True love Always

“We need to have a discussion about your intentions with my daughter.”

While Len darted back off into the crowd, Jackson could feel Liam’s full attention bear down on him. With his eyes darkened in a quiet fury, gone was the jovial man Jackson had known his whole life. The Liam that taught him how to play chess or would sneak him extra dessert when his parents weren’t watching, was nowhere to be found.

Standing in front of him was the King. 

Without another word, Liam turned towards the keep, motioning for Jackson to follow. The only sound between them was the thick snow crunching underneath their boots, making Jackson feel like every step was marching him closer to his death. Never before had he seen Liam so tense, his jaw looking as if it was about to snap in two.

After entering the estate, Jackson continued to follow, wondering where Liam was leading him. They walked briskly past the parlor, past the office that Liam frequently used when he visited. Jackson assumed they were going to one of the other guest rooms to speak, but all hope of that was dashed when Liam turned left instead of the usual right, heading straight into Olivia’s armory. Jackson gulped loudly as Liam entered, taking a moment to calm his breathing before following. 

When he entered the room, he found Liam staring at one of the walls lined with dozens of swords and other weapons. He stepped up to the wall, pulling one large, curved blade down from its resting place. Every pore on Jackson’s body started to sweat as he looked around the room, swearing that his aunt had added to her collection since his last visit.

When Liam turned around with the sword still in hand, Jackson’s throat constricted. 

Yup, this is how I die.

“Some of these items have belonged to my family for hundreds of years,” Liam sighed, turning the blade over in his hands. “I’d be fascinated to know how many men this blade alone has cut down.”

“Ummm….yeah….” Jackson stammered, glancing over his shoulder at the door. A few steps, that’s all it would take. “Was there something you wanted to talk about, Uncle Li?”

Liam’s mouth contorted into a tight smile, “Yes, Jackson. There is. I’ve been very curious about your intentions regarding the season.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why did you decide to join?” Liam continued. “You have never held any interest in our politics before.”

“I still don’t, not really,” Jackson answered.

“Then why are you here?”

“For Len,” Jackson answered, holding his head up a little higher. “You’re right; all of the royalty stuff, that’s not something I ever wanted to get involved in. But if that’s what it takes to be a part of Len’s life, then yeah…I’m gonna do whatever it takes.”

Liam paused, studying his expression carefully. Jackson had seen this look many times before, usually when a visiting noble came to the palace for the first time. Liam was the master of reading people’s intentions. Without a single word, he could sense someone’s truths. For the first time since they walked into the armory, Jackson relaxed, knowing he meant every single word. 

With a slow exhale, Liam shifted, placing the sword back on the wall. “While I commend you for your honesty, Jackson, I still have apprehensions. For one, why now?”

“What do you mean?”

Liam crossed his arms around his chest, “You have known my daughter for her entire life, and yet you chose this moment to express how you feel. Why?”

Jackson stopped, taking a moment to try to put his feelings into clear words. It was something he’d thought about since the season began: how close he had come to losing Len, all because he’d been too blind to realize how much she meant to him. Even if everything fell apart now, at least it wouldn’t be because he never tried. 

“Look, I know my timing’s absolute sh—,” Jackson paused, smiling sheepishly at Liam’s unimpressed frown. “My timing wasn’t the best. And I wish I could stand here and tell you that the social season didn’t open my eyes. I knew coming home from New York that there was something between Len and me. And honestly, it scared me. I thought….maybe we’d take things slow, and figure things out as we went. But then when she told me about the social season….I thought about walking away. I didn’t think I’d have a shot of competing; I didn’t even know if I wanted to. But then my mom told me about your season, and I knew I had to try. If I didn’t at least try to see what Len and I could have…..I’d regret it the rest of my life.”

“Jackson…”

“I care about Len,” he said firmly, refusing to back down, no matter how hard his heart was pounding. “It’s taken me a long time to realize how much, but I think it’s always been there. She’s everything to me, Liam. The rest of this…” Jackson motioned to the air around him. “None of it matters to me. Nothing but her.”

Liam stared at him for a long moment, his hardened expression never faltering. Finally, he cleared his breath, “I am glad to hear that, Jackson. But that doesn’t excuse your behavior today. Any wrong move on your part could reflect poorly on my daughter. That, I will not allow.”

“I’m sorry, Liam,” Jackson said. “Len already let me have it for that. It’s just Prince Lucas. He’s such a….”

“Entitled jerk?”

“Yes!” Jackson snapped, looking back at Liam in confusion. “Wait, you know?”

Liam sighed, “Not exactly. You sounded a lot like your father for a moment. He uses that term fairly often to describe some of the other nobles.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, “I understand that they have their flaws; no one is immune from weakness. Many of the others have been raised to search for those in their competition. Give up yours so easily, and they will not hesitate to act upon it. You must learn to rise above their comments. If Len were to choose you at the end of the season, you would need to have your temper under control. I have had plenty of moments when I wanted to act brashly, when I was tempted to let my personal desires outweigh the needs of our kingdom. But to give in to such impulses is selfish and can have dire consequences. You must remember that when you feel your anger starting to build.”

“Understood,” Jackson answered, bowing his head. “It will not happen again.”

“It better not. I would hate to have to repeat this conversation,” Liam said, taking a small blade into his hands. “And then there is the matter of you spending time alone with my daughter….”

Jackson gulped, wishing more than anything that he had a normal aunt. Why couldn’t Olivia hoard cats instead of every blade known to man? He had never seen Liam with a dagger before, but every move was smooth and controlled. Clearly, he had underestimated Liam’s skills. With a flick of his wrist, the blade sliced through the air. It seamlessly slid into the center of a practice dummy on the side of the room, only the hilt visible. 

Just as Jackson saw the final moments of his life flash before his eyes, a chuckle came from behind Liam. What the fuck? Jackson searched for the source, finally noticing Liam’s phone perched against one of the displays, the screen showing that it was on speaker.  

Liam’s eyes followed the same path, pinching his brow with his forefingers before speaking, “You said you would be silent.”

“Sorry, Li. I tried my damndest, but your intimidation tactics need some work.”

“As if you could have done better! I would love to see how you’ll act when someone comes to call on Hope.”

“Have you met my girl? Trust me, I’m gonna be the least of that guy’s problems.”

“Dad?” Jackson finally barked out, his mind slowly rectifying what was occurring. With an open mouth, his eyes darted between Liam and the phone, still unsure if he should be fearful for his life. “Can someone please fill me in on what’s happening?”

“Payback,” Drake laughed. 

“After your display on the ice, I thought it would be best if we had a conversation about what occurred. I wanted to have a calm discussion….” he gave a pointed look at the phone. 

“I thought it would be funnier if Liam scared the shit out of you,” Drake said, his voice still uneven with laughter. He cleared his throat, “Look, Jack, I get why you reacted that way. However, you can’t go around knocking out all of the nobles that piss you off.”

“Says that man that dueled with Lord Neville on the front lawn of the palace….” Liam sighed. 

“One time!” Drake protested. “And only because that jackass challenged me first.”

Jackson leaned against the wall, running his hands over his face. As his father and Liam continued to bicker about which nobles would win in a duel, a thought suddenly popped into his head. “Wait….so you’re not going to throw me in the dungeon for talking to Len?”

“Of course not,” Liam laughed. “I would have to be a fool not to realize how deeply you care for her. Besides, if my wife has taught me anything, a woman’s heart is her own. I would not interfere with Len’s choice unless it could cause her harm.” He placed his hand on Jackson’s shoulder, staring him straight in the eye. “And you have no intention of causing her harm, correct?”

Jackson shook his head, “Never.”

*****

Len paced through the guest room, trying to keep her breathing steady. The last thing she saw was her father leading Jackson away, unsure what he wanted to speak to him about. She knew that her dad had reservations about Jackson entering the season. But if anyone was here for Len, it was him. 

She hoped her dad could see that. He had to see that, right? She popped her thumb into her mouth, chewing the nail bed as her anxieties grew. 

“Relax, you're burning a hole in my rug,” Hope called from the couch. Laying against the pillows, she continued scrolling through her phone as Len glared down at her. “It’s not like your dad’s going to kill him. Worst case scenario? Maybe a little light poking with one of Aunt Liv’s knives.”

“That’s not funny!” Len snapped.

“It is to me,” Hope shrugged, shifting to sit up. A wide smile broke out on her face, “Do you think your dad is doing that thing?” She squeezed the bridge of her nose with her forefinger and let out a long sigh, “You know the move. The one he does when he’s about three seconds from losing his shit?”

Len groaned, “I seriously hope not. He’d only do that if Jackson said something sarcastic.” Hope gave her a pointed look. “Don’t say it.”

“It’s not that bad. If something happens to Jack, you can always just marry one of those other guys. Not to mention…I’ll finally get to move into the big bedroom. Seems like a win-win to me.”

“Hope,” Len said, subconsciously mimicking her father’s exasperated gesture. “You are not helping the situation.”

“Just promise me if that happens, you’re not gonna pick Lucas.” Hope continued, muttering under her breath, “Stupid fucking asshat…”

Len stopped, arching her brow at her friend, “What is the deal with the two of you? Ever since he arrived, you’ve had nothing but negative things to say about him.”

“I don’t trust the guy, Len.”

“And why is that?”

Hope sighed, running her hand over her face. In truth, besides the incident on the ice earlier, there was no clear reason why she couldn’t stand Lucas. She tried to say it was because of how he treated Len, but that was a lie. At all of the events, he was the perfect gentleman and never failed to make her friend smile. Maybe it was because he was competing with Jackson, but even that didn’t hold as much weight as it used to. While he might have made comments about Jackson, he never interfered in his time with Len, at least not yet. Hope sighed, rolling her eyes as she tried to put her gut feeling into words, “His face….”

“Is handsome?” Len smirked. 

“No!” Hope stammered. “I mean, yeah, sure. Objectively speaking, I guess you could say he’s good-looking in that stereotypical way.”

“Then what is it?”

“His face is extremely punchable,” Hope finally muttered. Len stared at her best friend before a laugh rang out between them. “Tell me I’m wrong!”

Len pinched her brow, “While I appreciate your completely non-biased assessment, I think you should give him a chance. We’ve spent a lot of time together over the past few years. Trust me, he is not who you think.”

Hope started to say something, but looked up and met Len’s gaze instead. She could tell with just that one look that this meant something to her best friend. “Fine,” Hope huffed. “I will try to be nicer to him. But if he starts with me first, I’m not backing down.”

“Thank you,” Len sighed, plopping down next to her. 

Hope twisted her fingers together as they sat in silence for several minutes. Her frown deepened; a question continued to gnaw at her. Every time she tried to force it down, it came back with more force. With a defeated sigh, Hope turned toward Len, “Why does it matter what I think about Lucas?”

Len scrunched her face, “I don’t know…I just think it will make things easier…”

“If you pick him?” Hope asked quietly. “Do you think you might?”

“It is early in the season. I still need to take the time to get to know each of the suitors.”

“Nope. This isn’t a press conference, Len,” Hope said. “I don’t want the bullshit answer. Between us, do you think you might choose Lucas?”

Len paused for a long moment. Furrowing her brow, she thought about their past interactions. On paper, Lucas was everything that she would want in a partner. He came from a similar background, he made her laugh, and he was the perfect host during their last visit to Monaco. But never for a moment was there a spark between the two of them. Being around him was like visiting an old friend, and being away never caused any longing in her heart. It was the opposite of Jackson, who burned through her skin like wildfire. Every moment away from him, he was in the forefront of her mind. What she felt around Lucas could never compare. 

Len shook her head, “I thought when he first arrived…maybe. But then Jackson showed up and I knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Lucas could never make me feel the way Jackson does,” Len quietly answered. “Even if things don’t work out between us, I could never settle for less now. It would be like living in black and white after being shown technicolor.”

As Hope started to reply, a knock came on their door. Jackson’s voice called out as it opened, “Hope, you in here?”

“We both are,” she answered, standing to greet her brother. 

As he stepped inside, his eyes immediately met Len’s, his face breaking into a wide smile. Without another word, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest. Len ran her hand through the short hairs on the back of his neck. “Did it go that poorly?”

“Both of our fathers are absolutely fucked in the head,” Jackson groaned. “But no…I think it actually went pretty well.”

“I don’t see any bloodstains, so it definitely could have gone worse,” Hope muttered. But neither seemed to hear her, too wrapped up in each other to acknowledge her comment. With a long exhale, Hope stood, walking towards the door. “I’ll give you guys a minute. But I swear if you do anything in my room, I will kill you both.”

“Noted,” Jackson laughed. 

As she walked back into the hall, Hope let out a long sigh. While Len’s words had soothed some of her fears, she couldn’t quite shake off her nerves. When her brother stepped into the room, she could see his emotions written on his face. He might not have said it, but she knew. He was in love with Len. Part of her wanted to scream at him to lock it down, to keep his feelings in check until the end of the season. But she knew better than to try to stand in their way. 

As she turned the corner towards the main part of the keep, Hope spotted a tuft of blond hair in her periphery. Lucas, owner of the extremely punchable face. She stopped in her tracks, leaning against the wall in case he turned back in her direction. As she leaned forward to watch where he was heading, Hope swore he was acting shiftier than usual.

While he stepped through the corridors, Hope tried to subtly follow him, curious where he was going. All of the events were done for the day; the suitors had free reign of the keep. But Hope hated the idea of this asshole lurking around. Besides, this was her chance to gather intel about his movements. Ever since her spectacular fail earlier, she hoped she’d get another chance to spy on Lucas. 

As he turned underneath the stairs, Hope let out a slew of curses, knowing that the path led down to the cellars. With only one way in and out, there was no way she’d be able to get down there without him realizing. She glanced back up the stairs, unsure if she should try to head back to her room. But with Jackson and Len talking, please let them just be talking, she didn’t want to head back yet. She chewed on her lower lip, letting her curiosity get the best of her.  Hope quietly creaked the door open, listening for any sign of Lucas in the room below. 

Hope’s brow furrowed as the words “son of a bitch” echoed from the base of the stairs. Several more swears followed quickly after, completely crushing what was left of her willpower. With a silent step, she closed the door behind her, heading down the spiral staircase into the cellar. As she reached the base, she immediately spotted Lucas in the corner, holding his phone up in the air. Grimacing at the screen, he continued to let out several swears. Hope smiled to herself, finding some evidence that the asshole wasn’t the perfect prince he tried to present to the court. 

With one last curse, Lucas shoved the phone into his pocket. Before she was able to dart back up the stairs, he turned, locking eyes with Hope. “Very subtle,” he said with an annoyed look. “Do you make it a habit of spying on people?”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Hope said innocently. “I just came down to grab a bottle of wine. Len and I are having a movie night, and Olivia always has the best stuff down here.”

“Of course, you were.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Grab your wine and go.”

“Wow, so hostile. You really should talk to someone about your displaced anger,” Hope chuckled, stepping toward the rows. Fuck. She literally knew nothing about wine. Fermented grape juice was the furthest thing from her drink of choice. She chewed on her lower lip, hoping that Lucas wouldn’t notice her stalling. 

As her fingers trailed along the dusty bottles, Lucas’ phone chirped and he quickly pulled it out. But when he read the screen, his face instantly fell. “Fuck,” he muttered.

“Bad news?” Hope said. “Someone put garlic in your room? I heard that smell can be a real bitch to get out.”

“Because you think I’m a vampire?” Lucas asked with his brow arched, looking unimpressed. 

“No, I think you’re an asshole,” she bit back. “But being a vampire would explain the whole heartless, soul-sucking thing you’ve got going on.” Damn, she was really failing these spy games. Amalas would be very disappointed. So much for playing nice like she suggested. Every time Hope was around this guy, her mouth moved faster than her brain.

“Clever,” Lucas chuckled.

Hope waited, sure that there was some nasty remark heading her way. But when she turned her head, instead, she found Lucas staring wistfully at his phone. She sighed, his defeated expression making her stance soften slightly. “Seriously….are you okay?”

“Fine,” Lucas answered, showing her the screen. “My friend just sent me the line-up for a race tomorrow and I’m not pleased with the results.”

She furrowed her brow. “Wait, you’re this pissed about a race?”

“No, not just a race,” he snapped, pulling the phone back from her. “I’m pissed about the results of the qualifier for the French Grand Prix. One of the Mercedes drivers managed to snag the pole position.”

Hope stared back at him, trying to decipher what he was saying. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“Forget it, you wouldn’t understand,” he muttered, heading towards the door. 

She reached out, placing her hand on his arm. As they both looked down to where she was touching him, she jerked her hand back, tempted to wipe it clean on her jeans. “I might not know what you’re talking about, but I hope it works out like you want it to.”

“Thanks….” he said slowly, turning back towards the stairs. As they opened the door, he craned his neck to glance out the window. “Hmm, that’s odd.”

“What is?” Hope asked.

“It doesn’t look as if Hell froze over, yet you are being nice to me. Maybe I should search the skies for flying pigs.”

“Such an asshole,” Hope groaned, rolling her eyes as they headed up the stairs to the guest rooms.

“There she is. I was worried for a moment.”

“Don’t worry,” she smirked. “It was a momentary lapse in judgment. I’ll be back to the bitch you know and love in the morning.”

“Looking forward to it,” Lucas called out as their paths diverged. “Have a good night, Detective Clouseau.”

“Sleep well, blood-sucker.”

*****

Upstairs, Jackson and Len laid on the couch side by side, watching as the fire crackled in front of them. After going over his conversation with Liam, Jackson was content to just enjoy this moment, needing nothing more than the girl in his arms. 

Len shifted, turning to run her fingers through his hair. “Are you sure that you’re all right?”

“Yes,” he said, leaning in to give her a soft kiss. “But I’m definitely going to stay on your dad’s good side. Did you know he knows how to handle a sword?”

“I’ve seen him a few times,” Len chuckled. “But he would never cause you harm. You know he loves you.”

I love you. The words screamed out in Jackson’s mind, completely stealing the air from his lungs. They itched on his skin, desperate for him to breathe them to life. It was too soon; he knew that. He wasn’t even really dating Len. Instead, he found himself involved in a bullshit competition for her hand. For years, he’d ignored his heart, telling himself that the idea of them being together was just a fantasy. But looking back on it now, he knew the truth: he’d been in love with Eleanor Rys for as long as he could remember. 

And now that he knew what it felt like to hold her, to kiss her lips? There was no question at all that he wanted to spend the rest of his life by her side. 

Len’s face scrunched up, staring into his eyes, “What is it?”

