie-dub @profdanglaisstuff @thisonesatellite @shireness-says @optomisticgirl @spartanguard @kmomof4 @stahlop @onceratheart18 @mariakov81 @the-darkdragonfly

[konako]

DO YOU HAVE ART IDEAS FOR SIDCU? I’m dying to draw more!! #because ya know i’m in the process of drawing this really sad red snow comic#and i could use some light times in between

I don’t understand. What do you mean sad Red Snow? Who would hurt their precious relationship that is healthy beyond any shadow of a doubt?

David says it’s time to take the kids on a fishing trip. So he packs Emma, Henry and Neal. But it’s a dad thing, so Snow has a long week-end off. She calls Ruby. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Friday night? Yeah, um, Granny has me working… we’re re-doing some of the rooms in the b&b, gonna… paint… walls…” “Oh, okay, maybe something on Saturday?” “Maybe.” She calls Regina next. “Friday? At night? I have a ton of paper work to do, some revisions on the budget. You know that pothole on Main Street… well, I have to wait on some numbers and will probably work late and get too tired afterwards.” “Okay, that sounds important.”

Ruby and Regina had date plans, but now they don’t dare to go outside, because Snow can’t see them! They decide to stay in at Regina’s. It’s not like it matters what they do, how about starting with the naked business right away, it’s been like two weeks (if you don’t count that one quick kiss in front of Gold’s pawn shop, right when Snow walked out and they pretended they had just bumped into each other and Regina cussing at Ruby for not looking where she’s going).

Well, so Regina and Ruby have fun. They know Henry won’t be home, there is nobody there who could bother them. When Ruby comes in there is a very long greeting. Mostly it’s Regina getting pushed against the wall and held in place. When Ruby gets too feisty she teleports to the bedroom and… yeah, they have fun there. Doesn’t matter that the food is getting cold.

Ruby runs downstairs to pick that up after some… they need more energy, okay?! Running naked through Regina’s house is kinda fun though. She tells Regina who is like “you’re a kinky woman”. And they get childish, because ten minutes later they both run to the kitchen to get something to drink and it becomes a round of catch, even though it’s unclear who could even lose.

Now, Ruby keeps the lights off of course. Regina cries foul to that. But she can manage with a little spell for a tiny light ball instead of a flashlight.

So. Snow. She couldn’t find anybody for a Friday night date. Why is everybody busy with husbands or work? Ugh. She goes for a walk. And then she passes Regina’s house. And that’s odd. There is a light on in the bedroom. And somebody is clearly walking around in there. There! Light moving! She moves closer and definitely hears furniture getting moved. (She can’t know that Ruby tried to jump over the dining table to get to Regina and took down the chairs instead. Regina is appalled. Ruby grabs the table cloth she uses as a toga now.)

A ROBBERY!! Somebody broke into Regina’s house and is robbing the place! Oh no, but David and Emma aren’t even here. The sheriffs are gone! What is Snow supposed to do?? She gets her phone out. In her head she can hear David’s voice “Do not engage, you should call for help.” Snow nods to herself. “Got it, I’m here to help.” She picks up a garden gnome as a weapon (it’s a hideous gnome, Regina hates it, it’s why Emma gifted it to her) and then tries to find her way in.

By now Ruby is pinning Regina to the ground (there’s a theme tonight), thigh between her legs, growling. “Madam Mayor, your time is-” A pause. She looks up. There was the sound of a door. She sniffs (very Wolverine of her). Eyes widen in horror. “Snow is here!” And right this moment Snow has found the silhouette of the presumable robber, flings herself at it. Regina has time to poof away.

Now Snow straddles Ruby, gnome over her head about to strike. “Snow!” *blink blink* “Ruby???” Regina - now wearing her clothes, but her face still flush and anybody who would pay a minimum attention would notice the swollen lips, the horny radiance, the disheveled hair - comes in, flips on the light switch. “What is going on here?”

Snow looks between the two, slowly putting down the gnome. “I was about to ask the same.” - “This is my house.” “You said you’d be working late.” - “It was faster than I expected.” Snow looks back to Ruby. “What are you doing here? And why are you practically naked? What about the renovation?” - “My clothes… are dirty… spilled paint all over myself.” “But why are you here?” - “Regina came by… because…..” “The street in front of the b&b is part of the budget issue. So.. I went there.” “Right, she came in and saw me… painting… and had some work to do here… and… asked… for help…” “So you went home with Regina, painted some wall here and had an accident with the paint?” Both: “Exactly!”

Regina looks around. Well, the upstairs hallway was something she wanted to re.do for a while. One flick of the wrist and now there’s a wall covered in wet paint.

