#the walk-up: Cordonian Ruby

[lizzybeth1986]

A Child of Babel

Book: The Royal Romance

Characters: Kiara-centric. Hints of Drake x Kiara (unrequited) and Hana x Kiara.

Word Count: 3, 484 words

Summary: The five times Kiara uttered the proverb of a language under her breath, and the two times she did it to someone's face.

A/N: I really wanted to try out a 5+1 fic format but somehow it became a 6+1 fic instead haha

Tagging @kiaratheronappreciationweek for KTAW Day 3: Languages, @choicesficwriterscreations for FoTW, @choicesmaychallenge24 for Hermes: Travel

Wolof

Princesses Lerato and Lesidi will never forget the exact moment they knew Lady Kiara Thorne would become their friend.

At lunch today, it was hard initially to tell if the meal today was to her liking. She'd made all the right noises, said all the right words. Rich. Meaty. What bold flavours. But how does that count? She's the kind of girl who has likely been coached enough in courtly propriety and gastrodiplomacy (at age 11. Eleven!), that you can't quite tell if she genuinely enjoyed the food or just wanted to please her hosts.

The sisters shift uncomfortably in their plush seats at the dining hall of their palace, their eyes barely leaving the young girl's plate. Benachin jollof rice was hardly for the weak of heart (or stomach) but that never stopped the royal family of Orphys from showing pride in this particular dish. It was, after all, the jewel in the crown of their ancestral Senegambian cuisine.

So it would pierce the Orphysian soul to its core, in very specific ways, if one didn't like their jollof. Probably just as much as it would shatter a Cordonian's spirit, if you told them you thought their Cordonian Rubies tasted vile.

"Ohhh," Lady Kiara mumbled, visibly relaxed at last. "Xifuma wante samay bët suruñuuuuu". The final word comes out elongated by a leisurely moan of satisfaction. I’m not hungry but my eyes aren’t full.

For a moment, the two girls are stunned to stillness in their chairs.

Little Kiara - Lerato is beginning to recognise - is trying to utter an old Wollof proverb about the joys of their ancestral cuisine. It's said so softly you can barely hear her, and both she and her sister can hazard a guess as to why.

Of the five words said, she pronounced three wrong. Kiara knew that, and felt ashamed.

The sisters pass each other a look of knowing affection. Not many in Europe, outside of Orphys, know this proverb that well. It is indeed the kind of phrase you will chance upon only if you've been consistently trying to learn.

She had to have been learning for over a year to get to this point.

Terrible pronunciation be damned. Next time they meet Kiara again, Lerato and Lesidi sure as hell know they're gifting her the recipe.

French

"Dammit," Kiara hisses at...well...no one in particular, and especially not to the retreating figure of her longtime (and forever clueless) crush. Now that he's gone, the urge to kick herself is becoming increasingly more difficult to suppress.

Drake Walker's loose overshirt flaps against his back as he walks out of the stable, in quick, sure, decisive footsteps. There has always been some sense of purpose in his movements whenever he leaves someplace, even if - to Kiara's knowledge - he hasn't exactly had a job as such ever since that stint he took at the stables the summer she turned fifteen.

It's almost as if that is the only thing he's certain he wants to do here. Leaving.

Kiara presses her head against the door of the stable, his fists balled up so she can resist the unnecessarily dramatic urge to bang it against the wood. She's done everything - everything her admittedly-gauche, relatively-inexperienced 18 year old brain could think of - to catch his attention.

Educate herself on horses (for obvious reasons).

Read up on woodworking (Olivia had mentioned once in passing that he adored good carpentry - nothing much was said about whether he liked practicing. Still, not a bad idea for a conversation starter)

Tried to enjoy whiskey. (Didn't get past half a mug, unfortunately. It was...interesting. She treated herself to her favourite bottle of Tempranillo later).

Came to the stables today for what she tried to pass off as a friendly chat about the winning stakes at the upcoming Derby. (She could have been talking to a haystack for all it mattered. He just looked up from his saddle tack set, took off his disgustingly well-disguised earphones, raised his eyebrows and said, "You were saying something??" before leaving without an answer)

(She'd worked so fucking hard to sound like she knew what she was talking about)

Kiara groans again against the door, weakly punching it one final time before she opens it, muttering furiously underneath her breath.

"Just give it up, Kiki," she scolds herself, hands jammed into the pockets of her coat. "C'est comme pisser dans un violon."

"Eww," a high-pitched, rather sweet voice says behind her, "That sounds like an...uncomfortably specific preference for a place to piss."

Kiara tries - and fails - to hide her grimace. On any other day, she'd be proud of Savannah for coming this far in just a few months. She's certain that her dear friend's rather successful attempt at translation is more a miracle of guesswork. A combination of remembering the few words she has been taught so far, and figuring out the ones that sound closer to their English counterparts.

(And that is how it must be. That is how Kiara knows that Savannah is serious about learning this language)

On any other day she'd praise her. But today... today she just wants to erase the last ten minutes from her brain. The last person she wants to know about her deep, tragic humiliation is the sister of the man who had crushed her umpteenth attempt to impress him to dust. With his fucking headphones.

"Forget you ever heard that," Kiara mumbles, "come, let's go see what snacks they have for tea. I'm starving."

Darija

On the day Prince Leo and his fiancée, Countess Madeleine, visit Castelserraillan after their engagement tour, there are only two members of the Thorne family waiting to receive the entourage. Kiara, and her father.

Ezekiel is barely - if ever - noticed and he would rather leave it that way. But Maman...they had to create a story for her.

The official excuse is that she'll be hosting an immensely important international art fair around the same time - one that heralded the work of Cordonia's local artisans. One that was time-sensitive and couldn't possibly be shifted around, Crown Prince or no.

In reality, her mind had been made up, the moment Lady Kaouther - the young woman her parents had sponsored for the social season this year - returned to the province in tears, swearing to never set foot in the Capitol again, reluctant to even tell Maman and Baba what had gone so wrong.

But Maman had found out anyway. The press was loath to criticize the countess' treatment of her ladies-in-waiting, drooling like sick horses over every scrap of charm and quotable quote she threw their way.

But when Ana de Luca is close enough to you to have your number of speed dial, there's no end to the tea that'll be willingly spilled at your table.

Poor Kaouther was still getting threats and harassment from afar. Mostly to keep her mouth shut about her former employer's exploits. Both midly annoying and deeply sadistic. Both sober and rum-fuelled. Some may be impressed at how Countess Madeleine managed to maintain such secrecy, from even the royal family she is marrying into.

Maman cursed and swore she would never entertain a viper like that in her presence, and who could blame her?

Kiara swallows as she sees the entourage approached. Baba knew his relationship with the royal family was already hanging by a frighteningly precarious balance. He couldn't afford any further damage, and he hardly wanted to expose Madeleine's misdeeds without Kaouther's consent either.

So yes. They were going to go through the motions of greeting the royal entourage. They were going to be perfect hosts. But Madeleine would know. Madeleine would hear their words - cascading in waves of poisoned honey - and know. And be unable to tell anyone anything. That will be Kiara's unsaid, unheard promise to Kaouther, and to herself.

The Countess is stopped by the press before she walked over to their manor, her smile perfectly in place and her hand on a rather diffident Prince Leo's arm as she answers their questions. Yes, we are in love. Yes, our economy is strong. Yes, my aim is to build strong relationships with my people wherever I go. To let them know I do it all for them, and them alone. To be the Queen that Cordonia needs, that my subjects can trust.

Kiara has never heard so much horseshit spill out of a courtier's mouth, and she's been part of enough royal courts to see the worst.

"Shakuwn daha fik alhurirat 'aw albalbulat nahar aleid!" Kiara says roughly in Darija as the entourage - led by the Crown Prince and his future consort - approach. She thinks she's so special, but really she's only about as special as a plain harrira soup served at an Eid-ul-Fitr banquet.

Hakim gently nudges his daughter's shoulder with his own. "But ya Babba," he teases, probably to lighten her mood a little before the group arrives, "I thought you liked harrira soup."

Kiara gives Madeleine one last glare before schooling her face to a more neutral expression.

Her next words are going to be quite nasty by Castelserraillan standards, but for all the sacrifices they are making today her father can surely afford her this one luxury. "Not if it wears a face as sour as her's."

Greek

Just a five minute break, Penelope had promised, thirty minutes ago.

Kiara has only herself to blame for believing that nonsense, after being in close quarters with her for an entire month - but there's something about that woman that makes most people want to keep giving her the benefit of the doubt.

('Me,' Kiara wants to say, 'I'm people')

The beam she is carrying for the barn-raising is small, but heavy enough that you'd get tired out quickly if you didn't take help. By ten minutes Kiara has to will herself to move ahead. By fifteen her thighs begin to cramp, and by twenty her head is swimming and she has a brief spiteful thought about making Penelope carry twenty beams as a belated apology. Though knowing her (and it pains Kiara to admit this; she likes Penelope too much) she would find some way to make herself the victim.

Thirty minutes have passed now, and the only energy she has left is wasted in gritting her teeth and groaning "Just...a few more...steps...till I can drop this...stupid plank...Mon Dieu!!!"

Kiara's mind goes blank for several seconds as she feels the weight of the beam falling on her, a dull pain already throbbing on her ankle.

"Ohhh thée mou," she hears a rough, gravelly, rather disgruntled voice above her, its sound causing her heartbeats to pound violently in her chest and its owner already using his strong, strong hands to save her...

"Ópios den théli na zimósi," she whispers, completely drained, "déka méres koskinízi."

It's a proverb Kiara has often heard in the Capitol - specifically for procrastinators - and she has now lost count of the number of times Penelope has left something she doesn't like to do "for later"...often leading Kiara to finish the job alone.

Drake stares back at her, confused. Mentally, she kicks herself. Again.

Of course. She should've known. Drake Walker is familiar enough with Greek that he'll maybe cuss or blurt out a phrase he'd learned from his childhood in the palace, but clearly he has no patience for metaphors, allegories, idioms or proverbs.

"Oh, uh...merci beaucoup," she backtracks, awkwardly.

Drake shakes his head - his eyes, amused, still on her face - and throws the beam away. It doesn't mean much, but that ten-second glance is fuel enough at this point for a month's worth of dreams.

Almost as if from a great distance, she thinks she can hear Esther's voice, low and concerned. "Kiara? Are you okay??"

Kiara locks eyes with Drake, and for once he meets her gaze. Doesn't say anything, doesn't even show a reaction - but at least he isn't looking away like she doesn't matter.

She smiles brightly. "I am now."

Gujarati/Mandarin

Married as they have been for six months now, Kiara can tell by several small, subtle signs when Hana is nervous.

Not that Hana makes observing a very hard task, not at all. She has an immensely expressive face.

Kiara massages the soft parts of her palm - just the way she likes it - while Hana takes several deep breaths.

"This is the first Parsi wedding I'll be attending, ever," Hana says slowly. "The bride is my cousin. This is supposed to be my family, and yet all of this feels as alien as if I never had a mother from this community." She closes her eyes then opens them again, gazing at the wedding sign on the gate. Delnaaz weds Zubin. "What if I mess this up?"

"You won't," Kiara takes both Hana's hands in hers. "And even if you do make a sliver of a mistake, Delnaaz is not going to judge you. And she's the bride; she's the one who matters. She's nothing like your mother or your uncle Cyrus."

Hana lets out a shaky laugh. "God I hope not." Her finger strokes lightly against Kiara's cheek. "One last kiss? For luck?"

Kiara presses her forehead against Hana's after they're done, sighing gently. Mon Dieu, how I love this woman.

"Remember that saying you hear from practically all the nice people in Bethulia," Kiara winds her arms around Hana's waist. "It's so prolific they should start painting it on their coat-of-arms. In Gujarati."

"Khavanu, pivanu, majja ni life." They both laugh gently as they whisper the phrase, hugging each other tighter. Eat, drink and be merry, indeed.

Hana seems to take that advice to heart once they go in, and most of the family (whether enthusiastically, or under duress - the latter perhaps a result of Delnaaz having a stern talking-to with relatives who had rejected Hana earlier) openly welcomes Hana into the fold.

The wedding goes terrifically: Delnaaz appears resplendent in a gorgeous white silk-and-lace Parsi Gara sari (that, Hana informs her, has been the family heirloom for five generations now), her (now) husband looking very distinguished in his white dagli and a black fetah atop his head. Once she finds herself comfortable among people who should treat her like family, Hana practically shines in her interactions - scintillating at conversations, singing and dancing and joking with the rest when she can.

Her Gujarati is a little shaky still, but that's hardly a problem. After all, this is the first language we're going to learn together, ma moitié, Kiara had reassured her once.

A few hours later, when the party started winding down, Hana and Kiara shifted to a smaller, more secluded alcove within the wedding venue. Dinyar - another of Hana's Bethulian cousins - pointed it out to Kiara, whispering conspiratorily that very few in the wedding party noticed this place at all and they could have all the privacy they wanted. Hana made sure they carried a sweet along.

And so here they are, now, inside a romantic little gazebo, sitting together - Hana taking a spoonful of Lagan nu Custard and raising it to Kiara's lips. They close their eyes as they savour. Silky. Creamy. Decadent.

"Look at us, playing hooky at an event when you were so worried about behaving right just yesterday. Yet won't you say this little moment by ourselves was the best one?"

Hana winks. "You know me so well."

"Only as well as you do, darling," she says, cupping Hana's cheek, "My soulmate."

When they kiss, Kiara can taste hints of cardamom and nutmeg on Hana's tongue. She laughs into their kiss.

"Zài tiān yuàn zuò bǐ yì niǎo..." Kiara says, the grin hardly leaving her face when they part.

"...zài dì yuàn zuò lián lǐ zhī!" Hana wipes the last bit of custard on the tip of Kiara's nose, then uses that as an excuse to gently bite it off her.

They tighten their arms around each other. That saying has always been a favourite with both of them.

In heaven let us be two birds flying ever together, and on earth two trees with branches interlocked forever.

Bonus: English (with a tiny side serving of Cajun French)

Queen Esther seems almost transformed when their entourage sets foot in Louisiana. In some ways, she seems even more at home here than she had ever seemed even in New York. And to think, everyone thought that place was her home!

"It is," she'd explained once, when Kiara had asked her, "but NOLA was where I was born. I spent my entire childhood here. A part of me will always remain here."

She takes them to an old favourite of her parents', a mom-and-pop shop that's still miraculously standing and - according to Esther - that still possesses the same incredible flavours. Hana is already all praise for the gumbo and the bananas foster.

"Try the beignets, Hana," Esther suggests, her eyes sparkling at her open joy. "Dip them in the hot chocolate. Best that way!"

She does...and next thing they know, Hana's best friend and wife are treated to a happy dance on a chair.

Kiara's eyes are set on what seems to be a more humble (but moist, glistening, crisp on the outside!) preparation. A croquette of some sort?

"Boulettes de chevrette," the server replies, closely watching her face.

"...shrimp?" Kiara says, after a pause too significant for Esther to miss. The server nods.

"You certainly took a little extra time to mentally translate that," she says. "Is it called something else in French?"

"Yes," Kiara replies, "We call it crevette. But that's not the part I find interesting."

Intrigued, Esther raises an eyebrow, nodding at her companion to continue.

She clears her throat. "I'm beginning to find that certain words in your French have retained their original form from older versions of our language. And with others, they've evolved over time into different words, while in our language that word remained the way it was. Chevrette was what we used to call shrimp before we started using the Norman regional variant, crevette."

"Oh wow," Esther says, amazed, "I had no clue."

Kiara smiles. "Now you do."

Later that evening, the queen confides in her.

"You know...I used to be nervous speaking French in front of you."

Kiara's eyebrows are knit together in confusion. "Pourquoi?? You spoke very well."

Esther sighs. "It's silly."

"Tell me all the same."

Esther laughs, almost as if at the foolishness of her younger self. "I thought you'd make fun of me for "speaking French all wrong". That you'd look down on me."

Kiara's heart sinks to her stomach. "Did I really sound that snotty back then?"

"Oh no. No," Esther reassures her. "Especially not with languages."

Kiara is familiar enough with Esther now to teasingly nudge her arm a little with her elbow. "At least not unless you're asking me to sleep with you. You can't imagine how many people would just say voulez vouz coucher avec moi ce soir to my face, and think they could get away with it. And this was even before Hana introduced me to Lady Marmalade!"

Esther rolls her eyes, chuckling ruefully. "I introduced her to that one."

The laughter doesn't last very long. Lines of humour then dissolve into lines of tension on Esther's face. She isn't quite done explaining yet. "I guess I was just...feeling a little out of place. So I may have projected a little back then."

Kiara nodded. She did remember how hard that season, and the subsequent engagement tour (which she often things of with a little regret), had been on Esther. And she'd never allowed those fears and insecurities to show on her face. "That makes sense," she says, "but you know there's this saying I read a while ago..."

"What?" Esther asks, her curiosity now piqued.

"'We should learn languages because language is the only thing worth knowing even poorly.' It's a quote by a Hungarian translator mamed Kató Lomb."

Esther seems to open her mouth to protest the appropriateness of the quote, when Kiara stops her. "For the record, it doesn't correctly apply to your use of Cajun French. That is a dialect. It has its own rules. En vrai, I'd love to learn more."

The Queen relaxes, even smiling at the casual reference to her - something she knows Kiara will only use when she's sure they are friends.

"I'm just saying that even if you did get phrases in a language wrong, that wouldn't be reason enough for me to scoff at you. I'd be a hypocrite if I did that. After all, I wouldn't be this good at ten languages if I weren't constantly making mistakes."

As she often does since that eventful first meeting in Orphys, she remembers the kindness Lerato and Lesidi showed her, despite her terrible, terrible attempt at saying something in Wolof. The recipe for Senegambian-style jollof, that they gave her the next time she had visited their kingdom, still holds pride of place in her personal collection of precious things.

"I think what I'm saying is," she says, taking a deep breath, "when you make mistakes but the result is that I'm hearing a new language come out of your mouth, it's a wonderful thing. To me, it means you want to learn. And everyone's pace is different, so I'm no one to judge if you take more time to learn it than on someone else. There is never anything wrong with that."

Esther smiles again, softer this time, and more admiringly. "Noted," she says softly. "And we should definitely pack some fried alligator and remoulade sauce from here to snack on later."

Kiara grins. Her mouth is already watering. "We certainly will."

--

Translations:

Xifuma wante samay bët suruñu (Wolof) - I’m not hungry but my eyes aren’t full (basically the food is really really delicious). Source: Grace in Senegal

C'est comme pisser dans un violon! (French) - It's like pissing inside a violin! (Used to describe something useless and ineffective, or to complain about not being listened to after asking somebody to do something. Pissing in a violin is ineffective, it won't make a sound.) Source: Untranslatable

شكون داها فيك الحريرة (أو البلبولة) نهار العي

(Darija)

Describing someone who is incredibly pleased with themselves, but in actuality they are like Harrira on Eid al Fitr. Used to criticize someone who thinks very highly of themselves but has no justifiable reason to do so. Kind of like saying "you think you're hot shit in a champagne glass when you are really cold diarrhea in a Dixie cup". To explain the cultural context a little, Harrira is the soup Moroccans eat every day during Ramadan. On Eid, it stays in the fridge and people eat a lot of sweets. Source: Arabic Easy Language blog

Όποιος δεν θέλει να ζυμώσει, δέκα μέρες κοσκινίζει (Greek) - "Whoever does not want to knead, sifts for ten days". It is used to describe a procrastinator who finds every reason not to engage with their assigned task. Source: GreekPod 101.

Khavanu, pivanu, majja ni life (Gujarati) - khavanu refers to eating, pivanu refers to drinking, majja ni life means life is fun/amazing or to enjoy life. So it's basically "eat, drink and make merry". It's a popular Gujarati saying, I think, but it's associated most with the Parsi community.

在天愿作比翼鸟，在地愿为连理枝。(Mandarin) - In heaven as two birds flying together, On earth as two trees with branches interlocked forever. Basically a romantic proverb about soulmates. Source: China Plus

Notes:

The full quote from Kató Lomb goes like this:

"We should learn languages because language is the only thing worth knowing even poorly. If someone knows how to play the violin only a little, he will find that the painful minutes he causes are not in proportion to the possible joy he gains from his playing. The amateur chemist spares himself ridicule only as long as he doesn’t aspire for professional laurels. The man somewhat skilled in medicine will not go far, and if he tries to trade on his knowledge without certification, he will be locked up as a quack doctor.

Solely in the world of languages is the amateur of value. Well-intentioned sentences full of mistakes can still build bridges between people. Asking in broken Italian which train we are supposed to board at the Venice railway station is far from useless. Indeed, it is better to do that than to remain uncertain and silent and end up back in Budapest rather than in Milan."

The line about chevrette/crevette is something I read from the LSU website, from their Department of French Studies. This is what it says:

"Change is inevitable for living languages. It would be unreasonable, however, to expect change to happen in the same way in places remote from each other. In some cases, Cajun French has maintained words, structures and pronunciations which the French have long ago abandoned. For example, Cajuns have maintained the original chevrette to refer to shrimp, while the French adopted the Norman regional variant crevette as their standard word. In other cases, Cajun words or pronunciations have evolved while the French word remained stable. The French recevoir, for example, has become reçoir in Cajun French."

Source: LSU Department of French Studies

[txemrn]

Thanks for tagging me, @ao719, @charlotteg234 and @sfb123! I cannot wait for your fics to come out--you already have me salivating!

I know it's late, but if anyone is interested in a bit of a teaser, here's what's coming up next! Enjoy! 🖤

TRR/TRH: "Keep Your Head Up" (Royal Roulette)

"Where is she?" Liam grits his teeth, frantically glancing around the ballroom before turning back to his head guards. A strangled-growl drips from his words, a crimson hue coating his vision. "Can anyone tell me where the hell she went?"

Not waiting for an answer, he pushes open the heavy, ornate double doors to exit the ballroom before bounding down the side corridor that leads to the grand staircase.  Each step he takes becomes quicker, angrier, and despite being in full regalia, his walk becomes a run. Once he reaches the living quarters of the palace, he takes the stairs two at a time until he reaches her room. And he knocks softly.

When she doesn't answer, he raps against the polished wood once more. "Love?"

~🖤~

TRR/TRH: "Deja Vu, Chapter 2: Drake"

To this day, I humbly have to admit that Cordonia apple pies are the best–don't let the taste of a raw ruby fool you. Something about the bitter compounds reaching a certain temperature causes… something-something to do something… ah, hell. Tell you what. If you're that curious, ask Liam. I mean, I'm assuming he's still a nerd–

"Drake!" 

I startle at the greeting, instantly recognizing the tall, broad-shouldered blond striding closer to me, wearing… an apron? The fuck? The apron has the phrase, 'I love you a bushel and a peck'.

Oh, yeah. He's still a fucking dweeb. 

~🖤~

TRR: Pour Two Glasses, Chapter 6: TBD

The rhythmic pulse of the train car lulls Drake into a hypnotic relaxed state, and before long, he succumbs to the exhaustion of the past five weeks. Resting his head against the window, he watches as the Cordonian countryside flashes before his vision until finally his eyes close. 

Furrowing his brows, however, he hears loud, indiscernible voices outside of his state room.  When the conversation finally ends, he readjusts himself in his chair, using his discarded denim shirt as a make-shift pillow.

His door abruptly slides open.

Fuck.

He grimaces, quickly turning to address his unwanted interruption.

But his face falls in shock.

~🖤~

@socalwriterbee @shannonsaid @tessa-liam ... come share with the class what y'all have been working on!

@neotericthemis 😘

[bobasheebaby]

The Walk-up: Cordonian Ruby chapter 1

Pairing: Olivia x Bastien; Ruby Rys

Word count: 1,274

Warnings: mention of decapitation, angst, smidge of fluff

Summary: Ruby’s first birthday. Minor insight on how Cordonia’s changed.

A/N: thanks @sirbeepsalot for all your graping and help. I love you boo!

Series warnings: character death, blood, surgical procedures done by non medical personnel, may go NSFW in the future. May contain gun violence, knife violence, threats, not sure how dark this will go. By requesting to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I only own my OC’s, the rest I’m borrowing from PB.

Bastien tugged his warm pea coat tighter around his body as the air whipped the rain around him. With each step on the worn pavement he silently cursed not grabbing an umbrella before leaving the apartment. What I really need is a fucking raincoat.

The past year had brought them many places, going by many names. They never stayed in one place for long, the fear of being tracked kept them moving, and always with an escape plan. For the past six weeks they’d called Seattle home. It wasn’t home, and it would never feel like it, but it was a safe place they could just live without worry.

Here they go by Carol and John Taylor. Next, Olivia will pick their fake names. It didn't matter because they knew who they really were.

His feet pounded against the stairs to the walkup apartment they shared, his hands carefully cradling a small cake covered in pinks and reds.

After six weeks in Seattle, he could venture out and make it home quickly. He knew all the shortcuts. He knew how they got there and where they would leave to.