Jackson shook his head, knowing that he couldn’t tell her just yet. Right now, being in the midst of the social season meant that the words had strings attached. As much as he wanted Len to choose him, Jackson wouldn’t try to skip the scales like that. Len deserved the chance to make up her mind for herself. And while he thought she might feel the same, Jackson couldn’t imagine saying the words before the end of the season. When he told Len that he loved her, he wanted it to mean something, for them to signify the beginning of their lives together. Not some desperate plea for her to pick him. 

He nuzzled against her head, “Nothing. Just enjoying being here with you.”

“Me too,” Len said as she held him tighter. 

“So…” Jackson said, trying to distract his mind. “Where are we heading next?”

“Applewood,” Len smiled up at him. 

“My favorite place.”

“Why is that?”

Jackson smiled fondly back at her, letting her thumb coast along her cheekbone. “There are lots of good memories at that estate. I’m looking forward to making more with you.”

Len’s cheeks furiously darkened, her teeth finding her lower lip. In these quiet moments, it was easy to forget the purpose of the social season and the demands being placed on her. But her solace was dashed when she remembered one of the reasons they were traveling to Applewood next. “I’m not sure how much time we’re going to get to spend alone together.” Jackson arched a brow in question. Len pushed a breath between her lips, “The Royal Council will be joining us for the next couple of weeks. They have asked to meet with all of the suitors…”

“Shit,” Jackson hissed, sitting up to drop his head into his hands, “And if they decide they don’t like me?”

“I’m not sure….” Len answered, running her hand along his back. “But we need to make sure that does not happen.”

Jackson tried to match her confidence, but he couldn’t. No matter how close they were with the Rys family, the Walkers had always been the commoners the royal family pitied in the eyes of the court. After a lifetime of condescending smiles, Jackson wasn’t sure if there was anything he could say to convince them of his merit. He tried to smile at Len, to make her feel more at ease than how he felt internally, “Then I guess I better be on my best behavior.”

Savage Love Chapter 13 (First Person Riley’s POV)

He produced two elegant long stemmed champagne flutes from the basket and filled them, handing me one. His fingers brushed mine as I took it. There was an undeniable spark every time we touched.

“To the Via Imperii.” He said.

“What?” I laughed.

“I know they’re the bad guys, but if not for them, I’d still be fruitlessly looking for you.” He tipped his glass toward me, and I tapped it with my own.

“Would you?” I asked as I raised the flute to my mouth to drink.

Complicated Chapter 31

Riley arrived at the opera with Max, Hana and Drake. Max escorted her into the venue, then she casually slipped out of Max’s embrace and into Drake’s as he guided her past several guardsmen to a private box.

“Is there a member of the press here?” She whispered.

“Yes,” Drake replied, “They can’t get down this hallway, but they have telephoto lenses and it’s clear from the guards stationed at the top of the hall that Liam’s in there. All they really need are pictures of you entering and leaving to fuel the rumors.”

Her death sent a quiet rage through those who'd been close to the witch. Madeleine and her coven fought against their vows to do only good in the hopes of extracting revenge against whatever monster had done this evil act. Olivia and Maxwell did their best to find tracks or any clue as to who the culprit was. Liam and Drake also conducted investigations within the Dark Kingdom.

Rashad and Sherry were given the task of guarding Riley and Hana while the others spent days and nights searching. It was fruitless, to say the least. Whatever killed Regina had managed to leave no clue as to who or what they were.

"It has to have been a werewolf." Maxwell muttered late one evening to Olivia. "The slashes and loss of organs point to one going completely savage."

"I agree." Olivia's brow furrowed in thought. "Maxwell? Doesn't it seem odd to you?"

"What?" He paused in his steps, whipping out a canteen of water.

"We've never had this much trouble finding monsters after they attacked." She nodded her thanks when he passed the canteen to her. "Yet with Lucretia and now Regina, we are left with nothing. No tracks of any sort. No bloody trail to follow. No tufts of hair or weapon lying about."

"I know." Maxwell leaned against his sword as they once more scoured the ground where Regina's body had been discovered. "It's something I have never encountered before."

"Neither have we."

Olivia and Maxwell stiffened until they saw Liam and Drake coming down the path.

"Found anything yet?" Olivia asked.

"Nothing." Liam ran his hands over his face. "I've questioned the werewolf colonies these past few weeks and nothing out of the ordinary has been witnessed."

"You sure they're telling you the truth?" Maxwell asked. "I mean, whoever did this basically killed their queen, at least in your father's eyes. They are probably terrified of you and whatever punishment Constantine will put them through."

"I know, which is why I probed their minds." Liam admitted. "Everyone was willing to allow me to do so to prove what they said."

Olivia snorted softly. "That might be the only thing I envy about a vampire."

"What about on your end?" Drake spoke up, ignoring the narrowed glare from Cordonia's queen. "Did Regina have any human enemies?"

"Human?" Olivia gasped. "You think a human could do all that? Are you out of your mind?!"

"Yeah, because a Nevarkis is known for never using torture to kill someone." Drake taunted.

Liam swiftly got between the two, holding his hands up to keep them from coming to blows.

"Enough!" He snapped. "We don't have time for these petty fights."

"The trail ran cold from the moment the killer left her here." Maxwell added, sheathing his sword. "We're wasting time grasping at straws."

"So what are you suggesting?" Olivia eyed Drake once more before putting her dagger away. "We just give up and pretend this is some horrible accident? Like what happened to my aunt? They both just slipped and fell into torture?"

"We don't know if the two are related or not." Maxwell explained. "And if they are, then we must try and think who is next."

"Next?" Drake scanned the shadowed tree line. "You think they are going after powerful people?"

"Possibly." Maxwell's brow furrowed. "If they aren't connected, I don't think the creatures remained in Cordonia. There haven't been anymore similar killings to either Lucretia's or Regina's. This type of attack," he gestured toward the faintly blood stained grass, "isn't a one and done type of action. This is something the creature enjoys and will do again."

Olivia cursed, looking about the once beautiful meadow. All she needed was some wild, on the loose monster tearing through Europe. It wouldn't take long for the rumors of Cordonia's mythical kingdom to be brought up before she had investigators down here.

Liam will be in danger.

Her gaze settled upon the Dark Prince and she felt an unusual need to protect him fill her heart. She'd already lost everyone in her family. She'd lost the kindly witch who tried to protect and help her. She couldn't lose Liam too.

"I'll send some of the King's Guards on a search to some of our surrounding countries' borders to see if any unusual attacks have been done." Olivia decided. "Perhaps the creatures have escaped our kingdoms."

The four parted ways for the night. Each was focused on trying to find a way to unravel this latest mystery in the hopes of keeping those they cared for from having to do so.

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

The Dark Kingdom Castle, a month later...

"You seem quiter than usual."

Drake jerked his head up. "I do?"

Liam rolled his eyes on his way over to join him. He set a cut crystal glass in front of him followed by a bottle of whiskey.

"The Macallan 1926?" Drake whistled. "I must be pretty quiet to warrant this type of treatment."

Liam chuckled as he uncorked the rare alcohol. "I thought we could both do with a treat." His humor quickly dissipated. "What am I going to do?"

Drake quirked an eyebrow as he took a long sip.

"Father's dying. I have no clue what happened to either Lucretia or Regina. And Riley...should I not encourage her to go back to New York until I'm certain of her safety?" Liam cradled his glass, rolling it between his palms. "I'm at a loss of where to begin in any of this."

Drake tipped back the rest of his drink before reaching for the bottle again. "Look, I'm no medical expert, but I believe there is little you can do about your father. As for Regina," he cleared his throat, "You are trying to solve it. Why you are doing the same for a Nevarkis is the real mystery."

"You know why." Liam grumbled. "Olivia is my--"

Drake held his hand up. "Trust me. I know what she is." He shook his head over his friend's love for the enemy. "Anyway, as for Riley, if you think you can rest easier with her tucked away in New York, then do it."

Liam grimaced. He didn't want to be apart from her anymore than he had to. He also thought that she would refuse to leave. Given how determined she was to be with him and help, he doubted he'd be able to convince her to even pack a bag.

Drake noticed Liam struggling silently. With a sigh, he decided to reveal what was behind his new silence so that the Dark Prince could think on something new for a change.

"I've uh, I've been thinking about going to see Savannah."

Liam's head shot up. "You are?"

Both men rubbed at the ache building within their chests.

"Yeah." Drake swallowed the last of his seond glass. "My dad would probably rip me a new one if he knew I wasn't checking on my sister when she's pregnant."

Liam softly smiled. "Your father was big on remaining loyal to loved ones."

"No matter what they do." Drake mumbled. "Anyway, while you remain out of the sunlight, I think I'll go to Ramsford."

"Right now?"

"I want to get it over with." Drake explained. "Honestly, I don't know if I can take much more of the pain of pretending she did die." He rubbed a hand down his face. "After these attacks, I guess I'm worried something will happen to her and I'll end up wishing I had at least tried to see her again."

Liam reached over and gripped Drake's. shoulder.

"You're doing the right thing."

"We'll see if that's true or not." He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll see you later, Liam."

Drake hurried out of the drawing room, hoping his friend's words were true.

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

Ramsford...

"I'm making a mess of this." Savannah grumbled.

Bertrand reached from behind her to pull a few flowers from the vase. With little to no effort, he had the centerpiece looking better than it did in the picture.

"Show off." She teased, turning into his embrace.

A smile he held just for her appeared on his face. "I want everything perfect for your first Beaumont Bash."

"Me too." She tried to fight back a yawn. "Sorry." Her gaze dropped to her now noticeable bump. "I promise I find your ability to arrange flowers fascinating."

He snorted softly. "It is a rare talent."

"I think it's simply you." Her smile gentled. "You've impressed me from the moment we met."

Bertrand swallowed. He wondered if he should now confess that not only had he been going months without the potion, but that he had secretly begun to train as a hunter again. He wished he could tell her he had all his memories back. He wanted to tell her about the nightly battle to fight against Constantine's powers.

He wanted to celebrate that they were getting easier and easier to conquer.

"Savannah, I--"

"Excuse me, your grace." A servant bowed. "But you asked to be alerted the moment Lord Maxwell got up."

Bertrand glanced at his watch, slowly shaking his head. His brother was working too hard. It was already well past two in the afternoon. If he was able to properly help Maxwell again, his brother would be able to greet the day earlier than was now his habit.

"Is this about the entertainment portion of our ball?" Savannah asked.

"It is." Bertrand kissed her forehead then gently caressed her stomach. "I want you to take a nap, Lady Beaumont. You've done enough work today."

She promised she would, parting from him in the hallway.

He watched her until she disappeared then went to check on what was left to complete.

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

"May I help you, sir?"

"Yeah, um, I'm here to see Savannah Wal-I mean, Beaumont." Drake stuttered.

The butler eyed him, slowly taking in his casual clothing and wind blown hair.

"And who may I say is calling upon her grace?"

Drake glared at him. "Her brother."

The butler blanched. "Forgive me sir, I wasn't aware you were planning to visit today. Her grace will wish to see you at once!"

Drake's couldn't hide his surprise at not only being ushered into a formal drawing room, but also being waited on hand and foot by the army of servants rushing about. Before he could ask how they knew about him, he was seated with a glass of whiskey and left completely alone.

He jumped to his feet when the door burst open.

Savannah stared at him. A tearful smile formed the longer she stood there.

Drake's hand automatically went to his heart. It was a painful, beating sensation that also held a sense of warmth.

The connection was and would always still be there between the brother and sister. No magic, no separation, nothing at all could take that from them.

Perhaps that was what made the Walker blood oath so powerful.

"Hey." Drake managed to say.

He blinked back tears when Savannah came to stand directly in front of him.

"Hey." She replied while wiping her tears.

He searched for something to say to break the awkward tension between them.

Motioning toward her stomach, "This is why I told you not to go to the woods alone."

Her eyes widened for a moment. She clasped her hands over her mouth when laughter burst from her lips.

Throwing herself in his arms, she hugged him tight.

"I've missed you so much." She cried. "I had no idea that my choice would hurt us all like it did. I thought I would find a way around the potion." She looked up at him. "Can you ever forgive me for what I did?"

Drake wrapped his arms around her. "Yeah, I...I think I can. I'm trying to, Sav." He hugged her, wincing from the pain that still hit his heart like a hammer. "I want to. I don't want to be without you in my life anymore."

Savannah sobbed into his chest, clutching his shirt in her hands as if afraid he would decide to leave her for good.

Maxwell and Bertrand came running into the room, each thinking she was hurt or possibly under attack.

Both brothers stood in shock. Neither wanted the other to know they knew who the man was. Maxwell hoped seeing Drake wouldn't trigger an episode for Bertrand. The latter wanted to tell his wife and brother to stop worrying. He was--

Bertrand lifted a hand to his head, rubbing against the onslaught of memories of that fateful night.

Everything is fine. I'm fine. Constantine has no power over me anymore.

He took a deep breath, waved off Maxwell's concern, and stepped forward to shake Drake's hand.

His smile was a bit strained as he fought the images beating against his temples in an attempt to take over.

"If I'm to go by the similar features, you must be the elusive brother I've heard so much about."

Drake glanced at Savannah then took the offered hand of the man he daily cursed to the deepest pit of hell for taking his sister from him.

He had to bite his tongue to stop from lashing out at the former monster hunter. He knew that whatever Constantine had done to his mind was worse than anything Drake could inflict.

"Nice to finally meet you." Drake said instead. "Sorry I haven't come by sooner. I um, work has uh kept me out of town."

Bertrand knew something mysterious was going on in the Dark Kingdom. Since no one would discuss it with him, he was frustratingly left in the dark over the events that had occurred and how they tied back to that land of monsters.

Savannah kept her arm around her brother as she faced the Beaumonts.

"Which bedroom should we place him in?"

"Bedroom?" Drake sputtered. "Sav, I can't--"

"You must stay!" She insisted. "I haven't seen you in over a year." With a quick glance at her husband and Maxwell, she quickly issued another invitation. "I want you at our ball."

Maxwell quirked an eyebrow at the Dark Prince's friend. He folded his arms, curious to see how Drake would wiggle out of this invitation.

"Sav, I appreciate it but I need to get back to--"

"I'll have the staff prepare a room in the east wing." Bertrand announced. "I'll send for his luggage--"

"I don't have any." Drake swallowed, unsure what to do.

Between his sister's hopeful expression and Bertrand's delicate mind situation, he couldn't very well say he needed to get back to Liam to help keep him safe.

"That's no problem." Maxwell needled, thoroughly enjoying this chance to see a former enemy squirm. "We can let you borrow some clothes or have some delivered from town."

"I don't want to put you out. I can come back by tomorrow and--"

"Nonsense." Bertrand scoffed. "If having you here brings this much joy to my wife, then I insist you stay."

Savannah left Drake's side to kiss her husband, softly whispering her thanks.

He pressed another kiss to her forehead before leaving.

Once out in the hallway, Bertrand dashed to the nearest bathroom. Within minutes, he vomited the contents of his stomach up. The pounding in his head lessened now that he was away from the sight of Drake.

It seemed the hold of Constantine's power wasn't quite finished in tormenting the young Duke.

Bertrand wondered how he was to conquer this new challenge.

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

"What the hell was that?!"

Maxwell turned around. "Were you talking to me?"

Drake glared at him. "You could have helped me out back there, Beaumont."

"I did." Maxwell grinned, completely unrepentant in this situation. "Weren't you the one who purposely came to see Savannah?"

"Well, yeah, but--"

"And weren't you the one acting happy to see her again?"

"I mean, yes, but--"

"And don't you want to see her happy and content, especially with the stress of a ball and pregnancy?" Maxwell added.

Drake huffed, shoving past the monster hunter.

"You're a real pain in the ass, you know that?"

Maxwell chuckled. "So I've heard. Enjoy your stay."

Drake slammed his bedroom door in response.

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

Domvallier...

"I'm so excited!" Riley exclaimed. "I can't wait to see how another ball looks." She whirled around towards Hana. "You think it will be different or the same as the Queen's?"

"I don't know." Hana helped her finish packing for their trip to Ramsford. "I'm certain though that it will be just as magical."

"It will be." Sherry announced as she walked into Riley's bedroom.

She held up two garment bags.

"I've bought you a surprise." Her smile grew over their excitement. "I couldn't resist when I saw these dresses."

Riley eagerly unzipped hers as Hana gushed over her own.

"These are perfect!" Hana exclaimed. "I was worried about finding us something for the ball."

"Maxwell says it is supposed to be a special night." Sherry told them. "And I wanted to make certain you felt doubly so in your gowns."

"You're the best." Riley hugged her. "I don't know what we would have done without you these past few weeks."

Ever since Liam insisted they leave their beach house for Rashad's duchy, Hana and Riley spent many hours each day with Sherry learning of the new world they were now a part of. The dragon had both literally and figuratively taken the pair under her wing as she explained the mating process and life for a human with a monster.

Between those lessons, the two had fallen even more in love with Liam and Rashad. Every night at sunset, Liam joined them for the evening. The double dates they shared along with those times spent alone were something neither lady ever imagined happening to them. To be so utterly adored was something so foreign, more so than being with a literal monster.

Having each other to discuss this new way of life made the transitions much easier than if they had each faced it alone. They now felt at home in this strange new reality.

They also felt ready to help Sherry lock down her own mate.

"Has Maxwell said anything about the engagement announcement?" Riley asked.

Sherry's smile dimmed. "No."

"But his brother said he would announce it at the ball." Hana reminded her.

"I know." Sherry averted her eyes from the two.

At least they know their mates want to marry them.

It had been hard on her the past few weeks. After the night of passion in the Royal Palace, Maxwell had spent nearly every free moment searching for Lucretia's and now Regina's killer. The little bit she saw of him, he had been in full hunter mode, searching for clues and tense for a possible fight.

She hadn't had a chance to talk to him about more heartfelt subject matters nor of their future.

It was almost as if he was avoiding the subject. Again.

Sherry didn't think she could go through another round of convincing him they were meant to be. But she also knew she couldn't leave him. Ever.

"I need to go finish packing." She muttered when she realized how quiet she and the others were.

Hana and Riley waited until the door shut before sharing a conerned look.

"We have to help them." Hana whispered. "I hate being so happy while Sherry's not."

"We will fix this." Riley told her. Her smile grew with another thought. "After all, they are part of our family now."

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

Ramsford...

"Hey, Beaumont!" Drake jogged over to Maxwell. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Why?"

"I talked to Liam and told him how I'm basically stuck here the next few days." He grumbled. "And since Riley is also going to be stuck here too..."

"Oh no." Maxwell cursed. "He wants to come here?! Here? Now?!"

"Yeah. Even I think it's a bad idea." Drake folded his arms. "Being in a monster hunter's home along with a visiting Nevarkis is the worst nightmare known to man."

Maxwell rubbed his hands over his face. "He knows he's safe from us."

