A Weekend Affair # 5 - The White Brunch

[Persephone]

It seemed as if everything had been sorted out as far as what the plan was when Cameron returned. Ava truly hoped that this trip to Mexico cleared his head enough to realize that despite Haleigh making a deal with the devil, she did it with the best intentions. And while Haleigh and Cameron's open marriage had caused problems that could end up being catastrophic to the club, Ava knew Haleigh didn't do any of this maliciously or on purpose. It was still a hard pill to swallow - a wound that wouldn't easily heal - but it was one that would heal. Haleigh was one of her oldest friends, and while it hurt to be around her now, she loved her always.

Haleigh and Ashley joked about threesomes, but Ava wasn't particularly in the joking mood. Her mind went to Cameron, wondering if he had fallen victim to the King family crazy gene. But if he had...he would have wanted Haleigh dead too, right? The only person he had actively stated he wanted to kill was Alek, and that was because he was jealous of his wife being with Alek. If he was jealous, it meant he loved Haleigh, and if he loved Haleigh, he could never actually come back and hurt her. Ava sighed out and shut her eyes, leaning forward and putting her elbows on the table and her head in her hands. This whole fucking situation was utterly draining, and it was just beginning.

Damnit, Cameron.

Ava thought bitterly, wanting to slap the shit out of him once she saw him.

Haleigh: "I haven't been back to the White Wing since Cameron left. I should probably do that now, so I can check on the atmosphere, and tell Zach what we need him to do. I'll sound the alarms, if Cameron surprises us. Unfortunately I think we've done all we can at this point, and it's a waiting game now. We might as well carry on like normal, until he returns."

Lifting her head from her hands, Ava rubbed her face before raking her fingers back through her hair with a nod. 'Normal' sounded so ridiculous at this point, but it was the only thing they could really do until Cameron came back. Haleigh started to make her way to the door as Ava stood from her seat.

Haleigh: "Ava...."

Ava looked over, seeing Haleigh had stopped and turned to look at her.

Haleigh: "I'm sorry... is there anything I can do to help? I'll surrogate for you.... Ash, I'd offer you the same, but I dunno about carrying a litter of puppies. Maybe if I get a threesome out of it..."

Ava just stared at Haleigh for a long moment, taken aback by her words, but more so her offer. Despite how angry she had been at Haleigh, Ava felt the need to comfort her, knowing how much this whole situation was weighing on her. So Ava put her own personal feelings aside and walked up to her, placing her hand on Haleigh's back, gently rubbing it.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. This should be a happy time for you...and i'll do everything I can to make it that way."

Ava purposely didn't address the surrogacy comment, the thought a bit too much for her to bare.

"And i'll be fine. Just take care of yourself and those babies, okay?"

With that, Ava excited the room, stopping short to see Alek waiting dutifully outside the door. She met his gaze for a long moment before finally disappearing down the winding catacomb halls without saying a word. Ava soon returned to the Black Wing, opening the door to her chambers and shutting it behind her. The moment the door clicked shut, it felt like the weight of the world finally left her shoulders, an exhale of relief escaping her lips as she leaned back against it.

"What the fuck just happened..."

She whispered to herself, the whole meeting a whirlwind of emotions from start to finish. The only thing left to do now was get ready for another party, one that would surely end the weekend with a bang.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Queen's Conference Room

There wasn't much more for them to discuss, and Haleigh suggested trying to carry on as normal.

Haleigh: "I haven't been back to the White Wing since Cameron left. I should probably do that now, so I can check on the atmosphere, and tell Zach what we need him to do. I'll sound the alarms, if Cameron surprises us. Unfortunately I think we've done all we can at this point, and it's a waiting game now. We might as well carry on like normal, until he returns."

"Then I have a fabulous outfit to get into for tonight. You'll be sorry about that threesome, when you see it."

She grinned, getting up from the table. It was then that Haleigh turned back, and gave the most heartfelt apology she had every heard from Haleigh's lips.

Haleigh: "Ava.... I'm sorry... is there anything I can do to help? I'll surrogate for you.... Ash, I'd offer you the same, but I dunno about carrying a litter of puppies. Maybe if I get a threesome out of it..."

Not a chance.

"Let's just get through this pregnancy first, shall we?"

Ava was kind in her response, though it was clear, at least to Ashley, that she still was pained by the whole situation. It would take time, and no one could ask for less than that. She followed Ava and Haleigh out the door, then set her sights on what was waiting for her back in her room. She did need a longer than usual prep time for their event, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to avail herself of certain refreshment first...

And why shouldn't she? Things were looking up, Ava and Haleigh didn't look to be ready to claw each others eyes out at the moment, preparations were in place to deal with Cameron, who hopefully had had some sense sexed into him and would come back ready to man up and be the White King. She very nearly skipped all the way back to her suite...