“I think the dryer must be almost done, Miss Lucas. Thanks for your patience.”

“No problem. I’m just sorry I was so clumsy. And again. Here in the dining room. I should’ve switched on the light. Get too comfortable walking in the dark.”

Snow blinks. Looking from one to the other again. She stands up, lending Ruby a hand. “I thought somebody was robbing your house!”

“And thank you for trying to catch the thieves.”

Ruby and Snow leave together fifteen minutes later. “It was nice of you to do that for her. I just don’t understand why she didn’t just magically renovate her place.”

“I think she’s trying this thing where she relies less on magic. And also asking for help more.”

“Makes sense.” Snow interlinks her arm with Ruby’s. “Your a good friend, Red. Glad you two are getting along a bit more.”

“Yeah, Regina’s alright…”

“I’m thinking about girls night tomorrow, you two have to come.”

Ruby smiles, but screams in her head ‘coming was the plan for tonight………’

[ughtsant-blog]

Kitchen Renovations in Regina

Kitchen Renovations in Regina

At Hybrid Renovation and Restorations, our mission is to perform for our customers the highest level of quality renovations and restorations services at fair and market competitive prices. To ensure the longevity of our company through repeat and referral business achieved by customer satisfaction in all areas including timeliness, attention to detail and service-minded attitudes. To maintain the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, honesty and fairness in our relationships with our suppliers, subcontractors, professional associates and customers.

[jovialyouthmusic]

Silver Service

A Royal Romance AU Fanfic sequel to Protect and Serve

Damien arrives in Cordonia and discovers all Bastien’s secrets. Sophia is intrigued to meet Bastien’s former lover.

Word Count 3472

A/N Just a little smut, so No under 18s

6 Meeting up

Damien refastened his seatbelt as the private jet descended. It had been night time when he boarded and he hadn’t recognised the livery, and as it was a private flight he hadn’t seen it on the departure board to check where he would be going. The taciturn young man that had accompanied him on his flight was no more informative about their destination than Bastien had been. He wasn’t allowed to use his mobile phone on the flight so couldn’t check with a location finder – but he was pretty sure the water below them was the Mediterranean. It was early morning – most of the flight had been in the dark and he hadn’t been able to keep his eyes open so had dozed for an hour or more.

The jet swept over a pretty coastal town, over fields and an impressive building standing in extensive grounds before flying on to a small airport, snowy mountains in the distance. As they taxied to a standstill the other man spoke at last.

‘Welcome to Cordonia, Mr Nazario. Mr Lykel will meet you personally and we’ll make our way to Applewood Manor. Sadly the Palace is undergoing refurbishment at the moment’

‘Cordonia? Palace?’ Damien was barely any more well informed, and he puzzled as to where he was. True to the other man’s word, Bastien was on the tarmac waiting next to a large limo. He smiled in greeting and took his hand and slapped him on the back in a brief embrace. He noticed the cane he carried, and a slight limp as he moved to greet him. He had lost some weight and looked a little less than his usual hale hearty self.

‘Nazario – thankyou for coming. I guess you have a lot of questions. I’ll try to answer them on the way’ Damien noted that the limo had a crest of sorts that matched the one on the private jet.

‘Damn Bastien, you bet I’ve got questions. Where he hell am I to start with? I’ve never heard of Cordonia’

‘It’s not a well known country’ he answered as they got into the car. The other man got into the front with the driver. ‘As you guessed when we went to the restaurant in New York, we’re in between Greece and Italy. We have strong links with other smaller countries like Monaco and Auvernal’

‘Auvernal – now you’re making things up’ Damien complained

‘Well, as you’re having trouble believing me, I’ll just have to tell you more and assure you it’s all true. I work for the royal family of Cordonia. I’m head of the King’s Guard, who protect the King and his family. I have a number of men under my command.’ Damien goggled – it was all too much for him to take in so he honed in on his appearance.

‘Bas – something happened to you didn’t it – what’s with the cane?’ Bastien looked grim.

‘There was an assassination attempt at the new King’s coronation – I took a bullet to the shoulder and another to the thigh. The culprit was a lone gunman but we’re having trouble finding out if he was supported by any organisations. The person we want help to locate has kidnap and coercion under his belt, and may have links to anti monarchist organisations’ Damien drew in his breath at the news of Bastien’s injuries. He put his hand on his knee and squeezed it softly.

‘Hell Bas, I’m sorry to hear you got shot up. I’m glad you’re still around to tell the tale.’ Bastien nodded and dropped his head, but looked up at him.

‘Damien, we have to keep this professional’ he said, and he took his hand back.