But what about Bertrand? Will this trigger his old memories? Will it hurt him? How do I keep him from seeing Liam?

What would our parents and ancestors think of me allowing multiple monsters into our home to party?

Maxwell slumped against the wall. He knew he'd have been disowned most likely for becoming a monster's mate. They'd probably kick Bertrand out for marrying a Walker too.

A slight grin formed over how his world had been flipped completely upside down since meeting Sherry. He didn't regret one moment spent with her, save for the ones in the beginning when he tried to push her away. All that though was over. He'd accepted his fate and knew if he hadn't found out she was a monster, he'd have fallen in love with her just as easily.

His plans for her arrival into his home was to officially propose. Bertrand was beyond excited to announce before the court their engagement. Maxwell had taken him along to help pick out a ring for her. His plans had been made all while he searched for killers and guarded the border each night.

It had to be special for Sherry. No matter what else happened at the ball, Maxwell wanted it to be a night she could fondly look back upon.

How could he focus on her like she deserved when he was to also have the Dark Prince himself as a guest?

"Liam will stay out of sight for the most part." Drake added. "Savannah said it was fine as long as he stayed away from Bertrand."

Maxwell knew they were taking a huge gamble in allowing this. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew the vampire would do all he could to honor that request. He had begun to think of Liam as just a nice relative of Sherry's instead of one of the Plagues of Cordonia. He even admired how seriously the Dark Prince was taking the investigations.

He knew with Sherry's explanation of how much it hurt to be parted from a mate for long periods that he shouldn't keep Liam from seeing Riley while here. The vampire was weirdly too nice and understanding.

"We'll put him in the room next to yours. I'll make sure Riley is also placed in this wing to help Liam out." Maxwell finally said.

Drake's eyebrows lifted. "Oh. Um. Thanks." His stance relaxed. "I didn't think you'd go along with the whole inviting a vampire into your home."

"Me and you both." Maxwell muttered. "Ever since Sherry, I guess I've started seeing things differently."

Not in the mood to open up fully to the Dark Prince's best friend, Maxwell hurried off claiming he needed to help finish preparations for the ball.

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

Later that evening...

"Welcome to Ramsford, ladies." Bertrand greeted warmly. "Lord Rashad." His smile grew when he saw Sherry. "And my dear Lady Sherry. It has been too long since I've seen you."

Sherry tried to hide how nervous she was by grasping his hands. "Thank you, your grace."

Bertrand shook his head. "None of that title mess between family." He turned to the others. "We have rooms prepared for each of you. I hope you make yourselves at home. We've decided on a light supper tonight since we will be working the kitchen staff overtime tomorrow with the ball."

"That sounds perfect." Riley handed off her luggage to a waiting footman.

"You're home is beautiful, your grace." Hana added.

"Just Bertrand, please." He insisted. "I've never enjoyed my title being used so often with invited guests.

He knew he had slipped up when Savannah came into the entry hall. Her eyes narrowed somewhat in concern.

Damn it all to hell. My potioned mind insists on formality with every single meeting. I've got to find a way to tell her I'm not that man anymore.

Will she be disappointed? Did she care for more the new version or did she miss the old me? What if I'm not who she loves anymore?

The others greeted Savannah and followed her to the dining room.

Sherry stayed behind, watching Bertrand curiously.

He cleared his throat while offering his arm. "Shall we?"

"I was actually hoping to see Maxwell first."

"Yes, of course." He motioned toward the stairs. "Second hall to the right, third door on the left."

He wondered why she didn't move.

Sherry stared up at the stairs, biting down on her bottom lip with fists clinched.

Bertrand decided he probably shouldn't point out that whisps of smoke curled around her.

"Sherry?" He gently laid a hand on her arm.

He fought back a wince from how hot her skin felt.

"Sorry!" She jumped out of reach. "I was, um, lost in thought."

His brow furrowed. "You are still fine with me announcing your engagement tomorrow night?"

"Yes!" She squeaked. "I'm excited." Her shoulders slumped. "Actually, I'm very nervous."

"Don't be. I've never seen my brother act the way he does around you with anyone else."

She wondered if that were true. After all, the man had had his memory altered.

"I suspect he's pacing his room, just waiting on you to arrive." He nudged her toward the stairs. "Please go save our carpet."

A nervous laugh escaped her lips as she began her trek upstairs.

Without any thought whatsoever, she found her way to Maxwell's room. She doubted she'd ever need any map or person to show her the way. She was so in tune with him that it didn't take any effort at all on her dragon senses.

She stood in front of his door and tried to calm her nerves. Shaking out the tiny flames from her fingers, she jumped when a hand clamped on her shoulder.

"Hey." Drake jerked his hand back when she accidentally burned him. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

Sherry's jaw dropped. "What are you doing here?"

"I came to see Savannah." An annoyed frown formed. "And got roped into staying for the ball."

Sherry's eyes widened. "But the blood oath was broken. The pain you feel--"

"Yeah, it still hurts." Drake shrugged. "But it also felt kind of good to be near her again." He looked down. "I think...I think the more I'm around her, the easier it will be."

"I hope so." Sherry started to hug him then noticed the smoke wafting from her arms.

Drake stepped back with his hands raised. "I didn't come with a bag, so I can't afford you burning my clothes. Liam's bringing it later tonight."

"Liam's what?!"

"He's been invited too." Drake muttered. "If this keeps up, the whole damn Dark Kingdom will wind up as guests of the monster hunters." He glared at Maxwell's door. "If you weren't with him and Bertrand hadn't had his mind wiped, I'd swear this was a trap to destroy us all at once."

Sherry rolled her eyes. "It isn't a trap."

"You all keep telling me that. I'll believe it when I see it."

With a wave, he headed downstairs.

Sherry took a deep breath, raised her hand to knock, then decided instead to just walk in.

Maxwell was indeed pacing. His damp hair showed signs of a recent shower. He was nervously rolling up the sleeves to his dress shirt, then pushing them back down, all while muttering to himself.

"I know you said we were destined to be together, but I want to make that a certainty. Will you marry--no. Sherry, look, we both know we are meant to be. I love you and want you to marry--"

He cursed, running a hand through his hair.

"Sherry, I love you and want you to be my wife." Maxwell patted his pockets, cursed again for not having the ring box to practice with, and turned around to try and search for it.

He stopped dead at the sight of Sherry in his doorway.

"Hey!" He said nervously. "I didn't know you had arrived. I would have been downstairs to greet--"

He toppled backwards into a chair when she launched herself into his arms.

The intensity of her kiss combined with the soothing warmth of her skin made him forget all about how nervous he was.

"I've missed you." She whispered, pressing kisses along his jaw. "I couldn't wait to see you tonight."

"I've hated being apart from you." He groaned when she shifted in his lap. "I don't want another month like this past one."

She leaned back to look into his eyes. Her own were a bright silver as she thought of all the ways he had been practicing his proposal.

Hearing him say how much he had missed her went a long way in cooling her heated temper.

"I love you, Sherry." He pressed a tender kiss to her lips. "I want you to marry me."

"That's all I want too." She met his lips in an excited kiss.

"Wait!" He broke away, lifting her off his lap, and searched for the ring. "I know I put it here somewhere..."

She stopped his frantic movements by patting his shirt pocket.

Rolling his eyes over his forgetfulness, he pulled the little black box out.

"I hope you like it." He stammered. His nerves grew as he slipped the diamond solitaire over her finger.

"I love it." She couldn't stop smiling. "Almost as much as I love you."

He grinned while glancing about. "I'd hoped to pick a more romantic setting than my old bedroom to propose." He shrugged sheepishly. "But seeing you made all my plans disappear."

"I don't care about romantic spots or rings or anything." Sherry wrapped her arms around him. "All I want or ever need is you." She smiled into his kiss. "To me, wherever you are is the best place to be."

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

Later that night...

"I can't believe you came here." Riley snuggled closer within Liam's arms.

"You know I can't stay away from you." He kissed her softly.

"What about your father? Is he well enough to be left alone?"

"He says he is, but honestly," Liam sat down in a chair, settling Riley on his lap, "he told me to go be with you regardless." His brow furrowed. "Though he doesn't know I'm in the renowned monster hunters of Cordonia's home. Nor that Olivia is also an expected guest."

Riley's mind whirled with the chances Liam was taking, not only in seeing her but also with his investigations. Her worry grew over the mere thought of losing him.

"Can I go back to the Dark Kingdom with you after the ball?"

Liam's eyebrows lifted. "Of course. You will always be welcomed there." He cuddled her close. "Ever since you became my recognized mate, my home has been yours."

"Good." She rested her head on his shoulder. "I think it is past time I met your father."

"He is anxious to meet you." Liam's joy dimmed. "I know he planned on having you to dinner with him and Regina."

"I would have loved to meet her." Riley pressed a tender kiss to his cheek. "What was she and your mother like? Were they similar?"

"In many ways." Liam explained. "They were both loving and genrous with their time and talents. My mother spent as much time as she could trying to make our kingdom a home for any foreign monster seeking sanctuary. Regina didn't have much to do per say in the ruling of our people, but she nevertheless influenced my father on decisions. She was wise in getting to the very heart of matters." He rested his head against Riley's. "She really became a beloved second mother to me."

"They both sound like ladies I hope I can live up to."

Liam looked down at her with a smile. "My love, I already see similar characteristics in you. You have nothing to fear in that aspect."

She smiled into his next kiss. Her mind was trying so hard to think more on her plans, yet his touch always sent her thoughts far from her mind. She wondered if it would ever get any easier around him.

Her last coherent thought was that she hoped his father would help her convince Liam to finally make her a vampire.

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

In Fydelia, Madeleine's laboratory...

"I know Regina wouldn't approve," Madeleine blinked back tears forming, "but I don't feel up to going to the ball at Ramsford."

"There's nothing wrong with that, my love." Leo sat down across from her. "I know you are still grieving."

He took her hands in his, lifting them to his lips.

Her heart hitched mid-beat with his touch. Leo was nothing short of supportive and considerate while she dealt with the loss of Regina. Madeleine didn't know what she would do without him in her life.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"You shouldn't be worried about me." He got up and moved around the table to embrace her from behind. "Ever since I took that last potion, I have felt better than ever."

She closed her eyes when she felt the brush of his lips against her neck.

He eyed the Lost Book of Aurelia that sat open upon her desk.

"What have you been working on?" He asked.

"Hmm? Oh. I've been hoping this book can help me now that we found a way to help you regain your throne." Madeleine picked up the weighty, ancient tome.

"Help you? In what way?" Leo asked.

"I know this goes against every principle Regina taught me." Her tender expression hardened with her deep fury. "But I hope to find a spell that can help me locate her killer."

Leo momentarily froze. "Have you ever seen a spell like that before."

"No." She set the book down.

The quiet anger radiating off her body sent the hairs on Leo's neck rising.

My dearest lords and ladies of our fair Cordonia, while the sun rises upon our ton, so too does the dawn of several new matches. As many bore witness over the last week, Lord Ezekiel and Lady Penelope are in the throes of wedding preparations, marking theirs the first of the season. 

And while that is sure to be an….interesting event for all, this writer is much more curious about the couples that have yet to make their intentions known. It may be said that time with someone you care for is time well spent, perhaps the Duke of Valtoria and our young Lady Beaumont have taken this notion a bit too far. As the rest of the ton anxious awaits any news of their courtship becoming a more formal arrangement, these two seem to have no such qualms. 

As for our visiting prince, while many have hoped to catch the dashing man’s eye, it seems that none have piqued his interest just yet. In fact, he seems to have made little effort to entertain any of our noble ladies for more than a singular dance. Is Prince Liam playing hard to get, or perhaps...has our young prince’s heart already been claimed?

This writer, for one, cannot wait to see how the rest of the season unfolds...  

*****

The next morning, Lord Neville awoke with the dawn. Normally, he could not be bothered, letting his staff scuffle about while he laid in for as long as possible. One day, his life would revolve around the care of Cormery Isle. But for now, his was one strictly of leisure, reaping all of the benefits of his family name without any of the responsibilities. Not that anyone else in his family had ever asked him to contribute to their estate. His father ruled their area with an iron fist, draining their tenants of their coin as well as crop. It was a small price to pay to keep the Earl happy, Neville thought. Normally he could rest easy, knowing that his sole responsibility was enjoying the fruits of others’ labor. 

But today was different. 

Today was the day that his hard work finally came to fruition. 

Not that blackmailing Bertrand Beaumont had been a particularly difficult task. It had been little more than dumb luck when Neville stumbled upon his secret affair with the seamstress, filing away the information in case he ever needed to call on it later. 

So when the Duke of Ramsford showed up for the social season with his young, beautiful cousin on his arm….Neville knew it was time to make his intentions known. 

To be fair, during the previous social season, he had attempted to find a bride through the proper channels. Neville called upon all of his charms to impress the young ladies, but nothing seemed to have an effect. Not a single one was interested in his company for more than a measly afternoon. Neville was the future Earl, yet they looked at him as if he were little more than a commoner. Neville sneered recalling the humiliation. He left the season furious at the injustice, consoling himself by realizing that none of the women were up to his standard anyway. The future Earl of Cormery Isle deserved the best: the diamond of the season. 

He swore whoever wore the title the following year would become his wife. 

No matter what it took. 

Perhaps that was why when the queen declared the Beaumont girl the diamond, he decided that God had smiled upon him. She seemed simple enough, raised far away from the capital that she had little knowledge of the gossip that weaved through the ton. Compared to the other bachelors, obviously, he would be the best match. He could teach her the ways of the world, modeling her into the perfect, obedient little wife that he desired. Neville was finally going to get what he was owed. 

At least, that was what he thought until the damned Duke showed up, ensnaring Lady Alaina in his web of deceit. Neville could not blame her for her initial interest. Majority of the women’s attention had been snared away once they learned his title.  Lady Alaina did not know of his past, did not know what filth truly sired the Duke. While the king might have granted the family a title, Neville knew better. No matter what honor he was bestowed, Drake Walker was still worth little more than the dirt that lined his boots. 

If it had been anyone else that had claimed the girl’s attention, perhaps Neville could have walked away. He did have more options this season than the last.  Lady Hana seemed willing enough, she would make a fine wife. Her family had clearly trained her well. He filled a space on her dance card at almost every event, wondering if she could be enough. 

But Hana was not the Queen’s choice. 

Neville refused to lose the diamond to that vile commoner. He snickered to himself, recalling the look on Bertrand's face when he mentioned his relationship with the lowly seamstress. As his face paled,  the elder Beaumont tried to persuade him to ask for anything else, but Neville would not be swayed. Lady Alaina would belong to him.

Back in the present moment, Neville let his valet help him dress before stepping outside, finding the carriage ready to bring him to the palace. The haste in which the Beaumonts accepted his terms surprised even him, setting up a meeting with the queen to bless the union mere days after his proposal. His driver opened the carriage door, passing him the society papers while Neville settled into his seat. He glared at the printed words, unable to comprehend why there was no mention of his victory. 

He, Lord Neville, had captured the prize of the season. Never again would anyone dare to question his position among the gentry. 

The ride to the palace was mercifully brief, as Neville could feel the jubilance of his victory fading away as he read each word. His anger bloomed in his chest. Crumpling the papers in his fist, Neville scowled while cursing the unknown author. Who did they think they were? Every week he had to read about that goddamn Duke and how Neville’s fiancee was beside herself for his charms. It disgusted him. They made enough of a spectacle at different events, staring into each other’s eyes as if they truly held affection for one another. It made Neville’s skin crawl. 

He shook his head, reminding himself that all of that nonsense would be ending swiftly today.

After he arrived, Neville let the palace guards escort him into the throne room, expecting to see the queen holding court in the center of the room. However, instead, he found her insolent nephew standing in front of it, leaning against the side of the chair. Neville’s brow furrowed as he continued to search the rest of the room. He found the Beaumonts standing on the other side, watching him with careful smiles. Only Lady Alaina looked up and met his eye with defiant twinkle. That will need to be squashed the moment they were married, Neville thought to himself. His wife had no need for opinions of her own. But as he glanced to her side, Neville’s upper lip began to curl, meeting a glare from the Duke of Valtoria. What in God’s name was he doing here? If he came to make a case fro the lady’s hand, Neville was all too pleased to say he was too late. All he needed was the marriage contract, and the girl belonged to him. The duke could crawl back to the gutter from whence he came.

“Lord Neville, please,” Prince Liam motioned to the space in front of him. “Come join us.”

Neville could barely contain the growl at his words. This foreign prince was not his monarch, how dare he demand anything of him? But regardless of his fury, Neville continued to step forward, curious about what Prince Liam had to say. 

As he moved to the front of the dais, Liam’s smile grew, but his eyes never shifted. An ill ease feeling sunk into Neville’s chest. He could tell from the look alone that his good mood was due to sour quickly. 

“Lord Neville, I apologize for the deception, but we feared you might not make an appearance if you knew the true reason for my invitation today.”

“I see…” Neville said, every word dripping with thinly veiled disdain. “And where is my Queen?”

“My aunt will not be joining us,” Liam said, dropping a step closer to him. “I felt this meeting was best between us. However, depending on your next actions, I may feel it necessary to bring her into the conversation.”

“And which conversation would that be?”

“The one regarding the finances of Cormery Isle. Recently, I have become aware that your family has been misappropriating crown funds for personal use.  Do you have any comment?”

Neville’s face paled. Trying not to break Liam’s gaze, his mind raced, trying to decipher who could have shared his family’s secrets. It was true that they had been using the crown funds for their personal use, building up their own wealth instead of distributing it to their tenants as it had been decried. His father had assured him that it was normal practice, telling Neville not to concern himself with the logistics. But now, Neville was quickly learning what little he understood of his father’s practices. Trying to keep his face void of fear, Neville tilted his head to look Liam in the eye. “I’m afraid I do not know of which you speak, your majesty.”

“Really?” Liam asked, his eyes twinkling as if that was what he had hoped Neville would say. “So then it must also be untrue that your family has been over-taxing the landowners that reside in your territory, all while failing to report the true earnings to the crown? Is that correct?”

Neville started to respond, but Liam held his hand up, “I shall save you the effort of lying to my face, Lord Neville. I have heard from several in your company about the validity of these claims, as well as reports as to where exactly these missing funds are being spent” Liam gave Neville a pointed look. His throat locked in on itself, hoping that the entire conversation was a bluff. No one knew about the bastard children that Neville’s family had hidden away, their mothers given a tidy sum to ensure that they never darkened the halls of Cormery Isle again. Neville’s head swiveled to the other side of the room, locking eyes with Lady Alaina. She tilted her head, a sly smile forming on the corners of her lips. Fuck, Neville screamed inside his mind. 

He turned back to the Prince, reaching up to loosen the cravat around his neck. “Your Majesty…I do not know where….”

