A Weekend Affair # 7 - Exodus

Hellfire -- The Red King’s Suite

They covered a lot of ground, Archer, SubZero’s acquisition, and alliance. Juliette and Alek discussed Ashley, and Alek spoke well of his Queen, despite the differences Haleigh knew he had with Ashley. Haleigh was struck by how the Red regent’s current relationship was suddenly similar to the state of her marriage. Would she be mired in this conflict with Cameron, or could he overcome his anger and allow them to amicably separate? Cameron had a reputation for crushing those who opposed him or refused to submit to his designs. Haleigh wondered her husband would turn that wrathful habit on her. The scorn he’d shown her last night didn’t bode well.

I’m the White fucking Queen, and I will not be afraid.

She told herself, and then she moved the conversation on before anyone could see the way she’d needed to steel herself. Last but not least, there was Zach’s transition to discuss. No doubt he would win them all over in no time, in fact he’d been hand delivering Juliette’s victims all weekend and probably already had her approval. Still, Haleigh could make it easier for him, she owed him that much. With that agreement made, she let Juliette get back to packing.

She waited for Juliette to pass fully into the next hall before she told Alek that their little chat took care of a few loose ends. He mentioned her not wanting to be outshone by the Red Court this weekend. His hands found her waist, as hers slid up his arms to rest on his shoulders, a sly smile on her lips.

“Caught. Can you blame me, though?”

She loved the way his muscles felt beneath his skin. She was almost distracted by it, but then Alek asked if she thought the Europeans would fight the takeover of SubZero. She shrugged gently.

“No idea, but I promised Ava I would back her play. So if they decide they want to fight? I’ll show them a fight.”

She replied, her fingers working their way into his hair at the nape of his neck. She was just about to remind him where they’d left off when they were interrupted yet again. Apparently her outfit for breakfast had arrived. She sighed gently, her head dropping forward until it rested against his chest.

“One more event. One more, and then everything can go back to normal.”

She said. It wouldn’t, though. A lot had changed this weekend, and there was more to come.

“I’m starting to think I should’ve taken you up on that offer to run away together to a safe house.”
 
The Red King’s Suite

Finally, the business with Juliette was complete and he and Haleigh were alone again. He took the opportunity for a playful jab at her, trying to catch up to the strides made by the Red Court with Juliette and Liam that weekend. Luckily she took it as intended, her hands sliding to his shoulders, reminding him keenly what they had been doing before they were interrupted.

Haleigh: “Caught. Can you blame me, though?”

"Not really. I'd do the same thing."

He smiled warmly. After a beat he questioned whether she thought the Europeans would retaliate.

Haleigh: “No idea, but I promised Ava I would back her play. So if they decide they want to fight? I’ll show them a fight.”

"Oh, so stealing SubZero was Ava's bright idea."

He rolled his eyes, then sighed.

"Still, I do like it when you talk fighting..."

He leaned in so he could nuzzle her ear. Her hands were in his hair, and he felt his blood - and other things - stirring.

And then there was another bleedin' knock at the door.

This time he didn't respond, just emitted a growl of annoyance. Haleigh's head dropped to his chest in similar irritation, and he planted a kiss on the top of her head.

Haleigh: “One more event. One more, and then everything can go back to normal.”

He rested his chin on the top of her head.

"I'm not sure I remember what normal feels like."

Nor was he sure he wanting things back to "normal".

Haleigh: “I’m starting to think I should’ve taken you up on that offer to run away together to a safe house.”

"It's not too late - you could be eating bon bons with your feet up by this afternoon..."
 
The White King's Study

Liam: "The glorious warrior king of Sparta! You flatter me."

Cameron smirked as an errant thought of The European White King bent over his desk flashed through his mind. Cameron never had been bogged down by the trappings of gender when it came to scratching an itch - because sometimes different itches required different methods of scratching. He posited the question of moving the club towards a more known presence and co-signed Liam's nuclear power endeavours.

Liam: "We could all stand to gain immensely from the success of such an endeavor. I'll have some designs drawn up, and contracts written."