- - -

Olivia’s finger hovered over the link, was she ready to see in words and possibly pictures the truth she already knew? Was she ready to see in ‘print’ what had become of her nation, her duchy since she fled like a coward instead of staying and fighting like a Nevrakis warrior? Your ancestors would be ashamed to call you kin. I left to save the kingdom. I can do more to help raising the heir than I could dead.

She swallowed as her finger pressed on the link. Let’s see how bad it is.

She already was aware that she wouldn’t recognize her own nation. Everything that could help Bradshaw fund his own foolish endeavors had been stripped from the land. She knew that the people were forced to serve Auvernal, they had three choices: work in his army, work the land, or live in squalor.

Her emerald eyes widened as she saw the name on the byline of the underground Cordonian news. Ana DeLuca? Who knew she had it in her.

REIGN OF TERROR

Today marks one year since our nation should have gone into a period of mourning. Instead of being granted time to grieve our beloved king and queen and their unborn heir we were served the heads of our slain leaders on spikes.

Those who saw the gruesome sight outside the palace gates first hand fell to their knees driven to tears. They said the queen and king were hardly recognizable, but they knew in their bones: it was them.

There have been some whispered reports that while our fallen queen had reportedly fallen prey to wolves that many do not believe our case to be truly hopeless. Could the heir be out there somewhere waiting to take flight and reclaim our fallen nation? Could the Valtorian Phoenix rise once again?

Olivia looked up from her tablet as she heard familiar soft steps behind her. “There’s my little princess!” Olivia cooed placing her tablet down.

“Is it really smart to call her that? We are trying to go undetected.”

“We’re in America, it’d be weirder for a little girl to not be called princess here.” She looked at the blonde-haired, sapphire eyed baby she’d been pretending was her own. “Isn’t that right Ruby? Everyone’s a princess here.”

Ruby leaned forward, her chubby hands reaching for Olivia. “Mama.”

Olivia pulled the little girl into her arms, a brief sadness flashed in her emerald eyes.

To everyone around them, she was Ruby’s mother. She felt guilty that she must parade a friend’s child as her own, but they needed the heir to survive.

She looked down at Ruby, a smile once again gracing her lips. “That’s right princess, now let’s go celebrate with cake.”

- - -

Ruby’s sapphire eyes sparkled with wonder and excitement as she shoved her cake covered meaty fist into her mouth. Her eyes widened as the sweet vanilla buttercream melted on her tongue with an explosion of flavor.

Bastien and Olivia laughed as they watched Ruby shove fistfuls of cake and icing in her mouth.

“Is it good pumpkin?”

“Dada!” Ruby replied leaning forward in her high chair, her hands full of smushed cake.

Olivia took a careful step back as Bastien leaned forward. “Yes baby girl, share with papa.”

Ruby’s cake coated hands reached up to Bastien’s face, her hands smearing cake into his beard.

Olivia let out a loud laugh as she watched Ruby paint his face with cake and icing.

Bastien turned his steely eyes sparkling with mischief. “I think mama wants some too.”

Olivia shook her head. “No mama doesn’t.”

“Mama!” Ruby squealed reaching for Olivia.

“You don’t want to make the birthday princess cry do you?”

She mouthed ‘low blow’ to him as she took a hesitant step forward. He knew she could never say no to Ruby, she’d lost everything already Olivia would give her all that she could. She let out a shriek as Bastien wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her into his lap. Ruby squealed, her feet kicking as she reached for her mama’s face, her cake coated fingers grabbing a fistful of hair and smearing icing on her cheek.

For one day they felt like the family they pretended to be. They weren’t on the run hiding from a tyrant. They were just them, and for that moment it was all they needed.

- - -

Olivia pulled the door to the small bedroom shut behind her with a soft click. “She’s finally asleep.”

“She had a big day.” Bastien smiled as images of their day played in his head. “Actually I’m surprised she wasn’t more worn out.”

A small smile played on her lips. “I think she was too excited to be worn out. It was nice being able to pamper and treat her like the royalty she is for one day.”

He pulled his lips into a thin line. He knew she wasn’t exactly happy with the way we’re forced to live, he knew if she could she’d spoil Ruby with all the luxuries of the world. “Well, we need to be careful, Bradshaw—”

“Bradshaw and his men won’t find us here, we were careful.” She crossed the small living room to the window looking out the third story window.

They had used multiple false identities while traveling, never using one persona more than once. She’d cut her hair into a chin-length bob and dyed it a deep auburn to help keep them hidden. They were safe.

Her lips curved down as she stared out the window, watching the rain silently hit the windows. Rain, it was nearly always raining. She missed the cold, the snow. She missed being able to hunt on her own land and eat fresh meat. She hated going to the store and speaking to a man in a bloodstained apron who knew less about cuts of meat than she did. She hated that she had to purchase meat that smelled faintly of bleach.

She missed Cordonia.

“Why did we have to stay here? It’s always raining.” She placed her hand on the cold windowpane, closing her eyes trying to imagine she was home. “We could have chosen Boston, or Montreal, somewhere where it gets more snow than rain.”

“There are multiple escape routes, easier if we have to pick up and leave.”

She nodded, she didn’t like it, but he was right. Her comfort wasn’t as important as their safety. They just needed to keep Ruby safe, hopefully, we’ll still have a home to return to.

Feedback fuels me, please like, comment reblog or send an ask. Feel free to scream, I promise I can take it.

Masterlist can be found in my bio.

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[phoenixrising0308]

It's not the same without you

Books: The Royal Romance 1-3 to Royal Heir and cross-over characters from other choices universes.

Rating: M (18+) Sexual situation and adult themes.

Trigger Warnings in this chapter: Miscarriage and infertility.

Pairing: Liam Rys x Jessica Garcia (MC)

Agent Phoenix Forged in Fire Series premise: This is a canon divergent series set after TRR 3 Tariq is never found. Liam’s duty to his country forces him into marriage. Jessica and Liam enter into a Cordonian arrangement. Both of them wanted to have a life together. However, various obstacles prevent him from a divorce and having the life they both want together. With dreams of a future crushed, Jessica leaves Cordonia. Despite a five-year absence, they are still heartbroken and unable to forget each other and the life they once shared. When Jessica’s career path takes an expected turn, her duty to her country pushes her to Cordonia, back into the society that burned her, and back into Liam’s sights. Will she rise from the ashes or once again go down in flames? Catch up here

Disclaimer

A/N: This is so late but I figured I would take the chance and post it anyway without tagging anyone. I haven't posted in a while such is life but I'm here and Agent Garcia still is too! L/N: to my lovely friends thank you for the check in's

*This is a oneshot that is a part of the main story and events will occur in a later chapter*

Chapter Summary: Then and Now Halloween in Cordonia

Word count: 2,219 *please excuse typos and grammatical errors*

Reading time: 8 Minutes

Liam dug in his pocket for his key. He felt the statue of liberty in his hand as he unlocked the door only to come home to a white fabric-like webbing cascading onto him in their apartment.

He picked it off with a raised eyebrow as Jessica popped her head out from the kitchen.

"Sorry baby, I meant to tape that up there." She walked over and kissed him sweetly on the lips. Giggling to herself as she plucked the fake spider webs off him.

He chuckled with a bewildered expression and said, "Love, what is all this?"

He looked around their shared apartment. Pumpkins, bats, spider webs in a few corners, and some decorative led lights. The entire apartment was orange and black but still very tasteful. It was unlike anything he had experienced. He was fascinated as he plucked off the remaining web to examine a pumpkin centerpiece on their coffee table. He could smell a spicy yet cozy scent in the air from the wax warmer.

"I'm putting up Halloween decorations, silly.'' She said before she gave him an odd look with a slight smirk. "Don't tell me they don't celebrate Halloween in Cordonia."

Liam looked around their apartment as he spoke to her. "Yes and no. We celebrate the harvest. We are the Country of Apples, after all. Other than that, we really don't go all out for Halloween like you Americans do."

He chuckled as Jessica gave a dramatic gasp. "God, what the hell is wrong with you people?! Apples over Pumpkins?"

Liam played along, giving her a pout. "Now, don't insult my Country. Apples are a harvest staple."

"You can't carve an apple, Liam."

He grinned, "Maxwell would disagree. He would whittle funny faces on our Ruby Red's growing up. He would get yelled at for it too."

"Uh, not the same. Not even freaken close. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin donuts. You cannot replace those things with apples."

He smirked and counted on his fingers. "Let's see; Apple pie, apple cider, apple fritters-"

She interrupted him, "Nope! Maybe apple cider but in America; apple pie is more of a late Summer thing. And you haven’t lived till you tasted a warm cinnamon sugar pumpkin donut."

He chuckled, "Okay, I give in. Write all these pumpkin flavors on my bucket list."

Her eyes lit up as she grabbed a pen and notepad from the side table. He laughed as she wrote it down.

"Force Liam to eat every single pumpkin spice thing known to man. Got it. Anything else for the season?"

He shrugged, "I don't know, what else is there?"

"You really don't have any Halloween traditions you want to try? You don't have any Halloween traditions at all?" She mumbled as she put the notepad down.

He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not. Leo and I weren't even allowed to eat candy that hadn't been thoroughly inspected and given to us by a very specific person in case of poisoning. So, trick or treating was out of the question."

"Yeah, but you guys still couldn't, I don't know, go trick-or-treating around the palace? Like, have the chef make you something or get prepackaged candy?"

He shrugged, "It just wasn't that important to us. Besides, Father reprimanded us for too many sweets as kids."

Jessica gave him a determined smile and said, "Well I guess you get to have all the sweets you want as an adult AND celebrate Halloween."

He smiled and walked over to wrap his arms around her. "I guess so. Still, nothing is as sweet as you, love." He kissed her neck and she wiggled out of his grasp as realization dawned on her.

"Hold that thought...Wait a minute, so you're telling me you've never seen all the Halloween classics?"

He raised a brow as she ranted and listed them all on her fingertips. "Charlie Brown and the great pumpkin? Nightmare Before                 Christmas? Casper for crying out loud?"

He smirked, "That's a ghost, right?"

Jessica's mouth hung open as she shook her head and he just smirked at her expression. She snapped out of it and said, "Yeah OK, now that's just sad. Now, you're leaving me with no choice but to give you the Halloween you should have had as a kid."

He gave her a lopsided grin, "Is it really that important?"

She exclaimed, "Yea, it really is!"

He sat down next to the pumpkin throw pillow on their loveseat. She instantly went through their streaming service until she found the one.

"Okay, you have to start with the beginning of the classics, the best of them all."

He smiled good-naturedly, "And what would that be love?"

Without hesitation, she hit the loading screen as three witches stood over a cauldron with a moon behind them and a black cat in the background.

"Hocus pocus."

She ran to the kitchen. "I'll be right back."

He simply sat there and waited as she came back with snacks in her hand and including candy corn, peanut M&M’s, and pretzels. He eyed the candy corn. Picking it up.

"What's this called?"

Jessica stared at him a moment before answering. "Candy corn. I had to order it online. Hell, I had to order most of this stuff online. It's kind of a culture shock for this time of year. I hate candy corn. Maxwell loves it. Try it."

He nodded, "That's right, this is your first true fall here in Cordonia."

He popped it in his mouth, and he made an odd face. Jessica chuckled, "Yeah it's super sweet and waxy. It's a hit or miss for most people in America too."

He made a genuine face of the alarm and Jessica burst out laughing.

He said, "Now, that's just wrong." He laughed with her as she pressed play on their screen.

He helped her snuggle up to him on the love seat while she threw a new fleece flannel blanket over them both. She dimmed the lights and the orange LEDs set the ambiance in the room.

It started and Liam was already mildly interested in it. He questioned halfway through, ``How would they know whether a Virgin lit the candle or not?"

Jessica shushed him playfully with a smirk. "Because it's magic, Liam."

"That still doesn't answer my question." She shushed him again and he just smiled and laughed.

"You know, there's magic in Cordonia too. We have our legends and myths. I used to think they were just there to tell children."

"Used to?"

"Yes, till I met you. Then I realized that maybe there really is magic in Cordonia."

She smiled at him, cuddling up into him as they continued to watch the movie.

Then of course, the question was obvious.

"Why is Winifred so insistent on Dani? She has so many children! For once, Sarah was right."

"I know but I guess Dani insulting her was enough...Just watch."

He smiled at her as the movie reached its climax with them in the cemetery.

Once the movie ended Jessica said, " Max and Allison are cute together. I remember every girl I knew had a huge crush on Binx."

"The cat??"

"Once he was human." She corrected him with a smirk.

Liam nodded, "Yeah, for some reason Max reminds me of Leo at that age. Perhaps it's the hair? Or his stubbornness."

She raised an eyebrow with a smirk, "And you weren't a know it all as a teen?"

Liam smiled but shook his head, "No I was probably more like a male Allison at that age."

Jessica said "Mature, responsible, understanding, brave."

He smiled." I don't know about all that but maybe. And what about you? What was teen Jess like?"

Jessica shrugged. "I don't know. I wasn't super into proving myself as Leo probably was. I was a good kid but I did get into trouble once in a while. What kid doesn't?"

His smile wavered, "I was as obedient as I had to be. It was ingrained in me."

Jessica gave him a soft smile. "Well, you aren't now. Now, you don't take shit from anybody."

He hummed, nuzzling into her neck. "Especially if it comes to you, love."

She sighed, leaning her head back to let him. kiss her neck before a yawn escaped her. He backed away with an amused smile.

"Tired?"

"Nah. Not really." She yawned again before smirking. "Okay, maybe a little."

He grabbed her and tugged her against him, positioning himself to make them comfortable. "How about we watch another movie?" He said knowing full well she was going to fall asleep but figured she could sleep later.

"Hey, Jess."

"Yeah?"

"I love you." Liam kissed her neck softly

Jessica gave him a content smile and said, "I will love you forever Liam."

Liam gentle pulled her onto his lap

Jessica bit her lip “Ahhh there is some magic happening right now.”

They both laughed and Liam said, “let's make some magic right now.” His hands went to the seam of her shirt as he slowly began to lift it up.

Years later…

"Come on, Li. Put the damn mask on and the velvet coat and go!" Leo ordered with a blue bird-like masquerade mask on, a blue suede fitted period Jacket and a dazzling cane.

Liam sighed heavily and pushed himself off the chair. In a towel with damp hair from just getting a shower. "I don't see the point. We don't celebrate Halloween in Cordonia."

Leo said, "But Maxwell does. You know how much Jess rubbed off on him. Once he saw the parties New Yorker's had, he was determined to celebrate that way at least once. Now...It's a tradition." Leo walked up to his brother and lifted the mask off with a sad smile. "Come on, Liam. Do it for yourself. Try to enjoy time with friends away from Royal balls and gala's...She'd want you to."

Liam rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. "I despise when you bring her up like that to get your way."

"But you know I'm right. She would have grabbed you by the arm and shoved your ass out that door in any costume she wanted."

He shook his head and walked over to his dresser where his costume Leo got him was. "She wouldn't have to...I would do anything if it meant spending time with her."

Leo gave him space, stepping outside to wait as he changed. He looked at himself in the mirror. 'I look ridiculous.' He thought as he turned and put the mask on. 'At least I can avoid people a bit more.'

His outfit was a black velvet long coat jacket, black riding pants with black riding boots, and a bit of beadwork on the shoulders. The only pop of color was a blue dress shirt Jessica loved.

The outfit reminded him of something he couldn't put his finger on until a moment later. A movie Jessica insisted they watch just for her own childhood nostalgia.

'God, minus the hair...I look like the Goblin King in this.' It brought a slight smirk to his face until he thought of how much Jessica would have loved to dress in that ball gown Sarah wore in the Labyrinth Movie. He knew she would have looked beautiful in it and it made him frown.

Leo and he both made it to the party. Maxwell went all out. Black glitter, spiderwebs, bats, pumpkins. Most dressed in modest Halloween outfits but there were a few, including Maxwell that dressed extra. He slid down the banister in a purple velvet suit and a huge purple hat with a feather reminiscent of squires back in medieval times. Glitter all over his masks and a pair of iridescent gloves.

"Welcome to the Beaumont's Haunted Mansion! Be prepared to be scared!" He mocked in a creepy voice. Liam cracked a smirk as he heard Olivia from the corner of the room make a remark, "You are enough for that."

Maxwell grinned, "Then it's working. Mission accomplished."

Leo chuckled, "You really went all out, Max."

"Yeh, sadly Cordonian Court doesn't want to dress up in actual Halloween costumes so I guess a Masquerade with a spooky twist will have to do."

Liam smiled sadly. "Jess would have loved this."

Maxwell faltered and gave his own sad smile. "That's all that matters this time of year...Oh! Leo, I challenge you to an apple bobbing contest."

Leo smirked, "You're on. Are you going to be okay fending for yourself?"

Liam nodded with an annoyed expression under his mask, "Of course, Leo. Go on."

Liam partook of the party. Small talk, drinking apple cider, eating horderves, and watching the guest slowly get tipsy like any Beaumont bash. except him. He only talked to Olivia and Drake for a few moments before standing near the punch bowl.

The entire party reminded him of an all too familiar scene in Jessica's favorite Halloween movie and it made his chest ache. The decor, bobbing for apples, drinking apple cider. It was just a more suited-up version of Alison's parent's party in the movie.

He watched couples dancing, laughing together. A couple he recognized as a Lord and a Lady that was most definitely not the Lady of his house kissed in the corner before she led him to a hallway out of sight. He remembered all the time he and Jessica snuck off together. Forced to pretend like they weren't in love when she was the only thing that mattered to him.

'What am I doing here? It's not the same.' He thought as he went to find Leo after a little less than an hour of being there. He found him with a Lady of court, leaning over a bar and flirting with her.

"Leo, I think I'm heading home."

Leo instantly stopped flirting and stood up to talk to Liam only away from his company. "You sure? We barely got here."

"Sorry but I'm just not feeling up for it. Do you need a ride home?"

Leo looked over his shoulder and smirked at the woman in a devil Masquerade outfit and shook his head. "No, I'm good. Take care of yourself Li." He patted his brother's back before separating. Liam walked past all the happy partygoers. He went to say goodbye to Maxwell but saw he was already hanging from the chandelier, drunk. Drake shook his head and said, "Maxwell, I am not helping you if you get a broken fucken leg." Drake had no costume on. Liam knew Jessica would have forced one on him, even a modest one.

Olivia chuckled, "Let him! We need some entertainment."

Drake spotted Liam leaving and walked over to him. "Are you heading out?"

"Yeah, it's about time I head home."

Drake said, "I would but someone has to prevent Maxwell from hurting others...And himself."

They both looked to see a crowd cheering Maxwell on as he swung it before sticking a landing on a couch. They cheered and Drake rolled his eyes. Liam simply smiled but walked out, waving goodbye. Ready to go home and stop pretending.

Liam walked into his quarters. This time of year was a sobering feeling. There was no fall scent in the air, no decorations, no candy in a dish, no pumpkin spiced coffee brewing in the morning. All of the magic and fun Jessica brought into his life this time of year vanished with her.

He didn't have the heart to decorate. It felt pointless because it wasn't from her. He would rather not celebrate the season at all than to celebrate it without her.

However, there was one tradition he couldn't bring himself not to partake in.

He sighed deeply on his sofa, turning on their favorite Halloween movie. He sadly put it on. Wrapping himself up in that flannel blanket they had so long ago. He was at the age that he could imagine what teenage Jessica and Liam would have been like together.

It was hard not to watch love unfold in the heart of the movie. But he was closer to the age of the parents than the teen protagonist and he wondered what would have been like had their Coronation night come true. The way it was supposed to.

They would have fulfilled their dreams of being parents by now. He and Jessica would be snuggled up on the couch right now watching Hocus Pocus.

He enjoyed the movie but at the same time, in the same breath, it just wasn't the same. He sadly turned it off cuddling up into the flannel blanket and whispered her name while wishing she was there with him, that there was still magic in Cordonia that could somehow bring her back to him. His heart ached for her and in the privacy of his quarters just as he did multiple nights since she left he cried until he fell asleep.

Boston…

Jessica stood in front of the mirror looking for a last-minute makeshift Halloween costume. She closed the door to her closet and saw the white lab coat he left behind.

"Alessandra, I’m staying home. I don't have a costume."

"So? It's Halloween. Put on a sexy black dress and some tackle gear. Boom."

Jessica smiled slightly but it faded as soon as it came. " Alessandra. I just don't think I'm up for it."

She nodded and said, "Okay, if you insist. I'll be back at midnight or call." She winked at Jessica, dressed as a sexy witch.

She watched  Alessandra leave; the witch outfit looked like a shorter version of Sarah from Hocus Pocus. It saddened her. A movie she always loved reminded her so much of him and their evenings together. Throwing popcorn in his mouth, giggling as he pulled her into his lap. Her first time letting him experience Halloween.

She should move on; go to a party where the owner of the pristine lab coat would be. She could for a moment forget Liam while she shared her night with him, maybe the morning too. Yet she couldn't. Not this time. She put on hocus pocus and munched on peanut M&M’s while she watched it. It didn't feel the same without him. She watched the movie a million and one time before she met him. But the minute that she was able to watch it with him it just took on a whole new meaning. She wondered if he still kept up with the tradition or if he only did it because of her?

She knew the truth. He probably has a little one with Madeleine or multiple little ones at once and she probably refuses to let her children watch Halloween movies or eat candy.

'Maybe he thought it was ridiculous back then too? He probably doesn't let his kids celebrate it. He can probably get through this season without any issues now.'

She sighed before she knew she needed a bit more comfort than usual. She walked to her room and rummaged in the back of her closet for his purple sweater. It still faintly smelled like him. The fabric still brought back memories of him holding her close as they cuddled together on the couch.

She put it on and hugged herself a moment, closing her eyes and imagining her arms were his. She opened them, fresh tears streaming down her face, and walked back to the couch. She tried watching the movie but it didn't bring the joy it once did. She missed his questions, his comments, him kissing her as a distraction while they watched it. Their first time watching it together was always her favorite memory.

'I wonder if you miss me even half as much as I miss you?'  She sighed and turned the TV off, turned to her side on the couch, and said "I will love you forever." and just as she did multiple nights since she left him she cried herself asleep.

[bebepac]

Derby Girl

ORIGINAL POST DATE: 05/12/21 at 7:22PM EST

This is The Life of Riley Book Two.  To catch up with what you’ve missed so far, please click:

  The Life of Riley- Book Two. 

My Book 2 starts with basically TRR book 1 starts.  

If you’re curious to see the elaborate back story I have created for my version of Riley Brooks Please click: 

The Life of Riley Book One.

It will answer a lot of your questions that are left out of the Canon that PB wrote.  

The Book: TRR

The Pairing:  Liam x Riley

Word Count: 2011

Warnings:  Sexual innuendo

Summary: Riley goes to her first derby.  Liam and Drake make a bet (this episode has a few canon-ish parts. The most you’ll see in my series.) 

Deena is my own character, all others belong to Pixelberry. 

A/N:  I’m on vacation as of yesterday until May 25th.  I plan to do as much writing as i can in this time period.  Hopefully release some chapters of people’s favorites and get back on schedule a little bit with some releases on things people haven’t seen in a bit.  

Riley slowly opened her eyes.   

She thought she had dreamed the whole thing.  She was sure she would wake up in her tiny little apartment with Daniel.  She sat up in the ornately designed bedroom.

She went to peer out over the balcony seeing the beautifully trimmed gardens.  

I really have the chance to win a Prince’s heart. She thought. Last night dancing in the Maze with Liam was the most amazing feeling. Riley could not wipe the dopey grin she had on her face.

There was a soft knock on her door.

Maxwell appeared.  

“Good Morning Little Blossom!  How are you today? You look so happy this morning.”

“I’m great.  I’m still so amazed by this place at times Maxwell.  There’s just so much beauty here. And Liam is here."

“And you get to be a part of this Little Blossom, because of the way he feels about you.  I see the way Prince Liam looks at you.”

“Then why can’t he just say it then?”

“Because that’s not how things are done here with people of his status.  You wouldn’t only be only his choice, but the choice of the people and they have to love you too and they don’t know you.  No one knows who Riley Antonia Brooks of New York truly is.”

Both Riley and Maxwell abruptly turned around to the voice of the person talking in the room.

Smile officially gone. Stolen by the rat bastard with the sneer standing at the door to her bedroom.

“Lady Riley meet my brother Bertrand.”

“The Duke of Ramsford.”

Riley decided since he went with such a formal title even though she was wearing her pajamas she should curtsy.   He seemed stuffy and the antithesis of Maxwell.

He nodded.  “The New Yorker can be trained to fit in here.”  

Riley glared at him.  “I’m not an animal Duke Ramsford.”  