‘We’ll have some private time together, I hope’ Damien said, but Bastien looked away for a moment.

‘About that. Last time we met, you asked if there was someone special, and I said no – well that’s changed’ Damien’s stomach did a little flip. Bastien’s expression changed, softened. ‘I think you’d like her – I’d met her just before the last time we met, but I didn’t know what was in store for me’ He looked out of the window at the passing countryside ‘She’s changed my life – I can see a future with her - perhaps even a family, who knows. I’m taking a lesser role in work – at least physically. I’m leaving field work to younger fitter men and working more on organising and advising’ Damien swallowed past a lump in his throat

‘I’m pleased for you’ he said brightly ‘I won’t do anything inappropriate, you can rely on that’ Bastien looked at him again.

‘You should meet – I’ve told her about you and she’d like to. We’re on our way to Applewood Manor – after the Palace it’s the Royal Families’ second home – we have quarters there and you’ll be staying in a guest suite.’ Damien laughed

‘You live in a Palace and we’re going to a Manor? Man, I’d never have worked that out for myself. I tried asking the hotel you took me to who had that suite – they wouldn’t tell me’

‘I told you you’d not be able to find out’ Bastien laughed. The two men continued to talk on the way to the Manor. They went straight to the security suite to work, as few people were up and about, and they had breakfast sent in to the office so they could cover more ground. Bastien gave him everything he had on Justin, and Damien got to work on finding as much about him online as he could. He asked to interview Lucretia, who was still being held in custody nearby, and made some phone calls to Interpol head office.

Bastien arranged for Sophia to join them in the staff dining room at lunchtime then showed Damien to his suite. Liam came along to introduce himself, and Damien was struck by how regal yet approachable the young man was. Damien felt in a daze at the sudden change in his surroundings, and had to keep pinching himself. He felt strangely light headed and disconnected from reality, but thinking about his work grounded him. When lunch time came he was ready to catch up on some sleep, but he was intrigued to meet the love of Bastien’s life.

When Sophia entered the dining room, he caught his breath at the sight of the attractive young blonde. Bastien had told him of the age difference and Damien sat squarely between them, five years older than she and five younger than his friend and former lover. Bastien leapt up – or moved as quickly as his injury allowed him to – and went to her side, beaming with happiness. He put his arm round her waist and kissed her cheek fondly, turning her to face Damien, pointing him out. He had never seen the older man smile so warmly, and he swallowed a lump in his throat at seeing him so deeply affected.

Sophia looked Damien straight in the eye, and for a moment her pupils darkened. Bastien saw the change, and his smile faded slightly as Sophia reached out to shake Damien’s hand. He barely heard the introduction as he stared at her, mesmerised. He saw an exchange between them as she broke eye contact and took her hand back – a quick look that told him that Sophia realised Bastien had noticed the look in her eyes, but she pressed herself into his side and gazed at him adoringly, snaking her arm around his waist before looking back at Damien. Her eyes and her body language now very clearly said I’m attracted to you, but I belong to Bastien.

The whole exchange took seconds, and Bastien was back to his stoic persona, Sophia smiling politely and saying how pleased she was to meet him. The three of them took a table away from the other staff, already set with bowls of soup and fresh bread, salad and cheese. Bastien watched them with a hint of apprehension. He needn’t have worried, as they talked easily and it was plain that they would become firm friends.

‘Bastien, I think Damien should come and have dinner with us tonight’ Sophia said. Bastien nodded as he spooned soup from the bowl, hot and fragrant.

‘If you’d like, theá mou’ he replied. Damien raised his eyebrows

‘Okay, you’ve used that name more than once. Can I ask what it means?’ Sophia smiled slyly and Bastien coloured slightly as she leant across to speak quietly

‘It means ‘my Goddess’ in Greek’ she winked ‘Isn’t it adorable?’ Bastien cleared his throat in embarrassment as Damien grinned

‘I didn’t know Bas was so sappy’ he laughed ‘You obviously bring it out in him, he’s a lucky man’ It was Sophia’s turn to blush now, and she sat back.

‘Careful now Mr Nazario, that invitation for dinner can be revoked very swiftly’

‘I’m sorry – you’re so lucky to have found each other, I don’t know who I envy the most.’ Damien said diplomatically. After they had eaten, Sophia went off to meet up with Riley, and Bastien suggested Damien go back to his room to catch up on missed sleep before dinner. He took him back to his room and stopped outside the door.

‘Sophia is amazing, I understand why you’re committed’ Damien said, and the guard smiled fondly

‘I’m glad you two seem to get on. I’m looking forward to you coming over tonight’ he said ‘Tomorrow we can go over a few more things you might like to help with – I’ll tell you later why we’re here and not at the Palace.’