 

[Berserker]

The Catacombs

He didn't like being banished from the room by his ex. BUT he also knew how much Haleigh would hate to have him see her emotional, with others present, when he couldn't comfort her. So he stepped out, allowing the three of them their girl time. But as soon as Haleigh came out of the conference room, he pushed himself away from the wall he was leaning against, his face concerned.

"Everything okay?"

He crossed to her, the other two queen leaving, presumably to dress for the party. He put his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. He rubbed her back, and brushed his lips against her cheek.

"Shall I escort you back to my room? I can have some options brought in for you for the party tonight."

But Haleigh wanted to go back to the White Wing, to check in, and dress there. He gave her a skeptical look, wondering if that was really the best plan, but he knew better than to try and change her mind. He also knew she had an ally in Zach, at least, plus Ashley's two guards. He gave her a kiss, then a grin.

"You are going to love what I'm wearing tonight. You won't be able to keep your hands off me."

He took both her hands in his, and bringing each to his lips in turn, said goodbye as they both went their separate ways. His phone buzzed in his pocket, and he read the text. He huffed out loudly, his blood pressure beginning to rise.

"Not if I have anything to do about it."

He picked up his pace towards the Red Wing, intercepting Ashley just as she had opened her door. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her inside, slamming the door behind him.

"Are you out of your fucking mind?"

He fumed at her, still holding her wrist tightly.

"You cannot possibly be this stupid. To allow your knight to move in with you? Have you gone mad?"

 

[Valkyrie]

Ashley's and AJ's Suite ( Alek)

Ashley was a million miles away as she approached her door, calculating the best way for her to really get AJ riled up. Maybe she should sneak in, or maybe she should call loudly as she came through the door, so he would know she was coming? She was just imagining the way his smile would show his teeth when she felt a hand close over her wrist. And there was only one person who would dare to do that to her.

"What the fuck, Alek?"

Alek: "Are you out of your fucking mind?"

He was dragging her into the center of her living room, and it took a second for her to make sense of what the hell he thought he was doing, so stunned was she that he was doing it. Of course, she also had no idea what he was so damn angry about. But it could have been anything. Did she forget to return his hair ribbon from the other day? Didn't he have other people to be angry at, or at least, another Queen to be manhandling? That one liked it, at least.

Alek: "You cannot possibly be this stupid. To allow your knight to move in with you? Have you gone mad?"

Ohhhhh. Now we were getting somewhere. Just when she thought there might be a human being under all that body hair, he pulled this bullshit. Again. Her eyes went cold and narrowed as she stared at him, her composure regained.

"Alek."

She twisted her wrist out of his grasp.

"I can't believe you are standing here lecturing me about how things look, when the White Queen is basically living in your room. At least AJ and I are on the same court."

She crossed her arms over her chest, a dark but self-satisfied smile on her lips.

"But I think you'll find that the game has changed. Have a seat."

She gestured to an armchair.

"No, really. We have a few things to discuss."

She moved to the sofa, and took a seat herself, crossing her legs and sitting tall. She clasped her hands over her knee.

"Now. This is how things are going to go from now on. My personal life is off limits to you. No belittling remarks about me, or my Knight. No demeaning little escapades like at the hunt yesterday. You will treat me as your Queen, and give AJ, as my consort, the respect he deserves. We will do as we please - which includes living where we please. You and I will continue our political alliance, in a collegial and deferential manner, acting for the good our Court."

Alek was scoffing like there was no tomorrow, but she continued.

"And should our Knight need to be reprimanded, I will do so. You are to no longer use disciplining him as a means to feed your ridiculous and unfounded jealousy."

Alek seemed to hone in on this last piece, rolling his eyes at her.

Alek: "Which would mean he will never be disciplined."

"Because he never goes against my command. He knows his duty and he does it."

Alek shook his head.

Alek: "Why in the hell would I agree to this. I already give you more leeway than you deserve."

"Because."

Ashley leaned forward.

"If you do, I will support your daughter as my heir."

She let that sink in a moment, leaning back in her seat.

"AJ and I will also give your daughter our protection. And we will be around a lot longer than you will - that's not a threat, that's a fact. And Cameron's memory is long. Even should we get through the current danger, he is a man who could bide his time. Not to mention all the others that will come out of the woodwork to get at you or Haleigh through your child. Kelly. Erika. Countless others. Face it, Alek, you need all the help you can get. We will make sure she is safe until such a time as she is ready to rule. And then, I will step aside, and you will have your legacy child. Just as you always wanted."

She waved her hand through the air, as if to say it was that easy.

"Should anything untimely happen to me, of course, the deal is broken and your daughter won't be able to rule the fry station at McDonald's."

She smiled curtly.

"You can have everything you ever wanted, Alek."

Her smile turned to a sneer.

"Or I can give Cameron my consent to do as he pleases with you and your child, I'll retract my guards from protection duty on Haleigh, and you can roll the dice on your daughter's life."

She shrugged.

"It's your choice."

 

[Berserker]

The Red Queen's Suite

She was like the poster child for how not to act like a queen. Seriously! Moving your subordinate in with you? As if she wasn't already a laughingstock across two clubs!