“That remains to be seen.  If the Cordonian people do not fall in love with you, even though he could be Lady Riley, he will not choose you.  Love is not the only thing that matters here.  It’s honestly not even a factor here.  Prince Liam has a duty to his people to pick the most suitable woman to be at his side.  So you, my  dear idealistic girl, must learn to give the people what they want.  The derby today will give you the opportunity to meet the press for the first time.  This will set the tone of how the people will begin to approve of you or disapprove of you.  The Queen is also important here as well.”  

“I think the Queen might potentially be on my side.”  

Bertrand laughed.  “You don’t know The Queen.”  

“I met with her and she wasn’t rude to me. She was actually helpful when you think about it.  She told me to get a feel for the audience that will be watching me and dress for them.  I think that’s helpful advice.”

“You’re right, that is helpful advice.”  Maxwell chimed in trying to release some of the tension.

“You need to get ready. Head to the boutique and make sure you pick something suitable.”

Riley almost didn’t want to go to the boutique after what happened to her the last time.

However, when she walked in, she was greeted by a kind middle-aged woman with a genuinely welcoming smile.

“And you must be Lady Riley.”

“I am.” Riley still had her guard up her voice and body language tight and protecting herself.  

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”  

“Oh?”

“I know that the last time you were here, you didn’t have the greatest experience with the staff, and I apologize for that, but if there is anything you need I will be more than willing to assist.”  

“Thank you so very much.”  

Riley smiled.

“It’s no wonder….”

“It’s no wonder what?”

“Why he’s so enchanted with you.  Lady Riley you’re absolutely breathtaking, without a stitch of makeup, and you have such a kind-hearted spirit. I can almost feel it radiate off you.  I was sworn to secrecy, because he couldn’t hide how he feels about you.  Let me know if you need any help picking out something for him.  You’re living your very own Cinderella story right now.”  

It was the nicest anyone had been to her since she landed.  Riley’s eyes filled with tears.  

“Oh no, don’t do that dear.  I know things have been a little rough for you.  The royal life is not easy.  They don’t only fight with words, they fight with glares and  underhanded behaviors.  But I’m here now.  At least here, you will always be treated like the royalty I believe you will become someday.  Now let’s pick out something beautiful for him.”

Riley thumbed through the racks.

"If I may?  I did notice his eyes fall on this dress here.  It looks to be your size, and that color would look like heaven on you."

"Pink is my favorite color."

"Then you should try it on."

This woman Deena, had made the palace boutique an oasis.

Riley tried on the dress staring at herself in the mirror.

"His face is going to be just as pink as that dress when he sees you. That dress was made for you. And since you're going to the derby try this as well."

She gave Riley a white hat.

The hat didn't quite stay on.

Riley laughed. "Big hair goals and hats don't generally mix."

Deena laughed.  "This is true. I think Dolly Parton said it best, if someone tells you hair is too big. Get rid of them, you don't need that kind of negativity in your life!"

"That's a plan!"

“Thank you Deena.”  

“You show them honey. You show them why he’s picking you.”  

Riley decided to be the "Derby Girl" for the day she would straighten her hair. The hat laid perfectly.  

“Little Blossom! You look amazing!”

“Thank you Lord Maxwell,” she responded as Bertrand walked into the room.

“Yes, she picked a suitable outfit to be seen in and for the media.  We should be on our way.”

The whole duration of the ride Bertrand droned on about  royalty, the queen, and the event and the Cordonian Ruby Apple.  

“When you are done with your interview you’re going to go over to the pink tents to watch the race with the other suitors.”  

“Greaaat. Will Prince Liam be dropping by?”  

“Probably not, you’ll see him at the picnic afterwards.”  

“You got this Little Blossom!”

Riley managed to stay cool and calm while talking to the press.  The press deemed her “The Mystery Woman” based on her answers.  It was fitting she thought, because a lot of her life, even for herself, was a mystery to her. All the missing memory gaps she had of her life before the accident, at times, Riley felt she barely knew herself.  

She looked for the pink tents not seeing any, but when she turned she saw Drake heading toward  a tent.   She quickly followed him, leaping inside.  

The Prince jumped to attention, his jaw locked, his body rigid, and his face stern.  She realized what she had done.  He had probably been trained for surprise attacks, and he had to always be alert.

“I’m sorry...I didn’t think..” Riley whispered.  

The prince visibly relaxed. 

“No, on the contrary it’s a very welcome surprise.  How did you manage to get in here?”  

“Playing a game of following the leader.”

The beer Drake was about to drink she pulled from his hand.

“Thanks for the beer Drake, you're too kind.”

Drake looked like he wanted to say something, but  he remained silent.  

Liam lightly cleared his throat.  

“I’m going to….”  

“You don’t have to….”  Riley started to say, but she saw the look in Liam’s eyes.

“Bye Drake.”  She whispered, her eyes not leaving Liam’s.  

Drake walked out letting the tent fall closed.  

He pulled Riley to his lap, softly stroking her hair.  

“You look beautiful.  But you know I love your curls.”

“I know.  I would have had a wardrobe malfunction otherwise if i didn’t straighten it.  My hat wouldn’t fit.”  

“You would have been just as beautiful without it.”  

“I know but it’s the derby and Bertrand was making such a big deal about the derby and looking appropriate.  And even though I know nothing else about derbys I know next to the horse race, number two is woman in hats.  Your hat game must be on point.  Serious hat-age.”

Liam laughed, tightening his grip around her.

“Lady Riley, no one makes me laugh like you do.   I’m always so happy when you’re around.  Not just the things you say, or the way you look at me.  It’s who you are, that radiates off you, and I just feel it wrap around me.”

“And what does that feel like?”

“You feel like sunshine Lady Riley.  Sunshine on a summer day.  The perfect summer day. When you close your eyes and just feel the sun warm your skin, and you are so content to just.....be in that moment.  That’s how I feel when we are in the same space together.”

She softly kissed his lips.  

He began another kiss, but then pulled away too soon.  “As much as I would love to see where this could go, we have to at least watch the race.” Riley slipped off his lap into the seat next to him as he opened the tent.  

Drake came in a few minutes later with new beers.  

Riley was silent, listening to Liam and Drake talk about  the race and their friendly wager, and how she got roped into it she’ll never know.  She was going to be sitting on the back of the loser while they did ten push-ups.  

“Who’s your money on winning the bet, me or Drake?”

Riley winced.  

“As much faith as I have in you Liam, I think Drake might know more about horses and the stables. So my money is on Drake. I’m sorry.”

“Ouch that had to hurt Liam.”  Drake chuckled.

Liam looked hurt. 

“Did you want the truth, or did you want me to lie to you Liam?”

“The truth Lady Riley, always the truth.”  

Annnnd…. Riley was right.

Liam unbuttoned his shirt, tossing it on the empty chair.

He got into a push-up position.

“Lady Riley if you will.”

Riley hopped onto Liam’s back.  Even though he was surprised he still held a tight planked push up position.  

“Lady Riley!”

“God she’s ruthless, are you sure you want this one?”  Drake laughed.

“I’ve been on him before, I knew he could handle it.”  

Liam choked back a laugh for a moment, his form unwavering.

“She’s right, I can handle her.”  

“TMI Brooks!!!”

Liam easily did all ten push ups unbroken.  

When Liam was done  he put on his dress shirt again.  

“Drake will take you back to the other suitors for a late lunch.”

“A sweet little goodbye kiss to tide me over until I'm in your presence again?”

Riley seductively puckered her lips, tapping her index finger against them.  

Liam glanced around  and pulled her to him kissing her.   Her fingers gently tugged his hair as his kiss deepened and his grip tightened around her.

Drake dropped her off with the other suitors.  

“I can’t believe we didn’t even get to see  Prince Liam at all!”   Lady Penelope's voice rang out in annoyance. “I had the best story to tell about my poodles to make him laugh.”  

“Where were you Lady Riley?”  

“I got lost again.  All these places around here look the same.  Drake found me finally and brought me over here to you guys.”

“Lady Riley you need to get it together.  Being late because you got lost won’t look well for you with the media.”    Lady Kiara  shook her head.  

“I’m not sure I believe her.”  

Olivia stepped up to her staring into Riley’s face.  

“Why would I lie?  You saw Drake drop me off here right Liv?”  

“I saw, but something feels off.  I don’t trust you Lady Riley.  Something is afoot.”

“Well, then I guess it’s game on then, Scarlet Duchess?”

“Yes.  Game on.”  

Tags in the comments!

[alj4890]

And Then I Left You

(Thomas Hunt x oc*Amanda) in a “what if” version to the RCD/TRR fan fic And Then I Met You Series

@krsnlove ​​​ @my-heart-beats-for-ya ​ @aworldoffandoms ​​ @flyawayboo ​​  @trappedinfanfiction ​​  @sophxwithers ​​ @twinkleallnight ​​

Masterlist

Chapter 12 A Little Too Revealing

Cordonia's oldest Cathedral...

"Thomas!" Ana held her microphone out towards him. "Will you answer a few questions?"

Bracing himself, he left his group of friends and walked over to her. Cameras flashed around him as he stood alone before the reporter.

Ana smiled at him. "Tell us, what have you thought of Prince Liam's social season?"

"It's been interesting." He put his hands in his pockets. "It truly has been a once in a lifetime experience."

"We know how close you are to the Duchess of St Orella." Ana continued. "In your opinion, what kind of queen do you think she would be if chosen?"

He hesitated. "Well, I..." He noticed carriages coming down the street. "I think Cordonia would be fortunate to have her." A half smile formed on his lips. “Any man would be lucky to find himself marrying her.”

"Do you think her chances--" Ana turned around. "The first of the nobles are arriving! The Duchess of Lythikos's carriage is the first to stop. Her grace is wearing a..."

Thomas, along with those from Hollywood quickly made their escape when the reporters were distracted with the arriving court guests.

"Phew." Addison nearly sagged with relief once inside. "Those questions were getting hard to answer."

"One of the reporters asked me if I thought Amanda's work ethic pointed toward queenly behavior." Ryan rolled his eyes. "Because I as a movie star know all about ruling a European nation."

Holly snorted while pushing him further inside. "You barely recognize the hierarchy of a film studio much less local governments’."

"Which makes me the perfect person to ask questions like that to." He teased.

"Do reporters expect us to say, no?" Matt asked. "Who wouldn't say their friend would be Liam's best choice?"

Thomas remained quiet while the group expressed their opinions. He led them up a flight of stairs where Liam had secured them seats for the coronation.

Their view was perfect to see not only where the nobles would be sitting but also of the dais where the crowning would take place. While they waited on the ceremony to begin, they were able to admire the vaulted ceiling and sheer majesty of the large cathedral. Stain glass windows shimmered in the early morning sunlight. The Cordonian oak pews glowed golden from the high polish they had been given for today's historic event.

"There's Olivia!" Addison pointed out. "Look at her dress! It's gorgeous!"

"It looks like something from the Middle Ages." Holly leaned forward to get a better look.

Olivia's blood red gown was long and flowing, reminiscent of the formal wear her ancestor Zenobia had worn during Queen Kenna's wedding. Her look was complete with her tiara of rubies and diamonds.

Following behind her was Rashad dressed in a tuxedo and white gloves. His house crest along with other highly honored medals House Domvallier had earned throughout history glittered upon his chest.

Another duke they had only seen at an event or two walked with his family, all in finery from some bygone era, towards the front of the sanctuary.

"I wonder when Amanda will--" Shannon nudged Chris. "There she is!"

Thomas finally saw his duchess walk down the aisle. He was once again spellbound by how regal Amanda appeared.

Like Olivia's, her gown harkened back to a time where gowns had a flowing train to her floor length full skirt. Upon her head sat the tiara she had worn for her ball. The blue diamond necklace and bracelet that had been given as betrothal gifts for the very first duchess of St Orella twinkled under the lights. Her dress was in the rich royal blue color with dainty silver embroidery along the scooped neckline, puffed sleeves, and edge of her skirt. Her arms were encased in elbow length white gloves.

What really stood out though to Thomas was her. Amanda's posture was straight. Her chin lifted just high enough to denote her lofty stature within the Cordonian Court. Her graceful walk down the aisle was complete with a deep curtsey, hand over her heart, and head bowed to Constantine and Regina.

When she then slipped into the pew that her ancestors before her had sat for every other coronation, she lifted her eyes to his.

The hint of softening around her lips made his own curve with pride. He didn't know how she managed to keep surprising him with these different facets to her character. It was sometimes difficult to picture the woman he had come to know with the new visions that she paraded before him.

His thoughts drifted over the last couple of weeks. They had decided to not tell any of their friends about their engagement, save for Liam. They worried over Maxwell and Addison possibly letting it slip. They knew how excited the two would be and how they would want to start planning the wedding.

******************

A few days after the ball at St Orella...

"What are you working on?"

Thomas leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes when he felt Amanda's lips brushing against his neck.

"A list of shots I want to try with certain scenes." He tugged her around to sit in his lap. "I didn't think you'd be free this evening."

"I thought," she went back to kissing his neck, "that you might be interested in knowing that we are actually alone."

"We are?"

"Uh huh." She smiles against his skin. "Drake, Olivia, and Liam went on to Ramsford early. Holly and Addison dragged Ryan out to go visit with Chris and Shannon." She lifted her head and met his heated gaze. "We're the only two left."

He kept the argument to himself that there were still servants in her home, but he reveled in the fact that they were once more without any interruption from either a good meaning friend or a needy noble.

"However will we entertain ourselves?" She teased, biting down on his earlobe.

Thomas captured her lips in a kiss. He pushed his notes off the desk he had been using and set her upon it. His attention was snatched away from her when he remembered the study door.

"I locked it." Amanda held the key up.

Thomas noticed his ring twinkling in the early afternoon sunlight on her finger. He loved that she persisted in slipping it on whenever she could.

He surged forward to kiss her again.

"You know," he kissed down her neck, "we should probably use this time to discuss our wedding."

"You want a wedding?" She eased back some.

"Don't you?"

"I don't know. Nobles try to outdo each other with their weddings and parties leading up to it. The romance of the moment is overshadowed by all the pomp and circumstance." She shrugged. "I always thought it would be more romantic to elope."

He sat back down and pulled her back in his lap. "I thought you would want a church wedding."

She rested her head on his shoulder. "I suppose that would be nice if I had it at the St Orella chapel. But you probably need something bigger, don't you?"

"Why would I need something bigger?"

"Isn't that what Hollywood royalty do?” She teased. “ Make weddings more extravagant and impossible to replicate?" 

He leveled a playful warning glare upon her. "You are walking a very fine line right now."

Her smile grew. "Me? But I'm only trying to appease your fans and counterparts." She pretended to ponder the problem. "I suppose we could use the capital's cathedral and host the reception on the beach. Naturally we will let the press fightover who gets to take the first photos of us--"

She started laughing and trying to escape him when he began to tickle her.

"Stop!" She said between giggles. "I'll keep the guest list to just five hundred." She squirmed when he increased his efforts. "Thomas!"

"What was that about a guest list?" He grinned when she snuggled against him to make him stop. His arms settled around her once more.

"What kind of wedding do you want?" She asked once she had caught her breath.

"Whatever will make you happy." He gently brushed her hair back from her face. "If eloping is what you want, we'll go whenever and wherever you wish."

"Really?" She looped her arms around his neck. "You wouldn't mind it being just the two of us?"

"Amanda, since I met you I have tried to keep it just the two of us." He grumbled. "Do you honestly believe I would purposefully make us have to play host to people?"

She laughed softly. "I suppose not."

A tender smile formed on his lips. "I rather like the thought of it being just the two of us when we say our vows."

"I do too." She sighed into the sweet kiss he gave her. "I know Maxwell will be heartbroken not being my Man of Honor, but I would prefer us being alone." She rested her head on his shoulder again. "We could elope at one of my other estates."

He looked down at her in surprise. "What other estates?"

"I have one in Italy, near Lake Como and one in the Scottish Highlands."

"Are they as big as this one?"

"No. The castle in Scotland only has twenty guest rooms.” She grinned at his shock. “And the Lake Como villa is quite small. Only twelve guest rooms."

Thomas marveled at her. She seemed so content with the simplest of things and yet she had all this wealth that he never imagined.

"Which would you like to be married at?" She prodded.

"I'll leave that up to you." He cuddled her close. "Just as long as it is as soon as possible."

Her eyes widened. "You don't want to wait until the end of filming?"

"No." He kissed her once more. "I do ask that we wait on a honeymoon until the film is complete, but I would marry you today if we could."

"Thomas." She kissed him again. "I wish we could."

Her smile formed with a thought. "We could elope after the Coronation Ball."

"We could?"

She nodded.

"Then that's what we'll do." He felt his anxiousness dissipate now that they had a date set.

He wasn't sure why, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen to ruin the luck they had in being together.

******************

The Royal Palace, Coronation Ball...

"We are mere minutes away from King Liam announcing his choice for Cordonia's new queen." Ana smiled into the camera. "It has been nothing but excitement since this morning's coronation." She paused and nodded. "And now the King Father and Queen Mother have taken the stage."

The camera zoomed in on the royal family.

"Honored Guests" Constantine beamed out at the crowd. "This is a great day for Cordonia. In all my years as your monarch, I have never been more certain than I am in the type of king Liam will be." He turned toward his son. "I know it came a s a surprise to many when..."

While Constantine discussed how Leo's abdication turned into something good, Thomas eased toward the back of the ballroom.

Amanda was standing near one of the glass doors leading outside. As the King father continued to drone on, her attention drifted to what would happen once Liam named Riley as his queen.

The plan was to sneak out after Liam’s announcement. Her private plane and staff were waiting at the hangar and would fly her and Thomas to Scotland where they would elope. By this time tomorrow night, she would have taken the first step into a future she had only dreamed of. 

She sighed softly to herself. After the coronation, she had been required to dine with her fellow nobles and royal family. This evening, she had completed the last of the suitor event of dinner and giving Liam a gift. There had been no time spent with Thomas. She had searched the ballroom for him, but had been caught in numerous conversations about Liam becoming king.

Just as the worry set in that Thomas might have had second thoughts about their elopement, he settled beside her, causally leaning against a nearby column.

"How much longer?" He whispered.

She barely lifted her shoulder. "I'm not sure. The way Constantine keeps talking, it is almost like he is stalling the final tradition in Liam being king."

Thomas noticed the worry that briefly appeared in her face. He moved closer to her and took her hand. She squeezed it before keeping their clasped hands hidden within the folds of her skirt.

He felt his ring on her finger and couldn't help but be touched that she refused to go without it tonight.

"Are you nervous?" She whispered.

"About what?"

"About eloping?" She tilted her head up and smiled at him.

"Not at all." He had to stop himself from lowering his head and capturing her lips in a kiss. "Are you?"

"I think I'm more excited than anything else." Amanda replied. "Won't everyone be so surprised when they--"

Liam raised his voice as he spoke before the court, silencing all conversations. He spoke about the great honor he felt in being Cordonia's new ruler and how proud he was to have found the woman to rule by his side.

His eyes met Riley's as he held his hand out to her. "I choose Lady Riley Brooks of House Beaumont to be my wife."

The reporters that had been allowed in the ballroom quickly added their commentary to this development. Cameras flashed as the young king beamed at his intended.

The moment Riley joined him, phones began to chime and vibrate.

Murmurs broke out around them.

"No!"

"She wouldn't!"

"Is this for real?"

"I knew it!" Madeleine said a bit louder. "I knew that they were hiding something!"

"Thomas!" Addison rushed over.

Holly followed along with Drake and Maxwell.

"What's wrong?" He demanded when they each seemed to be worried.

Maxwell grimaced and handed his phone over to him.

The director took one glance at the set of images and cursed. Someone had caught him and Amanda locked in a passionate embrace at Applewood. The images that followed were of them taking their clothes off as he kept her against a door, kissing down her body.

Amanda covered her mouth. She began to shake her head at their secret being revealed in such a manner. "We were so careful and--"

"Lady Bridgerton, the king father demands a word with you." Bastien appeared at her side and took her arm. His gray eyes narrowed on Thomas. "He also requests your presence as well, Mr. Hunt."

Olivia and Nadia appeared, blocking his path.

"Is she under arrest?" Nadia asked.

Olivia glared at the guard. "Unhand her! She isn't some petty thief off the street. She is a respectable duchess of his majesty's court."

"Hmph." Madeleine couldn't resist worming her way over. "Amanda's worse than a thief. I wouldn't be surprised if she's stripped of her title and lands. She betrayed King Liam by not remaining true during his search."

Amanda paled at the thought of bringing such shame to her family's name and memory. She was grateful for the first time in her life to be the last remaining Bridgerton. She wouldn't have been able to face her uncle and parents. After all they had taught her about the importance of her rank, she had ignored it all simply because she had fallen in love.

Olivia began to argue with Madeleine while Bastien pulled Amanda along.

"Please everyone!" Liam shouted. "This is all a misunderstanding that I can easily clear up."

Constantine and Regina were whispering to Liam. He held his hand up, shushing them once Amanda and Thomas were brought before them.

Constantine seemed more confused than angry.

"I think we should speak privately to them." Regina whispered once more.

Liam called the press over and began to explain to them that these pictures were his own fault.

"What?" Constantine stuttered. "These pictures were not taken because of something you did."

"No, but I am the one to matchmake Thomas to Lady Amanda."

More surprised gasps and cameras clicking filled the air.

"I found out before my season began that Lady Amanda had developed feelings for Mr. Hunt." Liam smiled at the reporters as they hung on his every word. He used all his charm to keep their attention focused on him in this moment. "I knew out of her loyalty to our country and our close friendship that she would ignore her heart and take part in being a suitor."

He then explained about his trip to Hollywood before the season started.

"Thomas admitted to me that he was in love with Lady Amanda. That was the reason I invited him to join us for the entire season. I encouraged them both to pursue one another in secret since she had already stated in an interview that she was taking part as a suitor." He smiled warmly at them. "I am pleased to announce, though I know they intended to do so tomorrow," he leaned in and whispered loudly for the reporters' sake, "you'll have to forgive me for I can't wait to share your news." He cleared his throat. "Though I wish I could take credit for what occurred during the St Orella ball, Mr. Hunt proposed marriage to the Duchess of St Orella." Liam raised Amanda's left hand. "And she said, yes."

Cameras flashed and reporters were thrusting their mics toward the two couples while shouting out questions.

"Was it difficult to keep secret, your grace?"

"King Liam? Will you and Lady Riley marry before they do?"

"How did he propose?"

While the couples weathered through the questions, Constantine called a halt to it.

"We will answer all tomorrow." He stated. "Now the King and his," he paused for a moment as he met Bastien's concerned expression, "intended must share a waltz to commemorate their engagement."

Liam lifted Riley's hand to his lips as he guided her toward the dance floor.

Once they were dancing, Constantine hissed that he wanted to speak to Amanda and Thomas immediately.

Gripping each other's hand, the couple followed him out of the ballroom.

****************

"Follow them." Olivia pushed Drake towards the direction Amanda and Thomas were. “Something about these images is suspicious.”

Drake cleared a path through the crowd for the two of them. He reached back behind him and held her hand when they hit a tight pocket of slightly inebriated nobles.

When they made it to the other side, they continued to hold hands as they rushed down the hallway.

"Where did they go?" He whispered.

They heard raised voices coming from a nearby doorway and crept near it.

After checking to make certain no one was around, they pressed their ears to the door.

*******************

"...utterly disgraceful the way you deceived us all!" Constantine yelled. "Never in all my years as king have I ever encountered a more self-serving noble than you, Lady Amanda. If it were left up to me, you would be stripped of you title and lands then banished from Cordonia."

Thomas stepped in front of Amanda. "She is the least self-serving noble you have, save for Liam."

He didn't bother to mask his own anger at the former king. Seeing Amanda silent with her head bowed in shame struck a chord within his heart. He never wanted to see her like this when she was innocent of any wrongdoing.

He felt Amanda slip her hand back within his as she stepped up beside him.

Her head remained bowed as she spoke.

"Sir, I never intended for this to happen. I knew deep down that I was never the right person to be queen when Liam first spoke about my being a suitor. With my feelings for Thomas," she turned toward him, "I planned on seeing what could come from it after the social season was through."

Thomas let go of her hand so that he could slip his arm around her.

She settled against his side as he explained that he too had planned on revealing what was in his heart as soon as he could.

Before Constantine could lash out at their total disregard for tradition and duty, Liam stepped in.

Amanda caught a glimpse of Olivia and Drake peeking inside right as the door was shut.

The delighted, genial expression Liam had worn throughout the ball had disappeared completely. A cold fury had taken its place.

"Having a meeting without me?"

His father bristled his clip tone and lack of deference.

"I will have many meetings without you, Liam." Constantine snapped. "I am--"

"No longer king." Liam finished for him. "Since I am now, you will answer a question." He squared his shoulders and stared down Bastien and his father. "Why were pictures taken of Lady Riley's room at Applewood?"

Amanda and Thomas looked back and forth between Bastien lowering his head in shame and Constantine becoming red with fury.