‘Sure thing Bas, see you later’

------

Yet again Anton – or Justin as he was better known by Bastien and others in and around the Palace - was in a very bad mood. Their contact at the Palace had fallen silent and suspicious things were happening there. He didn’t believe the stories about a kitchen accident or renovations. His sources – which were becoming scarcer and scarcer – told him that the building had been evacuated and the army brought in, probably to scour it from top to bottom to look for security breaches. That meant his advantages had been lost – there was nobody there to get him access, and nobody there worth targeting even if he or his men had been able to get in.

‘Our contact’s phone has been deactivated.’ Claudius said ‘I suspect that she may have used the explosives to detonate it, and that’s why the Palace has been evacuated. She’s most likely dead, but as far as I can tell nobody else appears to have been injured or incapacitated. Lykel was seen making his way to Applewood, as was Liam and Regina. It appears they’re moving operations there for now.’

‘All that work getting the photographs down the drain’ Anton seethed ‘It’s all been explained away, and Adelaide is a serious security risk. How was the Duchess the last time you met?’

‘Compliant and voracious’ Claudius answered ‘I don’t know how much we can trust her’

‘Next time she contacts you, arrange to meet up in Monaco’ Anton said ‘We can’t risk you going back to Cordonia just yet. She can meet with an unfortunate accident and that part of the trail will go cold.’ Claudius blanched. He had enjoyed dominating Lady Adelaide, but although he didn’t hold any affection for her, he didn’t think she deserved to die for the cause.

‘I think she could still be useful’ he asserted ‘She’s well motivated to place her daughter in power as queen’

‘I’ll consider it’ said Anton ‘Meanwhile I want a meeting to discuss how to proceed in our bid for power. Call the others in, I want to meet face to face’

‘Is that wise?’ Claudius asked ‘It’s a security risk to have everyone in one place’

‘Lykel doesn’t have a clue where we are or who we are and we aren’t in Cordonia any more. I’ll be the judge as to how safe it is’ Anton snarled.

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Bastien watched Sophia as she laughed at Damien’s jokes over dessert in their suite. He had worried about Sophia being threatened by Damien, now he was concerned that it should be him that was threatened by his former lover. He and Sophia were closer in age and they were getting on extremely well. He had endured some teasing about his personal habits - the way he always folded his clothes had come under scrutiny and he was waiting for one or the other of them to drop the bombshell that the only time he was ever untidy was in the throes of passion.

He got hot under the collar thinking about the trail of clothes he had left in the past – from Damien’s front door to his bed, from his own front door through the lounge to the bed he shared with Sophia. His thigh ached and throbbed and he wished he could just send Damien away and sink into a hot bath, or ask Sophia to work her magic with her soft hands. He was trying to hide his ill temper and embarrassment and stifled a yawn. Sophia looked at him sharply and he saw recognition in her eyes.

‘Damien, I know you caught up on your sleep earlier, but Bas got up very early this morning and…’ she started to say, but Bastien found himself snapping

‘I’m fine Sophia, you don’t have to make excuses for me.’ He put his hand to his forehead and her expression changed to one of concern. ‘Really I’m fine’  Damien looked a little sheepish

‘I should probably get back to my room’ he said ‘Before I got here my sleep schedule was shot so I didn’t actually got caught up before. I’m guessing you’re a hard taskmaster and I’ll need to be sharp tomorrow. If I get a lead I may have to leave at short notice’ He got to his feet and Sophia leapt up too.

‘I’ll see you out’ she said ‘can you remember your way back? It’s right at the other end of the building – the place is pretty full right now after having to close down the Palace’ Damien smiled weakly

‘I can always ask someone – don’t trouble yourself.’ He briefly put a hand to Sophia’s shoulder and gave her a kiss on the cheek, then turned to Bastien ‘I still can’t get used to all this – you working for royalty. I’d never have guessed, Bas.’ He made a move toward him as he struggled to his feet to say goodbye, and stopped awkwardly. He held his hand out for a brief handshake ‘I’ll see you for breakfast then’ he said, giving Bastien an apologetic look.

‘Yes, I’ll send someone for you’ he replied tersely. Damien turned away and Sophia followed him. He started toward the bedroom, his leg stiff and painful. Sophia got to the bed before him, and hovered by his shoulder.