Liam let out a little laugh, taking the last step off the dais to stand directly in front of him. With the limited distance, Neville had to crane his neck up to meet the prince’s eye. “Let me speak plainly, Lord Neville. I do have proof of these crimes. And if you do not do as I command, I will be forced to make all of this public knowledge.”

“What…what is that you require?” Neville croaked. 

“I want you to leave,” Liam whispered, his voice low but filled with fury. “I want you to return home to Cormery Isle and never speak of this situation again. The Beaumont name shall never leave your lips for the rest of your days. And if it does, I will be sure to tell the queen everything. You are aware of how she feels about people who attempt to deceive the crown. You will be stripped of your lands, your title, everything that you hold dear.”

Neville’s disbelief gave rise to anger, his fists clenching at his side as his face contorted into an angry sneer. He turned over his shoulder, glaring at the smug smile written on Lady Alaina’s face. This was her fault. This simple-minded farm girl wanted to take everything from him?  He would show her who was the powerful one in the room, and under no circumstance was it her. Stomping forward, he pointed his finger at her face.  “You would curse me based on the word of some whore–”

Before he could finish his thought, his words were cut off, silenced by a sharp brunt of pain to his cheek. His head suddenly snapped to its side as knuckles collided with his cheek. Neville stumbled for a moment, clutching where he had been struck as he collapsed to the floor. Before his eyes fell closed, Neville stared at the palace ceiling, trying to decide where his plan had failed so spectacularly. 

He thought God had smiled upon him, offering up the diamond as his prize. 

But instead, she had become his ruin. 

*****

The four men stared at the Lord as he collapsed to the floor, all trying to comprehend what just transpired. Maxwell’s gaze immediately went to Drake, assuming that he had been the one to knock out the cad. However, he still remained in the same place, his eyes widening at the sight in front of him. Instead, when Maxwell turned, it was Alaina who stood in front of Neville’s crumbled form, biting her lip while shaking out her hand.

She turned over her shoulder, a dark color filling her cheeks as she looked at the group with a sheepish smile. Turning her attention to Liam, she said, “My apologies, Your Majesty. But I have been desperate to do that for several weeks now.”

“Lady Alaina!” Bertrand barked in shock, running both of his hands through his hair. “You can’t– you did— what did you do?”

Liam laughed as he clapped him on the shoulder, “It is all right, old friend. Your cousin merely did what we all were thinking. I commend her for not letting him disrespect her for a single moment longer.” 

“I must say, I am truly impressed, cousin,” Maxwell as he moved to Neville’s side, picking up and dropping the dead weight of his hand. “Who knew you could land a punch like that?”

“If you would like another demonstration, I could always hit you too,” she smirked, before stretching out her fingers with a noticeable wince. 

While the rest of the group chattered happily over the turn of events, Drake’s eyes never strayed from Alaina. He watched her face contort in pain, he stepped toward her, taking her hand in his. He stretched out each of her fingers, studying her reactions for any sign of discomfort. When he was finished, he deposited her hand back at her side, “Perhaps Maxwell has over-sold your abilities, Lady Alaina. You could have broken several of your fingers if you had applied any more force. You should learn the proper form if you plan on punching more members of the ton in the future.”

She smirked up at him, “Is that an offer to teach me, Your Grace?”

He matched her expression, promise and intrigue reflecting back at her. Alaina tried to steady her breath, hoping that the frantic pace of her heart was due to the adrenaline of the day. Maxwell stepped to her side, “I should escort you to the carriage, cousin. You are due to meet with Lady Hana shortly.”

She glanced back up at Drake, wishing more than anything that she did not have to leave just yet. As she started to object to his suggestion, Liam’s voice rang out beside her, “Actually Duke Ramsford and Lord Maxwell, if you would indulge me for a moment more of your time?" He motioned to the door, “And then once our business has concluded, I believe we have all earned a celebration drink.” Once the others started towards the door, Liam smiled back at the pair, “If you could escort Lady Alaina to her carriage, Duke Walker, it would be much appreciated.”

Drake nodded, his eyes still locked on Alaina’s. His fingers burned from where they held hers only moments earlier, unsure if he would ever be able to strike the feeling from his memory. While the palace guards attempted to drag Lord Neville from the room, Drake extended his arm to Alaina, guiding her towards the hall.

As soon as they were alone, the air between them became thick with tension. Their last conversation tainted the air that they shared, words spewed in anger and resentment making them both ill at ease. Drake was the first to speak, desperate to dissolve this feeling, “I believe congratulations are in order, my lady.”

“Thanks to you, your grace.”

“There is no reason to thank me,” Drake added quickly. “This was all your brilliant battle plan, I little more than your general standing by your side.”

“And yet you were the one who got Lord Neville’s valet to reveal his darkest secrets,” Alaina chuckled. “You never said how you managed to help him reveal such truths.”

“I can be quite persuasive,” he teased. “And I also have access to some very expensive, not to mention, very potent, whiskey. Alas, I have learned from past experience that most men are willing to spill their truths after a few glasses.”

“Devious.”

Drake stopped in his tracks, searching her expression for a moment, “Are you displeased with my actions?”

“Nothing of the sort,” Alaina laughed. “Rather impressed, in fact.”

They walked the rest of the way to the palace entrance in silence, enjoying the comfort of each other’s company. As the doors opened to the outside, Alaina inhaled the crisp, warm breeze, feeling a sense of freedom that had evaded her for the past few weeks. While trying to end her forced engagement, Alaina had almost lost faith, sure her future was tied to the despicable man inside. But instead, when her hope failed her, Drake was there, ensuring that she never gave up. Turning subtly, she stared up at him, wondering again why he had little interest in marriage. He would be an ideal husband. Drake was kind and supportive. Just one smile from him made Alaina melt from her fingertips to her toes. Any woman would be lucky to call him hers. 

But as she tried to imagine him wed to anyone else, a wicked jealousy consumed her heart. The feeling was unexpected and overwhelming, making her unsure if she wanted to laugh or fall to her feet in tears. Perhaps it was for the best that the Duke had no aspirations of taking a wife, for selfishly, it would have broken her heart in two to watch him with another.

Stop it, she hissed at herself. How dare she wish the Duke a life of loneliness for her own satisfaction. He had risked everything to assist her, yet her thoughts were only of her own selfish needs. As her face fell in guilt, Drake glanced down upon her. He turned to face her fully, nervously studying her expression. “Are you well?”

Alaina chuckled to herself, “I have no idea anymore.” Clearly, she was in danger of losing her mind. She had been told, in no uncertain terms, that the Duke was not interested in truly courting her, yet the idea of either of them marrying anyone else made her stomach sour. 

Drake stood silently beside her, wanting nothing more than to reach out and touch her, offering some semblance of comfort. He did not know what troubled her, but he hated the sight, her smile too beautiful to be hidden away. As they stood together, Alaina offered no other words, no explanation for her strange declaration. He was left wondering if she was debating her next step;  if she already had in mind who she wanted to court now that Neville was not holding their forced engagement over her head. But as he thought of any other man claiming her, Drake’s heart started to pound in his chest, a wave of abrupt anger forcing his hands to form tight fists. 

It was ridiculous for him to feel this way. Despite what may have passed between them in the library, Alaina had made it clear that she saw him as an ally, nothing more. Now that she no longer needed their ruse, perhaps she would completely abandon him, leaving him to fend for himself among the peerage. As he thought of that fate, he found that it held much less hold over him than it did in the past. The idea of not spending his time with Alaina was much more dreadful a fate, the mere idea leaving a large void in his aching chest. 

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to ask a question even as he dreaded the answer, “And what will you do now, Lady Alaina? Now that you are free of Lord Neville, you are free to marry someone of your choosing.”

Drake swore he saw a bright blush fill her cheeks before Alaina stared up at him, clearly holding back whatever words were on the tip of her tongue. She shook her head, “I…I am unsure.”

It was the first time he had heard her truly stumble over an answer. Deciding not to press her more, Drake remained at her side, waiting as the carriage started to approach. They both watched it in equal dread, not wanting their time together to end so quickly. As Alaina sighed heavily, Drake let his fingers drift, subtly brushing the back of her hand. It was the most innocent of gestures, but it burned through them all the same. A small, yet forbidden touch, the promise of so much left unsaid. Alaina’s breath caught in her chest, her mind daring the Duke to reach out a little more. 

She did not dare look up at him, unsure what would tumble out of her mouth if she stared into those dark brown eyes. For in truth, she knew the words written on her own heart, Drake’s name etched on every wall. But to say them aloud was a bravery she did not yet possess, not when she was so unsure that he would respond favorably. 

All too briefly, the carriage pulled in front of them. Alaina stepped away from Drake without another word, waiting until she was behind the closed door to look upon him again. 

Staring into his torn expression, for a moment, she believed her felt as torn as she. Had his heart softened towards her? Perhaps if it was so, his stance on marriage had as well. When the carriage pulled away, Alaina sunk into her seat, trying to hold back the emotions battering her mind. 

But it was useless. The Duke was ingrained in her as her very own soul. She did not know when he started to possess her so fully, but she did not hate the feeling. Could this be the makings of love? Did she dare speak the word aloud, and let the Duke decide her fate?

Alaina groaned as she dropped her head into her hands. If only she knew the right words to say, perhaps she could make him see that a life would her would not be a punishment, but rather a blessing. That they could forge a path forward together; create a future they both could love. 

She had no idea if her desires could truly come to pass, but one thing was for certain.

She needed to tell the Duke how she felt. 

*****

Later that evening, the halls of the Walker townhouse were silent, all of the staff tucked away in the warmth of their beds. While the other residents slumbered away, Drake had no such luck, trapped in a perpetual state of restlessness. 

Since leaving the palace earlier, Drake kept replaying the words he said, kept thinking about how he almost lost all his wits around Alaina. Too many times his truths had slipped out, all too easy to lose his mind around her. Being around her was an unfamiliar comfort, allowing him to expression himself without fear of reprecussions. 

What had been an arrangement had turned into so much more before he even realized it. Her smile haunted him. The deeps of her icy blue eyes called out to him even in the late hour. He craved her presence every time they were apart.

He wrestled with the heavy bed sheets before sitting up. His bare chest glistened with sweat, evidence of the hours of tossing and turning. Unable to get comfortable, he walked across the room, stopping at the bar cart that held several bottles of amber liquid. Pouring himself a finger of whiskey, he relished the feel of the burn down his throat, anything other than the painful ache in his chest. 

As he poured himself another, Drake’s mind again turned to Alaina, to the moments that they had shared this season. He did not delude himself to believe that she might desire him as he did her, but there were moments he could have sworn he saw longing in her gaze. 

He shook his head, abruptly cutting all those thoughts. It did not matter. Drake swore that he would never take a wife; made a vow that he would not continue his family line. He adamantly refused to continue a line that had cost him so much already. He bore witness to how the title and the wealth corrupted his father, leaving him a shell of the man Drake once admired.

His father had given his life to ensure his family’s legacy. 

Drake would give up his own to end it. 

Haunted by his past memories, one glass of whiskey quickly turned to two, then three, and before Drake knew it, the bottle lay almost empty at his feet. While his mind whirled from the alcohol in his veins, his anger grew over the situation he had put upon himself. 

When he made his vow to end the Walker line, it was simple enough. As a self-proclaimed rake, Drake rarely saw the same woman twice, definitely never enough to form any sort of romantic connection. What need did he have of a wife? He had no desire to have children, not after everything he had been through in his life. It was noble, he told himself. He wanted to spare any children his fate. But in truth, his vow was little more than spite. His father had taken away his choice, placing his title over his family time and time again. Hopefully, he would roll over in his grave when he realized Drake let their legacy die with him. 

Drake smirked at the thought, but it quickly died as the picture started to shift. What used to be faceless children now took form, their unkempt brown curls accented with wide eyes the color of the sea. He could see a wife sharing his home, sharing his heart for the rest of his days. He looked around the room, imaging what it would be like to have Alaina sleeping in the bed beside him, to have her face be the first thing he saw every morning when he woke.

Where the idea used to give him dread, it now gave him hope. 

As the first rays of the morning sun crept in his window, they shed a light on his reality, the cold solitude in which he found himself yet again. Drunk and alone in his room, Drake did not deserve the warmth that Alaina brought into his world. This was where he belonged and he refused to let her drown alongside him. She might be content with him now, but given a few years at his side, the parts of her that he loved so much would wither away to dust.

“Because I will go to the ends of the earth to make sure it does not. You are a rare light in this world, Alaina. The last thing I would ever want is to see it snuffed out.”

His own past words haunted him, destroying the idyllic picture that tried to take root in his mind. Placing the glass back on the cart, Drake made himself another vow, determined to break himself out of this situation. 

When he woke in a few hours, he would speak to Lady Alaina and call off the whole charade. And then he would return to Valtoria, leaving her to find the husband she truly deserved. 

*****

As the Beaumonts sat in the receiving room the next morning, Alaina’s eyes snapped between the door and the window, hoping that she would have a caller. She had been up most of the night, imagining how she could convince the Duke to let go of his ridiculous grudge against marriage. While she was no closer to finding the words she needed, she was feeling more confident in her choice. 

There was something growing between them, of that she was certain. She might not have had much experience in matters of the heart, but Alaina knew what she saw in his expression. The Duke might not be as aware as she, but he cared for her as well. Now, she just had to convince him to forget the ruse and to court her for real.

She let out a bitter laugh to herself. Of course, it will be that simple, she chuckled sardonically. All you must do is convince the most stubborn man you’ve ever met to change his mind entirely.

Groaning, she leaned back against the back of the settee, debating if she should call off the entire plan. It felt desperate, it felt pathetic. But after the previous day, Alaina could no longer deny that she was falling for Drake. She needed him like the air she breathed, and she was willing to embarrass herself fully if it meant learning that he might feel the same. 

As she gathered her nerve once again, a knock came from the door, causing Alaina to burst upright. She waited as Maxwell crossed the room, arching a brow as he pulled it open. 

Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited to meet the stare she’d grown to love so much, but instead, she found herself meeting Prince Liam’s gaze. She tried to school her expression, but her disappointment must have been evident because Liam chuckled while he stepped forward. “Clearly I am not the one you were hoping to see.”

“My apologies, Your Majesty, “ Alaina bowed. “This is simply an unexpected pleasure. You are always welcome in our home.”

“I am delighted to hear that,” Liam said, taking a seat when Alaina offered it to him. “Although you might not feel the same when I tell you the particulars of this visit.”

“Oh?”

Liam nodded, “I have just spoken to Duke Walker. He has informed me that he plans on leaving the city before the end of the season. In fact…he returning home to Valtoria in two days’ time.”

Alaina felt her stomach drop. He was leaving? Not only did he not share in her affections, but now he was planning on making his exit without so much as a goodbye?

Liam leaned forward, able to read her distraught expression. “He plans on telling you this himself, so please act surprised when he does.”

She turned to face the prince, trying to understand why he decided to deliver the news himself. ”My apologies, Your Majesty, but I do not understand the purpose of your visit today.”

“I do not know if you have realized this yet…” Liam smiled towards her. “But Drake Walker is one of the most stubborn men to walk this earth.”

Alaina let out a half-hearted chuckle, “I have noticed that myself.”

 “The man might be one of my oldest and dearest friends, I must say that he can be a complete fool. He holds no qualms about fighting for those he cares about, but does not dream to fight for what he truly desires.” He paused, waiting for Alaina to question his words. But when she did not, continuing to watch him with a careful look, Liam continued, “I have not been entirely truthful with the court about why I have decided to visit. I fear that my task might be a fool's errand, but I must see it through.”

“And you believe I can help you with this task?”

“Yes, Lady Alaina, I do,” Liam answered, smiling softly back at her. “In fact, I believe we might be able to help each other.”

What managed to come out of her mouth was, “Liam. You’re here.”

“I’m here.” He agreed, “And I have something for you.” He dropped a sheaf of papers into her hands.

She glanced down at them then back up at him, “This isn’t what I want Liam!”

“Really? Because your actions say otherwise.”

She dropped the papers then fell to the floor next to them, tears streaming down her face, “I don’t want a divorce! I love you! I swear I do! It was a mistake, I’m sorry!”

Liam turned back toward her in astonishment, “Divorce? You think I want to divorce you?”

She lifted her head in confusion, “Don’t you?”

“No.” He said with an incredulous laugh.

“But the papers-“

He knelt next to her, “Pick them up, love, look at them.”

She did, sniffling and wiping at her eyes as she did so, “I don’t understand….what is this?”

“This is an amendment to our marriage contract. It’s called a Cordonian Arrangement. You’re not familiar with it?”

She shook her head, “No. What is it?”

“It basically opens our marriage, officially.”

She shook her head in confusion, “Opens our….what do you mean, Liam?”

He sighed, rubbing his temples, “It means that I’m agreeing, officially and in writing, that you can continue to sleep with Drake, or whoever the hell else you want to.”

“Whoever else…no, there’s no one-

“No one except Drake, you mean? And please stop lying to me.” He stood and walked away from her.

“Why would you do this?” She asked in shock.

He spun on her with pain and longing etched on every feature, “Because I love you! I want you to be happy and you’re not. As much as it pains me to admit it, Drake makes you happy in ways that I don’t.”

“That’s not true-“

“Isn’t it?”

“I…”

Liam poured himself a drink and stood for moment staring down into it before telling her, “I know that Drake wouldn’t betray me casually or lightly. There’s no way this was just about sex for him. Once I calmed down, I went back and talked to him again. Without the punching this time.”

“And?”

“And I was right.” He threw the drink back in one swallow.

“About?”

“He’s in love with you, and he’s been torturing himself about it for months. And I have to believe you’re in love with him too.” He turned back to face her, his glass clattering to the bedside table,  “Because I can’t believe…I don’t believe you would betray me casually or lightly either. Am I right? Do you love him?”

She dipped her head as the tears started sliding down her cheeks again, “Yes, but I still love you-“

“I know.” He sounded sad but not angry anymore. “I realized something.”

“What?” She asked, looking up at him for her spot on the floor.

“I know that you and Drake got close during the engagement tour. I just hadn’t realized how close.” He held his hand up, “That wasn’t a criticism. The thing I realized was that the two of you were in love with each other by the time I proposed, yet you said yes. You agreed to marry me. Clearly you had a choice…and you chose me. I choose to believe that means something. I choose to believe that whatever is between you and Drake, what’s between you and I was stronger. And it’s worth saving.”

Her heart grabbed hold of what he was saying, “It is! It’s worth saving! I love you, Liam, I do! You have no idea how much!”