"How dare you speak--"

"I demand you answer me!" Liam commanded. "You have lost the right to chastise me about this." He leaned forward. "I couldn't help but notice your attempt to delay my choice of Queen. Those photographs were taken over a month ago. No reporter would sit on such a scandal of two famous individuals all this time." His voice lowered to a tone that sent chills down their spines. "Given how thorough Bastien is with security and how involved you were with guest rooms, I know you had something to do with this."

Constantine huffed before slumping down into a chair. He dropped his head in his hands for a moment.

"Liam, you know why your choice for queen is so important. You will be left on your own soon and I--"

"And one would think that my father would want me to be with the person who eases my burdens as ruler." Liam snapped.

There was no sympathy as he settled his furious gaze upon his sire.

"Don't make me repeat myself." He ordered. "Why was Lady Riley's room photographed?!"

"You showed such favoritism to her." Constantine explained. "I don't have time to wait around and see if she could learn all that she needs to." He gestured weakly towards Amanda. "Either she or Madeleine would be able to transition to the rank better than some American waitress that you developed a crush on."

Liam's hands fisted. "What was the photographer supposed to capture?"

Bastien cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Lady Riley and Lord Tariq."

Liam blinked. "How?"

"One of the ladies of the court was encouraged to tell Lord Tariq that Lady Riley secretly had feelings for him yet was too shy to act upon them."

Amanda gasped. "That's why he tried to come into the room!"

"And that's why there was no lock." Thomas grumbled. "It was all to entrap two innocent people in scandal so that Liam would be forced to choose a Cordonian noble."

Constantine glared at him. "Yes. And just what were you two doing in Lady Riley's bedroom?"

Liam stepped in front of his two friends, redirecting his father's ire towards himself. "Amanda knew how I felt about Riley and encouraged me to spend more time with her to make certain this lifestyle as a royal was something she wanted. She and Riley switched rooms each night so that I could have evenings with her alone and away from court." His eyes narrowed. "Since you had been so gracious to place Amanda in the room next to mine, it made our clandestine meetings much easier."

"I see." Constantine deflated once more over his plan failing.

"Now then." Liam turned so he was addressing them all. "I think I've managed to keep scandal away from Amanda for the time being." He grimaced somewhat. "But in order for it to last, the world needs to see the two of you planning a wedding."

Thomas's lips parted to explain their elopement plans. He paused when he felt Amanda subtly squeeze him.

"When should we have it?" She asked, resigned to the fact that she was left with little choice.

"Two weeks." Liam replied. "Then my wedding to Lady Riley will follow two weeks after yours." He shook his head. "I know you don't need anymore pressure, but this needs to be as romantic as it can possibly be. The world has seen you choose Thomas over me and they will expect an epic love story for doing so."

[indiacater]

It has been forever and a day and I apologize. But hopefully I'll be working more on posting stories and other things such as food and travel posts. Hopefully I'm not as rusty and hope you'll enjoy it.

Disclaimer: This story with contain topics of racism, sexism, prostitution, sex and violence. I do not own the characters or setting of TRR or Red Dead Redemption those are owned by their respective companies. If you find anything in my stories that you find appalling or upsetting to you then don't read it. Its that simple.

Tagging: @ao719 @bebepac @texaskitten30 @glaimtruelovealways @dcbbw @speedyoperarascalparty @kingliam2019 @kingliamandriley @kimmiedoo5

Part three

Liam grabbed a washing cloth on the dresser and headed into the bathroom. After relieving himself in the toilet, he removed his filthy clothes and sat in the hot bath, taking comfort in the hot water he closed his eyes to take in the satisfaction of being a step closer to getting justice. A few moments pass and Liam was startled by the feeling of hands on his back. He violently turned around to see Jèan. Liam’s eyes widen as he turned to cover himself. The display made Jèan giggle a little.

"Didn't mean to scare you. Since you were bathing I figured I can check to see how you're healing." She says as she moves and lowers herself to Liam’s side. "Also this a good opportunity for us to get to know each other better than just word of mouth and reputation." Jèan grabs the wet cloth Liam was using to cover himself, causing him to stiffen and take a sharp breath as she moved back behind him. 

"So Liam Rhys, son to Constantine Rhys of the Cordonian Orchards plantation. Famous for the Cordonian Ruby." Jèan said, as she carefully washed Liam’s back with one hand and examined his bruises with the other. 

"You know of me?!" Liam muttered, surprised. 

Jèan chuckled. "No. I know of your family. Plus it's not that hard to know who owns the largest apple orchard in the country. I'm sorry that you lost your mother so young. I lost my mother pretty young as well." 

Liam turned around to look her in the eyes. "I'm sorry. How did she die?" Liam asked. Jèan smiled sadly as she began to wash his chest, causing Liam’s heart to beat fast. "My pa killed her.*" She answered. "Get to know me more and I may tell you the rest of the story." Jèan returns to examining Liam. After a few more minutes she hands him back the washcloth, stands up and rinses her hands off at the sink. "You’re lucky you only manage to get a few serious bruises, but they are healing nicely, so it should be a few weeks for them to be fully healed."  She then walks over a little stool in the corner and brings it to the tub and sits down again taking the washcloth and resumes washing.

*Historic disclaimer: Bass Reeves son, Benny Reeves murdered his wife, who had cheated on him. Conflicting stories of how Reeves learned of his son's warrant is hard to determine, but in the end Bass Reeves took the writ and brought his son in to face justice. Benny was sentenced to life but was released after serving 12 years, and spent his days as an upstanding citizen. 

"So I'm curious to know why you chose to ride out and search for me rather than stay in Saint Denis and put your trust in the authorities?" Jèan asked as she continued to wash his chest. Liam struggled to remain calm, but his body was betraying him.

"The authorities couldn't get my mother's killer." He answered with a shaky breath. "I couldn't do anything then. I'll be damned if I just sit by when I can do something now." Jèan saw the look of despair and determination in Liam’s eyes. She dropped the wash cloth and with both hands cradled his face. Her soft hazel/brown eyes staring deep in his ocean blue ones. "I'll do all that I can to help you get that." Jèan said. With that she got up and headed to the door. "When you finish up, come to the sheriff’s office and we'll discuss our next move. I went and got you fresh clothes and brought up your food. You'd want to hurry before it gets cold." And with a smirk she walked out. 

Liam continued to stare at the door for a brief minute, wondering if she may come back. He finished washing and walked out to dry off. He checks the outfit that was laid out, a cotton button down shirt, denim pants, and a new pair of leather boots. The clothes were more common than he was used to, but this is his life now and until his father’s killer is dead his life before no longer exists. After getting dressed he spotted the meal Jèan had left on the nearby table. 

After he finished eating he grabbed his father’s platinum watch. He opened it and for a brief moment watched the seconds tick away. "You may not have been a great father, but I still miss you just as fiercely. I will bring your killers to justice" he silently prayed before tucking the watch away and headed out the door. The bartender flagged Liam down as he descended the stairs and pointed him towards the sheriff office and jail. Walking towards the building he was grumbling over the fact that Drake had added himself into this matter. Liam didn't care for the man due to his rude behavior towards him, but for Jèan's sake he should try to be civil.

"Jèan". The thought stopped him in his tracks again bringing his hand to his cheek. After a couple of moments he shook out of his trance and continued on. As he arrived at the station he looked around but no one was around except the ones in the cells. Confused Liam looked around until he noticed a stairwell leading upstairs. Not sure what to do he ascended the stairs, getting closer to the top he can hear voices. Getting closer still he made out that Jèan and Drake were on the upper floor. 

As Liam climbs the steps he hears a strained conversation going on. He stops halfway and decides, against his better judgment, to listen.

"Drake, why do you keep bringing this up?" Jèan asked, sounding frustrated. "You know that it's something that can never happen."

"Jèan." Drake sighs loudly. "I will not push this further right now. That Rhys boy should be here. Do you still plan on coming to my room later tonight?"

Jèan chuckled lightly. "You did pay, didn't you?"

After hearing enough Liam resumed climbing the stairs. Both Jèan and Drake looked up to see his arrival. Drake went back to looking at a large table map as Jèan walked over to him to inspect the outfit she got for.

"Its a good fit for you." She said, smiling. "Not what you're used to but with what we'll be embarking it will be what you need." Again Liam’s heart jumped as Jèan caresses his face before leading him to the table. "Come we've got a long journey to plan. Let's get to work."

[anjanettexcordonia]

Chapter 11: The Crash

Book: The Royal Romance A/U

Catch Up Here: The Spare Masterlist

Rating: Mature (18+); Character Death(s); language

Pairings: Liam x MC; Leo x Madeleine 

Word count: 1615 (+/-)

A/N: Please excuse any grammatical errors. I am sorry ahead of time. 

I apologize for the wait. This chapter has been completed for a little bit, just haven't had time to post. 

Disclaimer: Some characters & some scenes belong to Pixelberry. 

Tags: If you would like to be added or removed please let me know. 

PermaTags: @yourmajesty09​​​ @gkittylove99​​​ @kingliam2019​​​

Series Tags: @mom2000aggie​​​ @indiacater​​​ @sfb123​​​ @hopefulmoonobject​​​ @cordonianroyalty​​​ @texaskitten30​​​

Two weeks had gone by since Cami and Liam had called it quits. Two weeks since Drake had dropped the baby bomb that shifted Liam’s entire world. Two weeks since Cami had shut him out. Cami had cut off all contact other than information concerning their new addition. Liam had yet to speak with her about it. She sent him the confirmation via email of her pregnancy. She had made it clear the only contact between her and Liam would be about her medical care. Liam had sent flowers, chocolates and food. You name it, he tried it. Liam was coming to terms with his mistakes with Cami, but he was still at a loss at how to fix them.

King and Queen Madeleine would be heading off for their one year anniversary trip in Australia soon leaving Liam as interim monarch for three weeks. He wouldn’t be able to leave the country much less the palace. He had hoped the time away from each other would ease some of the tension between Cami and himself. 

“So no word yet?” Leo sat in his study with Liam on the other side of his desk. “Not yet. Her first prenatal visit is coming up soon. I’m hoping to be there when you come back.” Liam responded staring down at his phone in his hand. “Have you told Father and Regina yet?” “No, I doubt it’ll go over very well that I have a lovechild on the way.” Leo rolled his eyes at Liam. “They’ll be fine. Pissed but fine. It’ll just add more pressure to me producing an heir.” Leo scoffed. “Ever the selfless king.” Liam chuckled. “Better you than me.” Leo mumbled as he reached for the bottle of scotch on the desk, “Madeleine is the country's Queen and a freak in the sheets, but mother.. fuck that. She would be a terrible mother.” “Give her a chance. She might surprise you.” Liam smiled at the crassness of his older brother. Bastien knocked on the king's study door. “Your majesties,” he bowed, “the jet is ready.” 

“Safe travels brother.” Liam clapped Leo on the back. And headed out the study door to his quarters. Liam spotted Madeleine down the hall speaking with one of her ladies in waiting, Kiara. “Maddie!” Liam yelled out. Madeleine snapped her head in Liam’s direction. Immediate irritation ser in at his nickname for the Queen. “Prince Liam, and in the presence of others please call me Your Majesty.” “Uh, Your Majesty, May I escort you on your way to His Majesty?” “I’d be honored.” Madeleine spoke in her most regal voice. The two made their way to the palace garages where Leo and Bastien were waiting to take them to their private jet. “I actually wanted to speak to you about something.” Liam spoke softly. “Go ahead Liam.” Madeleine nodded. “I have some news I should break to Constantine and Regina, before the press get wind of it preferably.” “Press? What are we talking about here?” Madeleine stopped in her tracks. “Maddie, you have.. how can I put this..?” Liam paused, “you have a way with words when it comes to my father and Regina.” “What’s the news?” Madeleine raised a perfectly shaped blonde eyebrow. Her ruby red lips were pursed tight, “will this hurt mine and Leo’s reign?” Liam could see the fear in her eyes at his question. “No, I don’t think so. Camilla is pregnant.” Madeleine gasped. She took a deep breath before speaking. “What the fuck Liam? Do you know what this will do to Leo & I? The pressure now produce a fucking heir. We do not want children. We had planned to name your heir eventually.” Madeleine paced back and forth, she abruptly stopped and locked eyes with Liam, “Does Leo know about this?” “He does.” Liam diverted his eyes to the floor, his hands twisted and fidgeted together. “Of course he does. You are going to make this right Liam. Do not say a fucking word to anyone until our return. Who else knows?”

Madeleine snapped. “Drake and Maxwell.” Liam whispered. “Fucking Maxwell, you better make damn sure this doesn’t get out. The King is waiting.” Madeleine marched off.

Liam felt like a scolded puppy as he made his way back towards his quarters. The conversation with Madeleine did not go as he had planned. He had hoped she would understand and help him break the news to his father. Madeleine was right. He needed to make it right. If not for himself or for Cami, for his child. He had hurt her so many times, unintentionally but nevertheless he had hurt her. As she had hurt him. He missed her. He could still feel her touch on his skin, the smell of her coconut shampoo in her hair. God, I miss her. He sat down on the sofa in the living room and fired up his laptop planning to write Cami another email apologizing. Maybe she will respond this time. He popped the cork off his bottle of scotch and poured himself a generous amount.

“Sir, sir..” Liam was awoken from his sleep. He looked around not registering where he was. He was still on the sofa. He passed out on his computer without realizing it. “Come with me now.” The king's guard said. “What?” Liam asked confused. “I need you to come with me now.” Liam stood up and followed the guard into the hallway. There were more than usual guardsmen in the hallways. “What’s going on Tony?” Liam asked, still a little drunk from the scotch. “My orders were to get you to the bunker. That’s all I know.” “Where’s the King father and Queen mother?” “Safe house in Applewood,” the guard responded. 

Liam followed the guard to the bunker deep beneath the palace. The bunker was built in the height of the fighting in Europe during World War II to protect the a Royal family from Nazi occupation. The walls were steel reinforced concrete. It was built to withstand any terrorist attack. In fact the United States built a replica bunker following the war. Liam made it to the War Room as the Cordonian generals called it. He was the Spare so this type of thing wasn’t a familiar concept. He looked around taking in the busy guards tapping away at their screens. More guards talking into ear pieces. “The dove has landed.” The dove. Liam hated the guardsmen nickname for him. Leo was the eagle but he was the dove. 

“Sir we need you to take a seat.” Liam sat down. Olivia came rushing into the room. “Liam, what’s going on?” “I don’t know. No one has told me anything.” Liam walked around the room, confused by the commotion. The last time he had been here was during the terrorist attempt on his family's lives a few years ago. ”Sir, we need to brief you. If you’ll follow me.” Liam nodded his head. The guard led them to a small room, it almost looked like an interrogation room. Liam took a seat across from the guardsmen, Olivia took a seat next to him. The guard flicked on the large TV in the room. Liam looked up at the screen taking in the sight before him. A massive explosion replayed on the TV. “That’s not.. that’s not..” Liam couldn’t speak the words. “Sir, I’m sorry to inform you, King Leonardo and Queen Madeleine’s plane has gone down. It exploded as it made it’s ascent into the air. I’m sorry, Your Majesty, for your loss. And for the country's loss.” The guard bowed his head. Liam couldn’t breath. He felt like he had been sucker punched in the gut. Leo couldn’t be dead. Who would run the country? And then a crushing weight fell on him. The weight of the crown. Olivia gripped his hand trying to hold back her own tears. “This is a great loss to our nation.” Olivia calmly spoke. She watched the shift in Liam as he absorbed the devastating news. Liam went from a father to be dealing with his own insecurities to a king and a leader of a nation within hours. Only two hours ago was he sitting in his brother’s study and now he was gone forever. “What caused the explosion?” Olivia asked the guardsmen. She could see Liam was in a state of shock and in no way capable of asking any questions. “We aren’t sure yet, your grace. It’s under investigation. We will need you both to stay here until we know the cause.” Olivia nodded. “Was it a terrorist attack?” Liam interjected. “No one has come forward claiming responsibility. We will know more tomorrow once the wreckage is able to be investigated more thoroughly.” The guardsmen spoke. Liam lowered himself into the chair. I need you Leo. How am I going to do this without you? Father and now King. 

Five thousand miles away, Cami sat on her sofa sipping warm tea watching television when an alert came across the TV.

Cami dropped her tea cup to the floor. She jumped to grab her phone and scrolled to Liam’s name. Come on come on.. answer.. Voicemail. God damn it Liam. Answer your phone.

“The Cordonian Royal jet exploded during takeoff this evening at Cordonian Royal Airport. Casualties are unknown at this time.”

She dialed another number. “Drake?” “Wellington… you need to get here quickly.” “Where’s Liam? He’s not answering me..” Drake could hear the panic in his voice. “Camilla, listen to me. Leo and Maddie are dead. Maybe Bastien too. We don’t know. Liam’s not doing good. Is there any way you can get here?” “I’m on my way.” 

[twinkleallnight]

Marshmallow

(Part-11) Happy Birthday!

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Drake x Hana, Liam x Riley

For previous chapters: catch up here

Prompt 1: This fic is my submission for this week’s #WackyDrabbles. The prompt is: I’m your [friend, spouse, partner, etc] of course I care. (appears in bold)

Prompt 2: This is a submission for @choicesweeklychallenge . The prompt is: 'What do you want me to do?’ (appears in bold)

Warnings: mention of cancer , loss of parent.

Tags: @ao719 @aloneautumn @bebepac @charlotteg234 @choicesficwriterscreations @choiceskatie @cordonia-gothqueen @cordonianroyalty @daisydancer12385 @drakewalker04 @gardeningourmet @gkittylove99 @glaimtruelovealways @kat-tia801 @hopefulmoonobject @hopelessromanticmonie @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful @idontknowwhysblog-blog @islandcrow @jovialyouthmusic @jaxsmutsuo @kingliam2019 @lovablegranny @mrswalkers-blog @mom2000aggie @no-one-u-know @ntoraplayschoices @princessleac1 @ritachacha @speedyoperarascalparty @texaskitten30 @queenrileyrose @sanchita012 @shanzay44 @theroyalheirshadowhunter @wackydrabbles @xpandabeardontcarex @yourmajesty09

“Let’s take a walk.” Liam says solemnly.

Its late in the evening, the sky is changing to darker shades and so are our lives. Liam is dealing with his own issues; I am handling mine. Both of us are on crossroads in our respective lives, unsure, where to go from here. He has been with his father for past two hours, and the meeting seems to have left him gloomy.

We start walking to the hedge maze, across the lawns of the palace. The maze, that held the carefree moments of our lives. The maze, where we hid as the royal palace hosted courtly affairs. The difference now is, there are no more carefree moments nor we are young enough to hide away from all our problems.

The pink trumpet tree stands tall in the centre. I slow down, as we round off, while Liam plods towards the tree. He hugs it and suddenly I see his shoulders shaking, tears streaming down his cheeks. It’s been years since I saw him this broken.

I take quick steps to be with him. “What’s the matter Liam?” I gently pat on his shoulder. He usually hugs this tree whenever he misses his mother. She planted this tree long back. Liam lost her when we were 9 years old.

King Constantine soon got a queen to rule besides him when he married Regina but Liam never got a replacement. He respects Queen Regina but misses the warmth in the relationship.

“Liam! You are killing me. What’s wrong?”

“He is… he is….”

“Who?”

Liam takes a deep breath and straightens up. “No, I should not burden you with all this.”

I pull him away from the tree and turn him to face me. “Liam, I’m your friend, of course I care. So, please you need to speak up.”

Liam props down reclining on the tree trunk. I follow and sit beside him. He starts with a deep sigh, “Father… he is suffering from lung cancer.” I give him a shocked look and he gives an agonizing stare “And he doesn’t have much time.”

My eyes are fixed on him as he fills me in with more information. When he concludes the details, I start with a heavy heart. ““Liam…I know there is no comparison but I want you to remember when I lost my dad.”

It was devastating incident for both of us. My father was head of the king's guard and died while defending the king, that is Liam’s father. We were kids then and Liam wouldn’t stop apologising. But that was not what I wanted him to recollect.

I turn to him and clasp his shoulders, shaking him to gain his attention. “I never got a chance to say goodbye, Liam! You have him right here. Do all you can for him while he is still here. And who knows the treatment may work wonders for him. These things are unpredictable.”

We both know that the last part of what I said, is a false hope but hope is all we have now.

We keep sitting there till the sky gets darker and our talks and thoughts get muddled up. Somewhere in between we get up and lumber off to our rooms. It’s decided that we won’t be talking about it to anyone. Liam plans to call up his elder brother Leo and ask him to come back to Cordonia soon.

Next few days are spent in preparation of the Apple blossom festival. The ‘Cordonian ruby' apples form the main revenue generating exports of the country. The royal family hosts the festival every year at their Applewood country manor. It has the largest apple orchard of Cordonia. The king makes sure to attend this one in person, to show his gratitude to the apple growers and the farmers, preserving the noble traditions.

Liam has got back into his stoic demeanour and court duties. No one realises his internal struggles. He has travelled with the suitors to Applewood, a day before the event, while I stay back at the palace.

I miss my dad more every year at this time of the year. We had a family tradition of attending the first day of the festival, and then camping away on higher altitude with him.

I get a call from Liam on the day of festival, at around noon. “Hey, can you come over to Applewood?”

“Anything urgent, Liam?”

“Yes, I need your help.”

“I will be there.” I don’t give it a second thought. I am worried about Liam since the last event. I pack quickly and drive down. As I am nearing my destination, I get another call from Liam. “I am almost there, Liam.” I answer hurriedly.

“I called you for that. I don’t want you to go to the manor. I am sending you my location. Meet me there.”

I set up my GPRS to the said location which strangely, seems to be some club. It’s quite unlikely to find Liam at some random club.

I reach the place in some time, park my truck and rush inside. But the scene inside is much different than my expectation. Max is sitting on a mechanical bull and Riley, Hana and Liam are all cheering up.

I am standing baffled, not realising that my mouth is hung open until Riley sashays towards me and pushes my chin up. “Welcome to the paaarrrty” she shouts over the music.

Liam follows her giving me a hug, and says in a hushed tone, in my ear. “ Happy birthday Bro!”

As he moves away, I give him a glare. He knows I never like talking about it, leave aside celebrating it! “You…told…?”

“No, not exactly. We just sneaked out to have some fun. What a coincidence!” He waves off.

Riley drags me to the bar. I perch myself on a stool next to her. She orders our drinks and as we say cheers she leans in, “Happy birthday!” My mouth remains open and no words form while I keep gazing at her, stupefied. She repeats her gesture and tugs my chin up. “ Don’t mention!” She winks. I shake my head, and close my eyes in disbelief.

“He told you, didn’t he?

“May be...” Riley shrugs. “ Relax and enjoy!”

She shimmies down to where Liam is standing. He throws his head back laughing out but starts moving with her. Max joins them while Hana extracts herself from the crazy dance.

I get up and slide down with her in the neighbouring booth. “You are not dancing?”

“ You call that freestyle, dancing?” Hana giggles.

“That is Max’s breakdance for you.” I grin back at her.

“I can’t dance like that. I just know the dances I am trained for. What about you?”

“Not my cup of tea.”

We both are looking at the trio on the dancefloor when Hana suddenly says, “Hey, Happy birthday to you!”

“ I can’t believe this!” I throw my hands in the air.

“Excuse me?”

“ Liam told all of you, when he knows how much I hate it.”

“But I see you are enjoying it.” Hana shrugs.

“I mean I find it odd, mentioning it, and then hese wishes… everyone wishing, I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you.”

“What?”

‘'You say thank you, Drake! They love you. Look at the brighter side. They are all here for you. I have never had such fun filled birthday.”

“I am sorry. Its just that this is all different, like a changed world for me.”

“ A good change.” She responds. She seems to have some plan up her sleeve. She stretches out a hand, “ Get up.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“I didn’t ask you last time. Now it’s my turn. Come with me.”

I place my hand in her tiny palm, and she steps out of the backdoor, and I follow. Its quaint out there as compared to the loud music inside the club. The backside of the countryside club seems to be facing a large grazing land. There is no building, no vehicle, no one around. Only the moonlight beaming down on us, making Hana's pink sequinned dress shimmer some more.

She places my one hand on her waist and holds up the other hand. She slides her slender fingers in my upheld hand. She closes the distance between us. She lifts her eyelids and I find loosing myself into the depth of her eyes.

“Hana…” I swallow a lump in my throat, “ I can’t… I have never done this.”

“Shhh…Follow me.”

I am clumsy at it but she gets a perfect grip of my movements. She sways, and without any effort, she moves me swiftly with her. I have no idea what form of dance we are doing. There is no music, just our breathing giving us a rhythm to follow.

The night seems to be melting into the honey almonds of her eyes. The breeze blows her dark brown tresses, ever so lightly. The chill in the air brings us closer. The soft touch of her hands, one in my hand and the other on my shoulder, relaxes not just my body but seems to be calming my soul. I lose the track of time once again when I embrace her warmth.