‘Are you okay Bas?’ she asked ‘You look tired’

‘I am’ he said tersely ‘I’ll be fine once I’ve rested, don’t worry’ She stood by as he sat on the edge of the bed to take his shoes off, but he winced and she knelt to help him. He was too tired to protest, and sighed heavily

‘I don’t deserve you’ he said ‘You should be off with someone your own age, not looking after someone old and broken.’ Sophia stopped and looked at him sharply

‘Bastien, self pity doesn’t suit you.’ She scolded ‘I’ll admit I’m attracted to Damien – but I’d never act on it. We’ll be good friends, but that’s all. For all you know he’s probably more attracted to you than to me.’ She put his shoes away neatly, and he stared at his feet for a moment before leaning down to take his socks off, wincing again so she helped him, and knelt in front of him, forcing him to look her in the eye ‘Bastien, I love you and I’m going to look after you – don’t you remember doing the same for me after Justin…’ her voice caught in her throat and she hurriedly cleared it. He reached out and stroked her cheek as she pulled herself together ‘We’ll look after each other’

‘I’m sorry, theá mou’ he said ‘Sometimes I ask myself how I got so lucky, and I’m afraid of losing you, or waking up to find it’s all a dream’ She turned her head to kiss his hand.

‘That’s funny – I feel exactly the same’ she smiled ‘Two negatives cancel each other out, so I suppose we’re stuck with each other’ Bastien laughed

‘Thankyou, my goddess, I’m beginning to feel that I might manage to make you feel very happy before we go to sleep. I adore you, my English temptress’ He leaned forward and gently took her chin, pressing his lips to hers.

‘Oh, I’ll keep you to that promise, Mr Lykel’ she grinned ‘Get your clothes off and let’s see what happens’

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Sophia stirred in bed, waking after a deep satisfied  post coital sleep, knowing something was different. Bastien was fast asleep beside her, but something had woken her – the sound of the suite door softly closing. She tensed, listening to stealthy footsteps. She was frozen, immobile, silent as the bedroom door opened. The hair on the back of her neck prickled but it wasn’t terror – it was a sense of inevitability. Normally Bastien was a light sleeper, always alert, but he lay breathing softly. Whoever it was, he or she had planned this – perhaps they’d been drugged – perhaps Bastien could hear too, but was also immobile. As she lay trembling with apprehension, the figure - she could see now that it was a man -  moved to the side of the bed and paused beside her, looking down. There was a rustle of cloth as he stripped naked, his contours revealed. The light was dim but she saw the glitter in his eyes.

‘Room for one more?’ Damien asked, and the spell was broken. She gaped, not knowing what to say as he slipped into bed beside her.

‘What the hell Damien?’ she hissed ‘Bastien’s right here…’

‘I certainly am’ her lover’s voice came as he stirred, rolling toward her, pressing his body to her back, his arousal obvious. He nuzzled her ear ‘We thought you might like something a little different, agápe mou’

‘What? Are you serious?’ she queried, receiving only a soft deep Mmm hmm in reply, and Damien reached out to touch her, his hand gliding over her shoulder and down to her hip, draping over her thigh and obviously making contact with Bastien too.

‘The first time we met, we had a female companion in bed with us’ Bastien explained ‘She enjoyed the experience, and I hope you will too’

‘I could see in your eyes you’d want this’ Damien murmured ‘But say the word and I’ll go’

‘I…’ Sophia was scandalised but unbelievably aroused having two men in bed with her. Her objection melted away and she groaned with desire. Bastien was working his magic and her body was revving up, already on the run up to orgasm, her centre throbbing. In answer she pressed her hips back into Bastien, but leaned forward in to Damien, her lips meeting his. He smelled different to Bastien – musky and spicy as opposed to fresh and salty.

She closed her eyes and stopped trying to identify who was doing what, just allowing her hands and mouth to wander as the three of them explored each other. She turned and twisted languorously, and barely knew or cared who went down on her and teased with lips and tongue and fingers, and who claimed her mouth and tongue and smoothed his hands over her belly and breasts and softly tweaked her nipples.

Waves of pleasure washed over her and she felt the shift of the mattress, the sound of a condom packet being opened and the snap of rubber, so she knew it was Damien who eased inside her – she would have known anyway as his size was less than her lover. He rose up in the dim light and stroked in and out of her as Bastien kissed and stroked her upper body, murmuring in her ear…

‘Sophia, wake up’ She snapped out of her dream and half snorted as Bastien lay gazing into her eyes with concern.

‘What?’ she mumbled

‘Theá mou, you were thrashing around and moaning – was it a bad dream?’ Bastien asked. Sophia shook her head to get the idea of Damien in bed with them out of it.

‘A bad dream? Uh – yes, it was a dream…’ she murmured back, and turned to him, wrapping her arms around him and kissing him deeply, hoping she hadn’t been moaning Damien’s name in her sleep.

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