Brothers-in-Arms Series

Snow Wars, Prequel

Summary:  Liam, Drake, Maxwell, Olivia, Leo, and Trystan engage in a spirited snowball fight during their winter stay in Lythikos. What begins as a friendly challenge quickly turns into an epic battle, filled with strategy, laughter, and good-natured rivalry.  

On a crisp winter morning in Lythikos, eight-year-old Prince Liam gazed out of the frosted window of Lythikos keep. The fresh snowfall blanketed the landscape in a shimmering white, and an idea sparked in his young mind. 

 “Snow fort,” he whispered to himself, eyes lighting up with excitement. 

Rushing to his quarters, Liam rummaged through his suitcases until he found ‘The Young Adventurer’s Guide to Winter Fun’. A gift from his mother, Liam flipped through the pages, he stopped at a detailed diagram of a snow fort, complete with instructions on stacking snow bricks and carving tunnels. 

“This is perfect!” Liam exclaimed excitedly, clutching the book tightly and rushing back down the grand staircase. 

 He quickly found his best friends, nine- year-old Drake and eight-year-old Maxwell, in the keep's cozy sitting room. Drake, the practical and steady son of a palace guard, was warming his hands by the fire, while Maxwell, always brimming with energy, was busy fashioning a makeshift sled from a serving tray. 

“Who’s up for building the greatest snow fort in Cordonia?” Liam announced with a grin, holding up the book like a treasure map. 

Drake, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. “A snow fort? Isn’t that for kids?” 

“Drake, we are kids,” Maxwell chimed in, already excited. “I’m in!” 

“Looks like we have a deal,” Liam said, clapping his hands. “Let’s divide into teams!"

Olivia, sitting quietly with her hot cocoa, perked up. “I’ll be on Liam’s team!” she declared, her cheeks turning pink. At seven years old, Olivia was already fiercely loyal to Liam, even if it was mostly because she had a budding infatuation with him. 

“First,” Liam said, flipping the book open to the diagram, “we need to make snow bricks. The book says to pack snow into molds to make them strong.” 

Drake, ever the realist, crossed his arms. “Molds? We don’t have molds.” 

“Not a problem,” Liam said confidently. “We’ll use whatever we can find—buckets, pans, anything.” 

 Armed with pots, pans, and boundless enthusiasm, the three boys and Olivia ventured into the snowy expanse and trekked to the edge of the icy lake near the keep, followed by several Royal guardsmen. The air was cold and crisp, their laughter echoing as they began packing snow into their makeshift molds. 

Maxwell, already covered in snow from head to toe, announced loudly, “I’m the official Chief. Brick. Maker!” 

 Drake rolled his eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. “Fine but make them sturdy. No crumbling bricks.” 

Meanwhile, Olivia took charge of decorating the fort with pine branches and icicles, making it “look royal.” Adding a small Cordonian flag attached to a stick, she propped it into a turret top.

Hours passed as the boys stacked their snow bricks into walls. Liam, with the book propped open nearby, directed the construction like a young architect. Drake ensured the walls were straight and stable, while Maxwell worked on a tunnel inside the fortress walls.  

By the time the sun began to dip behind the snowy peaks of the surrounding mountains, the fort was complete. It stood tall and proud, with sturdy walls, a small entrance, and even a snowball arsenal inside. 

 “We did it!” Liam declared, his cheeks flushed with triumph. 

 Maxwell flopped onto the snow, exhausted but grinning. “This is the greatest thing we’ve ever built!” 

Drake leaned against the fort’s wall, nodding in agreement. “Not bad, Your Highness. Not bad at all.” 

 As the evening settled over Lythikos, the four friends sat inside their creation, sharing stories and sipping hot chocolate brought out by the keep’s kitchen attendants. For that moment, the snow fort wasn’t just a fort—it was their Kingdom, a place where adventure and friendship reigned supreme. 

><><>< 

 The winter sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over the snow-covered grounds of the keep. Crown Prince Leo and Crown Prince Trystan of Drakovia stepped out of the black SUV, their boots crunching in the freshly fallen snow. It had been a grueling day of lessons—diplomatic protocols, strategic warfare, and a particularly tedious lecture on trade agreements—but now, finally, they were free. The sixteen-year-old young men were having military lessons at the army stronghold nearby. 

 As they walked towards the main entrance of the keep, Trystan nudged Leo with his elbow. "Looks like someone’s been busy," he said, pointing in the direction of the lake. 

Leo followed Trystan’s gaze and smirked. Beside the outline of the frozen lake stood a grand snow fort, its walls expertly packed and reinforced, with small openings that served as lookout points. Surrounding it were scattered piles of snowballs, clearly prepped for an impending battle. From behind the fort's walls, they spotted movement—Liam’s blond hair peeked out, followed by Drake’s unmistakable silhouette and they heard Maxwell’s exuberant laugh. 

“Oh, absolutely,” Leo replied with a grin. “Let’s show them why we’re the older brothers,” as they moved toward the lake. 

 Without another word, the two princes bent down, scooping up handfuls of snow to form their own ammunition. Trystan was already calculating strategy. “We’ll flank them—split up and take the high ground. They won’t know what hit them.” 

 Leo chuckled. “Or, we could just charge in and cause chaos. That’s more fun.” 

 “Chaos it is,” Trystan agreed, and with that, the battle was on. 

Behind the fort walls, Liam crouched low with Drake and Maxwell. “They’ve seen us,” Liam said, his voice tinged with excitement. “Stick to the plan.” 

 Drake, ever the strategist, nodded. “We’ve got the fort’s protection. Maxwell, you’re our wildcard. Keep them distracted.” 

 Maxwell saluted dramatically. “Distraction is my specialty.” 