The ringtone of my phone brings us back to the present. I fumble with the device before swiping my finger to accept Liam's call “I... I am right outside the club, Liam.”

“We are outside the club too but we can’t find either you or Lady Hana.”

I slap my forehead and Hana widens her eyes and covers her mouth to hide her laugh “I mean I am on the other side. I will be there in a minute.”

“Do you know where Hana is?” Liam has a concern in his voice.

“She is with me.” I blurt out.

I hear Liam clearing his throat. “Oh, okay. We will wait.”

I hang up and find Hana staring at me with a smile playing on her lips. I roll my eyes and say, “Oh please! Stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what?” she chuckles.

I avoid her gaze. “Let’s go. They are waiting for us.”

We walk to the parking to find the rest of the gang. I can feel their prying eyes and I rub the back of my neck nervously.

Max lets out a snort and Liam starts laughing. Riley grabs Liam’s arm and doubles up.

“What is it?” I look at each one of them totally confused only to find that Hana has also joined them, laughing.

Riley steps ahead and pinches my cheeks. “Marshmallow!”

“Who?” I am still looking at them puzzled.

“Look at your face Walker, red as a beetroot!”

I cover my face with my hands. “We need to head back kids.” Bastein’s serious tone stops all the chortling. A quick bye-bye, and they all bee line to the SUV. I quietly step towards the truck, my eyes fixed down as I try to ignore Bastein's knowing looks.

I get into the truck and let out a sigh of relief. I hide my face in my hands thinking of what just happened. I gleefully turn my keys but my action is cut short by a phone call.

A phone call that I was not expecting or maybe I was expecting but I forgot about it. I find my fingers shaking a bit as I receive the call.

“Hello?” says the sharp voice.

“Livy?”

“Happy birthday…”

[lizzybeth1986]

A Blossoming Friendship

Book: The Royal Romance, Book 1

Characters: Hana Lee & Kiara Theron (platonic for now)

Rating: G

Word Count: 2,864 words approx

Summary: Rivals and suitors for the Prince's social season, are never really expected to become friends. All that changes - for Lady Hana and Lady Kiara - with one conversation.

A/N: Takes place after the apple-tasting task at the Apple Blossom Festival (TRR1 Ch 11) Plum blossoms are China's national flower, and orange blossoms are used often in Moroccan cuisine (and Kiara is part-Moroccan from her father's side).

This story is a prequel one-shot to a Hana x Kiara series I'm planning, Petals and Thornes. Let me know if you'd like to be tagged.

Tagging @choicesficwriterscreations for FotW.

The first crop of the season has a particular bite to it.

As Hana Lee walks away from the trio of chosen frontrunners - the bitter aftertaste of Cordonian Rubies still ringing on her alarmed tongue - Hana finds herself feeling something vaguely approaching anger towards her mother.

All that time, all those lessons. The best tutors, the best academies, the best books. Etiquette embroidery dressage dancing music ice-skating tea-serving. Only for her downfall to be brought about by an apple.

She is sure Mother must be sitting at home right now, watching the live feed, scowling at Hana's face as she blurts out - barely masking her disgust - "I wasn't expecting such a sour taste!" She has no doubt Mother must be hissing the rare expletive at the TV screen.

As if you had nothing to do with that, Mother!

Her brain is such a deluge of words and smart phrases, things she could absolutely say if she picked up the phone right now. How could you? You sent me here thinking they tasted like honey! She can just imagine Mother on the other end of the line, opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish. How the hell do you expect me to be Queen of Cordonia if you can't even let me know what their apples taste like! It would be so simple: she could outshout Mother, interrupt her the way she's been interrupted half her life, leave her speechless with quick, short, harsh catchphrases and ironclad logic.

Except she knows that won't happen. The moment she picks up that phone, every single word - no matter how well-rehearsed - will crumble into ashes in her mouth. Yes, Mother. I'll try, Mother. I'm so sorry, Mother. I'll work harder, Mother.

But she knows one thing now, in a way that her mother still refuses to. All the effort in the world won't be enough. She could have stood there stone-faced and waxed lyrical later, and still not stood a chance. It's a realisation that dawned on her over the past few weeks - she is not Cordonian enough, not white enough, to be worthy...no matter how perfect her dressage moves are or how skilled she is at everything a noblewoman is expected to do.

Broken engagements are small change for the likes of a Countess Madeleine - they're only reputation-ending scandals when the woman in question is a brown-skinned foreigner.

"Vous voulez de l'eau?" a familiar and rather musical voice calls from behind.

Lady Kiara Thorne is one of those women who doesn't even need to try to look gorgeous. Even on her worst days, Hana doesn't doubt that her hair will be the glossy black of a raven's wing, her skin smooth and dewy, her stride sinuous and confident. Among fellow Cordonian nobles who smile sweetly to her face, and engage in mindless whispered gossip about her skills as a polyglot (or lack thereof, they would insist - she only ever speaks two languages!) behind her back...Hana envies Kiara's ability to remain so supremely unruffled, so self-assured. She is sure that getting to that point can't have been an easy journey.

Today Lady Kiara is holding out a small bottle of water - likely taken from the stands kept for the apple-pickers. Hana's eyes search her face, warily, suspiciously, for signs of disdain, and finds none.

"Take it, I don't have all day," Kiara taps her foot in impatience. She clarifies as the doubt in Hana's face changes into pure confusion. "It'll take the edge off of the taste."

Kiara is right. The moment the water touches her tongue, the sour taste instantly dissolves into a mellowed sweetness, lingering in her mouth.

Satisfied, Hana settles down on a stone seat a little away from the press and the three women. Kiara takes a sear beside her. It's the first time they've ever sat together like this, out of choice rather than necessity or seating arrangements. Hana regards the other woman with wariness and more than a little admiration.

Lady Kiara was the first to drop out of the running, around the time of the Lythikos Ball. Hana remembers, even now, how when the spare of Castelserraillan claimed the Prince would fall for her, her smile never reached her eyes. This woman knew from the beginning she wouldn't stand a chance - not with half of the press, not with the royal family (and once Esther blazed into their lives like a rogue comet, not even with the Prince himself).

But what most people would view as a failure she'd transformed into opportunities; she has never stopped hustling from one contact to another, one prospect to another, patiently laying the foundations for the next step in her career, whatever that may be.

The two women watch now in silence as the frontrunners of the season vie for press attention, their blindingly white faces turning a little pink in the sun. Duchess Olivia stands a little back, surprisingly. She looks tired, bitterly aware that she's lost most of her footing with the public since her infamous public kiss with the Prince. Countess Madeleine exudes confidence from every pore, except when she steals glances at the woman she'd never expected to last a week. Her eyes blaze in a naked need to possess what she considers her territory. And Esther...

"This is your first time?"

"Hm?" Hana murmurs distractedly, her eyes still focused on the dark-haired woman whose striking sapphire eyes caught all of Cordonia's attention from the moment she blazed into the social season, and into Prince Liam's life. Unbidden, she lets out of soft sigh.

Kiara rolls her eyes, and tries harder than ever not to scan the area for her very own special...also-dark-haired...person.

There are a great many things Lady Lee may be good at; hiding her feelings isn't one of them.

"Eating a Cordonian Ruby," she repeats, slower and more deliberate this time. "Is it your first time?"

"My mother used to bring only a few from trips she took to Bethulia," Hana says, curling within herself and cupping her chin, almost defensively. What kind of Cordonian are you? she can almost hear Kiara thinking. "Mostly for pies. Or to be more accurate...to make me learn how to make pies. I've never actually tasted one on its own."

"How did she describe the taste?" Kiara asks, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards very slightly.

"You know...the usual," Hana says tiredly, "Pleasantly crisp. Intense flavour. Notes of caramel." Hana lets out a harsh laugh at the last description.

"To be fair, it's the first pickings of the harvest that have the harshest bite." Kiara concedes, "they mellow down a little after that."

Hana bites back a smile. "Only a little?"

Kiara grins back. "You must understand...Cordonians - especially here and among the descendants of the Fire Tribes - tend to have more of a taste for the astringent. You should try their glazed duck with garlic potatoes once - you'll understand."

Hana nods. Above her and Kiara, the petals of some apple blossoms fall, leaving the remaining to release their own bouquet of scents: some delicate and mellow, some spicy, some like mulled wine - warming your limbs and your soul.

"Perhaps that's why I might never be fully into this kind of apple. I was brought up in Shanghai. Sugar was always seen as a sign of prosperity. Most of our foods are at least a little sweet."

"That makes sense," Kiara says, "What is your favourite fruit then, if it isn't an apple?"

Hana allows herself a tiny smirk, anticipating the horror on Kiara's face when she whispers, "Durian."

"You're not serious!"

"You only think so because you haven't eaten one yet," Hana points out, laughing slightly louder now, "even if it smells like turpentine and onions wrapped up in a sock..."

"...or as Anthony Bourdain once put it so elegantly, 'as if you'd french-kissed your dead grandmother -'"

"Hah! That's a new one," Hana says, feeling a little bolder and less polite, in the face of Kiara's teasing demeanor, "But the taste is divine. Smooth like custard, pillowy like the softest cheesecake. A...slightly strange mix of flavours, like garlic or cheese or caramel, but it works."

Kiara raises her eyebrows.

"Really!" Hana says, laughing again, "but the funniest part is you can never truly know how ripe it is, except by smelling it."

Kiara wrinkles her nose. "One small sacrifice isn't much for something that delicious, oui?"

"Oui," Hana echoes. "What's yours?"

Kiara grimaces. Her answer is uttered so softly Hana isn't sure it can even qualify for a whisper.

"...oranges."

Hana lets out a rather audible gasp. "The national fruit of Auvernal?"

"Keep your voice down!" Kiara hisses, then laughs at her own brief panic, embarrassed. Hana presses her lips together to stem any more laughter, but her eyes glimmer with mirth.

Sheepishly, she whispers: "You won't tell anyone, will you?"

Hana playfully performs a zipping motion with her fingers, over her mouth. "My lips are sealed. We can't possibly have the daughter of diplomats creating an international incident at Cordonia's biggest social season yet, can we?"

Kiara's eyes widen in surprise at Hana's own audacity, before she chuckles herself and joins in the fun, pretending to jokingly punch Hana's arm.

"You're teasing!" She shakes her head, "though to be quite honest with you, the fruit is just alright. It's the flowers I'm crazy about."

Creamy-white, with honey-hued orange tips at the center of the flower...Hana has never tasted orange blossoms before, but she's aware of their scent - fresh, like new soap...now if only she could remember the words from her old copy of the Language of Flowers...

"Your purity equals your loveliness," Hana whispers suddenly, a slow smile gracing her lips.

"What?" Kiara responds, confused.

Hana laughs, lifting a small petal of apple blossom from the ground. It is velvet at the tip of her fingers. "That's what orange blossoms are meant to signify... according to the Victorians, anyway."

Kiara shakes her head, gazing at Hana with something approaching fondness. "The next time I need to send someone a bouquet, I'm calling you. I gave up trying to remember flower symbolism before I turned 15."

Hana strokes the petal lovingly, smiling as it bends a little at her touch. "Why orange blossoms?"

"My father's father came from Morocco," Kiara tells her, stretching as she makes herself comfortable and staring into the distance, as if she were there in Morocco with her father's family. "A traveling musician who married my grandmother - the Duchess of our province. Along with my Jiddah, he is considered one of Castelserraillan's best Dukes."

Hana lets the petal fall, looking downwards. "That's a very sweet story."

Kiara doesn't seem to hear her. "Orange blossom water is everywhere...our perfumes, our mint tea, our couscous...and dessert without at least a drop of it never tastes quite right to me."

"How does it taste?" Hana asks, her eyes softening. She knows, already, that her companion's mind is not even in Cordonia right now, but far away, in Morocco, exploring the streets and sinking her teeth into a sinfully honeyed almond baklava. She knows, because even though she grew up in a whole different continent Hana has felt in her bones what it feels like to belong to many places at once.

It's a rare moment, indeed, to see a pragmatic Lady Kiara wax...poetic...over practically anything, so orange blossom water must be something pretty damn special.

"You have to be careful with it," Kiara says, smiling slightly, "it's clean and bright, floral and citrusy all at once....but it's that tiny kiss of bitterness that makes it truly special. Too much and you'd let that same bitterness overpower a dish."

Hana smiles brightly, wrapping her arms around herself. "That's beautiful," she says, "I hope to taste something like that one day. My favourite blossom doesn't really get used in food that much."

Kiara regards her curiously. "Which one is it? Foxgloves? Daffodils?"

Hana shakes her head, laughing. "Plum blossoms."

"Ah, I should've guessed. China's national flower, yes?"

"Yes...and people like to see it as symbolic of our spirit as a people. A sign of persistence and grit. It looks delicate but you'll find it blooming in the harshest winters. We even have a saying somewhere about how its fragrance comes from the bitterness and the cold."

"A defiant little flower," Kiara says softly, then smiles, "It sounds like exactly the kind of flower Lady Olivia would like. She'd probably nick a shrub and try to grow it in Lythikos."

Hana fakes a cough. "Listening to her you'd think Lythikos is the only place that knows what resilience means." she mumbles under her breath.

"You only have to drop a pebble for Olivia to rant about how good Lythikan pebbles are and how no other pebble compares," Kiara whispers back, winking. Even in a voice so low Hana has to strain to hear her, Kiara manages to capture Olivia's way of speaking perfectly.

Hana and Kiara look at each other, gauging the other's reactions. Then they burst into peals of laughter.

"Are there any foods you can use them for? The plum blossoms?"

Hana pauses. In her minds eye she can see those pale pink blossoms, can almost get a whiff of their distinctive scent. No one here knows what that flower means to her...and perhaps they never will. Her Nǎinai and aunt had named her after it. Her aunt had read her poems on it. Our love is like the plum blossom/The freezing snow won’t be able to bury it/It blooms on the branch at the coldest time. When Nǎinai died, Hana placed a plum blossom from Nǎinai's favourite tree, next to the urn that held her ashes.

No one, not even Esther, knows this. And Hana is not ready yet to tell.

"Sometimes," Hana runs a fingertip over her chin, pretending to be in deep thought. "Usually as garnish for desserts. But you can also use it to make some wonderful tea."

"Really?" Kiara has always wanted to try more teas from China and Japan, but has never really ventured beyond some of the more popular varieties.

"It's lovely. It smells like peaches but the taste is absolutely like plums or stonefruit, and sometimes it'll have the nuttiness of almonds. Very sweet, very fruity, very floral. Layer upon layer upon layer of flavours."

Kiara grins. "You sound like you're describing a vintage wine!"

"We should take you to a proper tea ceremony!" Hana says, already excited by the prospect. She knows there is a chance the court may visit her city after the Coronation - maybe she could ask her parents to include that teahouse in Hangzhou in the itinerary. "Many of the tea leaves go through an ageing process - much like wine - and the drinks have their own aromas and flavour profiles."

"Only difference is you won't get drunk," Kiara teases.

"You'd be surprised!" Hana responds, with an airy playfulness. "If we ever get a chance to visit China on the next tour as a court...I'll show you."

Kiara tilts her head slightly, a smile still on her lips. Hana shifts nervously in her seat, wondering if she has overstepped.

They're not yet friends, after all. Just two people who happened to have a lovely conversation.

"Is that a promise, Lady Lee?"

Silently, eyes wide, Hana nods yes.

"Good," Kiara says, her smile a little wider. She looks down on her watch, and gasps when she sees the time. "I'd better leave. Penelope has been begging me to come join her for cocktails a little away from here. She'll be very upset if we're late."

Hana stands up, brushing away the dust and fallen petals from her dress. "Have fun, both of you."

Kiara doesn't take more than ten steps away when she suddenly turns back towards Hana.

"...Lady Hana."

"Yes?"

Kiara stares at her for more than just a few seconds, and Hana fights the urge to shuffle her feet nervously at the scrutiny.

"Would you like to join us? It's not too far, and we won't be there too long. I can always get our driver to drop you back if you want to return early."

Hana knows exactly why Kiara is asking. She'd seen the writing on the wall herself weeks ago, ever since her embarassingly desolate yacht party, but today's show of honesty has sounded the death knell on any hopes that she'd get any further in this competition. If you'd told her this weeks ago Hana would have been a wreck, dreading the next phone call from her parents.

But right now she feels surprisingly...light.

She knows why Kiara is giving her a hand in friendship. A show of solidarity. A recognition of Hana's own position, now.

And in all honesty, it doesn't actually feel all that bad.

Hana closes the wide gap between herself and Kiara, coming over to her side.

"Lady Kiara," she says, offering her new friend her most charming smile, "I'd be delighted."

--

Notes:

Vous voulez de l'eau? - Do you want some water?

Jiddah - Darija for grandmother.

The poem Hana's aunt taught her is a Song-dynasty verse called "One Plum Blossom"

In the P&T-verse, Hana has a name that only her relatives from her father's side use to call her - Méihuā (plum blossom).

While Kiara's surname/House name is Theron in canon, I've changed it to Thorne in the P&T-verse

[xxrainbow-princessxx]

Firm Hand, Soft Heart - Leo x Isabella (N*FW, 🍋)

This fic is for Day 1 of the CFWC Kinktober Challenge

Day 1: Brat Taming | First Time | Aftercare

The words used in bold are included in this fanfic. Please only read if you are comfortable with the subject matter and also you are 18+. PSA completed.

TW: In this fic we will be discussing brat taming, punishment, sub drop and aftercare.

Tagging: @drakewalkerfantasy @itslaniquelove @kingliam2019 @kimmiedoo5 @mom2000aggie @lorirwritesfanfic @lorircreates @hopefulmoonobject @rafasgirl23415 @texaskitten30 @rainbowsinthestorm @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @liam-rhys @choicesficwriterscreations

All under the jump!! ❤️❤️

“You got this big guy...” Liam patted his brother’s shoulder, “I didn’t think she would show... But you’ve always had her wrapped around your little finger anyway...” Leo flashed a bright smile to his brother chuckling, “I’m not so sure about that... before, maybe...” Isabella and Leo hadn’t spoken in weeks after she saw him being snapped by the paparazzi with a statuesque blonde Swedish model draped around him in a nightclub in Monaco, “...but now, I’m not so sure...” Liam gave the Crown Prince a knowing look as he laughed heartily, “You can handle her... Isabella doesn’t listen to reason and seemingly... neither do you...” The brothers watched attentively as the Crown Princess’ thigh high louboutin boots clicked across the marble flooring, surrounded by guards and her father’s advisors in step. Leo winced slightly as his eyes followed her petite frame analysing every curve whilst she walked past in a short black bodycon dress. Isabella’s long chestnut brown hair had been straightened out, bouncing and flowing down her back only added to her polished look. Biting down on his lip, he knew he needed something to help him calm down; she looked good.

Leo’s brow raised as he threw back his measure of Cordonia’s finest apple brandy, warming his chest as the fiery liquid quelled his anxieties. He hated negotiations, he hated having to host anything but Constantine demanded it and knowing that Isabella being there would be difficult in more ways than one, knowing she would bust his balls when given the chance just to test him. Constantine insisted on the meetings, he wanted Cordonia to be put on the map, he wanted the neighbouring Kingdom’s to know that Cordonia was open for business. What Leo didn’t anticipate was the Laurentian Princess’ arrival, swearing blatantly after their last argument she would never step foot in Cordonia again. It didn’t matter that Leo apologised, sent flowers or jewellery, the Princess didn’t want to know returning everything with a delightful note telling him to ‘Fuck off...’ along with anything he sent. Watching the Princess storm through the Cordonian Palace glaring at anyone who looked in her direction, Leo turned to Liam, “Well brother...” barely managing a carefree smile, Leo ran his fingers through his sandy blonde hair, “Wish me luck!”

Leo wasn’t in the mood for any of this, let alone having to deal with the petite brunette’s wicked temper as an addition to his roster of duties. The Laurentian Crown Princess stepped in for her father as a last minute change to his schedule and no matter how much she protested, Isabella knew that she would have to bite the bullet. If it was going to be painful for her, she most certainly wasn’t going to make it easy for Leo. Isabella sat in the drawing room, her lips pursed as her dark chocolate brown eyes glared towards the clock, he was late and he was wasting her time once again. Her eyes narrowed, rolling across to the right as the door finally opened with Leo smiling as if nothing happened pulling on the sleeves of his crisp white shirt fixing his cufflinks, “Good afternoon...” he warmly greeted those in the room, almost chuckling noticing Isabella folding her arms remaining in her seat, “Good to see you Princess...” he teased, sitting opposite her, “The pleasure is not reciprocated...” huffed the brunette, “You’re late...” she bluntly added before pushing forward a list of considerations. Leo’s sea green eyes initially met hers. He tried not to notice the golden speckles of honey that glittered in her irises, accentuated by the sunshine coming through the windows flooding the drawing room with light. Isabella didn’t speak as Leo unfolded the page passed to him, the less she had to speak to him, the better.

Momentarily Leo broke eye contact with Isabella to read her demands. Leaning back on his chair, the Crown Prince bit down on his lower lip chuckling, “Are you trying to insult me? I’m afraid it’s not working...” Isabella rolled her eyes and with a heavy sigh she snapped, “The last time I checked... the world doesn’t revolve around you Señor Rys...” Leo laughed to himself, running his fingers through his sandy blonde hair before he glared at the petite Princess, his voice lowering, laced with authority, “I’ll remind you, that in my Kingdom - it does...” Isabella’s almond shaped eyes slowly narrowed with disgust, Snapping “Fuck you!” to the surprise of their advisors, “Your Royal Highness...” they began to panic, “You... you...” before turning to Leo, “We can only...” Leo stared at Isabella. As she raised her dark, arched brow, Leo knew this wasn’t playing politics for her, this was payback. She was acting up on purpose. The Crown Prince noticed a barely noticeable flicker of delinquency in her eyes, knowing that the petite brunette was getting off on the struggle of power. Sucking in his cheeks, Leo commanded “Can you give me a moment alone with the Crown Princess? Everyone else... out!” Their advisors looked at one another but as the tension grew in the room between the Royals, they finally agreed. “Yes... we’ll reconvene once you both are ready...”

Leo stood as she glared angrily at Isabella, walking across the desk towards her. Purposely Leo kicked the chair that Isabella was sat on, causing her to angrily rise to her feet. The Laurentian Princess raised her hand but Leo held onto her wrist. She watched as his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, turning from a sea green to a sparkling emerald. Leo’s voice deepened to a guttural growl, “If you’re going to act like a brat... I’ll treat you like a fucking brat...” his index finger traced her jawline, titling her chin to face him, their eyes locked onto one another, “Or are you going to be a good little kitten and behave?” Isabella pulled her face away as Leo began to smile, “Not the answer I was looking for beautiful...” His fingers traced the side of her neck feeling her breathing hitch slightly, he knew he had her. No matter what he had done, Isabella couldn’t help herself; Leo knew the petite brunette acted out to fuck with men but would submit easily when the attention she wanted came at a price. Carefully, Leo placed his hand around her neck with a very slight pressure as Isabella barked back, “Make me...” She was pushing all of Leo’s buttons but she wasn’t going to win. Not today. He leaned down whispering into her ear, “You want to say that again?” His voice demanded an answer, “Look at me and say it...” the Blonde Cordonian grunted.

Isabella could feel a shiver go down her spine, as the Crown Prince of Cordonia spoke, she knew exactly what she was doing as she looked up into Leo’s eyes with a coy smile, repeating herself, slowly emphasising her words, “Make... me...” almost taunting him into disciplining her. Leo chuckled as his hand rested on her waist, “Kitten...” he began to smile, “You know I’ll fuck the brat out of you if you don’t behave...” Isabella raised her brow in defiance with a coy smile scoffing at the thought but Leo wasn’t in the mood for her bullshit. Spinning the petite Princess around, she let out a squeal as Leo bent her over the table, his hands caressed her back until his fingers entangled through her hair, twisting it as his strong, muscular frame lay against her back, pinning her against the oak table. Leo kissed her neck slowly, lips barely brushing against her skin, whispering so only she could hear, “You know I still love you kitten... don’t you?” Isabella whimpered as Leo’s hands followed the curve of her body, “Talk to me beautiful...” her core was yearning for the Crown Prince’s touch as Leo put Isabella in her place. Leo discovered quite early into their relationship that Isabella had a power play kink. The Princess found control a turn on - very few dared to ever challenge her authority and she tested most men’s patience to an inch of tolerability but Leo knew if he could tap into that want; that need - she would make a very willing little after all of the brattish behaviour was firmly dealt with.