“You know, I always believed I’d have to marry for duty, that I would sacrifice my own happiness for Cordonia’s wellbeing. Then you came along and changed all that. I love you, and I believe you love me and I’m not giving that up. Not if there’s any chance we can fix this.”

She was afraid to hope, afraid to ask the next question, but she had to, it was the only way forward, “Can we? Even if I’m in love with both of you?”

He smiled sadly into his glass then he looked at her and asked, “Did you love both of your parents?”

Her brows knitted together, “Of course!”

“When we have children, will you love them all?” He reached over and sat his empty glass on an end table.

“What kind of question is that? Of course I will! I-“ The question confused her, but hope surged through her. He was talking about having children as if that were a foregone conclusion, as if he still saw a future for them.

He folded his hands in his lap and regarded her, “Max and Hana, your two best friends, you love them both?”

“You know I do!”

“So, you understand that you can love more than one person at a time?”

“I…” She nodded slowly, “Of course I do.” Because she was, in fact, in love with two men at the same time.

He moved to her side and dropped to the floor next to her, “Riley, as much as it hurt me, I understand why it happened. What you did wrong was hiding it, lying to me. You should have come to me immediately when I got home, told me about it, so we could have found a way through it together! Or don’t you want that anymore?”

“Of course, I want that!” She wanted to touch him, but she was afraid to. She still couldn’t believe he wasn’t leaving her, she was afraid if she reached out for him, the spell would break and he’d change his mind.

“Remember when I wasn’t honest with you? When I made decisions about our lives without consulting you?” He put an arm around her and pulled her closer.

She leaned her head onto his shoulder, “You mean what happened at the coronation ball…”

“And after. Yes.”

“Of course, I remember that. It was the worst thing that ever happened.”

“Right. And I made it all worse by keeping things from you.”

“Yes.”

“This is the same! What you did, sleeping with Drake, it hurts, but…. Lying about it, keeping secrets from me, that hurts worse! You should have come to me after and just told me.”

“I didn’t want to hurt you…”

“But you did hurt me! It was going to hurt me whenever I found out. Trust me, this way was worse. I would have rather known, rather have heard it from you.” He sighed as he leaned his head against hers.

“I’m sorry, Liam, I’m so fucking sorry!” She twisted her body, so she was more in front of rather than beside him. Her hands slid up him to rest against his chest as she squeezed her eyes shut.

His finger titled her chin up, “What made you feel like you couldn’t come to me with this?”

“I was afraid that if you knew, I’d lose you!” She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill again.

“So, you let your fear control you? What did you tell me when you finally forgave me after the coronation fiasco?”

She sniffed, “Not to let fear control you.”

He nodded and dropped his finger away from her face, “I can deal with Drake being in your life, but what I can’t deal with is the dishonesty, the lies, the deception. I have to know I can trust you to tell me the truth, even if it hurts, especially when it hurts! Can you do that?”

She nodded, fresh tears running down her face.

“Riley, this hurts, but I love you and I’m willing to work through this, if you are.” He placed his hands over hers.

She nodded again as she wiped away her tears, “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Liam drew in a deep breath and nodded, “Good. Because Drake has offered to leave the country, at least for a while, and I think he should.”

“But, I thought you said-“

“I know what I said, and I know what I offered. This isn’t permanent, but we need a little time and space to heal, to make things right. That’s my one condition and, all things considered, I don’t think it’s too much to ask.”

“Can I see him first? Tell him goodbye?”

Liam shook his head, “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I understand that first night was a mistake, an impulsive act propelled by circumstance, but every night after that was a choice. You’ve been choosing him for weeks. I need you to choose me right now. If we’re going to get through this, I have to know that you’re as committed to repairing our relationship as I am. Starting right now.”

Riley looked at him with wide eyes in silence and his heart dropped. Maybe he’d been wrong. He had hoped she’d meant it when she said she loved him and wanted to work things out, but if she couldn’t give him this one thing then he wasn’t sure about any of it.

Just as he was about to give up hope, she nodded slowly and whispered, “Ok.”

“Ok?” Relief surged through him.

She nodded again, more vigorously, “Yes, ok. Let’s fix this!”

Liam rolled his eyes on his way over to join him. He set a cut crystal glass in front of him followed by a bottle of whiskey.

"The Macallan 1926?" Drake whistled. "I must be pretty quiet to warrant this type of treatment."

Liam chuckled as he uncorked the rare alcohol. "I thought we could both do with a treat." His humor quickly dissipated. "What am I going to do?"

Drake quirked an eyebrow as he took a long sip.

"Father's dying. I have no clue what happened to either Lucretia or Regina. And Riley...should I not encourage her to go back to New York until I'm certain of her safety?" Liam cradled his glass, rolling it between his palms. "I'm at a loss of where to begin in any of this."

Drake tipped back the rest of his drink before reaching for the bottle again. "Look, I'm no medical expert, but I believe there is little you can do about your father. As for Regina," he cleared his throat, "You are trying to solve it. Why you are doing the same for a Nevarkis is the real mystery."

"You know why." Liam grumbled. "Olivia is my--"

Drake held his hand up. "Trust me. I know what she is." He shook his head over his friend's love for the enemy. "Anyway, as for Riley, if you think you can rest easier with her tucked away in New York, then do it."

Liam grimaced. He didn't want to be apart from her anymore than he had to. He also thought that she would refuse to leave. Given how determined she was to be with him and help, he doubted he'd be able to convince her to even pack a bag.

Drake noticed Liam struggling silently. With a sigh, he decided to reveal what was behind his new silence so that the Dark Prince could think on something new for a change.

"I've uh, I've been thinking about going to see Savannah."

Liam's head shot up. "You are?"

Both men rubbed at the ache building within their chests.

"Yeah." Drake swallowed the last of his seond glass. "My dad would probably rip me a new one if he knew I wasn't checking on my sister when she's pregnant."

Liam softly smiled. "Your father was big on remaining loyal to loved ones."

"No matter what they do." Drake mumbled. "Anyway, while you remain out of the sunlight, I think I'll go to Ramsford."

"Right now?"

"I want to get it over with." Drake explained. "Honestly, I don't know if I can take much more of the pain of pretending she did die." He rubbed a hand down his face. "After these attacks, I guess I'm worried something will happen to her and I'll end up wishing I had at least tried to see her again."

Liam reached over and gripped Drake's. shoulder.

"You're doing the right thing."

"We'll see if that's true or not." He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll see you later, Liam."

Drake hurried out of the drawing room, hoping his friend's words were true.

Bradshaw’s mouth curved up in a self-satisfied smile. Fuck these guys, they were amateurs when it came to this shit. Fuck both of them and the other one too, wherever they’d left him. He hated every one of them. Every one of them had stood in his way, mocked him, dismissed him, cockblocked him at every opportunity. They were the reasons he’d never been able to get close to Riley, to woo her properly, to convince her to give him a chance. But now he had all the power. And he was going to use it, even if it cost him Riley. Cost all of them Riley, actually. Maybe if she’d ever given him the time of day he’d feel differently.

For once he was going to get what he wanted. If he couldn’t have her body, or her respect, at least he could have the alliance that Auvernal so desperately needed. The king would sign the agreement, or the queen would die, and it was really that simple. If he thought bringing Riley’s attack dog along was going to help him, he was dead wrong.

Liam’s weakness was  fact that he actually loved her. Gone was his cool demeanor, gone was his poker face, gone was his cocky attitude, his dismissal of Bradshaw’s casual threats. He was shaken, Bradshaw could see it. The fear in his eyes, the desperation. The great and mighty king of Cordonia had been brought low, brought to his knees, by him. Now he would have to offer up some respect, now he couldn’t so easily dismiss him. Now it was Bradshaw’s turn to make the rules.

“It’s really simple, Liam.” Bradshaw intoned gleefully, “Make the alliance and your precious queen lives. Sign the marriage contract between our children, or you won’t have a child to bargain with.”

An angry wail broke from Liam’s throat, fists clenched at his side, tears standing in his eyes. He couldn’t, he shouldn’t sign away his child’s future. His child that hadn’t even been born yet. How could he? Riley would never forgive him. But he’d rather have her alive and hating him than dead. What difference would any of it make if they died?

Bradshaw read every emotion that flittered across Liam’s face. Satisfaction pulsed through him as he watched the king’s resolve falter and shatter. Victory tasted good. Liam was going to sign the agreement. And Drake? What the fuck was he going to do about it?

Drake had stood quietly to the side, seething, letting Liam handle it as he had promised he would when they left Max and Hana with Riley to meet with Bradshaw and Isabella. His eyes flicked to Olivia who had assured them she had already exhausted every other possibility. If the scarlet duchess had given up, the situation was dire indeed. Nothing and no one defeated Olivia Nevrakis. And you know, what? He decided, Olivia’s undefeated streak wasn’t going to end tonight.

The smug smirk on Bradshaw’s face was the final fucking straw.

Drake’s hand clamped down on Bradshaw’s shoulder, “A word.”

“Unhand me! You can’t just-“

Drake nodded at Olivia as he pulled Bradshaw down the hall. Olivia Nevrakis and Drake Walker might not always see eye to eye or be on the same side of any given argument, but one thing they had always had in common was their devotion and loyalty to Liam, and now Riley. And they thought alike in situations like these. She knew exactly what Drake was up to and what he needed from her.

“Take your hands off my husband!” Isabella tried to follow behind them, but found Olivia blocking her way. She glanced around in confusion, “Liam-“

Olivia grabbed her by her hair and jerked, hard, “Don’t fucking talk to him! You’re going to sit your tired ass down right here in this hallway and you and I are going to have a little chat.”

“This…this is outrageous!”

“No. What’s outrageous is your willingness to let a woman die if you don’t get your way. What’s outrageous is you showing up for this little meeting without a single guard. How fucking stupid can you be?” This bitch. She thought she held all the cards. She was so damn cocky; she’d set up a meeting to hold the queens life over the kings head and hadn’t brought backup. Olivia shook her head at the audacity, “Pride cometh before the fall and all that, my dear. Now sit your fucking ass down!”

Olivia twisted Isabella’s arm behind her back and swept her feet out from under her, plunking her unceremoniously to the floor.

“I’ll call for my guards!”

“Too late for that, you fucking turkey sandwich! I guarantee you that Captain Walker had this hallway secured by Cordonian forces half a second after you entered it.

“Liam! Are you really willing to start a war?”

Liam glared at her with such scorching enmity that she physically shrank away from it. “First of all, I would do anything to save my wife and child! Anything!” He paused to calm himself, drawing in deep, ragged breaths as he fought for control. He wanted to kill her himself. Finally, he managed to grit out, “Second of all, I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re just having a nice, friendly chat.” Then he spun on his heel and hurried after Drake.

Meanwhile, down the hall…….

Drake drug Bradshaw past several doors until he found the one he was looking for. He shoved the other man into the room, flinging him onto the cold tile.

Bradshaw’s body tobogganed across the highly polished floor of one of the palace’s largest bathrooms. The one with the soaking tub.

The king of Auvernal pulled himself up into a sitting position and wiped blood from his lips, “You’ll pay for this, Walker.”

“Oh yeah, and who’s going to exact that payment, Achilles, huh? You?” He snorted in derision, “I don’t fucking think so!”

“Our military-“

“Your military can’t save you right now, Bradshaw.” A pair of Italian leather wingtip shoes came into view as the door clicked shut. Bradshaw’s eyes traveled up to find Liam leaning against it.

“If anything happens to me-“

Drake’s foot pressed into Bradshaw’s chest, forcing him back to the ground, “I don’t think you understand the gravity of your situation right now, Achilles.” He stood and walked over to the soaking tub. He inserted the plug and turned on the water as he spoke, “Tonight is going to end one of two ways. Either you’re going to open that fucking door, without Liam signing a goddamned thing, and everybody lives, or, you’re going to die. It’s really that simple.”

Bradshaw laughed, “Do that and you’ll start a fucking war. A war that we both know Cordonia can’t win!” They were bluffing and he knew it.

Drake knelt down next to him and smiled. This psychotic mother fucker smiled! Bradshaw nearly pissed his pants at the malice he saw there, but he wasn’t about to show it. He knew he had the upper hand. Auvernal’s military would destroy Cordonia’s.

But Drake didn’t seem worried at all. Instead, he leaned forward and in a voice filled with threat said, “You seem to be under the impression that I give a fuck what happens to Cordonia.”

Bradshaw’s confidence waivered. His eyes shot to Liam, but he found no help there. Liam regarded him with nothing but cold fury.

Drake smacked the back of his head, “Hey asshole, eyes over here! I’m the one you need to be worried about.”

“But…he’s the king, he can’t just let you start a war!“

“Yes, he is the king, and on a normal day he’d agree with you. But this isn’t a normal day. Right now he’s just a desperate husband and father. Which leaves you with me and I can assure you that I don’t give two fucks about anyone but the woman whose life you’re trying to bargain with. I need you to understand how deadly serious I am so look at me when I tell you this.” He paused to make sure he had direct eye contact, then he leaned in even closer and hissed, “If she dies, you die. It’s that simple.”

“But Auvernal will destroy Cordonia!”

Drake smiled that smile that made the hair on the back of Bradshaw’s neck stand up again, “So what? That won’t help you because you’ll already be dead, and it won’t bother me because I will have already lost the only thing in this entire miserable world that I care about.” With that, Drake stood, pulling Bradshaw with him to the tub.

Bradshaw kicked and twisted wildly in Drake’s grasp, “What are you doing? No! No! You can’t-“

His words were cut off as his body was plunged into the tub and under the water. His arms and legs flailed as he tried, vainly, to get up. But Drake was bigger, stronger and had all the leverage. His lungs were on fire when he was finally, mercifully pulled from the water. He gasped in a huge lungful of air before being shoved under again. The third time he was pulled up Drake asked, “Are you going to open the mother fucking doors?”

Bradshaw nodded furiously.  

Liam stepped forward and handed him the walkie talkie he didn’t even remember dropping.

Bradshaw took it with trembling hands.

Drake grabbed his hand, “Just remember that if you say anything other than giving the order to open those doors, I will end you right here and now. You won’t even be the first man I’ve drowned.”

Drake watched with satisfaction as Bradshaw’s eyes widened. “That’s right. The rumors are true. So if you want to start a war, go ahead, but you’ll be the first causality, followed by your wife who is in the possession of Cordonian forces as we speak. And aren’t your children in the palace tonight as well?”

The last part was a bluff, Drake would never hurt an innocent child, but Bradshaw didn’t need to know that. 

Eyes locked on Drake’s, Bradshaw nodded and brought the walkie to his lips, giving the order to get through the barricaded doors by any means necessary.

Drake took the walkie away and tossed it back to Liam. “We can’t have you rescinding that order now can we?”

Bradshaw and Isabella were placed in a small, windowless room and left with their most trusted guards while Drake, Olivia and Liam rushed back to Riley’s side just in time for the doctor to arrive, with a full medical team and an operating room worth of supplies in tow. Crown Princess Eleanor Elizabeth Hana Olivia Rys arrived safely soon after.

Once it was certain that both Riley and the baby were safe and stable, the group returned to release the Auvernal royals.

“What’s to stop me from declaring war as soon as we get back home?” Bradshaw demanded, but not until he was safely in a room full of people, with his own guards nearby.

Liam frowned at him, “For what?”

“For what? Are you as crazy as he is?” Bradshaw exploded, gesturing at Drake, “For what just happened upstairs!”

Liam spread his arms, “Nothing happened upstairs.”

“That’s a lie!” Bradshaw’s face went red as he pointed at Liam, spittle flying from his mouth as he yelled, “You know what happened! I was assaulted!”

“Do you have any proof?” Liam calmly adjusted his cufflinks with a bored expression.

“Proof? I-“

“No witnesses? No bruises?” Liam gave him an appraising glance, “You don’t look like you took a beating.”

“I have a cut lip and I’m soaking wet!”

“Ah, yes,” Liam sighed sympathetically, “I heard about your unfortunate mishap, falling into one of the palace’s hot tubs.”

“Falling into- what? No! I didn’t-“

“I’m sure I could produce forty of fifty witnesses that saw it happen.”

“I…but…that’s not…”

Liam stepped close to the other man, his voice dropping as intimidation infused his tone and demeanor, “Face it, Bradshaw, you have no proof of these baseless accusations and I know Auvernal law well enough to know you need the council’s approval to declare war. And war is very expensive. You might have the strength, but you don’t have the funds. The council is going to require some pretty convincing proof to risk bankrupting the country. And imagine the optics of invading a smaller, weaker country just to plunder their resources and wealth. The United Nations is bound to get involved.”

Liam stepped away, his diplomatic smile firmly back in place. “I do hope you’ve enjoyed your stay with us, but let’s not do it again soon.”

With that, Liam spun on his heel, exiting the room with Drake, Max and Olivia behind him, leaving Bradshaw stammering in denial and humiliation because Liam was right, and he knew it. He’d been bested again.

“I don’t really care about your motives. I care about the havoc you wrought with all our lives. You’ve violated the NDA you signed, you understand that your moment of pettiness is going to cost you everything from a financial standpoint, right? Then there are the criminal charges…”

“I was hoping for mercy, Your Majesty.”

“And why would you imagine you deserve that?”

“We were friends, Li-Your Majesty! I’ve spent holidays with your family! Played with your children!”

“Ah, yes, my children. Like Princess Eleanor? The same child whose life you tried to destroy? The same child whose privacy you violated specifically to hurt her mother?”

“I….” He flushed with guilt. His eyes darted to Riley’s face then away again in shame.

“You will pay the full amount required by the NDA and you will serve two years in a jail cell for leaking classified information to the public.”

“Two years!? Please, Liam! I-“

“It’s either that or I just turn you over to Captain Walker and let him handle it however he sees fit.” Liam inclined his head in Drake’s direction.

Nick took in Drake’s stormy expression and paled.

“Right.” Liam motioned to the guards, “Take him away.”

One year later…….

“Liam, you look so handsome!” Riley said as she adjusted his tie.

“Are you sure?” He asked fidgeting with his sash, “Because I’m sweating like a  whore in church.”

“Liam!” She gasped in shock.

“What? I learned that saying from you!”

“I know,” she tittered, “but I never expected to hear you use it!”

“I’m just so nervous, look.” He held out his hands so she could see the shaking he was unable to control.

“You’re going to do great. What do you have to be nervous about? You and Max have been together for seven years, he loves you, you love him. What’s the problem?”                                               

“There’s no problem. This is just the most important day of my life. I’m marrying the love of my life.” He straightened his tie again and pulled at his collar.

“Liam. It’s going to be fine. I promise. Have you seen Ellie in her flower girl dress?”

He visibly relaxed, “Yes, she’s beautiful, like her mother. And Xander in his little suit…so freaking adorable. Children are such a blessing. Speaking of that, how are you feeling?”