As Leo and Trystan advanced, Maxwell popped up from behind the fort, holding a massive snowball. “Incoming!” he yelled, hurling it with all his might. The snowball arced through the air, landing harmlessly a few feet from Trystan, who retaliated with a well-aimed shot that splattered snow across Maxwell’s face. 

“Direct hit!” Trystan cheered. The battle began with a flurry of snowballs flying through the air. Laughter echoed across the courtyard as both teams ducked, dodged, and launched their icy ammunition. 

Leo, meanwhile, launched a barrage of snowballs at Drake, who blocked most of them with an improvised shield of snow. “That’s all you’ve got?” Drake taunted. 

 “Oh, not even close,” Leo replied, sprinting forward and scooping up more snow as he went. He hurled two snowballs at once—one hit Drake’s shoulder, the other narrowly missed Liam. 

 “Nice try!” Liam called out, popping up from his hiding spot to lob a snowball at Leo. It caught him square in the chest, leaving the older prince momentarily stunned. 

“Think we’re being challenged?” Trystan asked, raising an eyebrow. 

 “Little brother’s got a good arm!” Leo laughed, brushing snow off his coat. 

Drake proved to be an excellent snowball sniper, hitting his targets with impressive precision. Maxwell, on the other hand, turned every hit into a dramatic fall, faux-claiming to be “mortally wounded” before springing back to life. 

Olivia stuck close to Liam, her aim chillingly accurate, but her real focus on staying by his side. “Liam, watch out!” she cried, tackling him to avoid one of Leo’s well-aimed snowballs. 

“You saved me, Olivia!” Liam said with a grin. 

“Of course I did!” she replied, blushing. 

 The fight continued on with laughter echoing across the grounds. Maxwell, true to his word, caused chaos by running circles around Trystan, throwing snowballs in every direction. Drake held his ground valiantly, while Liam alternated between offense and defense, his precise throws keeping his older brother and Trystan on their toes. 

 Finally, as the sun dipped below the horizon, the princes called a truce. They stood together in the snow, breathless and rosy-cheeked, their earlier lessons and responsibilities momentarily forgotten. 

 “Not bad, little brother,” Leo said, clapping Liam on the shoulder. “But next time, Trystan and I will bring reinforcements.” 

“Bring whoever you want,” Liam replied with a smirk. “We’ll still win.” 

As they walked back to the keep, they exchanged playful jabs and stories of their victory and near-misses. For a brief moment, they weren’t princes with the weight of kingdoms on their shoulders, or children—they were just brothers, and friends enjoying the magic of a winter’s day.

The fun came to an abrupt halt when Queen Eleanor Rys, Liam’s mother, appeared on the scene, her presence regal yet warm. 

“Liam, Leo, and everyone,” she said with a smile. “It’s time to get ready for the ribbon-cutting ceremony in the city.” 

“But we’re in the middle of a war!” Leo protested, his snowball in hand. 

Eleanor raised an eyebrow. “A snowball war can wait. The people of Lythikos are expecting us, Leo.” 

“Olivia, I’d like you to join us,” Eleanor added. “I could use a young lady’s perspective.” 

Olivia’s face fell. She had been looking forward to spending the rest of the day with Liam, and the thought of being separated from him was disappointing. 

Olivia hesitated, glancing at Liam. “Do I have to?” 

Liam crouched down to her level, brushing snow off his gloves. “You’ll have fun, Liv. And I’ll see you later, okay?” 

“Okay,” she mumbled, still reluctant but unable to refuse Liam’s gentle encouragement. 

A Memorable Day ...

As Eleanor led Olivia away to a waiting SUV, the others exchanged knowing smiles. “Looks like we’ll have to finish this battle another day,” Liam said. 

“Next time, we’re building two forts,” Leo declared as he ran inside to change his clothes for the ceremony.

"Or three!" Maxwell added with a laugh.

Despite the interruption, the day had already become one of those cherished childhood memories that none of them would forget. The laughter, camaraderie, and hint of youthful rivalry in the snowy dukedom of Lythikos marked the start of many more adventures to come.

'There's so many different worlds

So many different suns

And we have just one world

But we live in different ones'

❄️Thank you @sazanes @lizzybeth1986 for creating and hosting King Liam Appreciation Week✨️💖✨️ Day 5, Healing

❄️Artwork Commission by /artbyainna

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I grew up in the palace, witnessing the backstabbing and underhanded dealings of the nobility. Do I hate them? No. But it’s why I find it hard to trust.

I came back to this hellhole for Liam. He was never supposed to be king. That was never part of the plan. But shit happened, and he needed me.

It doesn’t matter. I left a lucrative military career to head up the royal guard for him. I would do almost anything for him. I never saw his betrayal coming.

I was on the fast track to becoming the youngest major in Cordonian history. But the promotion never came. It never came because the crown prince blocked my application.

I didn’t know that at the time, of course. He wanted me to head up his royal guard, so he made sure his offer was the best one out there.

Do I hate the nobility for their scheming and manipulation? No. But I did learn from them.

Her fingers probe gently at the bruise blossoming across my ribs. I wince. Fucking Tariq. I told him to make it look real, but did he have to punch me that hard?

He was lucky this was working out for me. He might be a member of the aristocracy, but he was a gambling addict, and I had some pull with local organized crime. I keep my ear to the ground. You never know when you might need some good blackmail material.

I paid his latest debt in exchange for his help tonight. Tariq was broke because his father had cut him off financially. Me? The elitist bastards at the palace might look down on me as common born, but my bank account doesn’t give a fuck about that. Captain of the Royal Guard pays well, and my living expenses are almost nonexistent.

The palace provides everything I need. A room, food, electricity, access to the royal fleet. I’ve been banking my paychecks for years.

And now my place in Liam’s orbit has delivered up this woman.