Underneath it all, Leo knew that all Isabella wanted was to be loved for her, to feel safe and someone to take the burden of control away. “Sí...” she purred as Leo tightened his hold, “Yes... what?” Isabella turned her head to look at Leo and with a smile, she cooed, “Sí... por pavor...” with a flutter of her eyelashes, Leo bit down on his lower lip, the hand he used to caress her ass, he raised it, striking her with a sharp smack. “How many demands did you have?” Leo growled as he pulled the hem of her dress up, exposing her lower half and little black lace thong. “Seven...” The word barely passed her ruby red plump lips before Leo’s hand connected with her bare ass cheek, rolling her eyes as she purred. “Count!” Leo barked as Isabella’s chest heaved, “One...” “Two...” Leo’s fingers danced across her aching clit, “Kitten... you are so fucking wet...” “Three...” “Four...” Leo could only lick his lips with anticipation as Isabella was compiling, savouring her submissiveness as she stood there in her black thigh high boots with her red marked ass wiggling in the air. “Five...” Effortlessly he unbuckled his suit trousers, his erection throbbing, struggling to break free. As his trousers to his ankles, Leo pressed the tip of his cock against her wetness, pushing in deep on the first thrust. Isabella groaned as her pussy stretched, encapsulating and accommodating his full length. Gripping onto her hips, Leo wasted no time thrusting harder each time as the petite Princess gasped, reaching out aimlessly to hold onto the table, her ruby red manicured nails tried helplessly to dig into the table to hold onto something.

Leo clenched his teeth, he was nearly there. As his nostrils flared, he groaned loudly, immediately pulling out as he felt Isabella’s walls starting to contract around him, “Turn Around!” he barked with his deep voice, “Get on your knees beautiful...” Isabella pushed herself off of the table as her doe like chocolate brown eyes looked up at the Crown Prince. Hungrily, Leo pulled her close to him, roughly kissing Isabella until she felt almost breathless, tugging on her bottom lip with his teeth to allow the moment to linger. Just because he was dominating her didn’t mean that Leo didn’t show his romantic side. He did love her and wanted to fulfil her every need. It was important for him to show Isabella he cared, not all of this was one-sided. Stumbling, the Princess stepped back before lowing herself onto her knees still with her dress pulled up around her waist, not once breaking eye contact. Taking Leo’s thick, hard pulsating member into her hand, she opened her mouth allowing her tongue to taste and tease his length. Leo entangled his fingers through her hair as he bucked his hips back and forth pushing his cock further into her throat. “That’s it...” praising the petite brunette, “You feel so good...” as he encouraged her to take more.

Isabella began to choke but Leo held her in place so she could get used to the sensation. Pulling her head back slightly, Leo grinned as she fluttered her long dark eyelashes up towards him, taking him willingly in her mouth. With a groan, Leo’s eyes narrowed, he could no longer hold back as his warm cum flowed freely down the petite brunette’s throat. Isabella stayed in place as her tongue once again slowly licked up and down Leo’s thick shaft dutifully lapping up any excess. Reaching out to take her hand, Leo helped Isabella up to her feet, pulling her close to him. Picking her up like a doll, Leo pinned the Laurentian beauty to the closest wall he could find, his lips peppering kisses along her neck, “I’ve missed you kitten...” Isabella pressed her head against Leo’s as they kissed once another sensually. Her eyes burned with desire and with a coy smile she teased “So much for counting to Seven...” Leo with a smirk set the Princess back down onto her feet walking back to his desk. Sitting down he smiled to himself watching as Isabella pulled down her dress, “Not so fast beautiful... you gotta earn those last two...”

Pouting, Isabella sat down fixing her makeup wiping away her running mascara and smudged lipstick as if nothing ever happened whilst Leo called the advisors back in. With a smile he ripped up Isabella’s demands, sending the torn pieces into the air, “We’ve agreed on Cordonia using Laurentian ports to export our goods...” Isabella’s eyes widened in horror, their advisors stepping in, “But Your Royal Highness... we can’t allow...” Leo stared at Isabella as he picked up a pen handing it to her, “Well Princess... if you want the remainder, you need to sign...” her advisors looked at one another but the Laurentian Princess never spoke. Did she broker a deal? Isabella looked up towards Leo, his glare made her feel almost giddy as she reached out for the pen immediately doing as she was told. After signing the request, Leo winked at her, “Good...” he smiled, “Now if you’ll excuse me...” he pushed his chair out, “I have an evening engagement to prepare for...” walking off, he turned to face Isabella with a devilish smile, “I’ll see you at Seven Your Royal Highness, I think you’ll quite enjoy tonight’s festivities...” Isabella sat with her hands carefully on her lap watching as Leo disappeared into the hallway.

Taking a moment, Isabella’s cheeks blushed, relishing that she was going to be somehow rewarded and painfully wanted those two extra smacks so badly. The Crown Princess knew she had made a deal with the devil, her head screaming at her to stop but Isabella’s heart drowned out all logic; she was good, she did as she was told. Quietly, the petite brunette rose to her feet, mumbling to her guards as she began to wander off, “I... excuse me...” towards the designated room she was given in the Palace. Immediately, the Princess wasted no time removing all of her clothing as a rush of sadness lay heavy upon her chest. Turning the controls of the shower, Isabella blinked back unexplainable tears. She was scared, she had never felt so alone. The water above her began to trickle down her petite frame, stinging her skin with each red hot droplet. Isabella lowered herself down onto the floor, pulling her knees to her chest making herself as small as she could. She felt shameful, horrified at what just happened. Leo took her and then without a second thought brushed her off as if nothing really happened.

“Excuse me...” Leo turned, his conversation with a group of nobles interrupted, “Excuse me Your Royal Highness...” finding it strange that one of Isabella’s advisors would want to speak with him directly, “May I have a moment of your time?” Leo was ready to dismiss him, he’d had enough politics talk for a lifetime but the look of uncertainty and worry on the advisors face told him not to. “Yes...” he moved away from the group, so they were out of earshot, “Can I help you?” The advisor slowly sighed, “I know I am out of line to ask... but... did something happen when you spoke to the Crown Princess?” Leo’s brow raised in question. Fuck, did he hear something? Trying to hide his shock, he tried to laugh it off, “Whatever do you mean?” Shaking his head, the advisor sighed, “She just didn’t seem herself afterwards at all... Her Royal Highness didn’t really speak...” Leo’s sea green eyes narrowed as he looked around the crowd but he couldn’t see her anywhere, “Ok...” Leo nodded, patting him on the shoulder, “Thanks for letting me know...” with a gracious warm smile he continued, “Let me see if I can find her, I think she said she had a headache earlier... please...” he gestured towards the trays of champagne and canapés passing through, “Enjoy the rest of your stay...”

Leo knew what room Isabella was in, he chose it especially for her away from all of the other guests. He knocked on the door but there was no answer before trying the handle. Opening the door slowly and quietly, he heard the sound of the shower and Isabella whimpering. Leo’s eyes widened in horror, not knowing what he would find. “Isabella!” He shouted, scrambling to remove his dinner jacket before entering the bathroom. Squinting through the steam filled room, Leo could barely see her until he reached in to switch off the water allowing the dense haze dissipated. Isabella raised her head, her cheeks stained with black kohl liner and mascara. “Kitten...” Leo cooed, immediately reaching out for a towel, wrapping it around her as she sat motionless, “It’s ok...” Isabella didn’t speak as she averted her gaze from him, closing her eyes to hide from the humiliation. Leo began to remove his clothing before sitting down beside her with a towel wrapped around his waist. Leo coaxed the Princess into a cuddle and gently placed kisses on the top of her head “Beautiful...” he whispered as she sat behind her, holding the petite brunette tightly against his chest, “Just tell me what you need...” Isabella dug her nails into his strong arms, holding Leo as tightly as she could. His voice was always her favourite sound, she needed to be held, needed to be told everything was going to be ok.

“Wh... what’s happening?” she quietly stuttered, completely unsure of herself. Leo cleared his throat, his heart filled with guilt and remorse, “I’m so sorry kitten... This is my fault, I shouldn’t have left you alone, I should have stayed, I should have fucking noticed...” Leo intertwined his fingers with hers whilst carefully and strategically placing kisses on the side of Isabella’s shoulder. Leo mumbled as he pressed his lips against her olive, sun kissed skin, “You know how amazing you are? You know I won’t let anything bad ever happen... I promise” Isabella’s body shaking in his arms as she began to slowly come around. She tilted her head slightly to look up at Leo and under all the running mascara, her dark chocolate brown eyes exposed her exhaustion. Placing his lips against hers, Leo kissed the Laurentian Princess slowly, his thumb gently caressed her cheek as his fingers cradled her jaw. With his next breath, Leo whispered, “I love you so much...” with a caring smile, he began to chuckle, “Let’s get you ready for bed beautiful...” carefully he rose to his feet, bringing the petite brunette with him. Removing the towel he put around her, Isabella and Leo quickly washed themselves before drying off and getting under the covers of the Super King Size bed that immersed the Princess’ petite frame.

Leo held Isabella as close as he could, staring into her eyes he tenderly smiled. With his thumb, he removed the last smudge of mascara that stained her cheek, “No one should ever make you cry... especially not me...” he swallowed hard as Isabella bit down on her lip, “Can you ever forgive me?” Isabella nodded tiredly before placing her head against his chest and in moments, she finally relaxed, falling asleep. Leo lowered his voice as he placed a kiss onto the crown of her head, “I’m not going anywhere kitten...” and no matter how many times his cell phone buzzed, he hung up or ignored the call, this was more important. He would deal with the consequences later with Constantine but Isabella was his priority. She slept for around an hour and wakening to Leo’s strong, muscular arms around her. With a chuckle, Leo gave the Crown Princess a playful squeeze, “Welcome back sleepy head...” Isabella’s eyes widened, placing her hand on his ripped chest, “What time is it?! You shouldn’t be here... Your father...” Leaning down, Leo began to kiss her softly with a smile, “The only thing you needed to be concerned about was 7pm... Constantine will be fine...” Isabella raised her brow, “Ready for what? Did you not say earlier you have an evening engagement?” The confusion across her face made Leo laugh, “You are my evening engagement... I was planning to take you to dinner, then kiss you here... here and maybe here for dessert...” he teased, “...and depending on how gorgeous you look when we are going out later, I’ll tear up our little agreement we made earlier...” It didn’t matter whether she was dolled up from head to toe, or if she had been crying with most of her makeup running down her face, Leo always thought she was gorgeous - Isabella just had to believe what he saw.

[takingcourage]

Sacrilege

Pairing: Liam x MC (Eliza)

Word Count: 750

Summary: A silly drabble in which Liam and Eliza attempt to prepare their daughter for a Cordonian tradition. 

Note: Although I’ve included baby Eleanor, I couldn’t be bothered to make this piece fit the plot or timeline of TRH (it’s been months, and I’m still not over that ridiculous ending...). It was written for day 7 of the @choicesmonthlychallenge​​    (lemonade). 

Chubby fingers latched around the tail of Eliza’s braid, clinging tight before pulling with enough force to produce a wince. “Ellie, no,” she admonished gently. “Ellie, that hurts.” Eliza dropped her pen so that she could extract the hair from her ten-month-old’s grasp. “Oww,” she enunciated, meeting her daughter’s deep blue eyes.

The baby giggled, flexing her now-empty fingers as Eliza flipped the braid over her shoulder. Satisfied that it was out of the child’s reach, she shifted the chair to grab something from the opposite end of the table. “Here, Ellie. This is better than playing with mama’s hair.”

Eleanor didn’t hesitate to accept the stuffed animal, cooing as she shook the plush kitten with glee. Before returning to her correspondence, Eliza cast a glance around the solarium, wondering where the child’s real kitten had run off too. This room was one of Willow’s favorite parts of the house, but it was also one of the places where she could get into the most mischief. Not noticing anything amiss, Eliza allowed her gaze to return to the stack of parchment.

She’d just flipped to a new page when Eleanor began bouncing atop her knee. “Dada!”

“Ellie!” Liam greeted in return, quickly setting a pair of drinks on the table to free his hands. “How’s my girl?” The baby reached for him, barely managing to keep hold of her toy in her excitement over seeing her father.

He turned back toward Eliza once she was settled in his arms. “And my wife?”

“Almost done with these letters,” she answered with a grin. “After that, maybe we can go for a family walk?”

“Sounds perfect,” he agreed, dipping his head low for a kiss. “I’ll keep an eye on her while you finish up.”

Eliza went back to her work with a nod, grateful for the renewed incentive to complete her task. She heard Eleanor’s shriek as she finished the last of the letters. 

With Liam’s help, the baby was toddling toward the corner of the room where Willow was slinking behind a planter. When she grew tired of the slow pace, she dropped to her knees to crawl the rest of the way. Fortunately, Liam followed close behind, ready to sweep her up and prevent her pulling the creature’s tail.

“She’s been grabbing at everything lately,” Eliza commented as the two of them returned to the empty seat beside her.

“There’s a lot of world to explore, isn’t there, sweet girl?” He lifted a glass of lemonade to his lips and took a long sip. Eleanor stretched a hand out for the base as he pulled it away.

“It’s very sour,” he reasoned, setting the glass far out of her range. “I’m not sure you’d like it.” 

Eliza listened with a smirk, rolling her eyes a bit as he made his excuse. “It’s still not as bad as the first batch of Cordonian Rubies every year.”

“They can be pretty awful,” he admitted, face falling slack as if he couldn’t believe his own words. “Please forget I said that,” he requested, murmuring into the baby’s ear. “You’ll learn to love them in time.” Looking back to Eliza, he suggested, “Maybe we should be doing something to prepare her.”

She raised a brow at the implication, then pulled the wedge of lemon from the rim of her glass. “Here, Ellie. Try this.” Leaning forward, she held the piece of fruit a few inches in front of the baby’s mouth. As expected, Eleanor met the hand with her own, pulling the lemon close enough to bite with the few teeth she possessed.

Watching with bated breath, Eliza removed her hand and let the baby consider the taste that was left behind. Eyes screwing up in surprise, Eleanor’s mouth worked over the unfamiliar flavor. Both parents stared as her lips opened and closed, her tastebuds trying to interpret the new sensation. “Mo, mo!” she cried finally, stretching out both hands to grab Eliza’s wrist. 

Eliza met Liam’s skeptical gaze, shrugging as she allowed the baby to pull the fruit back in for a second bite. 

He blinked at the child in his lap, shaking his head with a small laugh when Eleanor’s initial pucker turned to a smile and squeals for more. “Perhaps I was mistaken.” 

“I think she’s going to be just fine,” Eliza giggled, snatching the fruit back before she could take a bite of the rind. 

[bobasheebaby]

She’s So Gone- Cordonian Ruby chapter 11

Pairing: mentions of Bradshaw x Hana

Word count: 844

Warnings: none I can think of

Summary: Maxwell explains what happened to Hana.

A/N: Next week we will have my fluffy ABC’s interview and then we will finally be in Cordonia (I think?)

A/N2: A major thanks @sirbeepsalot for all your graping, prereading snips between work. I love you boo! Thank you to my snippet readers @loveellamae and @burnsoslow who screamed appropriately.

Series warnings: character death, blood, surgical procedures done by non medical personnel, may go NSFW in the future. May contain gun violence, knife violence, threats, not sure how dark this will go. By requesting to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I own Ruby, Galen, Lovett, and Beau, I’m borrowing Bastien and Olivia from PB.

“What do you mean Hana is Bradshaw’s mistress?” Olivia’s sharp tone echoed through the suite.

“For the record this is why I didn’t tell them, it’s not my story to tell and I thought Hana would be here.” Drake said walking towards the stocked minibar. He was tempted to leave the room completely but he doubted Olivia’s aim became less accurate over the years, better to be a victim of her sharp tongue than her blade.

Maxwell gave a meek smile, “she was coming, but then Bradshaw showed up and she couldn’t leave.”

“Maxwell, how did Hana become Bradshaw’s mistress?” Olivia spat the last word from her mouth.

She hadn’t been as close to Hana as Carolyn, yet it was hard to picture Hana as anyone’s mistress, let alone the man who stole the lives of her best friends.

Maxwell shifted uncomfortably. He was used to having all eyes on him, but not like this. No wonder Drake didn’t tell them. “I only know a second hand account …”

“Which is?”

Maxwell gulped, not getting out of this now. “As Hana told it, Bradshaw always had a wandering eye. He had been attracted to both Carolyn and Hana, and as he said it ‘he couldn’t keep Carolyn around for obvious reasons’.” He shuddered as a shiver ran down his spine. “Hana really tells it much better, maybe you should just wait until we get to Cordonia …”

“Spill it.”

Maxwell gave a resigned sigh before continuing, “Bradshaw had his eye on Hana and kept her from leaving the country.

He was aware how close she was to Carolyn from the girls trip to Auvernal.

With Liam and Carolyn out of the picture, he moved onto Hana. He figured with the close relationship she might have been privy to information that could prove useful for him.

He offered her Valtoria since the duchy was once again without a Duchess, and a large stipend to stay as his mistress.

Hana agreed, though she played down her eagerness.

She was smart enough to understand he wanted information but Hana was positive that somehow the heir survived and made it out. She saw his offer as a way to help if the true heir ever returned.

She was frantic when she first told me, she felt like she was betraying Carolyn and Liam, but she figured it was better than death.

I don’t know how she knew,” his eyes fell once more to Ruby, “she just kept telling Bertrand, Savannah and I that she couldn’t lose faith that somehow Carolyn and Liam had managed to get their child to safety.”

“So Hana became Bradshaw’s mistress on the off chance that Liam and Carolyn’s baby was still alive?”

“Well yeah, but also to stay alive.

He didn’t say it, but she said it was heavily implied that if she didn’t agree she wouldn’t be returning to Shanghai.

Her parents were shocked, they said she was raised better than to be a mistress. It wasn’t until she mentioned the elevation of her title that her parents backed off, though not by much.

Over time she became Bradshaw’s favorite. He’s seen more frequently with Hana than his own wife.”

Olivia snorted, “oh I’m sure Isabella loves that.”

“She hates it, she’s threatened more than once to remove Hana, but she knows she wouldn’t be any better off even if she did.” Maxwell paused, idly tapping his fingers against his knee, “there is just one tiny little thing …”

“Go on.”

Maxwell nervously cleared his throat, Olivia and the others seemed to be taking the news relatively well, he was sure that was all about to change. “First I need to tell you Hana assured me that it would be no problem to slip you into the masquerade unseen …”

“But?”

“But, she’s fallen in love with him.” Maxwell flinched as he spoke.

“She what?!”

“Hana loves Bradshaw, I know it’s crazy and doesn’t make sense. Bertrand was sure she was drugged, but she truly loves him.”

“Maxwell, how the hell are you just telling us this now?! How do you know she isn’t setting us up to be caught?”

“Hana wouldn’t do that.

She still wants to remove him from Cordonia, take him down, but since she loves him … she asked that we spare his life.”

“You have got to be kidding me!

This man has a long list of transgressions he must pay for and she expects us to what pardon him simply because she loves him?

I could look past her being his mistress since she was playing him, but for her to even suggest that we leave him breathing, unharmed, and I’m assuming still in power of Auvernal … after all he’s done.

He murdered her friends.”

“What the heart wants right?” He attempted to joke, clearing his throat when he was met with shocked stares. “I get that it’s not ideal, but Hana knows all of his weaknesses, she knows his schedule, if we want her help …”

“Then we have to let him live …”

Feedback fuels me, please like, comment reblog or send an ask. Feel free to scream, I promise I can take it.

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[kaitycole]

Adventure Made Blondes...

Summary: Jackson catches Drake up on everything he told Riley and tells them about the ill-fated diplomatic ball.

Word Count: 2381 

Pairings: Drake x Riley, Constantine x Eleanor, Jackson x Bianca

Warnings: N/A

Part 11 of WP. To catch up read here.

Tag List: @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @kingliam2019 @texaskitten30 @glaimtruelovealways @bobasheebaby @bascmve01  @burnsoslow  @the-everlasting-dream  @ao719  @sirbeepsalot  @janezillow  @i-bloody-love-drake-walker @kimmiedoo5  @choices97 @marshmallowsaremyfavorite  @lodberg @edgiestwinter  @marshmallowsandfire  @hopefulmoonobject​  @iaminlovewithtrr  

**I don’t own the characters, just borrowing them**

FC for Eleanor Rys and her dress and FC for Bianca Walker and her dress.

He waits until her car is out of sight before heading back into the house. He sits back down in his chair before looking at a picture of him and Eleanor on the table next to him.

“I really wish you here to help, El.” A single tear falls down his cheek before he wipes it away.

*          * “Maybe you should just go by yourself. He probably only said I could come so you wouldn’t think he was an awful person.” Drake rubs the back of his neck, regretting his decision.

“Or he wants a chance to make amends with his son. I really think you should hear what he has to say.” Riley gives her husband a smile; she knows this won’t be easy, but she does think it’s important for them to talk.

“I just don’t know, RI. I mean when I confronted him weeks ago, he told me to leave and then confided in a complete stranger.” He flops down on the couch.

“You grew up with your dad being your hero, Drake. Seeing you made him realize that that façade was shattered.” She wraps her arms around his shoulders from behind as she rests her chin on his shoulder, “How would you feel if our baby learned you weren’t the hero they always saw you as?”

Drake knows his wife is making valid points, but it’s not as easy for him as it is for her to accept Jackson’s word. He taught Drake that a man stood behind what he said and how he acted, yet Jackson seemed to have gone back on everything he taught Drake.

“Guess it couldn’t hurt to hear what he has to say.”

“If it gets too much, we can leave. And I’ll be beside you the whole time!” She peppers his cheek and neck with kisses before letting him go, “Let’s go!”

Drake stands up and watches his wife buzz around the room, gathering her purse and sweater before bolting out the door. He didn’t understand why she was so excited about going. He grabs his keys off the holder by the door before locking up and walking to his truck where she’s waiting to get in.

It’s a few moments into the drive before Riley squeals, causing Drake to panic. He looks at her and she giggles.

“According to this baby app, our baby is the size of an apple.”

Drake takes a deep breath, “Maybe save the squeals for when I’m at a red light or parked next time?”

She turns red, “I’m sorry.”

He grabs her hand, squeezes it before laughing, “An apple, eh? Like a Cordonian Ruby?”

“I’ll never understand y’alls love for apples.”

“Speaking of Cordonia, Liam is planning a trip down here.”

“What!” She squeals again, “Liam’s coming!”

Even though Riley initially flew to Cordonia for Liam’s social season, it was clear from the beginning that Drake and Riley were destined to be together. Liam wasn’t blind to how her and Drake looked at each other, so he didn’t make it awkward or continue to try to pursue her. He had given them his blessing, not that they needed it, but Riley wanted it. She refused to tear Drake and Liam apart, refused to be the woman who destroyed a childhood long friendship.

However, that didn’t stop her from befriending Liam and making him her best friend just as Maxwell had made her him. She stuck by his side through the whole social season and helped him gain the courage to stand up to tradition by not settling for a loveless marriage.

*          *

Drake sees Jackson sitting on the porch, waiting for them as they pull up into the driveway.

“It’s going to be okay, I promise.” Riley grabs Drake’s hand. She gives him her best smile, the one he fell in love with all those years ago.

He takes a deep breath, “Okay, let’s go.”

They slowly make their way up the walkway as Jackson comes down and greets them midway.

“Good morning. I have a pot of coffee ready, if you’d like some.” Jackson says, kicking some dirt on the ground.

“Drake loves coffee, I’m sure he’d like one, right Drake?” Riley gently nudges his arm.

“Oh, uh, yeah sure.”

The three of them all walk inside the house; Drake and Riley take a seat at the kitchen table as Jackson pours him and Drake a cup.

“There’s sugar on the table and I have creamer in the fridge.”

“I drink it black.” Riley cuts her eyes at him and he adds, “But thank you.”

“Of course. I prefer a bit of creamer, myself.” Jackson sits down across from Drake and Riley. They all sat in a semi-awkward silence, not sure exactly how to start things. It’s not until Riley’s sudden dash out of the kitchen that either say anything.

“Is everything okay?” He looks at Drake with confusion.

“Is that Hazelnut creamer?”

“How’d you know?”

Drake chuckles, “It’s one of Ri’s food aversions.”

“Aver…That means she’s…” Jackson pauses, waiting for his son to speak up.

“Pregnant, yes. Just a little bit into her second trimester.” Drake smiles.

“You’re gonna be a grandpa!” Riley exclaims, walking back into the kitchen, having heard the end of their conversation.

“Wow. Congratulations.” Jackson says, smiling at the couple in front of him.

Drake wants to be happy to share this moment with Jackson, for his child to have a grandfather. “Before we start handing out grandparent titles, I think we need to talk first.”

“Drake!” Riley opposes, cutting him a look; telling him to play nice.

“No no, I understand where he’s coming from.” Jackson says.

For the next hour, Jackson catches Drake up on everything he had told Riley not too long ago. When he told Riley it was effortless almost, he knew regardless of what she ended up thinking, it wouldn’t really affect him. He had no risk in that exchange but he felt a lump in his throat each time he swallowed while repeated it all to his son.

Drake takes in everything his father tells him. How the picture of love at first sight, a happy marriage between his parents, the type of love he strived for; was all a bunch of lies. He listened to how his father started an innocent friendship that ended up in two broken families, to how his once hero became nothing but a stranger in front of him.