Ashley: "I can't believe you are standing here lecturing me about how things look, when the White Queen is basically living in your room. At least AJ and I are on the same court."

His blood was boiling.

"That's precisely the point. Haleigh and I are equals, that is a completely different situation."

She was going to try and be stubborn about it, but he was putting his foot down. He would not be laughed at by everyone at Hellfire because of her fuckery. She told him to sit, and he gave her a look like she was insane. But she insisted, so he did, wondering what ridiculousness was about to come out of her mouth. And she didn't disappoint.

Ashley: "Now. This is how things are going to go from now on. My personal life is off limits to you. No belittling remarks about me, or my Knight. No demeaning little escapades like at the hunt yesterday. You will treat me as your Queen, and give AJ, as my consort, the respect he deserves. We will do as we please - which includes living where we please. You and I will continue our political alliance, in a collegial and deferential manner, acting for the good our Court."

"You must be joking."

He scoffed at her. That she was suggesting he do anything of the sort, that he allow her to behave however she chose, it was laughable.

Ashley: "And should our Knight need to be reprimanded, I will do so. You are to no longer use disciplining him as a means to feed your ridiculous and unfounded jealousy."

He rolled his eyes. Yeah, right.

"Which would mean he will never be disciplined."

Ashley: "Because he never goes against my command. He knows his duty and he does it."

"Yeah, if by duty you mean fucking you morning, noon and night. Why in the hell would I agree to this. I already give you more leeway than you deserve."

Ashley: "Because. If you do, I will support your daughter as my heir."

He breathed in sharply, looking aghast at her. Then his eyes narrowed skeptically. Surely she didn't mean that. She would never so willingly give him something he wanted, something that required her to give up power. His mind spun as she continued.

Ashley: "AJ and I will also give your daughter our protection. And we will be around a lot longer than you will -"

He bristled at that, which she seemed to pick up on.

Ashley: "-that's not a threat, that's a fact. And Cameron's memory is long. Even should we get through the current danger, he is a man who could bide his time. Not to mention all the others that will come out of the woodwork to get at you or Haleigh through your child. Kelly. Erika. Countless others. Face it, Alek, you need all the help you can get. We will make sure she is safe until such a time as she is ready to rule. And then, I will step aside, and you will have your legacy child. Just as you always wanted."

"You will step aside, just like that?"

She gave a little hand wave in answer, and then went on to give the caveat that her continued existence was a condition of the deal.

Ashley: "You can have everything you ever wanted, Alek. Or I can give Cameron my consent to do as he pleases with you and your child, I'll retract my guards from protection duty on Haleigh, and you can roll the dice on your daughter's life. It's your choice."

She shrugged flippantly, like she was offering him the choice between pepperoni or sausage on his pizza.

"You bitch."

Ashley: "Uh uh uh - that doesn't sound very respectful."

He shook his head.

"That's no choice at all, and you know it."

Ashley got up from her seat, and slinked towards his chair, taking a seat on the arm and leaning down towards him.

Ashley: "You reap what you sow, Alek. I'm offering you your dream come true, and all you have to do, is act like a decent human being. Seems to me, you're coming out ahead."

She grinned coquettishly.

Ashley: "Maybe I should ask for more?"

"How do I know you'll keep your end of the bargain?"

Ashley: "I give you my word of honor. You know me well enough to know what that means. Or at least, you used to."

He held her gaze for a long moment.

"What if I tell Haleigh how you're using her child for your own ends?"

She laughed without mirth.

Ashley: "Haleigh would applaud my ingenuity."

She crossed her arms.

Ashley: "And tell you to take the deal."

Alek stood abruptly, knocking her off the arm of the chair. Fucking bitch, she was right.

"Deal."

He turned and marched towards the door to his room, still angry, but his hands inexorably tied.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen's Suite

She knew she had won before she even told him what she was offering. They had been together a long time, and she knew him well. His daughter's life, the chance to make her a legacy child, the thing he had always wanted to be, was a card he would not gamble with. And, if she was honest, finally having the upper hand over Alek tasted very sweet indeed.

He was angry, and getting angrier by the moment. If there was anything Alek hated more than her, it was eating shit. And she had served up a big spoonful.

But she wasn't lying when she said she was offering him everything he'd ever wanted, a bloodless coup, a safe childhood for his daughter, a legacy at Hellfire. And she was only asking in return that which she deserved, which was her by rights. She knew Alek would threaten to tell Haleigh, but she knew Haleigh would understand it was a card she had to play. And if she didn't, well, the others had let things go on with Alek long enough, and if they had supported her she wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. It was an opportunity she could not pass up. For a life. For freedom.

She gave him her word that she would live by the terms of their agreement, which he knew was as good a guarantee as could be come by. She knew he would take the deal, but it was satisfying to hear him say it, to hear the annoyance in his voice that he had been put in his place by her. He stomped towards his room, but she wasn't done.