He might actually love her, but he’ll never marry her. I’ve made sure of that.

He took something from me to get what he wanted. Now I’ll take something from him to get what I want. Do I feel bad about that? Not even a little. I gave up everything to come back home and give him what he wanted. He can give me this one thing. And he will.

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“Savannah Jane Walker, sir.” Liam said puzzled at his father’s incomprehensibility. “Daughter of your most loyal kings guard and friend.”

“That commoner? Oh Liam, you are just like your father. Falling so easily for some random dame. Guess what? You are a royal, son. You can have all such damsels dancing to your tune. And you can even choose someone as your mistress.”

Liam was disgusted at such a cheap thought. But he tried to maintain the decorum. “Father, I am serious. I really like her and would want to marry her.”

Constantine fumed, “How can you disrespect me like that Liam? You are the crown prince. The whole country is looking up to you. They want to see a queen by your side. Not some roadside commoner, who doesn’t know a thing about what’s it to be noble alone, forget being royalty. This is preposterous and utterly irresponsible behaviour on your part. I am so disappointed in you at this moment, Liam.”

“Father...”

“No, Liam. You can’t betray me like this. Not after what Leo did. My son, my hard work, my life, everything depends upon your this one decision. Don’t let me down my child. Not you too.” He choked.

The air felt thick around Liam. He loosened his tie trying to breathe. The burden of the throne was feeling heavy on his shoulders. He sat down on the sofa with a thud, unlike his gentle mannerisms. How many times he had to sacrifice his wishes for the country?

“A commoner will never fit in the nobility of Cordonia, Liam. You need to be practical.” Constantine said in a pleading tone.

“You are right, father.” Liam closed his eyes. “A commoner will never fit. Mother did not fit . Even if she tried, they won’t let her live. You are right, father. A commoner will never fit.”

He got up with a resolution in his mind, thinking of Savannah, feeling her love giving him strength. He bent over the table in front of Constantine and looked him straight into his eyes.

“If a commoner like mother could not fit, how can her poor son fit in, father? I think you need a pure blood to carry your legacy ahead.”

“Liam, you are crossing line.”

“No Father, I am creating a line for you to stop at. I did everything you asked me to do. I stood firm for your nobility, on my own mother’s funeral, when all I wanted to do was hug her and cry. I accepted Regina even before I was done mourning for my mother, because you needed a queen besides. I sat sincerely for all my classes and trainings. I picked up the burden of Leo’s responsibilities for you.” He heaved.

“You dont get all these luxuries for free, Liam. This palace, the richest, the comforts are all I built up.”

Liam started laughing making Constantine stop and look at him in confusion. Liam scoffed, “I should have known, you can only love yourself.”

“Liam!”

“No, Father. I have been what you wanted me to be, what this country wanted me to be. But this country needs stability too which I can give them.” Liam emphasized by slapping his chest , clearly showing Constantine, who is in power. “Savannah brings me that calmness and peace. So if you want me, you get us together or you may start searching for a new heir. “

Liam slammed his hands on the table and stomped off leaving a speechless Constantine.

That evening , Liam decided to meet Savannah. He phoned her and to his amazement she called him to her room. He had never dared to openly visit her but he was done hiding so he walked down undeterred to the chambers in the left wing. The door was wide open. He was deep in his thoughts and entered in without knocking. He stopped in his tracks. Tariq sat idly on the recliner, checking something on his phone. The bed in front of him had a suitcase half filled. Savannah walked out of the walk in closet and chimed, “Prince Liam!”

Tariq straightened up and greeted, “What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?”

Liam couldn’t understand what Tariq was doing with Savannah? “You are going out somewhere?” he asked.

“Yes Li. Savannah agreed to accompany me on my next business trip."

Liam still was clueless. He had too many thoughts running in his mind. He waved off what Tariq said and turned to Savannah . “I need to talk to you. “

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Tariq?” Liam asked in a tone demanding privacy.

Tariq fumbled with his belongings and got up. “Sure Li.” He waved at Savannah throwing a flying kiss at her, “ See you soon, beautiful.”

What shocked Liam even more was Savannah giggling at the flirtation. “What was that?” he couldn’t resist but ask.

“Nothing.” She said smiling still looking after where he left.

“What am I missing? Why is he sending you flying kisses. ” Liam probed again.

“Oh that?” Savannah shyly looked away, folding the clothes in her hands. “He proposed yesterday.”

“He what? “

“He proposed and since then he has not stopped making it public to each and every one.”

“Savannah, let me get this straight. He proposed and you said no. “

“ Why will I say no to such a lucrative offer?”

“Savannah, are you in your senses? You are telling me that you accepted Tariq’s proposal?”

“Yes, silly. Stop beating around. “ She started meticulously rolling her socks into pairs and placing them in the bag.

“Savannah! Please stop it. What kind of joke is this?”

She stopped and looked at Liam repeating in a serious tone, “Its not a joke Liam. I am engaged to Tariq.”

Liam lunged at her, grabbing her shoulders and jerking her. “What about us? What were we doing all these years?”

Savannah shook his arms away and moved out of his clutches. “That was two young people having fun.”

Liam looked at her in disbelief. “I thought you loved me Savannah.”

“I loved you.” She whispered. But the next moment she turned away to harden her heart before she spoke. “But things have changed now. You are not the spare anymore. You need to understand Liam. You are going to be a king. There will be tons and tons of never ending responsibilities. I can’t just submerge myself under all that weight and spoil my youth and my life.”

Liam was shocked to see this image of Savannah. “And you think you will enjoy yourself with a person like Tariq?”

“Definitely yes. He has all the money I need. He goes on lot of business trips , so I get to see the world. He has contacts with all the who’s who so I get to be in the best company without carrying the burden I have to carry with u.”