“And know you know everything I’ve told Riley.”

Drake just stares at Jackson, he’s not sure what more he could be told. What Jackson could tell him to make him understand why they did what they did, why they left him, Liam and Savannah. Drake hadn’t even called Savannah to tell her yet; he knew he had to, but he just didn’t know how to.

“Are you okay, hun?” Riley squeeze Drake’s hand.

“Yeah. So, what happened at this ball?” Drake looks at Jackson; part of him not caring, the other part of him just wanting to learn the truth.

*          *

The next day at the palace, everything is a whirlwind. Floral arrangements, name cards and fairy lights are being carried through the palace halls. Jackson and Timothy are watching as mayhem fills the palace.

“Your wife excited about tonight?” Timothy asks, nudging Jackson.

He knew he was talking about the fact the couple had been invited to the ball by Queen Eleanor herself and that they had been given a reserved suite. Bianca has been talking about the ordeal for days. Even calling her sister and comparing it to Disney World.

“It’s all she can talk about.”

“What about you?”

“It might be weird not being off to the side and being on high alert.”

“That’s not what I meant.” He glances around before lowering his voice, “About having both Eleanor and Bianca together. Since you have feelings for…”

Jackson interrupts him, “Don’t even finish that false statement.”

As he strides through the halls, he gets lost in thought: I can’t believe he thinks something so absurd. Only a fool would fall for a Queen, especially someone so much lower in station. What could someone like me even give a woman like her.

The rest of the day is uneventful, especially with Timothy keeping his distance. It’s not until he’s about to leave that he runs into Queen Eleanor.

“Jackson!” She practically squeals before realizing people could hear, “Office Walker.”

“Your Majesty,” he bows.

“Are you looking forward to the festivities?”

“Bianca hasn’t stopped talking about it since the invitation arrived.”

“I’m glad, but I asked if you were.”

“Oh! It will be different for sure, but it will be interesting to see how the other side lives.”

She playfully bumps his shoulder before smiling, “Does Bianca have a dress? I could have some brought to your suite.”

“That’s not needed. I’m sure she will have something.”

“Well, do let me know. I know what it’s like to feel like an outsider.” She gives him a faint smile.

“Ellie, there you are.” The masculine voice fills the air around them.

“Your Majesty.” Jackson goes to bow.

“No need for that Jackson. This meeting is rather casual.”

“Constantine,” Eleanor nods.

“One of the decorators is looking for you, dear.” He tells his wife.

“Constantine. Jackson. If you’ll excuse me.” Eleanor smiles before taking her leave.

“I take it all the security needs are handled since you’ll be off duty.”

“Yes, sir, but I’ll duck out if needed.”

“I expect no less, but I do hope you try to enjoy yourself. I believe all the children will be staying over. Drake and Savannah are welcome to join.”

“I appreciate that, sir.” Jackson says.

*          * 

By the time the ball begins, the palace has been completely transformed. Lights, flowers, decorations have truly changed the once cold and stoic palace into a lively and comfortable setting.

Bianca’s eyes were as large as a kid’s on Christmas; trying to take in as much as she could. She’d been in parts of the palace before but never seen it like this.

“Mrs. Walker?”

She turns around to see a maid smile at her.

“Yes?”

“Please follow me ma’am.”

Bianca looks at Jackson who smiles, “Go on, no one here bites.”

She’s then escorted to one of the spare rooms typically reserved for nobles staying from abroad. Her eyes light up once again when she sees several beautiful ballgowns and accessories throughout the room.

“Jackson said you’d have a gown, but I still thought I’d offer.”

Bianca turns around and immediately drops into a curtesy, “Queen Eleanor!”

Eleanor bites back a smile, “No need for all that. It’s nice to meet you Mrs. Walker.”

“Bianca is fine, ma’am.”

“Bianca it is then.” She walks closer to Bianca, “I had some gowns and such brought in here for you to look at. I won’t be offended if you don’t choose any, so please don’t fret.”

“Why’d you do all of this for me?” Bianca looks at the gowns, she’s never seen such dresses before and refuses to even think of what they must’ve cost.

“Let’s just say that I know firsthand what it’s like to attend the ball in a gown people didn’t find good enough.” Bianca sees the sad smile on Eleanor’s face before looking at her own gown.

Up until this moment, Bianca hadn’t realized that she never saw Queen Eleanor as a person. She was always this high-powered entity to her, but now she saw that she wasn’t that much different than her. She couldn’t even imagine how lonely Eleanor must feel being her and not really having friends. Friendships within nobility were rare, Jackson had told her before, they lasted long enough for each party to get something they wanted from the other.

“Which would you pick out for me, Queen Eleanor?”

Eleanor smiles, “I think you’d look lovely in this one.”

*          *

Bianca walks down the hall, trying to remember which way she came from. Timothy quickly sees her and walks towards her.

“Need any assistance?”

“Timothy, oh thank heavens. I’m trying to find Jackson.”

“The ballroom is this way, I’ll escort you.” Timothy motions for her to continue walking, “That’s a lovely gown.”

“Thank you. Queen Eleanor lent it to me for the night. She’s very sweet.”

Timothy’s eyes widen, “Yes, she is.”

They didn’t say much of anything else as they walked through the empty halls towards the ballroom. Bianca immediately saw Jackson and parted ways with Timothy.

“Jack!” She called out as he appeared to be looking for her.

“Bianca. Wow.” Jackson’s jaw dropped. His wife stood in front of him wearing a completely different gown than she had arrived in. She had originally chosen to wear an ill-fitting dress that she had for years that she’d worn to Tonya and Cash’s wedding a few years ago. Yet here she was in a pale-yellow strapless dress that had white appliqué flowers covering the bodice and flowing down onto part of the skirt. It hugged her sides which showed off her figure more than most clothes she wore and the rhinestone studded belt insinuated her waist.

Bianca’s face turns red as her husband stares at her.

“Where did you get that gown?” He pulls her to his side and kisses her temple.

“Queen Eleanor lent it to me. Actually, she picked it out as well.”

“The Queen does have excellent taste.”

The couple walk into the ballroom just before the King and Queen are announced. Bianca feels herself attempting to cover her shoulders; feeling slightly exposed as they made their way through the room.

“Cold?” Jackson asks.

“Just feeling a bit uncomfortable.”

“Don’t be. You look beautiful.”

As they reached their table, they stood as Constantine and Eleanor were announced and entered the room. Constantine wore his typical regale attire while his wife wore the lavender colored gown Jackson had seen just a week prior. Her hair was down and curled which was usual because typically noble women wore their hair up to events that lasted long hours.

Bianca looks up to whisper something to her husband but stops when she sees him practically drooling. Immediately the confidence his earlier words had given her, crumbled; feeling herself pale in comparison to the Queen.

[cordonia-continued]

Captivated

Chapter 12

AU- TRR Liam x MC (Riley Taylor)

A/N - Set after the Tariq scandal is cleared. Liam ends his engagement to Madeleine and proposes to MC as per the original story, but Riley turns him down. This AU follows their life from then on.

Chapter Summary - Liam surprises Riley in Paris and finally meets Jacob Henley. NSFW 

Word count - 4,530

catch up here

Riley and Maxwell had been in Paris for 4 days and Liam could no longer bear being apart from her. He has hardly spoken to her between his work and meetings and the fashion shows shes been to during the days and after parties she attends at night. He sits at his desk trying and failing to concentrate on the content of the legislative proposal in front of him. He stares out of the window at the hedge maze and his mind wanders back to their lust fuelled dalliances at the centre. A stirring in his pants spurs him on to throw his pen down on the desk and pick up his mobile phone.

Riley’s phone is answered after only 2 rings. Liam doesn’t wait for her to speak first.

“I’ve been I’ve thinking about you all, day.” He growls into the phone in a low baritone voice full of longing. “My cock is twitching at the thought of getting my hands on you and in you when you get back.” He purrs.

Jacob Henley’s assistant Cassie’s eyes widen at the sound of the kings voice on the other end of phone. She clears her throat, a smile playing at her lips. She can’t wait until her friends hear about this, she knows they are going to be so jealous. Every hot blooded woman in Cordonia lusts after the impossibility gorgeous king and here he is purring sexy words down the phone to her, even if they aren’t actually intended for her. As much as she wants to fulfil a crazy fantasy of hers and keep him talking dirty she bottles it.

“Um Good afternoon Your Majesty, I’m afraid Lady Riley is otherwise indisposed at the moment.”

Liam bolts upright in his seat, his face reddening to the colour of a Cordonian Ruby.

“What the fuck? Who the hell are you and why are you answering Riley’s phone!” He stutters, embarrassment coursing through his veins.

It’s taking all of Cassie’s willpower not to burst into giggles or say something wholly inappropriate.

“My apologies Your Majesty, I’m Jacob’s assistant, Cassie. I’m working with Lady Riley today, she’s just doing an interview with Fashionista magazine right now so asked me to hold her phone for her. I can pass that message on if you’d like me to.” She giggles.

“Oh God no! Please! Just pretend you didn’t hear anything I just said. Tell her I’ll call her later.”

Liam hangs up the phone without waiting for a response and leans forward resting his forehead on the cool dark mahogany of his desk.

“Fuck.” He grumbles to himself picking up his desk phone, he presses the button for his own assistant.

“Gabriella, get an NDA and a large bouquet of flowers with an apology card sent over to Jacob Henley’s assistant immediately please.” He orders shaking his head. “And clear my schedule for the next two days.”

He rises from his desk, humiliation still stinging at his now pink cheeks, he can’t help but let out a chuckle. He then picks up his mobile again and dials his friends number.

“Max I need a favour...”

                                                    ****

Liam arrives on Paris’s Right Bank with just ten minutes to spare before Lancelin St Claire’s show. Maxwell had managed to blag 2 front row seats at the Grand Palais museum where Riley is included in a group of celebrity brand ambassadors who are walking the runway with the designer at the end of the show. He spots Maxwell waving at him from the doorway as he enters the expansive glass ceilinged exhibition hall.

“Hey Maxwell, thanks for this I owe you one.”

“No problemo. We’ve had such an amazing week!” Maxwell squeals. “There are so many celebs here I cannot believe who I’ve seen so far!”

“Maxwell calm down, they’re just people, you know that right?”

“You would say that King Liam.” Maxwell rolls his eyes, then claps his hands together excitedly. “Shhh it’s starting!”

Lights flare and sweep over the audience before settling on the runway. Music beats out a heavy thump as willowy Models start parading down the catwalk in ever more ridiculous clothing while bright camera flashes burst out from the audience.

“Lancelin St Claire is one of the most inspirational designers of this generation.” Maxwell whispers to Liam. “Just look at the appliqué on that bustier. And who would have thought to pair it with elbow length fingerless gloves and a balaclava. Genius.” Maxwell exclaims as he chef kisses the air.

“Err yeah sure.” Liam responds trying but failing to appear enthusiastic as a seemingly endless parade of models walk past in ever more absurd clothing. Finally the last models file out onto the catwalk followed by Lancelin, and several other people Liam faintly recognises. The camera flashes and the crowd go wild. His eyes find Riley. She looks confident and carefree, stunning and beautiful wearing a weirdly structured silver dress that seems to have a lot of material but not much of it covering her body. Maxwell and Liam both rise to their feet clapping enthusiastically. Maxwell points out to Liam who all the other celebrities with her are but Liam’s barely listening, he can’t take his eyes off Riley. He’s aware that the press are taking photos of not only the catwalk but of him too, but he doesn’t care. The only thing that exists to him in that moment is her.

As the models make their way back down the runway Maxwell grabs Liam’s arm and pulls him along behind him to the backstage area. Max flashes their passes to the security guard and they’re let through.

“That’s novel, I’ve never had to show ID before.” Liam remarks looking behind him to see Bastien arguing with the security guard to be let through.

“This is the fashion world Liam, the designer is king here, not you.” Maxwell theatrically exclaims as Liam rolls his eyes.

Riley comes bounding over to them throwing her arms around Liam.

“I can’t believe you’re here. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I’m so happy to see you!”

“Hello my love, I would never forgive myself if I missed your big fashion show moment. You were amazing out there.” He pulls her into a hug and kisses the top of her head. “Great outfit by the way.” He raise his eyebrows at her and she hits him playfully on the arm.

“It’s called fashion Liam, I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” She laughs.

Lancelin St Claire saunters up to them holding his arms out to Riley, he grasps her by the shoulders and air kisses her dramatically on both cheeks.

“You were wonderful ma chérie.” He exclaims.

“Thank you Lancelin. I was so nervous! I was convinced I was going to trip or throw up! Lancelin this is Liam, Liam this is the fashion designer who so graciously allowed me to show off his clothes today, Lancelin St Claire. Although I believe you two have already met.” Riley knows full well that they met on the engagement tour but really doesn’t want to bring that up right now and dampen her jubilant mood.

“Monsieur St Claire, c’est un honneur de vous rencontrer.” Liam greets him in a perfect French accent.

“Non, tout le plaisir est pour moi Votre Majesté.” Lancelin bows. “Mademoiselle Taylor a été une inspiration aujourd'hui, j'espère que vous savez que vous êtes un homme chanceux.” Liam’s not quite sure if Lancelin St Claire just made a dig at him by exclaiming how lucky he is to have Riley, or if he’s perceived it as a result of just feeling slightly shameful that the last time he met with the the French designer had been while he was engaged to Madeleine. Nevertheless he remains polite and agrees with the man.

“En effet je suis monsieur.” Liam responds gazing affectionately at Riley,.

“I must bid you all adieu and mingle with the press, please enjoy the rest of the show.” Lancelin bows again and air kisses Riley’s cheeks dramatically once more before sashaying off into the crowd.

“Why am I not surprised you speak fluent French and why have you never told me?” Riley asks Liam in wonder giggling, still riding high from the adrenaline rush. “What did he say?”

“It’s never really come up before. And he said how inspirational you were and what a lucky man I am to have you. I can also do Italian, Spanish and of course Greek if you would like me to whisper sweet nothings to you later.” He winks at her.

“I can’t believe you came to see the show. This means so much to me, do you know that? Do you remember last time we were here? I still have the picture of us at the top of the Eiffel Tower.” She smiles coyly at him.

“How could I forget it.” He presses a soft kiss on her lips. As he does so a camera flash goes off beside them. Riley’s cheeks blush pink and she looks down to the floor shyly.

“Sorry.”

“What for? People must know by now we’re together even if we’ve not officially announced it.” He reassures her.

“I know but I just thought...you know, protocols, courtly procedure and all that shizz...” she trails off not finishing her sentence.

“Hey.” He lifts her chin with a finger. “Don’t ever think that I wouldn’t want to be seen with you, you’re gorgeous and I love you. Ok?” She nods. “Let me take you to dinner tonight, there are so many romantic restaurants in Paris, then you can show me just how much you’ve missed me.” He raises his eyebrows at her and she giggles.

“As lovely as that sounds, Jacob is taking us out to dinner tonight to celebrate, you’ll come though right? Max is coming, oh and you can meet Jacob’s assistant Cassie from CTA.”

“Ahh yeah about that.” His face reddens at the memory and he rubs a hand over the back of his neck self consciously. "Why the hell would you let someone else answer your phone?”

“Oh God Liam what did you do?” She giggles covering her mouth with her hand.

“Lets just say I’ve already introduced myself to her in the worst possible way.” He smirks.

“No?” Her eyes widen in shock.

“Yep.” He laughs awkwardly. “I’m impressed she didn’t tell you, let’s hope she doesn’t tell anyone else either.” He groans. “Maybe don’t give your phone to just anyone to answer in future, I can’t afford to be dirty talking to any Tom, Dick or Cassie.”

Riley’s hand covers her open mouth in shock. “Oh God Liam I’m so sorry, was it bad?” He just closes his eyes silently nods at her.

“Well the you’ll have to come tonight to say sorry to her in person won’t you?” She cheekily elbows him in the ribs.

He contorts his lips into an awkward, toothy smile, his but his cheeks are not so compromising and he can feel their reluctance to be moulded falsely.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Liam.”

“Yes my love?”

“Be nice.” The smile that didn’t reach his eyes clearly didn’t fool her.

                                                      ****

Later that night Liam, Riley, Maxwell, Cassie and Jacob are all seated around a table at Le Meurice. Liam doesn’t know how Jacob has managed to get a table at the 3 Michelin starred restaurant, but somehow he has. The opulent dining hall is grandiose in its style, reminding Liam of the many palace ballrooms he’s found himself in over the years. Intricately painted Renaissance style frescoes adorn the walls and ceiling, heavy damask curtains hang at the vast floor-to-ceiling windows and crystal chandeliers hang above tables draped with long white cloths. It all combines to give the place a regal air that’s, in Liam’s opinion, stuffy and over the top. It’s not where he would have chosen to take Riley whilst in Paris, favouring a quieter, quaint little bistro where they could hide at the back drinking good wine and eating home cooked garlic laced dishes. He can tell that Jacob has chosen this place to show off, probably thinking Riley’s au fait with grand places like this. Liam knows her better than that, he knows she would have preferred a more down to earth low key dinner.

Liam had an opinion of Jacob Henley before he had even met the guy. If there’s one thing he’s learnt over the years it was to listen to his intuition. He noticed the crispness of the guys suit and the perfect tailoring of his fitted shirt. He noticed the trendy dark hair and expensive shoes. He noticed the way Jacob’s kiss lingered on Riley’s cheek for a second too long when he greeted her. He also noticed the way his hand snaked too familiarly around her waist as he congratulated her on her catwalk appearance. He hates the casual way Jacob refers to him by his first name, without being ok’d to do so. Before Riley came into his life Liam had never been jealous of anyone except his older brother Leo, and even then his jealousy was fleeting and confined to only when Leo was regaling him with stories of his carefree life, free from the constraints of the crown, but when he sees Jacob’s hands on his girlfriend, Liam feels an anger building inside him.

As they sit and chat Liam rests his arm protectively over the back of Riley’s chair, subconsciously staking his claim on her. As if in retaliation Jacob leans forward and takes her hand in his, telling her how great she was on the runway, how she’s a born natural and that he has been approached by several high end companies in the US interested in having her wear their clothes and accessories.

She glances at Liam and smiles, unaware of the power game playing out in front of her. She’s looking effortlessly elegant in a long black lace dress cut so that her skin underneath shows through the pattern of the lace, a thigh high slit up one side shows off her tanned toned leg, a sheer panel at the front diving into a deep V between her cleavage. She normally looks stunning in Liam’s eyes no matter what she’s wearing, but tonight she’s got an added sparkle, an extra confidence in herself that wasn’t there before. Liam’s unimpressed by Jacobs continuous and incessant name dropping and bragging. It seems the guy has an opinion on everything and anything and Liam’s tuned out.

“The bottom line is that even though the venue plays a significant role, every designer’s show stands or fails on the merit of their imagination, sartorial presentation, and skill.” Jacob states confidently. Maxwell and Riley appear enthralled by him, hanging on his every word. “Every Fashion Week, stylists look for increasingly spectacular locations and settings, especially during the Parisian one.” Liam stopped listening to him prattle on ages ago, he just wishes this dinner could be over so he can take Riley back to her room and show her how much he’s missed her.

“What do you think Liam?”

“Yeah sure.” He agrees with the smug agent. He doesn’t look away from Riley, tracing light circles on the skin at the back of her neck.

“Liam!” She quietly admonishes him giving him a look. Be nice she mouths to him. He takes a breath and gives a wide smile to the guests at the table letting his arm drop back down, underneath the tablecloth his hand glides into the split of Riley’s dress and his palm caresses up and down the smooth skin of her thigh.

“Sorry. Yes Jacob I agree the venue plays a significant role in the success of a brands collection that season. These days a huge emphasis is put on fashion as an art form through elaborate shows at expensive venues, it clearly portrays a positive image of the brand as well as merging the line between consumerism and art.” He says in his best King voice, able to turn the charm on like a tap.

“Very impressive Liam, I didn’t realise you were into fashion?” Jacob raises his eyebrows at him.

“I’m not particularly, although I know a good suit when I see one, but I’ve been to my fair share of fashion shows for charity events over the years, my brother was always fond of meeting the models.” He laughs.

“I can believe that!” Maxwell guffaws.

“Liam always has something interesting to say on any subject.” Riley’s smiles at him in adoration placing her hand on top of his one on her thigh before its wandering becomes indecent.

“Thank you my love but you give me too much credit. There are plenty of things that I know nothing about.” He picks up her hand and places a kiss on the back of it. He can’t help but give a small victory smile to Jacob.

Finally after what feels to Liam like endless hours of small talk the evening is over, Maxwell prolongs Liam’s agony by insisting on everyone going to the bar for post dinner cocktails. As they eventually say their goodbyes Liam pulls Jacob aside.

“Actually there was something that I wanted to talk to you about. Not here or now though.” He glances over at Riley who’s locked in an in-depth conversation with Maxwell and Cassie about the vital role hats play within royal life, much to her delight.

“Oh really? Ok how about I set up a meeting for next week, I can get my assistant to contact yours to arrange a mutually convenient time and place?” Liam shakes his head at the power game that Jacob is still playing.

“No. Come to the palace at 10am on Monday, we will meet in my office. I will leave your name with security at the front gate and they will direct you down. I’d rather you didn’t mention this to Riley just yet. I don’t want to unduly concern her.” Jacob raises an eyebrow questioningly at Liam.

“I don’t like to hide anything from my clients. This agent thing works best when it’s based on honesty. I don’t think Riley would like to find out we had a secret meeting and she’s not been kept in the picture Liam.”

“Jacob, once I’ve spoken to you I will of course tell her anything that I think she needs to know. I just want to be sure of a few things first. My Guard is arranging for a personal protection officer to be allocated to Riley, I just want to work out some logistics with you.” Liam states commandingly.

“I will of course do anything to help ensure the safety of my number one client. I’ll see you Monday then.” He cockily winks at Liam and walks over to the others. “Thank you all for such a wonderful evening. Maxwell it’s been a pleasure.” He clasps Maxwell’s hand in a firm handshake and claps him on the back. “And Riley, I know I have told you this a million time’s tonight but you were amazing today, absolutely stunning.” He pulls her into a hug, purposely lingering just a second too long, kissing her too affectionately for Liam’s liking on the cheek. “We’ll speak tomorrow about next weeks diary, don’t forget the trip to the US is booked in for Wednesday, I assume Maxwell is going too?”

“Of course he is, he has well and truly planted himself as my style consultant, I can’t seem to go anywhere without him.” She laughs as Maxwell proudly nods.

“Great. Liam it was nice meeting you finally.” Jacob holds out his hand. “Am I supposed to bow or do we shake hands? I don’t really know how this works.” Liam would have thought the gesture humble if he hadn't heard the sarcasm in Jacobs voice. He gives a small tight smile.

“A hand shake is fine. It was good to meet you too Jacob.” Jacob grabs Liam’s hand in an overly firm handshake, squeezing the kings knuckles too tightly.

“I’ll see you Monday.” Jacob adds.

Riley looks at Liam questioningly. “Monday?”

Liam glares at Jacob, he’s wearing an infuriatingly cocky smile and gives Liam an insincere apologetic shrug mouthing sorry behind Riley’s head.

“Yes, I’ve arranged to meet Jacob on Monday, just to go through a few security details. And Madeleine really wants to meet him, she’s spoken to him and his office so many times now I thought it was best that they meet in person.”

“And when were you going to tell me about this meeting?” Riley’s forehead furrows in indignation.

“We’ve only just set it up, I was going to tell you about it, of course I was my love. We’ll discuss it later.”

Jacob clears his throat, pleased at the awkward atmosphere he’s purposely created between the couple. “Right, well I had better be off then. Have a good night all.” He saunters out of the restaurant with Cassie trailing behind.

The trio make their way back to the hotel on foot, taking in the sights of Paris at night. They say goodnight to Maxwell and Liam escorts Riley to her room, stopping outside of her door.

“Are you going to invite me in.” He smiles seductively at her. “I’ve missed you so much.” He moves to kiss her but she puts a hand on his chest to stop him.

“Liam why didn’t you tell me you were meeting with Jacob on Monday? And why haven’t I been invited? If it’s about me I have a right to be there.”

Liam sighs in frustration. He could smack the foxy grin right off the cocky agent’s face for making him look bad in front of Riley.

“I was going to tell you. Can we take this inside please? I can’t stand out here discussing this with you.” She unlocks her door without saying a word and holds it open for him to walk though first. They enter the room and she throws her key card and purse down on the sideboard in the entrance hall of her suite. He takes both her hands in his.

“Riley my love, of course I would have told you about the meeting, honestly it’s nothing. Just some details Bastien wants to get sorted on the security front. I’ve asked him to assign you a personal protection guard, I want you to feel safe when you’re out. And I want to be sure that nothing and no one is going to hurt you. And it’ll be good for Jacob to meet Madeleine, you know what she’s like. As press secretary it’s important for those two to build a relationship.” Liam’s voice is smooth and calm but with an underlying authoritative tone.