It would be simple. Politicians in this country were so daft that he often found the use of his telepathic power unecessary when it came to getting what he wanted from them. Of course, in the interest of time, and a show of good faith to Liam, if it meant he had to mind fuck a few key people in the city to make things happen, he would do so gleefully. It had been quite a few years since his last reign of terror. As a telepath (the world's strongest now thanks to the untimely death of Malice), he had a front row seat to the filth that people thought and acted on, and sometimes he couldn't help but to get his hands dirty, if only out of sheer boredom.

Liam: "Once you've reconciled with Juliette, you'll be wise to get her talking about the French Revolution. She lived through it, you know. Survived it, I should say. She knows first hand what happens when the little people decide they don't appreciate the ones with their hands on the levers of power. There's much to be said for remaining in the shadows, and allowing figureheads to take the heat. Ruling the world, though...that's something we can all get behind."

Juliette was a tempting ally. Her knowledge and experience was deep. The insight she could provide Cameron and Haleigh's play to divide and conquer the world was vital. Having both Liam and Juliette on their side was a no brainer, but she was not the only person that he was counting on. This weekend had revealed something to him that he had been ignoring - Ashley. Not that she needed to, but she had proven herself an allly to Cameron, and their bond was not just shared because of their "uncertain" relationships with Alek. He trusted Ashley - she said what she meant, and meant what she said. Her experience in war was unmmatched by anyone, Juliette included, and though she projected a lot of strength, as an empath, Cameron could sense the deep well of passion and heart within her soul. She had come to his aid several times this weekend and it had not gone unnoticed. The fact that The Red King was her ex was just an added bonus.

Cameron smirked once again.

"Then it sounds like the beginning of beautiful relationship."

Despite their domestic dispute, Cameron and Haleigh shared the same vision, a vision that drove them, one that came from the deepest part of themselves. Though it was their egos that had gotten them both into their current situation, it was that same ego that kept them together. They understood how to play the game, and because of this, they were allowed to be a bit messier than the others and get away with it. Haleigh was the daughter of Diana, and Cameron was the son of Kelly, two founding members of the Inner Circle. No others had their bloodline, and a child carried those bloodlines was going to be in this world before they knew it - and Cameron would not have his son contained to the sandbox of the Hellfire Mansion. The world would know his power. Haleigh would make sure Juliette was taken care of, and Cameron would work from there.


Liam: "Much obliged for your time, Cameron. I look forward to the success of our alliance, and I'll certainly be keeping in touch."

For a moment, he couldn't determine whether or not Liam was being facetious or sincere, but something told him that despite all else, progress had been made. The weekend had not been a total loss. His vulnerability had shown him not just that his wife feared his anger more than he would have liked, but that he had friends. Family. It was easy sometimes to think that Haleigh had some kind of special deference, being the daughter of Malice. But they had killed her to prevent that kind of tyrannical reign from happening again. He was an equal partner in this. They all were - they just had to decide where they stood.

"I'm glad we got the chance to speak, Liam. My door is always open."

The White King walked over to his European counterpart and extended a hand for a handshake."

[smiling]

"I'll see you at the farewell breakfast, though we've all made a pact to suffer through it silently, so it might not hold the weight of the other events that have transpired this weekend. My apologies in advance, but I'm sure everyone would very much enjoy a little quiet and some very strong coffee."

Cameron thought for a few moments as Liam exited his study. Of the future - of his next step. His personal life was a mess. But his professional life didn't have to be, and Cameron's greatest love, outside of his children and Haleigh herself was working. He loved it, and when he had nothing else, he always had that. It was time to go for it. He pressed a com link.

"Bring me my sister. And make sure she has a notebook, or a tablet."
 
Hellfire -- The Red Queen’s Suite

He held her afterward, leaning into her body against the wall, a lupine smile on his lips when she said she didn’t think she could stand. He moved slowly as she did, kissing her gently now, catching his breath. Conscious thought was returning to him. She wanted to go back to bed.

“As my Queen commands.”

He replied as her hand wrapped his arm. He shut off the shower and reached for a towel as she remembered they had to go to breakfast, which she clearly expressed not wanting to do. He took a plush towel from the rack and wrapped it around her, beginning to dry her body even as she stamped her foot in annoyance.

Ash: I just want these people gone already.

He did too. In fact, he could not bid the Dead Thing and her thrall King farewell soon enough, but he understood the obligation. His hands followed the athletic curves of her body with the towel.

“Soon, My Ashley. Soon they will be gone, and we will be on the way to our hunt.”