Riley’s hand dropped to her midriff to cradle her baby bump. “Baby Walker is doing just fine. Now let’s go get you and Max hitched in the wedding of the century. I mean it, Liam, the cathedral is packed, the street outside the cathedral is packed, and there are news crews here from every country in the world!”

Liam’s second wedding had garnered far more world attention than his first one had. Mostly because it was the first time a king had married another man. A grunt of aggravation escaped him, “That isn’t helping my case of nerves, Riley. You and Drake had the right idea eloping.”

“Damn straight we did!”

There was a knock on the door and Drake let himself into the room.

“It’s about time, Walker. Get in here and fulfill your best man duties. I need to get to Max and fulfil my matron of honor duties!”  

Drake caught her in his arms as she tried to leave the room, “Not until after I fulfil my husbandly duties and kiss my wife.”

She couldn’t help the stupid grin that broke out across her face every time he called her that. Which he did often, with a stupid grin of his own.  

Later that night, she rested her head on his shoulder as they danced at the reception. A sigh of contentment escaped her lips. Her two best friends were married, Cordonia had rallied behind their king, she was married to the love of her life and expecting another baby. Life had never been so good.

Ellie had been thrilled by the news that Drake was her father. “So now I have three dads!” She had squealed, throwing her arms around Drake’s neck.

The Walkers had made the decision to continue to live at the palace so that Ellie and Xander’s lives weren’t disrupted in any way. Riley stayed on in an advisory capacity to Maxwell as well as continuing many of her previous duties under a different title. But the most important change over the last year was currently holding her close and whispering in her ear about his love for her.

He loved her and she loved him, they were finally together, and everything was right in the world.

He spotted her as she walked around the corner at the other end of the deck with Liam. Liam was leaning toward her with a smile of pure adoration on his face as he said something to her. Whatever it was, she tipped her head back and laughed again, causing Liam’s entire face to light up.

Seeing the genuine love and affection between them always made his heart fill up with happiness. It hadn’t always like that. There had been a time when he had struggled with jealousy and insecurity but that had been a long time ago. She had more than proven his place in her life was secure, they both had.

Her head turned toward him, and her smile grew even wider as she lifted an arm and waved.

He kept one hand shielding his eyes from the sun and waved back with the other.

She turned back to Liam and said something to him. Liam turned and looked toward Drake then nodded and pulled her in for a kiss. When they parted, Liam glanced at Drake again, giving him a wave as he disappeared the other direction.

He waved at Liam then watched as the only woman that had ever held his heart made her way across the boat to him. Her hips swayed side to side as she walked gracefully along the deck of the Summer Breeze.

His eyes traced the curves of her body, the tilt of her chin, the flow of her hair as it cascaded over her shoulders. Every inch of her was so familiar. Before loving her, he never would have believed that he could know someone else’s body better than his own.

But he did. He knew every curve, every dimple, every freckle, every so-called blemish and imperfection. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He’d told her when she complained about the stretch marks, then he’d kissed every one of them.

He knew her moods as well. He could read her facial expressions and body language from across a room or the tone of her voice over the phone. He always knew exactly what she was feeling and right now, she was brimming with happiness.

He climbed to his feet to greet her, taking her hands in his and pulling her into his arms. “Hey you.”

“Hey yourself.” She grinned at him. She leaned up to give him a quick kiss before asking, “Enjoying the sun?”

“Yeah. So much that I almost fell asleep.” He pulled another deck chair close to his own so they could sit together. “Here.”

He pulled a beer out of the cooler next to his chair and offered it to her. She shook her head, he shrugged, closed the cooler, twisted the top off and tipped the bottle back, letting the cold liquid slid down his throat.

“I thought you were going fishing off the bow. What’s the matter? Did the fish wear you out?”

“Pfftt! I just decided to give the poor things a break. I caught more than my share today.” He smiled in contentment and happiness. It had been a really good day in a string of really good days. “I’m glad you talked us into this vacation.”

“Even kings and badass soldiers need downtime.” She told him with a teasing quality to her voice.

He shook his head and changed the subject, “Where are the kids?”

“Ellie is with Hana sewing a mermaid tail or something and Xander is with Max and Alec practicing his snorkeling.”

Drake sat up in alarm, “What the hell, Riley! We have to-“

She reached out and touched his arm, laughing, “In the pool!”

“Jesus, woman! Were you trying to give me a heart attack?”

“You’re really cute when you’re in protective dad mode, you know that?”

He blushed. Compliments from her still flustered him. “Yeah, well….”

“Speaking of that….”

“Speaking of what?”

“You being a dad.”

“What about it?” He gave her a quizzical look. Technically, both of the children were Liam’s, from a biological standpoint, but all three of them functioned as parents equally.

“You’re going to be one again.”

“What?” He almost dropped the bottle that was halfway to his mouth. “But…we weren’t trying….I mean…you’ve been using birth control. I don’t-“

Riley gave a little shrug, “Well, it failed.”

It was indicative of just how much they always functioned as a unit that he said ‘we’ even though it had been Riley and Liam that had been trying to conceive both Eleanor and Alexander. Although, to be fair, it had been a group effort. Drake’s contribution was to not have penetrative sex with her. Fortunately, there were plenty of other ways to have sex, and they had found all of them pretty quickly back then. But he was right, they hadn’t been trying this time. Which made things trickier.

“Ok, wow, well, you’re going to see Dr. Russo the minute we get back home, right?”

She rolled her eyes, but she smiled while she did it, “So protective.”

“After what happened with Ellie-“

“Yes, Drake, Dr. Russo already knows, I promise, I will follow all doctors’ orders to the letter. Everything went textbook perfect with Xander, remember?”

He sat the bottle down and shifted from his chair to hers, folding her in his arms, “I know. I can’t help it; I worry about you. I literally made a career out of it.”

“I know.”

“But I’m not sad about another baby! Have you told Liam yet? I’ll bet he’s over the moon!”

“I have told Liam and he is very happy but…”

“But? What is it? Is something wrong? Is there a problem with the baby?” He pulled back to look at her face in concern.                             

“There’s no problem but I did the math and this baby was conceived at the end of May.” She watched him as she waited for that to sink in.

He stared at her for a moment, then blinked, “But…Liam was away on business for the entire second half of May, so that can’t-“

Shock crawled across his face. “Wait…are you saying that we, you and I, made this baby?”

She nodded her head while biting her bottom lip. Her eyes sparkled with joy and she was practically vibrating with happiness.

His eyes and his hand dropped to her stomach, “I’m going to be a dad? I mean, I already am a dad! You know what I mean.”

He couldn’t imagine loving any child more than he already loved Ellie and Xander, but he couldn’t deny the thrill of pride he got from imagining a child that was half him and half her. A sliver panic intruded on his happiness as a thought occurred to him, “Oh shit, Riley, this is going to cause a huge scandal! Does Liam know? He’s going to-“

“Yes, Liam knows. I hope you’re not mad that I told him first, I just wanted to-“

“No, I get it, this is something we have to get out ahead of, isn’t it? I mean-“

“First of all, Liam is thrilled about the baby and he doesn’t care about the DNA any more than you do. Second, he doesn’t seem to think there will be any issues.”

“How is that possible?”

“People see what they want to see. Ellie and Xander look like Liam, when people look at this child, they will see the resemblance to me.”

“What if the kid looks just like me?” He asked, looking up as he heard footsteps approaching.

Liam heard the last question as he joined them. “We’ll cross that bridge if and when we get to it.”

“You’re not mad?” Drake asked him skeptically.

“Mad? At who? For what?” Liam looked at him incredulously.

“I mean, this does present some problems-“

“That we will all face together. But Drake, a baby is wonderful news, no matter what. The common people, the nobility, the press, everyone loves Riley, if anyone notices, they aren’t going to blatantly say anything. It will be one of those openly known secrets. This isn’t without precedent in our history. And honestly, we’ve provided two blood heirs to the throne already.”

“Liam already has a plan to distract the press with if needed.” Riley told him.

Drake lifted an eyebrow curiously, “Yeah? What’s that?”

“We’ll spread some rumors about me having a love child, or two, out there. Maybe pay a couple of women to claim to have had an affair with me. DNA testing will disprove it, eventually, but they can refuse that for years while they make money selling the story of their alleged affair to the press. No one will care if I’m the one having an affair, we’ll use the older generations ingrained sexism and misogyny against them. Any speculation that this child might not be mine will get swept up in the mix and seen as just another baseless rumor.”

“You sure that will work?” Drake asked him skeptically.

“Yes. Now stop worrying and start celebrating the fact that we’re going to be parents again! This is great news!”

It only took a moment before Drake was smiling again. A baby, his baby, with the woman he loved. Honestly, what could be better? “You’re right!”

“Of course I’m right, I’m always right. Think you’d realize that by now.” Liam grumbled good naturedly.

“Don’t let it go to your head.” Drake grinned at him.

“Too late!” Liam grinned back.

Riley patted Drake on the leg, “Ok you two, let’s go round up our children and get to dinner. We can tell everyone else then.”

Liam snapped his fingers, “Oh, and after that, I promised the kids swimming.”

“Xander is literally in the pool right now.” Riley protested.

Liam shrugged, “I promised Ellie.”

“At least Xander can dry out a little before going back in. I swear that boy is a fish!” Drake said as he stood and pulled Riley to her feet.

They found the others quicky and headed for the dining room together. Riley tugged Drake back so that they fell behind everyone else. They strolled hand in hand along the deck until she stopped and pulled him around to face her, “I know you’re worried, but you’re happy too, right?” She asked him nervously.

“What? Yes! God, baby, yes! I’m thrilled! Are you kidding me? You’re having my baby! That’s the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me, how could I be anything but happy about it?”

“Ok, good. I just don’t want you to let worry about things we can’t control steal your joy.”

“Never.” He pulled her to him and dropped his lips to hers, the world stopped for a moment as his lips claimed hers, his hand sank into her hair, and he felt her body press into his. He deepened the kiss, losing himself in the feel of her mouth on his. He pulled away with a ragged sigh and pressed his forehead to hers, “I love you more than life itself, and I love our kids, and Liam too, just, you know, not in the same way….I love everything about our life together. I just don’t want anything to jeopardize that.”

“It won’t. No one will be able to prove anything, no matter what they suspect and Cordonia is so much stronger now than she was before. Liam is a good king, the people love him. The worst thing that happens is the tabloids print a bunch of garbage that no one really believes anyway. Who cares?”

He considered that and realized she was right. Gone were the days of worrying about the monarchy looking weak. Liam had presided over the creation of a parliament, giving a little of the power back to the people. It served the double purpose of moving Cordonia into the twenty first century and creating a better work life balance for Liam. Riley had done so much work on behalf of the common people of Cordonia that she could do no wrong in their eyes, she was adored by everyone.

Under Liam’s leadership, Cordonia had become a much more progressive country all the way around. The younger generation was filled with people like Maxwell Beaumont and Hana Lee. The grumbles of people like Godfrey Amaranth were fading into the annals of history. The majority of Cordonian’s wouldn’t care even if they knew the truth. Maybe especially if they knew the truth. Because the truth wasn’t that Riley was cheating on Liam with Drake. The truth was that they were happily in a polyamorous relationship filled with love and mutual respect for each other. Where was the scandal in that?

He could find nothing but happiness in his heart as he gazed down at her. “You’re right, as usual καρδιά μου. What did I ever do to deserve you?”

Riley snorted, “You and Liam, always acting like you’re the lucky ones when we all know it’s me.”

“Not even close, the fact that you believe that is what makes us so goddamn lucky!” He told her then he kissed her again before she could protest.

“Mama! Tata!” Ellie cried from the doorway of the dining room, “Hurry! Daddy says we’re waiting on you and I’m hungry!”

Riley and Drake drew apart, both laughing at the demanding tone in Ellie’s voice.

“Ok, ok, we’re coming!” He laughed as he threaded his fingers through hers and pulled her toward the dinning room.

After dinner, they all gathered around the pool. Moonlight glinted off the water and music spilled out of the speakers, floating across the Mediterranean night. Riley shrieked with laughter from the pool as Max sent a torrent of water her direction. Liam relaxed on a lounge chair with Ellie curled up in his lap as he pointed out constellations to her. She followed where his finger pointed with wide eyes, her face tilted up in awe and wonder.

Hana tried to explain to Xander why he still needed a bath even if he’d been in the pool all day. “Help me out here.” She said to Drake in exasperation.

“Don’t look at me,” Drake told her, “His logic is solid.”

“Yes!” Xander jumped up and down then he and Drake fist bumped.

“Great, thanks.” Hana said sarcastically.

“Sorry.” He laughed as he watched Xander scamper away back toward the pool, where he yelled for Max to catch him before diving in.

“No, you’re not!” She sat down in a deck chair next to him and asked, “So, does it feel different knowing that the baby is yours?”.

“Yes and no.” He answered, “I mean, yeah, it hits a little different knowing it’s mine. But that’s just because it opens up this whole chest of things, good and bad. Like, will he or she have my dad’s eyes? Will he have my bad temper? I worry about passing on my flaws. I guess with Ellie and Xander, I never worried about those kinds of things because Liam really doesn’t have any flaws.”

Hana laughed, “You know that’s not true, right?”

“I mean….”

“Drake, you’re already a wonderful father, you’ve got this dad thing down, that’s not going to change.”

“I know. And that’s the part that isn’t different. There’s literally nothing that will be different about the way I treat this child. I love Ellie and Xander more than I thought it was possible to love another human being. All three of these kids are ours, mine, Liam’s and Riley’s. The DNA doesn’t matter, it never did.”

“I’ll drink to that.” Hana said tipping the bottle in her hand at him. He tipped his back at hers and they both drank.

“Hey, it’s the song Riley named the boat after!” Alec called out as he turned the music up a little louder.

Summer breeze, makes me feel fine, blowin’ through the jasmine in my mind…..

Drake pulled the Mediterranean air into his lungs as he surveyed the scene in front of him. Ellie was cuddled into Liam’s chest as her eyes drifted close. Riley dried Xander off at the edge of the pool while Max and Alec danced together, laughing and talking softly to each other.  

Gentle waves murmured around them as the summer breeze blew across his sun-drenched skin and a deep sense of contentment seeped into his bones. Just when he’d thought life couldn’t get any more perfect, it had.

I guess it is both literal and figurative. Because her being the queen is a separate thing from her being my queen. As in, I would do anything for her. Does my devotion border on worship? Obsession? Insanity? Maybe. But she’s fire in my veins and I’m helpless against the feelings she ignites in me, has always ignited in me. My heart was frozen and empty before she filled it with passion and flame.

So, do I care that she has a husband, a country to run and a boyfriend that’s practically a second husband in the form of Maxwell Beaumont? No, I do not. I did, once, but I couldn’t break away. I tried and failed. The problem was that everything in me wanted her with a potency too strong to deny. I crumbled under it. Happily.

There has always been some kind of chemistry compelling us together, from the very first moment. Like a magnet, the force of attraction drawing us nearer and nearer to each other until we were circling one another like the moon orbits the earth, unable to break free from the pull of gravity. I fully expected to fall into her atmosphere and burn up until there was nothing left. But that’s not what happened.

She’s given me so much more than I ever asked for or ever deserved. She’s given me a true sense of belonging, a home. I never really had that before. Even before my father died, we were never really settled. And after…living in the palace surrounded by nobility, without either one of my parents? Well, that wasn’t it either. But now? Somewhere along the way that same ridiculously big, pretentious palace that use to feel more like a prison started to feel like home, warm and welcoming. Because she’s in it.

Valtoria is really our home, all of us. It has more of her personality in it, and I love being there. There, or the occasional time alone at my cabin, just the two of us. All of those places feel like home now. I finally realized, it’s not the structure, it’s the people in the structure that make it a home. Safe, loving, comforting. Never before had my entire body relaxed just because I walked through the door of a certain house. But it does now.

She gave me a son, named after my father. She spelled it Jaxon instead of Jackson, but it’s pronounced the same. And the kid looks just like me, anyone paying any amount of attention at all could put two and two together. She wasn’t even subtle about it. Jaxon Nolan Walker Rys. Nolan is my middle name, my mother named me after the greatest pitcher of all time, Texas Ranger legend Nolan Ryan, all-time leader in no-hitters. He was robbed of a Cy Young Award, and everyone knows it, but that’s not the point.

She certainly made my career more interesting. Guarding Riley has been an exercise in forethought, contingency planning and diplomacy. Trying to stay a step ahead of her can be exhausting. You have no idea the number of international incidents that have been narrowly avoided over the years because someone’s boyfriend, husband or son was a little too enamored of our queen. Or, sometimes their girlfriend, wife or daughter. She attracts attention wherever she goes, and she chaffs under restraint. She has always kept us on our fucking toes. It’s infuriating and frustrating is what it is. But I really wouldn’t have it any other way because then she wouldn’t be her. And I fucking love her.

I love her, and I always have. I loved her almost from the beginning. I loved her through the social season and that stupid engagement tour, through my suspension and trail, through her engagement to another man, through her marriage to my best friend. I have loved her through four decades, five children and three terrorist threats to our nation. I’m never going to stop.

She somehow, against all odds, brought me closer to Liam as well. I love him too, I don’t mean in a sexual or romantic way, but I guess I’m as close to him as I am to Savannah. Closer, if I’m being honest. None of this would feel right without him here. This is not how I imagined my life would turn out, none of it.

But somehow, even Max has burrowed his way under my skin. I like the guy. He’s not as flighty or as frivolous as I once believed him to be. I guess he was my lesson in judging people based on their station in life. I have to admit, he has a calming effect on her, and on Liam. I don’t know how he does that. Liam and I both tend to rile her up more often than not, but Max comes along and just soothes all her ruffled feathers. I never in a million years thought I’d be going to Maxwell Beaumont for relationship advice, but he’s kind of an expert on how to navigate all of….this.

I may not have envisioned this type of relationship when I was younger, but to be fair, I never envisioned any at all. Didn’t want one, didn’t think I needed one. But as it turns out, I needed her, I wanted her. It wasn’t the relationship, per se, it was the woman. And once I let go of all the preconceived notions of what a relationship was supposed to look like….the thing I had never wanted anyway, and just let ours be what it is, that’s when everything changed. Changed for the better.

So yeah, she’s given me a true sense of home, a place where I belong. She’s given me freedom and control over my career. She’s given me a family, in the form of Liam, Max and the kids. But most of all, she’s given me herself. Her body, her heart, her trust, her devotion. This woman planned and helped execute a murder for me. There is no question that her feelings for me are real and it’s hard to believe there ever was. I love her. Completely, unconditionally, maybe a little obsessively.  