“I just don’t understand why you couldn’t have just told me this? Why am I not invited? I don’t like you going behind my back Liam.” She says hurt by the deceit.

“I know and I’m sorry. Please, I don’t want to fight, we can talk about it tomorrow. I’ve barely seen you these last few weeks we’ve both been so busy.” He pulls her to him and nuzzles against her neck. “You look so gorgeous tonight, I’ve barely been able to keep my hands off of you.”

“Yeah I did notice, what was with you tonight? You’ve hardly let go of me all night.”

“I just missed you that’s all. I would have preferred to have you all to myself tonight. I don’t like sharing you with that smarmy guy.” He nips at her earlobe.

“Hmm if I didn’t know any better I would say you were jealous of Jacob.” She teases.

“Ha, I’m a king Riley, I don’t get jealous, especially not of suave good looking agents in well cut suits, with far too much to say for themselves.”

“I knew it! You are jealous! You know you don’t need to be right?” She places her palms on his broad chest and looks up into his eyes.

“Of course I do. Now, can we stop talking about him so I can kiss you?” He dips her back theatrically in a deep kiss. His fingers finding the fastenings of her dress and undoing it as he brings her back up, his mouth never leaving hers. Her lace dress pools at her feet as she stands up straight and he realises that she was completely bare underneath the dress the whole evening.

“Why didn’t you tell me you had no underwear on?” He asks her running his tongue up her neck. She smiles, closes her eyes and arches her head back exposing her throat to his mercy.

“It would have shown through the lace, and anyway you didn’t need any more encouragement tonight. I know what you’re like, you’d have dragged me into some darkened corner and had your way with me given half the chance. Although if tonight's little display was anything to go by I wouldn't have been surprised if you had just taken me on the dinner table whilst beating your chest and grunting like a cave man.” They both laugh.

“Can I help it if I find you utterly irresistible?” He groans into her ear. He parts her legs with his knee and she moans as his fingers slide down her naked body, stopping to caress her breasts, then making their way slowly down over her stomach. She gasps as they find the tender flesh between her legs. He pushes one, then two fingers inside her and circles her sensitive clit with his thumb. She bites her lip as he increases the speed. Need and desperation lace their kiss as he cups her head with his other hand, his fingers tangling in her loose blonde curls. With his body he pushes her back against the sideboard. Her own fingers work at removing his shirt, fumbling at the buttons in her rush to free his muscular chest and feel the heat of his body against hers. Eventually she succeeds, pushing the fabric off his shoulders. The momentary loss of stimulation from his touch and she shrugs the shirt off his arms leaves her desperate for more. He grabs her thighs and effortlessly lifts her onto the sideboard, his fingers resume their position inside her, curling and moving against the sweet spot within. His lips unhitch from hers, trailing a blaze of open mouthed wet kisses down her neck, across her collar bone and down her chest. His mouth lands on her nipple and he grazes his teeth against it making her shudder. She fists his hair with one hand, raking her nails down his back with the other. The tension inside her grows and grows as Liam makes his way down, very slowly. When he lowers his mouth further she braces herself for the feel of his lips on hers, instead he places them on her inner thigh. The sensation of his feather light kisses sending her pulse racing.

“Stop teasing me.” She moans, tugging his hair between her fingers.

“I’ve been wanting for this moment for too long not to enjoy you.” He says in between kisses.

He continues focusing his attention to her delicate inner thighs. Driving her crazy with need. Her body feels on fire under his touch. When his lips finally meet with the bundle of nerves at her centre, sucking at it expertly, she turns to mush, gripping the edge of the sideboard with one hand, the other still tangled in his hair. As the swirl of his tongue becomes harder and faster her breath comes in pants. He raises one of her trembling legs over his shoulder, opening her up even wider to his fingers that are still stroking at her soft inner flesh. She comes hard, the force of it making her hips buck forward. Incoherent noises fall from her mouth as her head arches back against the mirror behind her.

Liam stands, unbuckling his pants as he does so. He doesn’t give her time to recover before he’s between her legs, thrusting himself into her completely. She cries out at the intense pleasure on her already throbbing core. Each movement leads to an explosion of sensations, tingling every nerve ending in her body. His lips claim the exposed skin of her neck, leaving red marks in his wake. As his thrusts become deeper and faster his teeth sink into her shoulder and he bites down, soothing it immediately with his tongue. The relentless rhythm of his hips crashing into hers makes the sideboard rock beneath her. Both are too caught up in the pleasure ripping through them to notice as a lamp and then a vase tumble to the floor. He grunts out her name, the sound of which makes her come undone. She gasps as another orgasm takes hold of her, shivering and bucking her own hips to meet his. His fingernails dig into her hips as his thrusts become frantic. Finally he meets his own release throwing his head back with a loud growl. He twitches and pulses inside of her, his movements slowing until he lowers his head onto her shoulder, panting heavily. When they've both caught their breath Liam effortlessly lifts Riley and gently lays her down on the bed, kissing every inch of her naked body until she’s quivering beneath his lips and begging for him to fill her need once again.

[umccall71]

The Dinner Party

Characters: King Liam & Queen Sexy, Drake,Maxwell,Bertrand,and Hana

Rating:Mature, NSFW,profanity

Word Count:4314

Chapter Two

Disclaimer:All characters are property of Pixelberry. The use of these characters are for entertainment only and I am only borrowing them.

Summary:A simple dinner party among friends is always a welcome distraction until the friends become the distraction. Friends always share everything, hugs, support,love,honesty… Can friendship weather true honesty and the fallout from said ....honesty?

Warning: This series contains sexuality,profanity, a bit of adult content.This story is far from fluff,this is a walk amongst open relationships. Please be advised If you're reading this series you are acknowledging you are 18+

A/N : I know I have been horrible with posting. Life has been dealing me a tough hand lately with my health. I thank you for supporting me and my chaotic brain. I apologize for not being able to focus long enough to get o fictional characters from limbo. I hope you all enjoy 😉.

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Moments after the door closed the three of them sat silent in the guest room. Sexy had made her way to the comfy chair nestled in the corner, Hana stood at the foot velour bed, and king liam stood grounded by the door. He could not believe he was a few feet away from Lady Hana and across the room from his Queen...contemplating taking a lover...even for one night.Liam never would have thought in a million years that he would be entertaining the thought of having his hands on another, let alone sharing intimacy...sharing such an intense act that had only been experienced with his Queen.. With his Sexy.Liam closed his eyes, turned the bottle of scotch up to attempt to wash away the large lump taking up occupancy in his throat above his very pronounced adam’s apple.

Liam barely spoke above a deep penetrating whisper, “Sexy, this doesn't have to happen...I love you, i want you, there is nothing i am lacking to have me need another to fulfill my desires.”

Sexy chimed in, voice steady not giving away an inkling of her inner thoughts, “ Liam, I know you love me as I do you, but I also know that you would walk through fire to give what I want. Why is it so hard to believe that I want to do the same for you?”, she cocked her head to the side, never looking away from his penetrating blue eyes.

She flashed a watery eyed smile that didn't meet her eyes, “we never made any formal Cordonian arrangement, but I will accept this of you for tonight.”

Hana stood waiting for the decision if they would move forward, the queen was right there and could change her mind in a split second. Her cocoa brown eyes danced between the king and queen awaiting guidance.She turned to Sexy, “we … we don't have to do anything. We can all move forward as if this never happened.”

“Nonsense Hana, we all know that you want this to transpire. Your lips can lie, but not your eyes. You need to feel Liam… I watched you undressing my king from across the room all night. At least showing me the decency to not belittle my intelligence while trying to convince me that you're not pissing me.” Sexy’s last words took on a bit of bite as she spoke.”Now you wanted to fuck my king… proceed.”

Hana removed her heels and traipsed over to Liam looking at him with her come fuck me eyes. She ran her tongue across her ruby red lips before she watched his lips questioning, “May I ?”

Liam looked away before subtly nodding an approval.He again sipped from the scotch bottle processing a feeling of disbelief that this was happening to him. He looked at Sexy trying to read her expression, her thoughts, if she was truly okay with what was going down, It was if she could sense the hesitation in her king, “i'm fine Liam.”

Hana started to move down his chest with deliberate precision. She unbuttoned his shirt slowly allowing her red manicure to glide against his skin in the path toward his slacks.She moved to his shoulder where she pushed the linen fabric from his shoulders ,down his toned arms ,and it bellowed to the floor. He let out a breath from the sudden feel of cool air drifting across his golden skin.Hana began kissing a slow ,sensual path from the curve in his neck, the hollows of his collar, dipping between his pronounced pecs and traveled go suckle his nipple between her lips, tongue, and pinch within her ivory teeth. He felt the slightest pressure as she gripped her teeth on his erect flesh and she licked and flicked back and forth. The moisture from her lips caused a sensation to rise on his neck.Liam moaned and instantly felt subconscious about betraying his queen...even with her consent.

Hana's eyes traveled the length of his chiseled abs and upward, “yes?” she seeked acknowledgement to be acceptable to continue what she had fantasized about for quite some time.She criss crossed her arms as she slid her dress over her head and dropped it to the floor.

Liam’s eyes quickly surveyed her body and a bead of sweat collected on his brow… from the heat or the alcohol he was unsure. Liam looked to Sexy and mouthed, “I love you.”

Hana dropped of her knees and quickly undid the buckle, button , and zipper of Liam's trousers. Liam’s body betrayed him as his erection was pronounced under the fabric. He never imagined becoming aroused for any woman except his wife….Sexy.Hana started breathing increasingly hard from her anticipated connection with Liam. She made short work of removing his incredibly well endowed member from his boxer briefs. “Oh wow”, she thought she whispered but everyone in the room heard her reaction.

Sexy nodded in appreciation, “ that was my reaction to my husband too the first time I met his… big friend “ She tried to alleviate the tension in the room , the awkward feeling of watching her man being handled by another.

Hana locked her lips hungrily as she slid her petite mouth slowly down the head and shaft of Liam’s manhood.She moved down his massive length a little at a time as his head fell back and he clinched his eyes and ass cheeks from the sensation.Liam but his lower lip fighting back audibly gasping. Liam’s reaction did not escape being noticed by his queen, “does it feel good my king?” She smiled but it never fully reached her eyes. “It’s okay if you like it and it feels good to you”

It was as if Hana hearing her words gave approval to take on his dick in a way she only imagined. She slurped and suctioned his length and then his balls in her eagerly waiting mouth. Liam felt the head of his length hit the back of her throat, but she still did not gag or relent from his size. Hana smiled as she continued working his dick with her hands and mouth She appreciated his perfectly erect libido jumping within her cheeks.Hana kept her gaze trained on Liam while his gaze watched his Sexy. She rubbed slowly circled on her growing baby bump watching Liam’s face and body contorted to hide the pleasure. He groaned her name, “Sexy… god I love you.” This was unexpected since it was Hana that was creating the fire in his body in that moment.

Hana sped up as her head bobbed up and down his shaft fierce trying to make him come undone to her skill. Liam pulled back flinching from the beginning sensation of releasing , “no Hana, that won’t be necessary.” She watched him attentively trying to deduce his sudden shift.

“Are you sure my king? I only want to please you.”She rose from her knees trying to make her way to his lips when she was stopped in her tracked by Liam grabbing her face. “This is not that type of party Hana, this is not that type of…” , he trailed off.

Liam’s hand moved down on breaching her soft underwear feeling Hana’s slick folds. The muscles in her belly tense at the sudden feel of his fingers. He asked, “is this okay?” She swallowed thickly fighting the urge to yell out from his touch. She could not hold back the moan as she felt him insert a single finger in between her folds as his thumb rubbed circles on her clit.

“Oh Liam”, she screamed as her nerves in her clit were ignited from the sensation. Hana had never felt anything like it … from another person. She had touched herself in the past, but never the feeling of someone’s pleasure . She was trained in the art of seduction, but she never acted upon it. She was thrilled Liam would make her body come alive for the first time… this was unbeknownst to him or anyone.

The sounds that escaped her called the others in the dining room to the door. All three men were inebriated and intrigued. It had been a long time since Drake had made sounds like that come from a woman...too long. Maxwell had been secretly thinking about Hana… he actually cared deeply for her… Bertrand would not allow himself to go any further than the doorway. He was with Savannah, but still able to appreciate other women in that manner.He was still human and able to see the beauty in other women.

Drake slowly twisted the knob of the bedroom door allowing him to view the event unfolding. He felt his chocolate orbs stretched as he saw Hana’s near naked body. He felt the denim fabric tighten as his whiskey induced friend awoke from a slumber. He was visibly aroused and his hand took on a mind of it's own.He started to adjust himself in his pants as he heard Hana’s moans growing louder. Before Drake knew it he was unzipping his pants to gain better access to his own member. “Aww shit...fuck”, he groaned, louder than he expected.Hana peeped through the opening and locked eyes with Drake. Her body arched as Liam slid a second digit into her wanting hole, she moaned louder, “yesss Liam.”

“Move over Walker, let someone else take a look”, Maxwell protester. He felt even more drawn to Hana hearing her sounds...wishing he were the one making those noises escape her mouth.He shoved Drake a little more than he intended. Drake did not blow up at Maxwell as he was too distracted.Maxwell was paralyzed from seeing Hana as she removed her own bra exposing her peeked nipples. She tried to guide Liam's mouth to her breast but he wouldn’t oblige. Liam watched Sexy as he worked Hana into a frenzy. He knew that in spite of him being there in the moment with Hana, he was fully focused on his Queen.

Hana pushes his trousers and underwear down his well defined thighs. He pulled his hand from between her lips and noticed how his fingers were coated with Hana’s essence. She was drenched from the little contact he had made . She instantly felt abandoned from the feeling of him no longer being inside of her.Hana laid back on her back and flashed a chestnut eyes at him inviting him to join her . Liam moves her wet undies down her legs at an agonizingly slow pace.He tossed them to the floor on the waiting growing pile of discarded clothes.Liam walked over to the night table and opened it to reveal a condom. He looked to his wife and then to Hana, “are you both sure about this?”

Sexy simply asked, “is this what you want my king?” Liam reflected briefly on her words before looking to Hana for confirmation that she did indeed wish to proceed .He carefully tore open the wrapper and sheathed his manhood in the latex , this was nothing like the experience he had with his wife. There was no doubt that he would exercise caution. He came down hovering above Hana as he lined himself up at her entrance and closed his eyes. He slowly began to push inside of her, he was greeted with a tightening feeling.

Hana reaches out to hold onto his forearms as she tried to adjust to the welcome intrusion. She wore a grimacing look as she accepted Liam inside of her. A single tear escaped her eye as she allowed his member to work further inside of her now broken barrier. Liam glanced down at her furrowed brow, are you sure your okay ?” She shook her head eagerly granting him permission to continue.

Liam turned to wat h Sexy as he continued a reluctant pace feeling a sudden gush from Hana.His eyes became slightly glossy from in shed tears of guilt. He never would have requested such an allowance from his Queen. Liam was so wrapped up in Sexy that he missed his other friends Drake and Maxwell make their way inside the room . Bertrand still stood at the door, watching intently. He prided himself on being a man of great restraint. Liam after a couple minutes picked up the pace but was far from focused on Hana. Hana’s eyes rolled back as she felt Liam fill her up. She reveled in seeing Drake and Maxwell getting off to her being … pleasured.

Sexy quietly observed Hana’s change in demeanor, “ you like being watched , don’t you Hana? Drake no longer hid his growing erection, he became hardened more by the minute. “Do you wish for Drake to join you?Or perhaps Maxwell?

Hana bit her lip growing enticingly turned on. She whimpered , “yes” Within moments Drake was removing his denim shirt and T-shirt. He leaned down and devoured Hana’s mouth, kissing her fiercely, something she wanted of Liam , but was not granted. Their tongues rolled against each other , he swallowed her breath as she became lost in the overwhelming feelings coursing through her. She enjoyed having Liam inside her and Drake kissing her and his rough calloused hands work her breast. He moved down, locking his full lips in her peak buds.

Liam pulled back apologizing, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done this Hana. She reached out to catch him as he discarded the used condom. He grabbed his clothing and his wife to exit the room . “Sexy… I can’t do this with anyone else but you. I love you baby, I want to make love to you.”and led Sexy out the room down the hall to their master suite. He kissed her tenderly as salty tears escaped his blue eyes. Liam could stop kissing her and caressing her face and body. Liam strolled into the master bath and turned on the shower . He peeled away the clothing from his queens voluptuous body. He worshipped every inch of her as he slowly undressed her. Liam worked his way down starting from her neck and the sensitive spot behind her ear, he was mesmerized through the running water as he took her breast in his mouth and savored the taste of her skin mixed with the soothing warm flow, he moved down to her baby bump admiring her beauty and nature at work in her belly. “God you are so beautiful and I am a blessed man to have you. I want to spend every day showing you how much I want you and only you love. “ Liam rested his head on her belly appreciating the gift of life that he would be sharing with his Queen… his partner in a lifelong journey.

Liam lifted one of Sexys thighs over his shoulder as he tasted her sweet nectar as if it were the blood he needed to sustain life. He parted her slick folds with his tongue sliding from front to back. His lips sealed around her clit flicking and sucking for dear life. His warm breath mingled with her juices brought every into laser focus.He felt his dick twitch as it hardened eager to connect with his wife. “Sexy… I love the taste of you… promise that You will always be mine and only mine.”

She arched her back as she felt an undeniable sensation and heat overtaken her body. She was always rendered speechless when Liam worked her body so completely. She knew that Liam was hers in every way, but this solidified it in her mind to see him taking a chance with Hana, but not being able to bring himself to truly let go.

Liam stood and made short work washing over his body and Sexy’s. He wanted no reminder of what had transpired in the other bedroom . Normally Liam would take his time when he was given an opportunity to share a bath or shower with his beauty Sexy. What he wanted at this moment was to take her to their shared bed and take her … exploring her body in detail. He needed to hear her come undone screaming his name. Nothing made Liam come alive more than making love to the love of his life. He turned off the shower and didn’t bother toweling off, he took Sexy in his arms against his naked physique . He sucked in her neck marking her up and down neck.

Sexy bit her lip as her hazel eyes closed ever so softly,”that’s going to leave a mark”, she whispered.

“ I know and I simply do not care. Your mine and I don’t give a damn who knows it. It doesn’t .matter….we make love and this is one extreme happy king.” He laughed in a low tone as he peppered her wet skin with his kisses. “I need you Sexy and I will always need you.” Liam sat on the edge of the massive plush bed and pulled Sexy on his lap facing him . He parted her thighs coming down with his thumb rubbing rapid circles and applied a little pressure and her body shuttered at the feel of him. He slid her down as he slipped his manhood inside her slick folds. He filled her as his impressive girth stretched her and felt his member pulsating inside her. Liam gave Sexy’s body a moment to adjust before he guided her body up and down his length as he tensed as tightness from her wanting center milked him as he felt the urge to release. Liam’s pace increased and he thrust harder and deeper inside her quivering walls speaking to him without words.Each pounding thrust tapped her spot and started the sky fall into the depths of her pleasure as she felt the waves breached the perimeter of passion.

“ Liam…i am about to cum” Her breath burst out short and quick. He was driven further to explode and join his wife together to share that moment to go over the edge together. Liam drove harder and faster as he neared his peak hearing her screaming his name.” liaaaaaamm!!!! “ That was all he needed when he stroked several more times feeling her thighs shaking as she coated his member from top to bottom with her essence. His thrust became erratic as he too met his release beneath his queen. He wrapped her tightly against his chest and laid back on the bed cradling her nestled in his arms.

Meanwhile as Liam and Sexy were sharing an amazing experience, the bedroom down the hall became overtaken with moans and groans. Drake ran his hand down and began exploring her sex that was still very much wet from her brief encounter with Liam. He probed inside her with two large digits creating a mixture of delight and slickness as she was once again growing with desire.The sounds of the growing pool in her center.

“Drake… oh wow.” Hana grabbed his dick through his jeans and quickly yanked them down to expose his penis.Hanas head fell back as she popped him inside her warm mouth. Drake did not hold back as he was driven by being horny and the whiskey induced courage to drop his inhibitions. He started thrusting deep down hitting the back of her throat. Drake drove harder and deeper forgetting he was in her mouth. Hana did not retreat as she devoured his length, he was close in length to Liam, Liam was fuller in his girth.

“Fuck Hana… what the hell?! That feels fucking amazing”, he became vocal .

Maxwell approached the edge of the bed and dropped to his knees and began to push her legs apart and graced her center with his tongue. “ Oh Max”, she moaned through a muffled mouth filled with Drake.

He looked at her as she continued working up and down Drake’s length. “Is this okay Hana?”, he asked as he pushed her thighs further apart and each leg he flung across his shoulders. Maxwell took his time exploring her sucking, licking and flicking her tender folds as she released on his tongue and he lapped it up careful not to lose a drop.

Drake continued penetrating her lips as she could not get enough of taking in every inch of him. “Mmmmmm”, she moaned as her body responded to the pleasure being received from Maxwell. Hana lifted her ass off the bed to meet Maxwell’s lips as Drake pushed further down her throat.

Bertrand stood in the door now having undone his trousers and underwear to touch himself from the sight before him. He had a dalliance here and there back in his prime but he wanted to be a better man and father . His hand wrapped tightly around his shaft working up and down as he watched with bated breath as Hana took on both men at the same time.

Maxwell felt his moment to show Hana how it could be with him if she felt every ounce of love he had for her. He removed his pants and slid his boxers down his leg before he plunged into Hana’s hungry sex. She did not seem to want this to end. She wrapped his legs around his waist using the heels of her feet to drive him deeper inside of her.She screamed as her muffled cries of pleasure escaped her mouth barely . At one point he delivered a defining thrust over and over to her g spot as she became sexually stimulated beyond belief. She dug her manicured nails into Maxwell’s back as he made her cum undone . The sensation of her juices flowing down his shaft caused an eruption in him as he released coating her walls with his spurting Beaumont vintage essence. “Oh Hana… oh thank you! I … oh man you make a man want to dance!” Maxwell began randomly screaming things as Hana shouted from this overwhelming feeling that she had never shared .Maxwell wanted to kiss Hana but her mouth was still latched on to Drake. After Maxwell pulled away, Drake wasted no time filling the spot that was previously occupied by Maxwell and Liam. He flipped over lying on his back and pulled Hana’s limp body on top of him and she mounted him and Drake lined himself up and started working her down, his member thrusting . His hands gripped her breast that were bouncing as she met his thrust . Hana felt her nerve endings on fire and coming alive as Drake filled her and her sex wrapped tightly around him. The grunts and groans took over as Hana and Drake met a rhythmic pace building as the fires ignited within.

“Ooooh Drake… you're so deep! I’m about… about to come!” Her head fell back as she dug into his thighs as he pounded unapologetically as they both yelled as they fell over the edge in unison upon release.

There was also a smaller grunt in the corner as Bertrand too met his own release. Bertrand removed his handkerchief from his pocket, wiped his brow and cleaned himself off and fixed his clothing. “Well , I better make it home...good night .” He made his way out the room, down the hall and moments later the door to the royal quarters closed.

Hana sat on the side of bed grabbing the sheet and wrapping it around her sweaty body. Her makeup started to run down her face. She palmed her head as the reality set in of what had taken place over the last hours.She reflected on the conversation that led to her coming to be with Liam … and the others.Maxwell walked wept the bed and placed a chaise kiss on her cheek .

“Aah Hana , I had a good time tonight. Thanks again.” He turned on his heels and left in the dark of night.

Drake ran his fingers through his hair after slipping his T-shirt over his head and buttoned up his denim shirt. “ Well … Lee we can both agree that this night was not what we expected it to be. I’m going to get going … you take care.” Drake grabbed the remainder of the scotch Liam had left behind and finished the bottle.

Drake slipped out quietly and paused thinking how he had betrayed his feelings for Olivia. They had a good thing going and now he had this secret that would surely drive her already limited trust she had in few. “ Damn… what the hell have I done?”, he thought as he exited the palace , jumped in his pick up truck and drove in silence to his cabin.

Hana has envisioned this night ending differently. She imagined ending the night wrapped in Liam’s arms after a night of passion. Hana father her discarded clothing and slipped them beginning her walk of shame down the quiet hallway only stopping briefly to glance at the door of the master suite. She felt like her heart had been ripped out thinking that she would not be the one to spend countless hours entwined in passion with the king. She collected her purse from the dining room and retreated in the middle of the night.

Behind the doors of the master suite Liam and Sexy laid in a satisfying ending to an evening no one anticipated. They laid face to face caressing the others face, savoring the quiet before the storm. Liam smiles, “do you know that I need you? Sexy… never think I need to go outside of this..”, he gestured to the two of them . Sexy curled into him as he kissed her lips and forehead. “We have everything we need here … with the two, no three of us.” They both took a deep breath and closed their eyes, minds racing thinking about how they could have let this night go so far.

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