“I can’t believe I loved you, Savannah. You turned out to be a chameleon. How can you be daughter of a man like Jackson or sister of my best friend Drake? You seriously can’t be this shallow.”

“Oh please! Don’t start a lecture now. I am packing for a cruise to Thailand. Don’t spoil my mood.”

Liam started walking away agitatedly. He stopped at her doorsteps and turned around to look at her one last time. “Bon Voyage!”

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The Royal Caribbean Cruise ship

Savannah sat on the desk in her cabin, trying to write a letter.

“Dear mom,

By the time this letter reaches you, I will be far away.” she shook her head and crumpled the paper.

“Dear mom,

I am pregnant…” she sucked in a breath thinking about her mother's reaction to dropping a bomb with a news like that. She tore off this one into tiniest pieces so that no one knows.

“Dear mom,

I know you must be worried about my whereabouts…”

She let out a sigh. ‘This will do’, she thought. She took some time to jot down the details for her mother. She was folding the letter when there was a knock on the door. She opened it to let Tariq in. She pushed the letter in an envelope and sealed it.

“We are reaching Port Said in some time, Savannah.” Tariq informed her.

“I will get my bags ready.” She got up.

Tariq stopped her. “Savannah, you don't have to do this. You can stay. Just come along. It will be a good distraction.”

“Thank you. But I have many things to sort out before,” she abruptly stopped. She can't spill it in front of Tariq. So she tried to cover up. “...before next season.”

“As you wish. I would still suggest that you should try talking it out with him. He is a good man, Savannah. We have been close friends.”

“I know. I have known him since I was a toddler, Tariq. But this whole mess cannot be sorted out just by talking. He has to stand for his country. I can't stand besides him in that role. And staying there, watching him so closely will be very painful. It's for the good.”

Savannah bid Tariq goodbye, thanking him for all his help and deported on the port of Egypt. She found the nearest courier service and sent the letter to her mother. She proceeded to her final destination immediately.

It was a long journey of two days via road and ferry. Finally after a few more days of settling down in the small village, Savannah sat one day on the serene banks of the river Golo. A lot had happened in the past few days. And all she could do was pen it down.

So she decided to find closure through a letter.

Liam,

I love you. I will always love you. I am sorry I had to leave. I am sorry I hurt you. But I couldn't bear the rift that was being created within your family because of me.

Li, you have been beside me since I was a little girl. You made me feel like a princess even when you had the real ones fawning over you. You spoiled me, you pampered me, you loved me and I can't thank my stars for having you in my life. But sometimes that's not enough.

I know you will be disturbed by what transpired. You will be upset, but when your people and your country needs you, I know you will leave everything aside and you will again stand up and be the great person you are, Liam. I admire you for this strength, grit and determination that you always display. I hope I am able to teach our child these amazing qualities of yours.

Yes Li, we are going to have a baby. You are going to be a father soon. It's sad that you will never know but believe me I wanted to tell you. I came to share the good news with you but the way your father turned the whole conversation into an emotional hurricane for you, I knew you would have to agree with him. I didn't want to put you in a dilemma. I did what I could think of that moment to push you away from me, to give you the freedom to choose your duties.

Someday, when and if we ever meet, I hope you will realise and understand my actions and forgive me. Till then I am going to keep your memories and your love safely hidden in my heart.

You have a lot happening around you and the world isn't a fair place. I want you to take care of yourself, my love and I promise to look after our baby till we meet next.

Until then..

Au revoir Liam

Yours always

Savannah Jane Walker - Rhys.

She read it a few more times until the tears started blotting the written words. She then let the letter down the stream of river and watched as the black ink on the paper vanished into the blue waters and the wet paper drowned into the nethers of the river.

🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀🥀

Next chapter

She placed her hand on his chest and rested her chin on it. Looking into his eyes, she started, " You Drake Walker, you are the most wonderful person on this earth. You have been a loving son, a caring brother, the most loyal friend anyone could ask for."

He raised his brows. "Well, thank you but all these things don't relate to you and me. Tell me something exclusive about us."

She chuckled, "That list will be never-ending. You know how much I love you. You are the warm hearted person I always dreamed of."

Drake smiled listening to the praises. She cupped his face and continued, "You can read me so well. I don't have to utter a single word and you know what I want. You know it all. You are so devoted that I feel blessed. You never leave my side come hell or high water. You give courage, you give hope, you make living possible. With you around I am so carefree. You are always watching my back. I can be myself and I am who I am, because of you."

Drake covered her mouth with his fingers, "Enough! Do you want me to drown in the sea of these praises?"

She shook her head and moved his hand away to speak, "No, I want you to shine like a star in the nightsky."

"A star? I am not beautiful like a star."

She got up to kiss his head. "Sadly, you don't even know."

"Know what?"

"That you are beautiful inside and outside. . Your chestnut hair that falls over your forehead." She ruffled his hair and he chuckled. "Your twinkling brown eyes, this smile of yours that only I get to see. When you say my name in your rough and heavy tenor, my legs go jelly."

"Riley." He called out her name to tease her.

"Oh, please don't start it again."

"Riley! Riley! Riley!" He repeated with a kiss each time.

She started laughing. He responded with a hearty laugh. He didn't realise his voice was loud enough to cross the barriers of the wooden doors.

There was a knock on the door. "Drake? Are you awake, Drake?" The sharp female voice from the other side of the door sounded concerned.

Drake lost his grin but Riley kept smiling. He got up to open the door. He didn't want his rendezvous with Riley to end. If only…

The moment he unlocked the door, Olivia rushed in.

"Good morning, Drake. How are you today? Did you sleep well?" She asked in a single breath, scanning the room.