The thought of it would sustain him through whatever breakfast would be. When the Dead Thing neared, he could think of his Ashley seated comfortably in his 1973 Dodge Challenger, a roaring red chariot worthy of his Queen. Perhaps she would like to roll the windows down, and let the air whip through her hair. He always enjoyed the scents and the breeze, but if she wanted conditioned air and a calmer atmosphere instead he would of course agree. He was grinning ear to ear, but he stopped when he realized something suddenly.

“Do you like road trips, My Queen? It will be a few hours to drive. But if you would rather, I can arrange the helicopter to take us.”
 
Hellfire -- The Red King’s Suite

She admitted being caught, when he called her on her game, and asked if he could blame her. He told her he would’ve done the same, and she shared his smile. It was easy being with him, it always had been. She had never really appreciated that fact, but after spending so much time with him the last couple of days, she realized it now. Had they ever even argued about something? If they had it was something so minor she couldn’t recall it now. She just knew that whenever they were together, alone or around others, he put her at ease.

They discussed SubZero, and the Europeans acceptance of it. He wondered if they might fight the takeover. She couldn’t predict the future, and admitted as much, instead resolving to fight if necessary. He commented on the whole thing being Ava’s idea. Haleigh nodded, silently wishing Ava wasn’t so secretive about her plans all the time. No one had known except Amanda, apparently. Granted, it might have been a retaliatory move, born from Archer’s aggression.

Alek: Still, I do like it when you talk fighting....

“Mmmmm.....”

She replied as he nuzzled her ear. She pressed her body against his, delighted and aroused, only to be interrupted again by duty. She sighed, telling him that there was just one more event and then things could go back to normal. He said he wasn’t sure he remembered normal, and she gave a short huff of a laugh, because she couldn’t tell him what it was either. She admitted rethinking his safe house offer. Wherever it was, there wouldn’t be so much traffic.

Alek: It’s not too late - you could be eating bon bons with your feet up by this afternoon.

She laughed genuinely at the idea of herself lounging on a sofa in a quiet little house somewhere, eating chocolates.

“What a proper pregnant housewife you would make of me!”

She shook her head gently, her smile dropping, her expression hardening.

“No.... I will not surrender ground to Cameron and his little mistress. He thinks he can punish me, parading her around here, her and that illegitimate child, but I won’t be terrorized by him or her or anyone else.”

She opened the door for the servant with her clothes, and gave Alek a defiant smirk.

“Would you be my escort for breakfast?”

She asked, pulling the tie loose on the robe she was wearing before opening up the garment bag that had been delivered.
 
The Red Queen’s Suite

There was a mischievous glint in her eye when she suggested they get back into bed until they needed another shower. But then she remember that fucking breakfast. ANOTHER fucking event. And the last thing she wanted to do after last night's episode of Real Housewives of the Hellfire Mansion.

Savage wrapped a fluffy towel around her and was drying her off, but even that didn't calm her down. She stomped her foot angrily. She just wanted a semblance of normalcy again.

Savage: “Soon, My Ashley. Soon they will be gone, and we will be on the way to our hunt.”

She took a deep breath and met his eyes, then let it out slowly and nodded. He was grinning like a kid in a candy store, which made her smile too. He had that effect on her - no matter what she was feeling, she calmed around him. She half wondered if he didn't have a little empath in him.

Savage: “Do you like road trips, My Queen? It will be a few hours to drive. But if you would rather, I can arrange the helicopter to take us.”

She paused, and thought about it for a second.

"I don't think I've ever been on a road trip."

Her brow furrowed quizzically as she thought, then brightened.

"But I've seen it in movies. Ooh! Can we go to one of those old diners, and get waffles and pie and chili?"

This trip was going to be even better than she'd been imagining. She stepped forward, bringing her hands around his waist to wrap them both in the towel.

"No helicopters. It's just going to be you and me on this trip."
 
Hellfire - The Red King’s Suite

Haleigh's body pressed against his, and he felt like he'd never wanted her more. And then he damn dress arrived.

"The next person who interrupts us gets their arms torn off."

He spoke through gritted teeth.

"Slowly."