"Oh, and Alek. Tonight you will enter the Red event at my side. But AJ will be on the other. And one last thing."

He turned around to scowl at her, while she stalked towards him.

"If you ever grab me like that again, I'll let Savage tear your arm off. He'd enjoy it even more than I would."

Alek gritted his teeth against the insult that was surely bubbling up from inside him, and left her room.

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire - The Catacombs

She stopped to offer the only thing she could think of to help Ava, and to Ash too, though she couldn’t resist making a little joke about it. Ash suggested they get through the current pregnancy first, not seeming too keen on the idea. Haleigh shrugged gently, as Ava came around, telling Haleigh she had nothing to be sorry about, that this should be a happy time, and she just needed to take care of herself and the twins. Haleigh nodded, as they all walked out together.

Alek was there, waiting with the guards. Haleigh smiled at him, as Ash took off down the hall faster than humanly possible, and Ava’s winds rustled through the cool underground air. Alek pulled her into a tight hug, the kind that restored strength, and asked her if everything was okay. Haleigh gave a little half scoffing laugh.

“Yeah, was there some girly fucking feelings in there, or what?”

She said to ease the tension. He suggested they go back to his suite, and have some clothes brought over, but she shook her head.

“No, I don’t trust anyone else to pick out clothes for me anymore. And besides, I need to speak with Zach about all the arrangements. It’ll only take a few minutes.”

Alek: You are going to love what I'm wearing tonight. You won't be able to keep your hands off me.

He promised after giving her a kiss. Haleigh smirked at him as he kissed her hands.

“Just don’t tell me I have to keep my hands to myself, and there won’t be any problems.”

She replied, and split off for the moment, with the two Praetorian guards shadowing Haleigh. She headed back to the White Wing, her mind reaching out into the video feeds for any fresh signs of danger. Walking down the White corridor, she found a bellhop with an over loaded luggage cart, knocking on Zach’s door. Haleigh looked at the cart suspiciously, but under X-ray none of the bags had explosives, just clothes and women’s shoes. Haleigh and her two guards slowed to a stop, just in time for Zach’s door to swing open.

 

[Prophet]

She forgave him, and his whole world made sense again.

Carolina: "I'm so happy! I love you mami, I love you papi."

It was the first time his child had told him that she loved him. And he had done nothing to warrant that.

"So THAT'S unconditional love..."

But things got complicated again quickly. Children were like roller coasters.

Carolina: "Are you going to come live with us here now?"

Thankfully, Elena stepped in before Cameron promised to be there every day, shoveling cow shit and making tequila.

Elena: "No, mija. Your papa must go back to Nueva York. But he will visit you again."

He was too much of a chicken to say anything, but thankfully, Carolina was as resilient as she was optomistic.

Carolina: "Do you want to see my room."

"Do bees love honey?"

And see her room, he did. It was perfect. Girly, pink, but thoughtful. It was like taking a peak inside of her brain, something Cameron was very wary to do, and that rarely happened to him. Knowledge was power and Cameron had the power to gain knowledge, so he found it very stupid to act with some kind of moral code about invading thoughts unless somebody he cared about made it clear they did not want him to do so, like Ashley. But Carolina was different. And he was worried to subject her to the darkness of his mind.

The two played for a bit as Cameron donned a sun hat and pink feather boa to be served tea, before the four of them headed towards the center of the village towards the sermon, which was very beautiful. In the center of the courtyard, Cameron watched as people lit candles, and soft music played around them, with the many but quiet voices talking to each other before an older man gathered on the steps of the village courtyard and everybody was silenced, including Cameron.

"Now this should be good."

Cameron didn't put much stock into religion. In his mind, it was never about spiritual freedom. It was about control. It had been used to wage wars, to oppress society, and to control them without their knowledge. Something shifted in Cameron in thinking this now as the service continued and he watched as everybody around him had their eyes glued to the priest. He got goosebumps as the hairs on the back of his neck stood still with importance.

"Fuck...."


In fact he found himself uncomfortably aroused. These people, they believed so deeply in the words they were hearing that they were willing to do anything, give anything, be anything they needed to be in order to serve their God. And so much of it was not out of true devotion, but fear. Fear that they were bad people. As he sat in his seat, his body was throttled with the loud and pleading thoughts around him and the desperate emotions that members of the service were feverishly thinking about as the priest delivered a sermon about the dangers of running with the devil. They were scared for their souls. He was reminded of a bible verse.

"Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self control."

Cameron had only had a few moments like this in his life. A moment where he suddenly saw very clearly the path he needed to take to secure the future that he wanted. The first had been when his sister Alison had left. He knew he would take over Alison's place at Kelly's side. The second had been when Haleigh had told him she loved him for the first time. It was the first time he felt a love so deep he thought it he could love her more, it might actually destroy him, and he realized he was willing to be destroyed to feel her love. He had truly loved Elena, but Haleigh was his soulmate. Being here made him realize that. He knew it the whole time and when she finally said it, it was a done deal. He was hers forever. It was part of the reason that Cameron wanted to find a way to become immortal, to become a God. So that he could say he would love her forever and legitimately mean it. Somewhere in his anger over the situation, he had forgotten. And now the feeling of having left her by herself with no communication was starting to make him sick, if he hadn't been feeling so euphoric.