"Yes, whatever." He muttered and walked in behind her. He looked at his bed and frowned. Riley was gone. Again. As always.

"Were you talking to someone?"

" None of your business!" He snarled at her and stomped out of the door. Riley was gone, so there was no point to stay there.

Olivia's shoulders slumped in defeat. She looked at the tiny study table in the corner of the room. The letter she left last night was still there. It was out of the envelope. That means he read it. Then why would he not respond well? She walked down to it with heavy steps. She picked it up to check if she had made a mistake. She started reading her handwritten ode.

'Dear Drake,

I love you. And I have some plans for tomorrow. I am going to treat you to some of your favourite foods. Nothing special. I just want to celebrate, us, although being with you every moment is a celebration. Because, you Drake Walker, you are the most wonderful person on this earth. You have been a loving son, a caring brother, the most loyal friend anyone could ask for.' Her eyes welled up. She tried to peer through her watery eyes.

'And if i start talking about us, the list will be never-ending.'

A stray streak of water spilled out of her eye to land on the letter and blotted the ink. She turned away with a sigh. Her head hung low. She crumpled the paper in her hand.

She looked up at the mantle. Photos of them together in happier times looked like they were mocking her. She picked up one she had clicked of him, standing alone in the lythikos snow with the eggnog she had made for him. He was beaming at the lens. He looked so happy. She wiped the wetness from her cheeks, reminiscing about that moment. She touched his lips in the photograph and moved her fingers over his brown eyes. "I did as I was told. I poured out my heart to you Drake Walker in a hope that you will remember what we had. But you are still dreaming of a woman who doesn't exist. I wonder how long I will have to fight this lonely battle to get you out of your hallucinations.This struggle seems like never-ending. I miss you Drake. I miss you!"

She cradled the photo frame in her bosom and let the welled up emotions loose till she could do it no more. She won't give up though. She had decided she wouldn't. With a fresh resolution in her mind,she got up to go after him.

"Drake? Drake!..."

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“I’m sorry, did you want something?” Shane asked in mock-innocence, her brows drawn together in a question as she gazed down at you.

You were sprawled against the pillows of the couch beneath her, your hands knotted in the front of her shirt, preventing her from getting off of you. A whiny, frustrated sound left you, and you hated how desperate you sounded, how helpless.

Shane, however, was enjoying it. She loved seeing the flush on your cheeks, the way you dissolved into a needy mess for her beneath her touch. She was settled between your spread thighs, her hand buried beneath the hem of your skirt as she traced slow, teasing circles over your aching clit. It was cruel, was what it was—giving you just enough to stir the heat coiling in your stomach, but holding back what you really needed.

“Don’t be like this,” you half-whined, half-panted, looking up at her with a pout. “You’re driving me crazy.” You tried to give her a pleading look through your lashes, but got distracted by the way her lips pulled up in a slow grin, and now you were staring at her mouth, picturing it doing other things.

“Mm. Should’ve thought about that this morning,” she admonished in a low voice, still with that mocking edge. “When you decided to be such a tease.” Her fingers dipped down into your slick heat, teasing your entrance briefly before moving back up to your clit. You were so wet that it was audible.

“You enjoyed that, didn’t you? Knew I’d be thinking about this pretty cunt all day.” Her fingers pressed into you a bit harder, her movements speeding up. You arched into it, a soft moan falling from your lips involuntarily as you lapped up the increased stimulation. “And then you had to go and wear this fucking skirt,” she groaned, glancing down at the black pencil skirt that was pushed up around your thighs. “Not cool.”

“I told you,” you breathed, pushing your hips into her hand, “I was going to be late. I had an important… mmph… meeting.” It was getting difficult to focus on words with the way she was working you. Already, that coil of heat was growing stronger, making your breaths falter. With the amount of time Shane had been inching you closer to the brink just to bring you down from it again, it didn’t take much.

She hummed low in her throat, nodding. The expression on her face was one of pure sarcasm. “Well, you know, I think I actually have somewhere to be…”

You let out a breathless laugh mixed with a groan as you panted for breath, your grip on her tshirt tightening just in case. “Not funny,” you moaned shakily.

“I’m not laughing,” she said simply, her fingers working you harder, faster. The wall of heat was building quickly now, its intensity so delicious that you were letting out all of the little sounds that Shane loved, your eyes shut in pleasure. You didn’t have enough of a grip on yourself to hold them back—with each expert stroke she drew out another breathy moan from your lips, no longer hushed but rising in volume.

When your eyes fluttered open for a moment, you saw the amusement on her face, a self-satisfied smirk on her lips as she watched you unravel. “Aw, does that feel good, baby?” Her voice was soft, coaxing, the sound of it only driving you higher as you let out a whimper. “Are you gonna come for me?”

Your head was tilting back, your hips beginning to jerk erratically as that wave rose higher, higher… “Yes, yes, fuck, yes—” you gasped. So close. So, so close—

—and suddenly her touch was gone.

“Shane,” you practically cried out in frustration, the high slipping out of your reach yet again. Your hips tried to thrust forward, seeking the friction that had been jerked away from you, but her own thighs were pinning yours in place, keeping them from moving.

She leaned in closer until your faces were inches apart. Her eyes drifted down to your mouth, lingering there for a few moments before lifting back up to your eyes. “Anything you want to say?”

“I’m sorry,” you panted, voice tight with need. You were almost tempted to reach a hand down to finish yourself off, but you knew Shane wouldn’t allow it. “It was bad. Mph… very, very bad.”

A slow grin curled over her lips, and she placed a few small kisses along the corner of your jaw, her teeth nipping at your skin. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” she mumbled by your ear. As her hands hovered around your waist, taking their time bunching your skirt up higher, she drew back slightly, so close but still just out of reach. “What do you want?” she asked, her voice still a low rumble.