So no, I don’t care that she has a husband, and a boyfriend, or whatever Max is to her, exactly. I only care what I am to her, what she is to me, what we are to each other.

She’s smart, far too smart to waste her life waitressing in some hole in the wall in New York. And funny. Her sense of humor is unparalleled. No one has ever made me laugh the way she does. And she gets me, she really gets me.

I feel like a normal person when I’m with her. Not the crown prince, not a Rys with all the baggage and detritus that implies. All the damage, all the commiserate responsibilities and expectations to fill. She sees none of that when she looks at me. She sees me, just me, just Liam.

She makes me feel like the man I want to be, the boy I used to be and the king I hope to be all at the same time. It’s an incredible gift and I don’t know how she does it. She makes me feel alive in all the best ways. And I know that I’m hopelessly and irrevocably in love with her. Though I shouldn’t be.

I’ve tried to fight it but I’m helpless, soft, weak for her. When I’m with her, I see my future. I know it sounds cliche, it sounds ridiculous, it sounds impossible but when I look in her eyes, I see my unborn children.

She’s perfect. If she has a flaw, I haven’t found it. And I’ve looked. Lord knows I’ve looked. I’ve done everything in my power to fight this feeling, this hold she has over me, this all consuming desire, this borderline obsession. Because I can’t do this, I can’t.

She’s absolutely off limits to me. I’m about to be king, I have duties to fulfill, obligations to meet. One of those obligations is to marry an appropriate, council approved lady from a high ranking house and produce heirs to secure the Rys family bloodline. And that can’t be her.

It can’t be her and it’s breaking my heart. It’s tearing me apart. How can fate be this cruel?

All my life I’ve done the right thing, the expected thing. I was the good son, obedient, responsible, loyal. I’d like to think I’ve been a good prince, fulfilled my duties with honor and integrity. I’ve been a good brother, a good friend. So you’d think I’d have earned a little karma, right? You’d think there’d come a time when it was my turn to be happy.

When Leo abdicated, I spiraled for a few weeks. Panicked. I wasn’t ready, wasn’t prepared for this burden, this responsibility. But I am now. Leo was right, I was born for this role. I have an almost sixth sense about how to say and do just the right thing in diplomatic situations. I have my country’s best interests at heart and I’m much more confident in my abilities now than I was back then. I’m ready.

I’m ready to lead, to rule, to take my rightful place on the world stage. And I’m ready to do that with the right person by my side. I’ve never been the type to do casual when it comes to relationships, to sex. I know a lot of men my age are still sowing their wild oats, but not me. I’m ready for it all. Marriage, children, growing old together. I’m ready.

So what's the problem? The problem is I have to choose a wife in a matter of days, and no matter how much I may want to, I can't choose her. And everyone else pales in comparison. I’m a young man, the rest of my life is a lot of years and I’m forced by regulations and directives out of my control to spend those years in a loveless, empty shell of a marriage when all I want to do is choose her. But I can’t.

Can't, because she's not an option and she never was. She didn't come here for me, she’s not a suitor in the social season.

If only I hadn’t gone back to the hotel that night, wanting sleep because I had to leave earlier than everyone else the next day. Maybe if I’d met her first. Maybe if I’d been in that bar with the guys that night, maybe then things would be different.

But I wasn’t there, she didn’t meet me that night. She didn’t meet me until after she arrived in Cordonian, on the arm of her new boyfriend, the one who swept her off her feet in one fateful night. The one who looked at her with such love and adoration that I knew I’d never be able to pry her away from him. And I feel like the worst person in the world for wanting to, because Drake Walker is my best friend.

Hana opened the curtain, the steam from the shower billowing out. She’d fled Bertrand’s study after agreeing to a meeting in a few hours.

Hana wouldn’t let Leo’s presence bother her. He’d be off drinking soon enough. Hana’s eyes landed on the bar that held her towel and sundress. It was empty. 

Hana clenched her fists. Leo. She was in one of the bathrooms down the hall, the more luxurious ones. She’d been in Texas sharing a bathroom with Drake for the last two decades. He made art out of the hair on the shower walls. Hana shuddered at the memory.

Hana looked around for anything to cover herself. Leo had taken everything but the shower curtain.

Hana sighed and removed the white ruffled fabric from the rod. It’d have to do.

Hana stepped into the hallway, startled once again by Leo’s smirking face.

“Hana, I know the rules are different on that ranch,” Leo said, patronizingly sweet. “But this is the palace. You can’t be Scarlett O’Hara here.”

Hana straightened her shoulders and tightened her hold on the shower curtain. “It would be a shame if you pulled a Scarlett O’Hara and tripped down the stairs. Careful, there.”

Hana strode past Leo, back to her room. Leo smirked again. If Hana thought she had the last word, she was wrong.

Leo sauntered down the hallway to one of Riley’s old rooms. Time to see what items he could save of the former queen’s.

———

Riley picked her way through the long grass to the pond. She had a flashlight, but it refused to produce any light to help her see better. She wrinkled her nose. Everything smelled like cows.

Riley got closer to the gleaming water of the pond, Drake’s shadow recognizable. She beamed and let him sweep her into his arms for a long kiss. 

“Find the place, okay?” Drake murmured into her ear, his warm breath making a curly tendril dance across her neck.

“Yes,” Riley replied. “My memory is good, even if the flashlight is useless.”

Drake took the small red instrument from her hand, noting its lightness. “It doesn’t have any batteries.”

“How was I to know?”

Drake led Riley to the bank and sat, pulling her beside him. Riley leaned on him with a satisfied exhale.

“It’s quiet,” Riley observed. “Cordonia never is. Someone is always making noise. Usually Maxwell.”

“The simple life suits you.” Drake tossed a small pebble into the water before them. “You glow here.”

“That is sweat.” Riley frowned. “I am not used to it unless I am in my special room with Liam.”

“You and I never needed a special room.” Drake pressed a kiss to her temple. “We just needed each other.”

“That was years ago.” Riley nudged Drake’s arm with her shoulder. “I was young.”

“You’re still young.” Drake snaked his arms around her waist. “You’re only fifty.”

“Shhh!” Riley whisper yelled. “I tell everyone I am forty.”

“Fair enough.” Drake left small kisses down her neck. “I should go. The chickens will be here early. Banana isn’t here to help, and it’s a lot of work.”

“I can!” Riley exclaimed. “We don’t need Hana.”

“Are you sure?” Drake asked, feigning reluctance. “It’s not easy.”

“I am sure that assisting with chickens is easier than trying to make sure Madeleine doesn’t “accidentally” murder me so she can try to be queen again.” Riley huffed. “I can do it.”

“Thanks, Brooks. What did I do without you?”

“Hana.” Riley snorted.

Drake chuckled and took in Riley’s outfit. “Are you only wearing a denim shirt?”

“It’s yours.” Riley smiled. “You should see what’s under it.”

“Is that an invitation, Brooks?”

“Unfortunately not,” Riley blew out a puff of air. “Liam and I have decided not to have playtime with others any longer. Not after the Princess Kate fiasco of 2009.”

“Huh?” Drake furrowed his brow. “I was in Texas.”

“We kept it very quiet.” Riley dropped her voice to a whisper. “The Queen didn’t want everyone to know that her social climber daughter-in-law tried to burn down Applewood because I refused to run away with her.”

“We kissed…” Drake trailed off.

“Kissing doesn’t count.”

“Am I interrupting something?” Liam’s voice startled the pair. 

“Teddy Bear!” Riley sprang to her feet. “You were so tired earlier.”

“I woke. I can’t sleep without you,” Liam huffed, tightening the belt on his thigh-length silk robe. 

He glanced at Drake. His old friend looked annoyed. Liam hid a smile. 

“Come, my love.” Liam reached out his hand. Riley daintily pressed her hand against his and followed him from the pond. “We can come back tomorrow night.”

Drake watched them go. He might have to figure out a new plan.

———

Liam opened his eyes slowly, a loud knocking waking him. He looked over to see Riley deep asleep. 

Liam got out of bed, hitching his brown cowboy patterned pajama pants up.

Drake stood at the door. “It’s 5 am! Time to feed the cows.”

Liam made his eyes wide, attempting to hide the exhaustion. “One moment, I need appropriate attire.”

Liam left the door open, rushing to his suitcase. He pulled out a pair of jeans and a blue striped button-down before disappearing into the bathroom.

Drake glimpsed Riley, still sprawled on the bed. Drake crossed the room and brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. “Brooks. Chickens.”

“I told you I wouldn’t cook them again,” Riley mumbled sleepily. “I was not trying to make anyone ill.”

“What?

Riley popped open one eye. “Nightmare. Where's Liam?”

“He’s getting dressed for the cows. The chickens are here; they need some food too. Remember?”

Riley nodded. “Yes, of course.”  She made no move to get up.

Liam came back into the room, fussing with the white bandana he’d slung around his collar. “Love, this is more complicated than a tie.”

Drake untied the bandana around his neck and mopped his brow. He quickly knotted it around his collar again. Liam narrowed his eyes.

Riley heaved a sigh and sat up. “Here, my king.”

Liam sat in front of her and she quickly fashioned an easy knot in the fabric. “Is this from the last time we were held hostage on this ranch?”

Liam nodded proudly. “I knew I might use it again. I had hoped the circumstances would be better, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Riley agreed. She’d never have set foot on this ranch voluntarily again. Perhaps they would host a cowboy themed ball at the palace when they returned. It would make Liam so happy.

“Brooks?” Drake interrupted her thoughts of a grand ball. “Chickens?”

“I know,” Riley stood, stretching her arms over her head. “I have this leather sundress that’s perfect for the occasion. I won’t be but a moment.”

Liam and Drake exchanged a dubious look. “We shall tend to the cows and come back for you, love.” Liam offered.

“Brooks, the chickens can’t wait for you to do whatever it is you do to get dressed!” Drake said in exasperation. “You have ten minutes.”

Riley gasped in horror.

“See here,” Liam stood to his full height. “You shall not speak to my queen that way!”

“She is nobody’s queen!” Drake countered. “It’s why you’re here!”

“I am always queen!” Riley stalked to her suitcase and plucked a king black dress. “I shall show you!”

Liam and Drake glared, willing the other to look away first.

———

Philip pulled the SUV carefully into the parking lot. He took in the outside of the building. It was small, with a giant cow skull painted on the side. Beside it were the words “Can’t Let Go.”

Philip scrunched his face. “So many options. Can’t let go of the past? The store? That no one watches DVDs? Oh god, it’s not a commission job, is it? Ugh. I guess I will find out.”

Philip realized he wasn’t sure what commission meant. He’d worry about it if he needed to. 

Philip stepped out of the car. He’d worn his best khaki trousers and blue seersucker blazer with a white button-down. “You don’t dress for the job; you dress for yourself.”

Philip strode inside, his shoulders back. He wasn’t the heir like Ellie, but his father insisted he have the same training, in case Ellie made decisions like Uncle Leo.

———

Leo rifled through Riley’s elaborately carved dresser. She’d wanted it to resemble the wardrobe from Beauty and the Beast, devastated when Liam gently broke the news that castles did not have talking wardrobes. 

Leo’s curious fingers touched a piece of paper. He pulled it from the depths of the Queen’s empty underwear drawer, unfurling it. Not paper, a photo. It was him and Riley at the coronation, before Liam chose Madeleine.

Leo’s ears perked up as Hana’s voice carried down the hall. He tucked the photograph in his pocket. 

“My Riley had a blow dart gun here, once upon a time.” Leo murmured.

He quickly crossed the room to the closet, Riley’s gun still hidden at the back. After giving birth to Ellie during the ball, Riley bought one and kept tranquilizer darts stocked next to it. Leo grabbed it and waited next to the door until Hana’s voice faded away before venturing out. 

———

Philip threw open his door and slid into the driver’s seat. He looked around, and seeing no one decided to let his feelings out.

“FUCK YES,” Philip punched the steering wheel. “Who just got a job without help from Dad? Me! I’m a bad mother fucker!”

A groan from the backseat caused Philip to whip his head around in horror.

“Must you be so exubailant?” Riley sighed, covering her mouth as she yawned. 

“Mom!” Philip screeched. “How long have you been back there?”

Riley sat upright. “Your father and Uncle Drake were having an argument only rulers could solve. I snuck away.” 

Philip shuddered. “Gross, Mom.”

“I took thirty dollars from Drake’s wallet,” Riley crawled into the passenger seat. “Let’s celebrate your new adventure!”

“With what?” Philip turned the key in the ignition. “One candy bar?”

Riley shook her head violently. “Something called a value menu at McDermots has frozen treats. They are only two dollars, Philip!”

Philip backed out carefully and merged onto the road, following the directions Riley gave him. “Mom, weren’t you not royalty for like, I don’t know. thirty years?”

“Twenty!” Riley admonished with a slap to his arm. “It would have been shorter if not for your grandfather. May he burn in eternal hellfire.”

“Shouldn’t you know more about civilian life?” Philip signaled and pulled into the McDermot’s parking lot. “Maybe Uncle Bertrand was right. We’re all out of touch.”

“It was Bertrand’s job to knock the waitress out of me,” Riley crossed her arms over her chest. “He can’t be angry now, that he did his job too well. No take backs.”

Philip opened his door when Riley dug her fingers into his arm. “I can’t be seen here! Drive through!”

Riley adjusted her large hat and dark sunglasses as Philip sat back in the car. 

Riley gasped as she read the menu. “There are so many choices! What are you choosing?”

Philip peered at the small font. “I’m getting a vanilla milkshake.”

“Your father would be so proud,” Riley sniffed. “I’ll have the same.”

“Mom, we don’t have to get vanilla,” Philip looked at the long list of options. “Dad won’t care if we do or not.”

“Perhaps we are just used to it?” Riley frowned before rearranging her features into a stoic expression. She didn’t know the Botox availability in Texas. “You’re right, we should try new things!”

“What about vanilla with caramel?”

“Yes!” Riley clapped. “We can bring one for your father! Broaden his horizons!”

Phillip gave his order and pulled around to a small window. “That was really, really good, the feeling of actually getting a job of my own.”

Riley patted Philip’s arm. “My son, the entrepreneur. I’ll make you a special dinner. Enchiladas!”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that,” Philip accepted a ten dollar bill from his mother. “This is more than enough.”

“I insist!” Riley beamed as a young woman in a hat with the McDermot’s logo held out a cup holder with three large milkshakes. “Our frozen treats!”

Philip passed one to his mother and set the other two on the large console between them. “Wait, this is gonna melt. We can’t give it to Dad that way.”

“Silly me,” Riley closed her eyes in contentment as she slurped through a straw. “We can split it.”

Philip pulled into a parking spot carefully before taking a long drink. “Wow.”

“We shall have to tell your father to add caramel from now on.” Riley nodded in agreement. 

———

Eleanor looked up from the chaise lounge she’d fashioned out of two lawn chairs. Her brother’s shadow was blocking the sun on her face.

“Where did you come from?” Eleanor groused.

“I got a job,” Philip beamed, ignoring his sister’s gesture to move aside. “I get to recommend movies to the townspeople.”

“They’ll have their pitchforks out in no time,” Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Seriously?”

“I get off the ranch every day, and I get to drive,” Philip said smugly. “More than I can say for you. Quick question. Uncle Drake wanted to know who fucked up the hay bales. They’re that way for a reason, now there’s hay everywhere.”

“Let me guess,” Eleanor jumped to her feet. “You told him it was me.”

“Wasn’t it?” Philip shrugged. “There was a definite ass print. I saw you sneaking off with one of Uncle Drake’s non-children. I figured he was taking pics for the ‘gram.”

Ellie looked away quickly, her already rosy cheeks turning a shade darker. 

“No!” Philip gasped. “You didn’t!”

“His name is Jackson and stop pinning this on me!” Ellie flounced toward the barn.

“EW!” Philip screeched. “I know Dad is always saying to eat local, but this is beyond! BEYOND!”

———

Leo looked up and down the stone tunnel. He’d gotten turned around while following Hana and had no idea where he was. Or where he set the dart gun.

Hana’s voice echoed and Leo followed the sound, trampling through puddles. 

“Why is she even down here?” Leo grumped, brushing aside a wider web. “If she wants me, too damn bad. I’d rather make out with Bertrand.”

Leo stopped at a fork, wondering which hallway to take. Hana’s voice was so close, he wasn’t sure how he couldn’t see her. 

Leo stepped over to a small dent in the rock wall. A tape recorder, playing Hana’s voice, talking about flowers. 

“Fuck,” Leo griped. He threw the recorder in the ground and stomped it, deciding to take the closest tunnel. A door he had never seen before was ajar.

Leo cautiously approached, popping his head in. It was full of file cabinets. Leo tested the knob, noting it only locked with a key.

“Well well well,” Leo rubbed his hands together. “Let’s see why these papers were so secret.”

———

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Liam x MC: @cordonia-gothqueen @ofpixelsandscribbles

Despite their rocky beginning, she was endlessly patient and forgiving. Helping him cover up the deal he’d made with Kiara or keeping his indiscretions out of the press had only been the beginning; throughout the years she had taken his side, and defended him vehemently and passionately against any and all comers. The royal council, the press, diplomats from other countries, it didn’t matter. She was always on his side.

He needed one last signature for a treaty and the man wouldn’t budge? She brought her charm and wit to play until he did. The press printed something negative about him? She managed to drop a comment in an interview that made the exact same thing sound like strength of character.

And when he made mistakes? She was endlessly forgiving, supportive and understanding. She propped him up when he doubted himself, she whispered in his ear about all of his successes and about her confidence in him. And with that confidence, with her faith in him, he felt like he could take on the world and win. Indeed, he had, on many occasions.

Knowing that he wasn’t the only man in her life did nothing to diminish what they had. The fact that she had choices in companionship but kept choosing to return to their marital bed night after night, actually convinced him of her devotion more than if she had been stuck without a Cordonian arrangement and had no choices at all. Then how could he have ever been sure she didn’t feel restrained and controlled by the contract he’d tried to trap her with all those years ago?

He hadn’t been happy about the arrangement when she’d initially wrangled it out of him, but in the end, he was sure that it was the very thing that kept them together. She had the freedom and latitude to continue to exercise that free spirit of hers and he had her. Not in the purely physical and sexual sense that he had once thought was important, but in a better, deeper way.

He had her for real, her devotion, her love, her determination to stand steadfastly by his side through the years no matter what life threw at them.

She wasn’t his by force, or coercion or manipulation. She was his by choice, her own freely made choice. There was no contract in the world that could compel her to love him, to continue to have sex with him, or to give him anything emotionally. The best he could have hoped for, had the original contract stood, was her physical presence in his life. The amended contract had given him so much more. Given them so much more. It had been more than a fair trade.