"This is how I become a god."

All of this, deep seated silent hysteria could be harnessed, and The White King was well suited to do so. Flatscans were cattle compared to mutants, but they were still powerful. There was one thing Cameron had discovered early on about flatscans - they were always searching for a master. Somebody to tell them how to do, tell them what to be, how to actually become a good person. And they were willing to give their lives in service of that desire to be a "good" person. And the moment clicked. The world was Athens and Hellfire was Mt. Olympus. It was time for them to be the Gods that they were, and Cameron was ready to play, which only increased his desire to return home, despite the painful realization that he wasn't sure how Carolina would cope. As he watched her captivated face, he had a moment of hesitation as to actually following through with the vision he had just had, of gathering disciples and toppling humanity. Not all of them would be adults. Some of them were children. Like Carolina. He clicked back into perspective, telling himself that he has also doing this to create a world where Carolina and his unborn son would not have to hide who they were. Where their talents were embraced and revered. And as much as he hated to admit it, so too would Alek's daughter. He had to think of her as Alek's daughter rather than Haleigh's daughter because the thought of Haleigh having another man's baby was still more painful than he would like to admit. His daughter would be blood related to Cameron's son. Blood was important to Cameron. His legacy was important. His wife was a KING. No matter Alek's reputation, it didn't trump Cameron. But still, this daughter would be a reflection of his wife as well as his son, and it meant that she needed to be protected. Alek had somehow found himself a way into The Kings, and though Cameron hated it, it was a reality. And though he was certain that his plan to get rid of Alek would be common knowledge by the time he returned to Hellfire, he realized that these kids could bridge the gap between them. But he wasn't going to let the man continue to fuck his wife.

The sermon ended to wild praise and clapping, and as if on cue, the woman that Carolina had spoken of in the courtyard appeared, singing a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria. He felt as if he had smoked a joint with Cobra and was listening to her tell a story from one of her novels. The village was humble, but beautiful and colorful. So full of joy and light. Normally, this brought Cameron much discomfort. If things weren't dark and twisted, Cameron wasn't much interested. But tonight, being there with his daughter and the mother of his child, it felt good to be so incredibly human for a moment. He was meant to come here. He was meant to experience this exact moment. It was everything that he had needed, and it was because of his daughter. He couldn't leave her. Not so soon. But he was worried that if he remained so visible, it would only make separating that much harder. And he didn't want to put her in harm's way. Things were far from settled at Hellfire. If something happened to her because he was weak and having separation anxiety, it would crush him. For a while he pushed those thoughts away, as the music became more lively and upbeat. Cameron and Carolina danced, her feet resting on top of his as he attempted a humble samba with his daughter. She had moves. \

As the sun began to fully set, Cameron was hit with the reality that he needed to leave. The group had returned to La Casa del Estrada and sat in the courtyard, decorated with beautiful tables and soft lighting. Carolina was busy on the stone courtyard around them, playing with the flowers in a pond and fountain installation. Cameron leaned back into his chair, silent for a few moments. He had blocked Elena from him during the service because he was worried that she might not agree with the direction Cameron was about to take his life. After a moment of silence, he took a sip from the glass of tequila on the glass table in between him and Elena.

"This place really is beautiful..It's a paradise. She's lucky to grow up here..."

[pausing]

"And you really...are a great mother. Not that I have any experience to deduce that, but still.."

He crossed one leg over the other, his ankle resting on his right knee. Heidi had been bored and insisted that they leave sooner rather than later, and he didn't want to cage his Knight. But how could he leave all of this?

"I have a few houses in the buroughs. All of them plenty of room for the two of you, your father too if he wants. I'm not asking you to move, but I think it might be a good idea to set her up with a home base in New York. You guys can come and go as you please, for as long or as short as you want, I'll have everything maintained at all times, to your specific requests. Whatever you need, whatever she needs is taken care of..."

[thinking]

"You could leave tonight if you wanted. If it were possible. I don't have to tell you that I am facing a shit storm when I get home. There are many loose ends that I need to tie up. Many decisions I have to make. Things could get uglier before they get better, but should you choose to come, I garauntee your safety."

[smirking]

"Nobody fucks with my family and lives. Despite what The Inner Circle might think of me right now, that is one thing I've made sure they know for sure. Nobody will dare to cross that line. Our children are off limits."

[taking a sip]

"What do you think?"

 

[Hex]

Zach had given Brienne the 'official' tour of the White Wing, though the majority of it consisted of his living room, his bed, and his shower...not that she was complaining in the slightest. Despite some protests on Zach's end, Brienne insisted on exiting the shower so she could attempt to get ready for the Red Party. Wearing one of Zach's oversized t-shirt and nothing else, Brienne was still awaiting her luggage to be delivered by the servants, which was quite honestly taking a fucking lifetime. There was little she could do outside of blow dry her hair considering her toiletries and clothing had yet to arrive.