“Your mouth—fuck, please,” you breathed, far too desperate and wound up to play at your usual coyness.

She let out a low snicker, pleased by your eagerness as she began tugging your tights down your thighs. “Oh, yeah? You’re lucky I’m feeling generous.”

After what felt like an eternity, Shane had pushed your tights down around your calves, just enough to give her full access to you as she kneeled before your open thighs. She kissed a slow trail along the inside of your thigh, making you shudder with anticipation before her lips finally reached your aching heat, pressing an open-mouthed kiss there.

You gasped, a bolt of pleasure shooting through your core as her tongue brushed against your sensitive clit. Instinctively, your hands went to bury themselves in her hair, using her for purchase as she began lapping at you expertly, her tongue running along your slit. Shane glanced up at you through her lashes with a wicked smirk, watching you with darkened eyes as she worked you with her mouth. You could only imagine what you looked like right now—face flushed, chest heaving, one leg hooked over the back of the couch, splayed open for her—and found that the mental image was just as much of a turn on for you as it was for her.

Well, maybe not quite as much.

You breathed a curse, your mouth dropped open in ecstasy as she licked and sucked at you eagerly, relentlessly, as if making up for all the torturous teasing she’d put you through. She held your thighs open, keeping your hips from thrusting forward into her face as they trembled in her grasp, the heat within you mounting. The pleasure almost became unbearable when her lips moved directly over your clit, wrenching a louder moan out of you.

“Oh my god,” you whined, eyes squeezing shut. “Fuck, like that.” Her lips were closed around your bud, the pressure of her sucking and her tongue stroking it in quick motions almost overstimulating. Your hands moved to grip the couch cushions beneath you as you drew closer.

Shane hummed against you, and the sound vibrated against your core in a way that made your toes curl. Your body was tensing with the rising pleasure tugging at your abdomen, and as if she sensed it, she suddenly slid two fingers inside you, pumping them into you and curling them against your walls rapidly as she continued her relentless ministrations to your clit.

It was all so good, too good, and you weren’t even aware of the words you were crying out moments before you came. The next moment, you were coming undone, your hips jerking and your voice rising to a breathy cry as an almost explosive wave of pleasure crashed over you.

When the height of it had subsided, you slumped back into the pillows, your body going limp with a heavy relaxation. Exhaustion stole over you, and you drew in a deep breath as your breathing began to slow.

Shane was leaning back, watching you as she wiped her glistening mouth with the back of her hand. She looked like the cat who’d got the cream. And you supposed she had… literally.

“Don’t look at me like that,” you said a bit breathlessly, a grin tugging at your lips despite yourself. Your head dropped back against the pillow, your lids feeling heavy. It would be at least an hour before you moved from this spot.

You suggest the game because Shane sure as hell wouldn't willingly restrict herself like this

You're straddling her as she lays in bed, the gears in your head turning as you place your half-empty bottle of Dos Equis on the nightstand

Shane catches onto your plotting quickly—your tells get more obvious the more you spend time together—and intervenes

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Hear me out."

And she immediately perks up, sitting up against the headboard as a smirk stretches across her face

Her arms snake low on your waist, fingertips brushing against your ass as she waits patiently

"What if we played a game—"

"Okay, Jigsaw."

"No, but what if we played a game where if I won, I got to do whatever I wanted to you?"

You have Shane's full attention

"And what do I get when I win?"

She says it as if it's a given—as if there's no room for debate while her smirk grows

You're sneering back at her, leaning forward so that your faces are inches apart

You didn't even get to start playing yet, but you can tell you're going to like this more than you realize

"You get to do whatever you want to me"

She tilts forward to kiss you, but you immediately pull back with a smug smile

Your hands clasp hers and gently, you pry them off your body before tossing them back toward her torso

A hungry stare is reflected back at you; Shane's pupils are dilating as she licks her lips

"How do I play?" She's in

You explain the rules swiftly: you make out and whoever touches the other with their hands first or breaks the kiss first loses

It seems easy enough but as soon as your lips connect, you begin to doubt yourself

It's second nature to grab at Shane when you kiss and you fight the ingrained urge to do so

Instead, you white knuckle the headboard in front of you to keep the temptation at bay

Shane's palms are flat against the comforter as her lips move languidly with yours

You feel Shane grinning against your mouth—her confidence is ridiculous—and it makes you want nothing more than to humble her

The game ends sooner than both of you anticipate

You feel Shane's fingertips graze against your thigh about two minutes in and you are beaming with pride

"I win!" You cry out triumphantly, completely withdrawing from the brunette as you throw your fists in the air

"Oh, that's bullshit!" she retorts, feigning exacerbation

But you both know it's not because yes, that counted as her touching you and your fingers are already tightening around Shane's wrists, shoving them into the mattress above her head

Her breath hitches

"What do you want to do?"

You bury your face into the crook of her neck, nipping up the long column before sucking just under her earlobe

Your grip around her wrists tightens as your lips hover over her ear

"I want you to cum in my mouth"

Shane huffs out a laugh, eyes bright as you retreat from her neck

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Take off your pants"

And she complies without complaint, guiding you off of her groin so that she can unzip her jeans

She's shoving them down her thighs and you can't help but watch eagerly as you crawl down the bed

You help her once her jeans get to her calves, yanking them off in one fluid movement

Your fingers are already caressing her cunt on top of her briefs, your thumb rubbing up her slit

"Baby, you're already so wet," you purr, reveling in the way Shane begins to pant from your touch

Eagerly, you peel her briefs off, slipping them under her hips before they're discarded with her jeans

Nestling between Shane's legs, you scoop her legs up by the knee and adjust them so that they drape comfortably over your shoulders

The two of you lock eyes and you're welcomed by a broad, boyish grin from above

"Having fun down there, sugar?"