It was almost over. Well, the European stuff anyway. Of course, there was a whole big pile of other shit waiting after that, but he was trying not to think about it. That was par for the course. She mentioned going to a safehouse, and he told her it wasn't too late. And it wasn't, really. He'd do anything to protect her.

Haleigh: “What a proper pregnant housewife you would make of me!”

He cocked an eyebrow at her, his hands still playing at her waist.

"You? A housewife? Never."

He feigned thinking for a moment.

"But you, relaxing (for once) while I rub your feet...long soothing baths...reading bedtime stories to the babies...not so bad a life."

But he knew she would never go for that. That wasn't her kind of living. And he could see the whim pass from her mind.

Haleigh: “No.... I will not surrender ground to Cameron and his little mistress. He thinks he can punish me, parading her around here, her and that illegitimate child, but I won’t be terrorized by him or her or anyone else.”

His expression changed, becoming more serious. He reached out and took her hand, giving it a squeeze.

"I won't let him terrorize you. Him or Elena. She means nothing to us."

Haleigh went to retrieve her outfit from the servant, giving him a smirk.

Haleigh: “Would you be my escort for breakfast?”

"I don't know..."

He mimed looking through his appointment book.

"I was thinking of seeing if John had a date. He was looking mighty fine last night."

He grinned.

"I think I could take Ava."

Haleigh, course, had undone her robe in preparation for dressing. He looked at her appreciatively.

"Now, that's just playing dirty..."
 
Hellfire -- The Red Queen’s Suite

He stopped what he was doing abruptly when she said she didn’t think she’d ever been on a road trip. He looked up at her quizzically, his head tilting to one side.

“Never?? But you’ve lived so long!”

He interjected, but his confusion was replaced by excitement when she seemed to be open to the idea. She asked if they could stop at a diner for a rather odd assortment of foods. He grinned and nodded.

“I know just the place, off the Columbia Turnpike in Schodack. My Queen may have whatever she likes.”

He replied, as she began to wrap her arms around his waist. She declined the helicopters, saying it was just going to be the two of them. He reached to tuck some of her hair behind her ear and then his fingertips traced down her jaw to her chin.

“Just you and me, on your first road trip. When we get to cabin, we must celebrate. I shall put a fire in the backyard pit, and roll out a bearskin rug. Under the stars, we will mate, until the wolves howl with us.”

He lifted her chin to kiss her mouth, and lingered in it a moment.

“I will be looking forward to it all day. But first, breakfast.”

It was their only obligation before departing. Savage was ready to get it over with, and so he grabbed a second towel to expedite drying himself off. He was glad to have moved over to his Queen’s suite, it saved him having to go back to his old quarters to get dressed as he used to. Nobody said anything about dressing fancifully for this event, so he threw on some jeans and a red flannel shirt, then pulled on socks and stuffed his feet into steel-toed boots which he didn’t bother to lace up.

“I heard there was open seating, so you won’t have to put up with the little bear at all. We can sit with the d—“

He cleared his throat, catching himself before calling the European White Queen ‘the dead thing’.

“Juliette and Liam, if it pleases you.”

It would stifle his appetite, but he wanted to make the effort to do as she had asked, to make nice with her new friends.
 
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Hellfire -- The Red King’s Suite

He threatened to dismember the next person to knock on the door, when the arrival of her dress for breakfast interrupted them yet again. It was so sexy when he spoke of violence, she was starting to wonder if they could be late for breakfast. She mentioned rethinking his safehouse offer, and he sold the idea again, this time with chocolate. She laughed that he’d make a proper housewife of her, but he understood she would never be that, even if she tried.

He pitched a couple more ideas, relaxing foot rubs, long baths, reading bedtime stories.... they were a bit appealing. But she wouldn’t let Cameron’s mistress run her out of her own home, and she declared as much. He took her hand reassuringly and agreed, that he wouldn’t let it happen, and that Elena meant nothing to them. She nodded and split off to get dressed.

She asked him to escort her to breakfast, untying her robe as she did so. He jested that he’d see if John was spoken for, and that he could take Ava. Haleigh rolled her eyes, though she smiled all the while.

“Hilarious. I guess I’ll just have to go stag, then. Or maybe I’ll see if Zach and Brienne are interested in a third wheel....”