Turning the blow dryer off, Brienne ran her fingers through her silky blonde locks as she looked in the mirror. Her hair was so bone straight she never really needed to straighten it, which worked to her advantage if these incompetent servants decided to deliver her luggage to places unknown. Hell, she could get away with wearing Zach's white oversized shirt as a dress to the party; throw on one of his Gucci belts around her waist and her thigh high boots she had on at lunch, and it was a fucking outfit made for London fashion week. Luckily, however, she finally heard a knock on his chamber room door. Brienne was hesitant for a moment, looking toward the steamy bathroom where the shower just shut off.

"Zach? I think my luggage is finally here."

She called out, feeling obligated to tell him because this was his chambers after all. She didn't want to go around acting like she owned the place. She may have been the Black Queen, but she was in the White Wing of a different branch. Brienne was a bitch, but she was a British bitch that had proper manners. Crossing the living room, Brienne opened the door to see one of the bellman standing there with a cart of all her luggage. What she didn't ask for was the absolute horrible timing in which he delivered it.

"Bloody hell."

She griped under her breath seeing Haleigh slow to a stop. Looking past Haleigh, Brienne noted two Red Guards following her, but no White Knight or Bishop. That was good. It meant whatever information Haleigh got from the waiter who tried to poison her didn't incriminate Archer, which in turn didn't make Brienne look guilty by association. Still, Brienne was a bit on edge, folding her arms across her chest as she looked at the bellman who looked a bit nervous by the stifling tension.

"Leave."

Brienne simple stated, the bellman bowing respectfully to Brienne before turning to bow respectfully to Haleigh, then scurried off. It was then Brienne looked at Haleigh, her guard automatically up, which meant venom would be used.

"I was invited by your Rook."

Brienne gave a condescending smile.

"Unless staying in other courts quarters is against the American Branches rules? Though I doubt it, considering your current situation."

 

[Sparrow]

Colima

Elena was happy for her daughter. That she was getting this time with her father. And when she was old enough to remember it. Even if he never came back, Carolina would always remember her funny papa and what a good day they had together. It was amusing to see him with her, how he completely had no clue how to speak to a child. But it was endearing, and Carolina already loved him. Elena hadn't doubted that for a moment, though. Her daughter had the biggest heart in Colima in the smallest body.

She was reluctant to interrupt them, as she called upstairs for Carolina to change for mass. They went together, and Cameron surprised her by making no jokes, rolling no eyes. It was a beautiful evening, and she smiled down at Carolina, who kept looking up at Cameron like she was afraid he was a dream. When mass was over and the rejoicing began, Cameron danced with his daughter, and her heart was full to bursting.

When it was time to return home, Elena walked next to Cameron with Carolina skipping ahead with joy. An old women in a black lace mantilla came towards them, smiling.

Old Woman: "Tan bueno que has vuelto a tus sentidos. No existe el divorcio para los católicos, sabes?" [So good you have come to your senses. There is no such thing as divorce for Catholics, you know.]

Elena smiled respectfully.

"Gracias, Dona Maria."

As they moved on, Elena took Cameron's arm and spoke to him mentally:

Papa told everyone that we were divorced. Here, being divorced is slightly better than being pregnant without a husband.

They returned to the hacienda, and watched Carolina play while they sat in the courtyard.

Cameron: "This place really is beautiful..It's a paradise. She's lucky to grow up here..."

Elena nodded in agreement.

"She is."

Cameron: "And you really...are a great mother. Not that I have any experience to deduce that, but still.."

Elena laughed, eyes smiling at him.

Cameron: "I have a few houses in the boroughs. All of them plenty of room for the two of you, your father too if he wants. I'm not asking you to move, but I think it might be a good idea to set her up with a home base in New York. You guys can come and go as you please, for as long or as short as you want, I'll have everything maintained at all times, to your specific requests. Whatever you need, whatever she needs is taken care of..."

"Cameron..."

You didn't just pick up a child and move her to another country, for a father she'd only just met. Or to be kept by a man.

Cameron: "You could leave tonight if you wanted. If it were possible. I don't have to tell you that I am facing a shit storm when I get home. There are many loose ends that I need to tie up. Many decisions I have to make. Things could get uglier before they get better, but should you choose to come, I guarantee your safety. Nobody fucks with my family and lives. Despite what The Inner Circle might think of me right now, that is one thing I've made sure they know for sure. Nobody will dare to cross that line. Our children are off limits. What do you think?"

"This is her home, Cameron. This will always be her home."

She looked at him, studied him, for a few long moments. Then she finished her tequila, setting the glass back onto the table. She could see it already, his possessiveness coming through. She had to play this very carefully, so that she stayed in control.

"I have a few conditions."

She ticked them off her fingers.