Your mouth is watering and your hands slowly creep up to grip Shane's hips

You nod and dive in without further warning

You're peppering kisses up her thigh, hovering for a moment over her cunt before evading it completely and continuing kissing across to her other thigh

The noises Shane makes completely juxtapose her persona; they're soft, reserved, and fuel you to go back and swallow her pussy whole

Your tongue immediately licks a stripe up to her clit, drawing controlled circles around it with the tip

Shane's hips cant forward while a hand weaves through your hair, keeping your head in place

She murmurs out curses as your mouth continues to work, hyper-focused on her clit and making her cum

The tips of your fingers press into her hipbones while your palms hold her thighs back

You envelop her clit between your lips and suck

You miss Shane's eyes roll into her skull, but you feel the resistance of her inner thighs against your hands

"[Y/N], fuck, just like that," she rasps, her other hand lacing through your hair as her grip tightens

Her chest is heaving as you continue your onslaught against her clit and you know she's teetering on the edge

She finally cums after a series of assertive sucks and strokes from your tongue

Her hips are grinding against your face as she gasps for air, fingers digging into your scalp for some sort of stability

You keep your tongue rigid and let her rut against it until she's satiated

Falling back into the mattress, you listen to Shane's breathing even out before she lets out a long, slow exhale

You take the time to crawl back up, hovering over her before wiping your mouth and sucking your fingers clean

Her hands return to your waist as she situates herself against the headboard

The little show does not go unnoticed and Shane watches you through her lashes

"You're beautiful," Shane muses, leaning in for a kiss that you eagerly reciprocate

An unexpected but playful bite on your lower lip causes you to pull away with a gasp

You look back at Shane and she's wearing an unapologetic, permanent leer on her face

"I think we need to play again, [Y/N]"

Her violet eyes drifted over to where Riley was talking to Drake and Maxwell. A slight frown formed on her lips.

"I don't care what Riley thinks! I'm going to ask Maxwell to enter into a courtship with me." She glanced at Kiara. "And I think you should ask Drake!"

Hana's jaw dropped.

"Penelope!" Kiara gasped. "I don't think I--"

"You have such a crush on him!" Penelope argued. "Isn't it time to finally give in to your fan--"

"Tais-toi!" Kiara exclaimed, looking about to make certain no other nobles overheard their conversation.

"Perhaps," Hana gently interjected, "we should instead focus on why you think Maxwell is right for you."

Kiara breathed a little easier now that the conversation wasn't focused upon her own hopeless love life.

Penelope practically beamed as she went into a list of reasons Maxwell would be a good match.

"He's so sweet! He's always smiling, even though he's stuck with a scandal in his house." She sighed while staring at him. "He's also kinda dreamy. Those blue eyes of his are to die for! And--"

"And he's taken." Olivia declared.

Three pairs of eyes blinked at her in confusion.

"Taken?" Penelope repeated in disbelief. "What do you mean?"

Olivia finished off her glass of wine. Standing up, she addressed the clueless trio with a bit of smugness.

"I mean he is already in a committed relationship."

"With whom?" Kiara asked.

Penelope released a little cry that she attempted to muffle with her hand.

"It's Riley! He's in a relationship with her! That's why she didn't return to America after being caught with Tariq!"

Hana shook her head. "I don't think that's--"

"It isn't Riley!" Olivia snapped. "It's me."

"You what?" Penelope asked.

"I'm the one dating Maxwell!" Olivia announced.

Silence fell upon the group.

Then, a snicker slipped out.

Kiara and Penelope began to laugh to the point tears twinkled in their eyes.

"You and Maxwell Beaumont?" Kiara guffawed.

"Like that would ever happen!" Penelope wiped her eyes as more giggles burst forth.

Hana seemed to be the only one noticing Olivia's short fuse igniting. The longer the two ladies laughed and joked about how ridiculous the notion was, the more menacing Olivia became.

"Why is that funny?" She demanded.

"Because!" Penelope exclaimed. "He's super sweet and just adorable."

"You're more..." Kiara tried to find the right word to describe the duchess.

"Stoic?" Penelope offered.

"Hmm." Kiara tapped her chin in thought. "She is that, yet much more emotional."

The two pondered the notion a little longer.

"You don't like fun." Penelope declared.

"Excuse me?" Olivia bit out.

"Of course she does!" Hana argued. "Just because your idea of fun doesn't match up with hers doesn't mean she--"

Olivia silenced her with a slash of her hand. Though she was grateful for Hana's defence, she was more than capable of fighting her own battles.

"Regardless of what you think," Olivia hissed. "Maxwell and I are together."

"Do the Beaumont's owe you something?" Penelope teased.

Kiara laughed at the notion. "It must be an enormous amount of debt some ancestor of theirs was unable to pay."

"Unlike you," Olivia leaned forward, bracing her hands upon the table, "I don't need any reason to have a man want me."

She straightened her shoulders then smoothed her black dress down. "Maxwell's always been in love with me."

With that, she turned on her heel to join his group.

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

"I'm so sick of these functions." Drake grumbled. "It'd be different if they actually fed us instead of these little appetizers they occasionally send out."

"I think it's called an amuse-bouche." Riley told him.

"Yeah well, I'm not amused." He mumbled.

"It's supposed to awaken your palate." Maxwell added.

When both Riley and Drake looked at him curiously, he shrugged.

"I heard it on some cooking show."

"Makes sense." Riley teased him. "I mean, it isn't like you grew up with all this fancy dining or anything."

"The lessons were boring." Maxwell explained. "But the food rarely failed to please. "

"Uh huh." Drake rolled his eyes. "Anyway. When do we actually get to have dinner?"