Together, all of them, had raised five beautiful children. Crown Princess Eleanor had been conceived on their honeymoon and Prince Alexander had come along two years later. Ellie and Xander both bore their father’s black hair and onyx eyes. Ellie had her mother’s quick smile and infectious laugh while Xander’s features were marked by his father’s serious countenance.

The first two were part of the plan, but over the years, three more children had come along. A little boy with chestnut hair, copper-colored eyes and a propensity to scowl when his will was thwarted was followed by another little boy with russet brown hair, cobalt blue eyes and an unquenchable zest for living. Prince Jaxon and Prince Jason, Jax and Jace to friends and family, were followed by the baby of the family, Princess Charlotte, her curly auburn locks and emerald eyes making her a carbon copy of her mother.

It was impossible to tell Charlotte’s paternity by looking at her, but biology had ceased to matter decades ago. Cordonia had its heir, and a spare. If there were ever reason for doubt, DNA testing was easily available. Not that anyone could look at Ellie or Xander and doubt their paternity.

Their arrangement had also brought him the second great love of life. Max had often been the anchor of the entire polycule. His patient, understanding and endlessly accepting nature was a balm that both Liam and Riley had sorely needed. Sometimes he wondered if he and Riley would have survived without the glue that Maxwell provided. Even Drake had come to gradually accept Max’s calming influence, turning to him for advice when he’d stumbled in his relationship with Riley.

Drake. His best friend. The person that had been there for him from his earliest memories, the person that had been there for him when his mother died, when the assassination attempt had nearly taken him out, and for a million other little things. That wasn’t even counting the times he’d been there for the woman they both loved, but Liam didn’t delude himself that Drake did that for him.  

Because they both loved her, they’d almost lost each other. Blame and recrimination, jealousy and insecurity, betrayal and doubt. These were the things that would have taken their friendship down if not for the arrangement they’d struck.

In the end, the arrangement had given him back his best friend. It had opened up a road forward, a path toward forgiveness and understanding. He didn’t think that their fractured friendship could have ever been put back together if either one of them had lost her. They both loved her too deeply, too fiercely and too desperately to have moved on from that.

He had no doubts and no regrets. She had been right that they were stronger together than apart, all of them. He needed each and every one of them. He was better with her by his side. He was better with Max by his side. He was better with his best friend’s unwavering loyalty and support. He tried every day to be worthy of it all.

Cordonia was flourishing. The Sons of the Earth, the Liberation Core and the Via Imperii had all been vanquished. Peace and prosperity had reigned for the last forty years. Riley had made good on her promise to represent the common people of Cordonia and they adored her for it.

They had raised a houseful of happy, healthy children. Five children, eleven grandchildren so far. It was everything he’d ever dreamed about and more.

All he had longed for in his youth was a real family, a sense of love and belonging. He’d found that in spades. Once, he had pursued that love in all the wrong ways. He would be eternally and perpetually grateful that Riley had stuck around and given him a chance to grow, that they had grown together, towards each other.

I pulled up in front of the office building that housed the Cordonian Star, the gossip rag that had published that disgusting photo. I pulled up a picture of the reporter on my phone and showed it to Max, “This is who we’re watching for.”

“Why don’t we just go in and ask to see her?” He wanted to know.

“Because, they’ll likely just say no.” While I could flash my credentials around, that wasn’t the best way to stay undercover. “It’ll be easier to catch her at lunch.”

Which is exactly what we did. We waited for her to emerge from the building then followed her a deli down the street.

I waited for her to lift her sandwich to her mouth to slide into the booth across from her. Max followed my lead, slipping into the booth next to me. She looked up in alarm, eyes going wide as she dropped the food back onto the plate.

I slammed the photos that had been published in the paper on the table and slid them across to her as she jumped. “You were paid ten thousand dollars to photograph a sexual assault and we can prove it.”

“Who do you think you-“

I slapped my badge down on the table. She glanced at it while shaking her head. “How do I know that’s real? I’m going to call the real police!”

“Go right ahead.” I shrugged, leaning back and lacing my hands behind my head, “You can explain your part in the sexual assault conspiracy.”

“ A sexual- what? I have no idea what you’re talking about. You have the wrong person.” She glanced nervously between me and Max.

“Are you denying you took those photos?” I tapped them with finger, the sound drawing her eyes down again.

She opened her mouth to speak. I sensed a denial coming so I interrupted her, “Think carefully before you answer. We have proof of the wire transfer of money, we have the sworn statement of the security guard who issued you the fake credentials to get on the grounds that night. The fake credentials you left behind, tangled in a tree branch, we ran the prints on the badge. We’re prepared to take your prints right now. Are you telling me they won’t be a match?”

I jerked my head in Max’s direction, insinuating he had a print kit ready to go. Of course, he didn’t. But it worked.

She had gone ghostly white, “I…they’ll match, ok, but I swear, I didn’t know anything about a sexual assault! I was told Lady Riley was cheating on the prince, I….I just wanted an exclusive!”

“So, who gave you this insider information?” I demanded.

“I swear, I don’t know! I got an encrypted email, everything was done through email.” She fumbled for her phone, “I’ll show you!”

Ten minutes later we hit the sidewalk outside the deli. Max hurrying to keep up with my longer strides.

“We still have nothing!” I growled in frustration. The reporter had told us nothing we didn’t already know.

My phone rang and I jabbed the talk button with more force that was necessary. I was just really frustrated. It was Jason, hopefully with good news. “Hey Toussaint, whacha got?”

“Traced the wire transfer. You’re not going to believe this….”

“Fucking hell!” I exploded as I listened.

The second I was off the phone with Jason, I dialed Liam and cussed under my breath when he didn’t answer. I dialed Jason again to see if he had Liam’s location. He did.

I lifted my gaze to Max as we made it to the car. He peered at me curiously over the top of the car, eyebrows raised in question. “We need to get back to Ramsford now!” I told him, yanking the door open.

“What’s up? What’d you find out?” He asked as he settled himself into the passenger seat.

“I know who was behind the setup.”

“Who?”

“I’ll tell you on the way, Liam’s not answering his damn phone and he needs to know.”

“Where is he?”

“At your house.” I bit out more harshly than I intended. It wasn’t Max’s fault that the thought of Liam at Ramsford filled me with a mix of emotions I didn’t know what to do with.

I slammed the car in gear and headed for the Beaumont estate, my mood darkening by the minute.

The two black Cadillac Escalade’s resting in the driveway did nothing to improve my mood. They were unmarked, but I recognized them immediately as part of the royal fleet.

My foul mood transformed into confusion as I entered the Beaumont main sitting room. Liam was standing near the bank of windows that looked out over the vineyards stretching out for miles as far as the eye could see. Riley was on the other side of the room, near the fireplace, arms crossed, fire snapping in her eyes.

Liam glanced up as we came in, his eyes red rimmed, the expression on his face heart breaking. Had he just been crying?

“Uh…I’m sorry, we’re interrupting, we can-“

“No, Drake, it’s fine. We were done here, weren’t we?” She glared across the room at Liam.

“Riley, please, I didn’t mean-“

“Is everything ok?” Max asked.

Clearly it wasn’t.

“Liam here was just explaining how Madeleine is cool with me being his mistress!”

“Oh shit!” I breathed out before I could think better of it.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded!” Liam sounded so miserable I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.

“How did you mean it?” Max asked with an edge to his voice I’d never heard before. Honestly, I wouldn’t have thought Beaumont had it in him.

“I was just explaining that when I was forced to choose someone else that night, the reason I picked Madeleine was because she had already offered a Cordonian Arrangment if I picked her, because she was aware of my feelings-“

“And you didn’t find that suspicious?” I blurted out, anger surging through me. I wasn’t convinced that she wasn’t in on it. And he was marrying her. She would spend the rest of their lives manipulating him.  

“Of course I did, but I needed my enemies to think they’d won!”

“They did win.” Riley said softly, “Your abandonment and betrayal of me is complete. Tell them the rest.”

Liam looked miserable.

“What is it, Li?” I asked him, with a sinking feeling I already knew.

“My father was behind the set up.”

“So you talked to Jason?”

“Yes. He was under orders to tell me anything of importance he found during the investigation you put him up to.”

“You knew about that?”          

“Why do you think I didn’t cut off your access? I wanted the answers too.”

“But this is good news, right? I mean, it’s bad, but it means we know who was behind it and you can contain the threat, right?”

“Yes. I’ve taken steps to ensure that my father can’t hurt her again.”

“That’s good, right, Ri?” Max’s head swiveled between them trying to figure out the problem.

“Tell them what you told me when I asked you to issue a statement exposing the plot.”

With a pained expression, Liam explained, “I can’t. My father’s role in the plot can’t be exposed, it would weaken the monarchy.”

Right. Royal reputation above all else. I had sympathy for his position, I did. But she didn’t deserve to be offered up on the altar of public image.

“What are you even doing here, Li?” I asked him.

“The engagement tour kicked off yesterday. Riley wasn’t there. I wanted to personally make sure the invitation had been delivered, and to let her know that she can return to court now that the threat has been contained.”

“Return to court…as his mistress, while the world still thinks I’m a whore.”

“Riley, that’s not what-“

She drew herself up to her full height as she told him, “I’m sorry, Liam, I am. I understand that you’re in an impossible situation. But I won’t be joining you on the engagement tour and I won’t be signing up to be your side piece.”

“You’re taking all of this the wrong way.” Liam sighed. “We just need to find Tariq, get him to confess-“

“And if we don’t? If we never find him?” She asked as Max, who had crossed the room to stand beside her, dropped a comforting arm around her shoulder.

Liam said nothing, he just looked miserable.

She nodded, “That’s what I thought.”

“Riley, please-“

“Just go, Liam. What else is left to say?” She turned and buried her head in Max’s chest.

Liam looked like he wanted to say more, instead he stared at her back for a long moment as a look of dejected resignation spread across his face. Finally, he nodded and strode toward the door.

I followed him out and walked him to the car, “We’ll keep looking for Tariq. We’ll find him, I know we will!”

Liam put a hand on my shoulder, “Thank you, Drake. But I don’t know if it will make a difference. You were right. About everything.”

“What’s wrong, baby?” The term of endearment slipped out before he could think better of it. “Was it Nick? What did he do? Do you need me to kick his ass? Because I’m pretty sure I can catch him before he leaves the grounds.”

She laughed through her tears, then hiccupped a little. “No, he didn’t do anything except feel threatened by you.” Which, as it turns out, was valid.

“But you’re crying. I was joking before, Riley. But I’m serious when I tell you that if he hurt you, I will-“

She shook her head, which was still pushed against his chest, “It wasn’t him. He didn’t hurt me. I hurt him.”

“What do you mean?”

“I…I broke up with him.”

Drake went completely still, “What? When?”

“Just now. Ten seconds before you walked in the room.”

His heart was thudding in his chest. He had done everything she’d asked him to do. He’d backed off, stopped bombarding her with flowers, with reminders of their past, stopped his overt efforts to win her back, but he still wanted her back.

Ironically, it was when he had stopped all of the overtop gestures that things had started improving. They had, against all odds, forged a new, tenuous friendship and coparenting relationship. If that was all he was going to get, it was more than he deserved, and he didn’t want to do anything to risk the delicate balance they had achieved.

But he’d be a liar if he said the news of her breakup didn’t send hope and happiness thrilling through him. He tried for neutral and careful when he asked, “Why?”

Her head tipped back. He stared back into her face. Her eyes were red and puffy, cheeks wet with tears, but she still took his breath away. He gently brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, then his hand trailed down the side of her face to cup her cheek. His thumb brushed across her mouth, blood roaring in his ears as hope and adrenaline pounded through him.

“Ugh, fine!” I grumbled as I kicked out of the covers and headed to the bathroom. I quickly relieved myself and brushed my teeth and hair then pulled on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. Might as well be comfortable.

“At least there will be breakfast.” He said cheerfully.

“First of all, it’s too early to eat, Walker. Second of all, why are so goddamn chipper right now?”

He grinned at me, “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Right. You’re a morning person. Remind me to kill you later.”

We were standing by the secret panel; he stopped to turn and pull me into his arms. “If you kill me, I won’t be able to do this anymore.” His head dipped down and his teeth scraped along the side of my neck. I shivered as goosebumps broke out up and down my arms and back.

“Ok, fine.” I conceded, “You have your uses.”

“You know you’re welcome to use me anytime.”

I giggled and shook my head, “Stop it. We have to go, remember?”

“Sadly, yes.” He said as he pushed the button to open the panel.

The situation room was already full of people: Leo, Jason, Maxwell, Jared and surprisingly, Liam. Liam’s head turned when we came through the door, he saw me and his face lit up, then his eyes went behind me to Drake and his smile faltered, but only for a second before his eyes met mine and he stood to stride across the room and take my hand, “Good morning, Riley. I hope you slept well last night.”

Drake made a sound that could have been a laugh covered by a cough. I ignored that and responded, “Yes, very well. I’m happy to see you Liam, but what are you doing here?” I asked, confusion evident in my voice.

“I asked him here.” Leo responded.

“Why?” Yes, he was a member of the royal family, and he knew why I was here. But he hadn’t been included in any of the briefings before.

“Leo’s been having me sit in on meetings with him a lot lately.” Liam explained.

My eyes went to Leo, but he wasn’t making eye contact with me. Again, I asked, “Why?”

Leo shrugged and shifted nervously, still not looking at me, “Just in case. Never hurts to have someone that can step in if I’m ever indisposed.”

My eyes narrowed. Okay. Leo was acting cagey as fuck. It wasn’t unreasonable to have Liam in the loop. Leo was right, it would be good to have someone that could step in if he were ill or needed a vacation or if two pressing things came up at the same time. Still. If that were all there was to it, he’d be looking at me.

“Right.” Was all I said. Via Imperii first, weird Rys family shit later. “Where the hell is the coffee?”

Leo pointed, Liam started to offer to get it for me and I started to turn in the general direction Leo had pointed, but before either Liam or I could make a move toward it, there was a cup in my hand.

“Just the way you like it.” Drake said with a wink.

“Mmm.” I responded as I pulled in that first heavenly sip. I had to admit that the royal kitchen did coffee right. I also had to admit that Drake nailed my preferences. Black with just a hint of sugar. How the hell did he already know exactly how much sugar to put in my coffee? “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. I know you’re worthless without it.”

“…thanks? At least I don’t eat half a hog worth of bacon every morning.” I gave him a look.

He smirked back at me, “Don’t be hating on the bacon. It’s my only vice.”

“Whiskey.”

“It’s one of my few vices.”

Liam’s eyes darted back and forth between us, a look of consternation on his face at the familiar ease of our banter. Which made me wonder if the coffee was really just about bringing me coffee or a flex to show Liam that he knew me better.  

“As entertaining as this is,” Leo drew our attention back to the task at hand, “We received a response from the Via Imperii about sending Drake in my place.”

My head snapped up, “What did they say?”

“They refused. They seemed insulted that I would send a commoner in my place. Sorry, Drake.”

Relief flooded through me. Thank God.

Drake shrugged, “Like I care what the fucking Via Imperii think.”

“Now what?” Jared asked.

“Any luck breaking the encryption?” I asked.

“They are bouncing their messages around towers all over the globe, but it looks like the origin is coming from somewhere inside the kingdom of Hidar.” Maxwell informed us.

“Can you pinpoint it more than that?” I asked.

“Working on it.”

“Ok.” I sighed. “But that doesn’t help us root out members inside Cordonia, which is our mission.”

“Maybe, maybe not.” Jared said, “Can we see if any of our suspects have connections with Hidar?”

“Good idea.” I told him.

“On it!” Jason said, then he and Maxwell put their heads together and went to work.

“Sorry, double oh seven.” Leo said, “I guess this was a dead end.”

“No, it’s ok. I’m pretty sure I have an in.” I told him.

“Who?”

“Neville VanCouer.”

“Neville?”

“You sound surprised.”

“He’s so….not bright enough to…you know what? Never mind, he’s haughty, self-absorbed, entitled, it tracks.” Leo responded.

“Yeah, I got all of that at the masquerade ball. He’s my in, I know it. I just have to get an invitation out of him.”                           

“How are you going to do that?” Liam asked.

Jared laughed and I shot him a go to hell look as he responded, “The way she always does.”

“What Jared is trying to say is that I have my methods of charming my way into what I need.” I gave Liam a reassuring smile.

He looked concerned, “Won’t that be dangerous?”

“Not really. One, I’m really good at pretending to be what I need to be. He’ll believe I’m one of them. And two, even if it is, this is what I’m trained for, and I am always armed.” I pulled the hem of my shirt up to show him my gun and holster.

He still looked worried, but he nodded. Thank God he wasn’t going to try and talk me out of doing my damn job. I really liked him, and I would hate to have to downgrade my opinion of his character.

“I have an idea.” Drake volunteered.

“What is it?” I asked.

“The derby is tomorrow. The royal family has a private box. The king and queen won’t be attending, but Leo and Liam will. They can invite Neville to join them, then you can pretend to get lost, stumble into the wrong box and one of them will suggest that Neville escort you to the proper seating. Voila! Alone time with your suspect.”

“Drake, you might be a genius!”

“I thought this was common knowledge.”

We finalized some details before Leo had to hurry off to his next meeting. Liam followed Leo out, but stopped to take my hand and whisper in my ear, “Meet me after dinner tonight? On the roof?”

I murmured my agreement as he brushed a kiss across my cheek then hurried out the door after Leo.

Drake sidled over to me as he watched Liam walk out of the room. “What are your plans today, Brooks?”

“Well, there’s a luncheon on the south lawn for all the suitors that I’ll be attending, both for appearances and to try and get closer to some of the ladies on my suspect list.” I told him.

“Maybe tonight after dinner-“

“Sorry, can’t.”

“But I didn’t even-“

I shrugged, “Already have other plans.”

His head tipped up toward the ceiling and he let out a frustrated grunt. When he looked back at me, he asked, “Let me guess….”

I gave him a grin as I backed out of the room, “Be faster next time, Walker. My schedule fills up quickly.”

The luncheon was about as dull as you would expect. By the end of it I was even more sure that Madeleine was Via Imperii and that Penelope wasn’t.

I was also pretty sure that Kiara had a thing for Drake, she kept bringing him up. I could have destroyed her with the truth, but I kept it to myself. No point in blowing my cover, no matter how satisfying it would have been.

I learned nothing of any value at dinner either. I was starting to get frustrated. I know patience is a virtue, but unlike most of my jobs, this one had an expiration date. I didn’t have two years to slowly infiltrated the Via Imperii. I had four months and part of that was already gone. I had no reason for staying in Cordonia once the social season was over. I needed to speed this investigation up.

I determined that I was going to wrangle my way into Neville’s life starting at the derby, come hell or highwater.