"First, Carolina and I will stay in the Mansion. As much as it is a completely unsuitable place for a child, I will not have her shoved in a corner like she isn't your daughter. If you want to spend time with her, you will spend time with her. Got it?"

"Second, we will come for the summer. I am not pulling Carolina out of her school or away from her friends. This will be a vacation so she can get to know her papa."

"Third, there will be no 'White princess' bullshit, or dressing her all in white outfits. She is a child. She will be allowed to be a child."

"Fourth. Whatever "

She wiggled her hand in the air.

"- arrangement you and your wife have, you keep it away from Carolina. We will not explain to our daughter why Auntie Haleigh's friend is sleeping over. Or Daddy's knight."

She wrinkled her nose in disapproval.

"And last, if anyone gives her an unkind look, a nasty word, we will come home immediately."

She crossed her arms.

"And it's too late to take a child on a trip like that. We could fly up in the morning in papa's jet."

She looked at him expectantly.

"Acuerdo?"

 

[Savage]

Hellfire -- The Red Queen’s Suite

His Queen had asked him to stay, to wait for her, so despite his reluctance, he stayed. He sent three Guardsmen to follow her in his place, and then he crawled back into the bed that smelled of her. He drifted off to sleep, and dreamed of hunting with her at his side.
It was the slamming of the main suite door that woke him, and his Queen’s voice, met by that of the little bear. The tone of the ‘king’ was enough to provoke Savage into a rage. He felt a heat ripple down his spine as he sprung from the bed. By the time he landed on the floor he had fully shifted to his other form.

He came out from the bedroom with a snarl, his fangs bared and his fur standing on end, as his Queen was pulling her wrist from Alek’s grasp. That was too bad, he'd missed his chance to rip the little bear's grubby paw off. Ashley was talking to the 'king', insisting he sit down in an armchair, as she sat on the sofa.

Savage stalked over behind the sofa silently. He was well big enough to see Alek over the back of it, he could have leapt over it easily if he needed to. But he held still, watching warily, as his Queen presented a deal to the 'king' that would keep him better behaved.

Alek: You bitch.

Savage growled loudly, his teeth bared again for a moment.

Ashley: Uh uh uh - that doesn't sound very respectful.

The two bargained a bit more, and Savage quieted, because his Queen was clearly winning. He was waiting, almost hoping, for Alek to lose his temper. It came very close, but then he began to stomp away like a child.

Ashley: And one last thing. If you ever grab me like that again, I'll let Savage tear your arm off. He'd enjoy it even more than I would.

Savage gave a toothy grin, and a rhythmic growl that sounded much like a throaty laugh. He trotted up beside his Queen smoothly, watching Alek leave. It wasn't until the door shut again that he shifted back to human form as he stood up.

"Do you think he can keep his word?"

 

[Valkyrie]

The Red Queen’s Suite

Savage had surprised her by coming into the room in his other form, but she didn't draw attention to it. She knew he wouldn't attack unless she was attacked, or gave the order. And she enjoyed both the support of his presence, and the implicit threat a wolf in the room provided.

When Alek was gone, Savage shifted back to human.

"Aw, but you're so cute when you're all fluffy."

She gave him a teasing smile, but his mind was on business.

AJ: "Do you think he can keep his word?"

She shrugged.

"Who can say? But I will take his acceptance as permission to no longer give a fuck."

She closed the distance between them and looped her arms around his waist. She tilted her head up to look at him.

"Someone very smart reminded me that queens rule at Hellfire."

She smiled.

"You would have made an excellent bishop."

Then she sighed, the timbre of her voice changing.

"But regardless of anything else, this is an opportunity we must take. To make this child into the queen we need her to be. So we can hand over our people to her with clear conscience."

She kissed his chest.

"And then we can disappear to your cabin. For good."

She slid her hands up to his shoulders, then stood on her toes to kiss him. And then her face took on a perturbed grimace.

"Damnit, he ruined my big entrance. It was really going to be something."

She pouted a little, her finger tracing a pattern on his chest.

"And I need to get ready for the party soon. But maybe we should have a little something to tide us over?"

She giggled, looking up at him coyly through her lashes, her hands finding both of his.

 

[Black Widow]

Hellfire - The White Wing

She was just checking up on Heidi’s tracker when she spotted the bellhop at Zach’s door, and she curiously slowed to a stop. She needed to brief him anyway, this was as good a time as any. Yet it was not Zach who answered the door, it was Brienne. Haleigh’s right eyebrow raised in curiosity, as the bellhop was dismissed by Brienne.

Brienne immediately offered an explanation for her presence, as if anticipating the third degree. And she made a little quip about Haleigh’s current living arrangement, as if that justified her moving all her shit into Zach’s room on the last day of her stay her in America. Haleigh smirked a bit, quite pleased to have denied Brienne the pleasure of Alek. She almost considered denying her Zach, too, but at this point in the game, it was advantageous to try to work Brienne as an ally.