"Probably after Liam and Madeleine are done talking to our hosts." Riley nodded toward the far side of the room.

The trio quietly observed the group speaking to Liam. The way he stood, firm and unmoving let them know that negotiations were not going well.

"Ugh." Drake slumped back against the wall. "We are never getting out of here."

"We're going to starve!" Maxwell clutched his growling stomach. "I can already see a faint light growing brighter in the distance."

"We could always sneak out for a snack." Riley whispered.

Drake and Maxwell perked up at that suggestion.

"I'm game." Drake whispered back. "I hate to leave Liam, but the needs of the many and all that."

"I'll grab Hana." Riley added.

"I'll get Liv." Maxwell turned to leave to do that very thing, only to find himself yanked back by Drake.

"Why in the hell would you get Olivia?" He asked.

Maxwell blinked.

"Um, because she's my girlfriend."

Riley and Drake stared at him for two heartbeats before they burst out laughing.

"You almost had me there Beaumont!" Drake slapped him on the back.

"Your face!" Riley spluttered. "You were so serious!"

"But she is!" Maxwell argued. "Olivia and I have been in a relationship for a while now."

"Uh huh." Drake snickered. "And Liam's decided to make me his fashion expert."

Riley giggled even harder at that notion.

"It's the truth!" Maxwell declared. "I've been in love with Liv for ages. She realized we should be together and--"

"Stop!" Drake pleaded, doubling over.

"I can't breathe!" Riley gasped.

"Guys, I'm telling you the--"

Maxwell paused when Olivia slipped her arm around his waist.

"Kiss me." She demanded.

Without missing a beat, he pulled her into a long and tender kiss.

Riley, Drake, and the ladies Olivia had left behind stared in astonishment at the sight of the two entwined.

When the kiss came to an end, Olivia's smug smirk flashed.

"Want to get out of here?" She asked him.

"With you?" Maxwell's dimpled grin appeared. "Always."

She stepped out of his arms while glaring triumphantly at Penelope.

Lacing his fingers with Olivia's, Maxwell let her lead the way out of the banquet hall.

She led him near the table where Penelope and Kiara sat with Hana.

Pausing once more so they could easily hear her, "Max? How would you like to stay the night with me?"

"Absolutely!" He exclaimed with a grin.

"We didn't get to finish what we started the night before." She continued once she heard Penelope's frustrated squeal. "I think we'll need all night to finally get," she lowered her voice to a purr, "completely satisfied."

Before anyone could react to that blatant hint, Maxwell gripped Olivia's hand and dragged her out of there.

"Maxwell!" She snapped as he pulled her down the street. "Slow down!"

"We have to hurry!" He told her. "That bakery we went to last night closes in twenty minutes!"

She huffed, a slight smile forming at the wrong thoughts she'd planted in everyone's minds.

"You know, we could do more than eat our weight in macarons." She reminded him.

He paused, allowing her to bump right into his arms.

"I fully intend to." He captured her lips in a long, deep kiss. "But I need energy which requires sugar to make sure you wake up completely satisfied."

Olivia's lips curved into an amused smile.

Leave it to Maxwell to find a way to turn a simple dessert into fuel for sex.

Hana's jaw dropped.

"Penelope!" Kiara gasped. "I don't think I--" "You have such a crush on him!" Penelope argued. "Isn't it time to finally give in to your fan--" "Tais-toi!" Kiara exclaimed, looking about to make certain no other nobles overheard their conversation.

...that said, the reactions are hilarious! 🤣🤣🤣

"Perhaps," Hana gently interjected, "we should instead focus on why you think Maxwell is right for you." Kiara breathed a little easier now that the conversation wasn't focused upon her own hopeless love life.

"He's so sweet! He's always smiling, even though he's stuck with a scandal in his house." She sighed while staring at him. "He's also kinda dreamy. Those blue eyes of his are to die for! And--" "And he's taken." Olivia declared.

"It's Riley! He's in a relationship with her! That's why she didn't return to America after being caught with Tariq!" Hana shook her head. "I don't think that's--" "It isn't Riley!" Olivia snapped. "It's me."

Omg, I can't believe she said this out loud... in company!

"Why is that funny?" She demanded. "Because!" Penelope exclaimed. "He's super sweet and just adorable." "You're more..." Kiara tried to find the right word to describe the duchess. "Stoic?" Penelope offered. "Hmm." Kiara tapped her chin in thought. "She is that, yet much more emotional." The two pondered the notion a little longer.

Bahahahahahaha! Not the way she expected the convo to go, I imagine! 🤣🤣🤣

"Do the Beaumont's owe you something?" Penelope teased. Kiara laughed at the notion. "It must be an enormous amount of debt some ancestor of theirs was unable to pay."

"I'm so sick of these functions." Drake grumbled. "It'd be different if they actually fed us instead of these little appetizers they occasionally send out." "I think it's called an amuse-bouche." Riley told him. "Yeah well, I'm not amused." He mumbled.

Fact!

"I'm game." Drake whispered back. "I hate to leave Liam, but the needs of the many and all that." "I'll grab Hana." Riley added. "I'll get Liv." Maxwell turned to leave to do that very thing, only to find himself yanked back by Drake.

"Why in the hell would you get Olivia?" He asked. Maxwell blinked. "Um, because she's my girlfriend."

"Uh huh." Drake snickered. "And Liam's decided to make me his fashion expert."

Dead! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

"Guys, I'm telling you the--" Maxwell paused when Olivia slipped her arm around his waist. "Kiss me." She demanded.

You know, we could do more than eat our weight in macarons." She reminded him. He paused, allowing her to bump right into his arms. "I fully intend to." He captured her lips in a long, deep kiss. "But I need energy which requires sugar to make sure you wake up completely satisfied."