“Do you even care about rules, Brienne? One would think not, considering your complete lack of qualms about using secret magical spells against your hosts.”

She replied in a languid tone.

“I mean here you are, in my house, drinking my booze and eating my food, thoroughly enjoying the hospitality of my men.... seems really quite cavalier and not to mention rather rude of you to hex me. I’m inclined to retaliate.... but then I have to consider my source. Maybe Erika was just being a Grade A frenemy when she threw you under the bus. Maybe I should give you a chance to explain, before I have these guards seize you for attacking me.”

She said coolly, with a little smile. A few seconds later, Zach appeared from behind the door, a towel wrapped around his waist, his arms sliding around Brienne from behind as he pulled her close to kiss her neck. Haleigh cleared her throat, and Zach’s gaze snapped up in surprise.

Zach: Oh hey, Haleigh.... Brienne’s going to spend the last night here. The new Black Bishop tried to claim some nonsense about security and make Brienne move to the pawn suites.

“Ah. Well I do appreciate you working all through the weekend, Zach.”

 

[Hex]

Haleigh cocked up an inquisitive brow as Brienne opened the door to gather her items. Of course, it was followed by a smirk making the Black Queen roll her eyes. Haleigh was a cocky bitch, thinking she somehow won in regards to Alek. While Brienne wouldn't be fucking him anymore, Alek had still offered to fuck her at breakfast. She was doing Haleigh a favor by telling the Red King to fuck off; the bitch was obviously jealous.

Haleigh: “Do you even care about rules, Brienne?"

"Depends on how it benefits me."

Brienne added flippantly with a smirk.

Haleigh: "One would think not, considering your complete lack of qualms about using secret magical spells against your hosts.”

She scoffed out, her eyes rolling so far back she thought she saw the back of her skull.

"Not this again."

Haleigh: “I mean here you are, in my house, drinking my booze and eating my food, thoroughly enjoying the hospitality of my men.... seems really quite cavalier and not to mention rather rude of you to hex me. "

Brienne waved her hand, annoyed that she had to, yet again, defend something that was natural to her.

"For fuck sakes, maybe you should make a little notation the next time you invite guests to your house stating that magick is off limits. How the fuck was I supposed to know considering your Princess and mother in law are both witches."

Haleigh: "I’m inclined to retaliate.... but then I have to consider my source. Maybe Erika was just being a Grade A frenemy when she threw you under the bus. Maybe I should give you a chance to explain, before I have these guards seize you for attacking me.”

It was time for Brienne to perk up a brow, inclining her head to look around Haleigh at the two Red Guards. She laughed.

"Oh I would love to see them try."

Her tone filled with humor at how they wouldn't last two seconds. But Brienne huffed out a sigh and returned her icy gaze to Haleigh. Zach had said Haleigh would understand that her prank was harmless if explained, and that the White Queen wouldn't attack her unless it was for good reason. She was about to test his promise.

"Look. As I told your psycho princess and Zach earlier, I didn't know that magick was so taboo at your branch. So when I used my magick at the Red Hunt, it was because I was bored. I didn't 'hex' you, for Christ sakes. I was watching what everyone was doing during the hunt via my magick and happened to see you and Alek getting hot and heavy in the woods. It was rather dull looking, so I decided to spice it up by making you both even hot and heavier."

Brienne shrugged her shoulder up casually.

"What can I say, I enjoy sex in all forms."

Even though the part about watching everyone was an outright lie, Brienne decided that Haleigh didn't need to know that. Whatever helped her case in this situation, considering the current state of things.

"So sorry to disappoint you, but that's the extent of it. No voodoo, no hexes. Just me, trying to pass the time at an utterly boring event."

It was then Brienne felt Zach's arms slip around her waist and pull her back against him, his body still wet with water causing her oversized shirt to dampen. Brienne brought her hands to his forearms, holding him in place as he kissed her neck, but it was when Haleigh cleared her throat that he stopped realizing they weren't alone.

Zach: Oh hey, Haleigh.... Brienne’s going to spend the last night here. The new Black Bishop tried to claim some nonsense about security and make Brienne move to the pawn suites.

"Have fun with that one."

Brienne grumbled, knowing Daniel was getting a little big for his britches despite only being the American Black Bishop for less than 24 hours.

Haleigh: “Ah. Well I do appreciate you working all through the weekend, Zach.”

Brienne narrowed her eyes at Haleigh insinuating that Zach was 'working' in regards to her being there, and not that he wanted her there. Alek had been working Brienne, that was very apparent. But Zach made it a point to show Brienne that this wasn't official White Court business - that this was personal between them. Still, it stung a bit to think that maybe Haleigh was right.

"It seems all the men in your life are quite the worker bees."

She couldn't help but get catty; it was always her go to when she felt hurt. Brienne snapped her fingers, all the luggage from the cart disappearing and reappearing in Zach's chambers.

"I'm quite certain you're not here to see me, so i'm going to go get ready for this party. [evenly] Unless there's anything else you'd like clarification of?"