She suggested, her gaze sliding over to him with an eyebrow raised. She caught him eyeing the gap in the front of her robe. He claimed it was ‘playing dirty’. The most devilish smile crossed her lips, as she draped the dress over the arm of the sofa and then guided her robe open further.

“Is it?”

She asked, not so innocently, and then she slipped the crimson silk off her shoulders and let it drop to the floor. They could definitely be late for breakfast. She turned her body more towards him, giving him a better view of her naked form, watching his eyes with a perverse glee. Her hand traveled slowly from her neck, down her breast, to rest on her hip.

“What are you gonna do about it?”
 
Hellfire -- The White Knight’s Chambers

The captains of the Guard were in her living room this morning, discussing with her the matter of the security they were coordinating for the arrival of the White King’s guests Elena and Carolina. There were various modes of transportation being used, each which required different tactics, and separate threats to account for.

On this issue, there was a clear split beginning to form. A couple of the captains felt it necessary to account for the possible threat the White Queen posed. Others were begrudged to be tasked with protecting the other woman, when it was their Queen they should be standing beside. As the White Knight, it was her responsibility to make the calls and ensure orders were carried out.

“The King’s command is to protect the Estrada woman and child throughout their journey and upon arrival at Hellfire. Our Queen has given no objection, as yet. I’ll speak with her to confirm. You all have your assignments, set about them.”

Heidi felt she was swimming in stormy seas. She did not want to contravene her King or her Queen, and she did not like seeing this disunity in the Guard. Their public quarrel last night at the party had been bad optics, but after hearing what she’d missed while she was away, it was no wonder the whole Inner Circle had been on edge. Unfortunately, now there were problematic developments as a result. Men who were siding with the Queen, and men who believed the King was the aggrieved party. All were looking to Heidi to see which way she’d sway.

She gave them no indication either way, and in fact stubbornly maintained the narrative that there was no reason to be choosing sides at all. She watched them shuffle out, and then checked her reflection in large round mirror by the door. An adjustment here and there, a minor touch up, and she was ready to meet Jack in the hall on the way to breakfast.
 
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New York — Blackwell’s Asylum

Adriana was playing chess with Audrey, the extra autistic girl. Quirky though she was, she probably didn’t belong here either, but the girl’s parents were morons. The two of them together didn’t match Audrey’s intelligence, but poor Audrey was afflicted, as everyone else here was in some way. Audrey seemed content to play this game all day long, with whoever would sit across from her, and apparently didn’t care if her obsession led others to call her crazy. She was better at chess than Adriana had originally assumed, and so they often played to pass the time.

Once, Adriana had provoked the girl, sliding all the pieces off the board abruptly just to see her reaction. She seemed to be such a meek little mouse, but that was not the case. The girl had gotten physical with her, and fought like a wounded animal, much to Adriana’s amusement. There was a wild strength in such a tiny frame, and complete disregard for causing harm. She was clearly a danger to others, which was why she’d been stuck here. After the ward attendants stepped in to stop Adriana from breaking the girl’s bones, Audrey had reset the board exactly as it was from memory, and only after it was set right had she calmed. Adriana had been confined to her quarters for the rest of the day. But that was ages ago, when Adriana had still been seething about being committed, and she used to lash out.

The one who’d put her here was dead, evidently at the hands of her very own daughter. Adriana would be sure to thank her when she saw her. She hoped the new Queen could help her, or at least refer her to someone who could. She itched at the nape of her neck, where the chip had been injected. It suppressed her abilities, made her a normie. Despite her vehemence, the doctors would not allow her a new CAT scan, they only made her look at the pictures they were given by Diana. She would have murdered them all if she wasn’t powerless. Instead she’d had to pretend to accept their ‘treatment’.

It had taken a long time, but Adriana had them all convinced now. She was healed! Granted, there’d never been anything wrong with her in the first place. She was NOT crazy. But it had been a trial. She’d had to give up on persuading the doctors that she wasn’t supposed to be here. She’d had to act like they were ‘helping’ her. It was brutal, but she made herself feel better through playing with the other patients. They were all easy to manipulate, once she took the time to figure them out. She practically ran this place now. They were all her marionettes, the crazies, the shrinks, the orderlies. Not a single one knew it, either. She was going to beat them at their own game.
 
Hellfire Club – Black Wing

:: Bretta may have been heading for the Black Wing, but her mind was still focused on what was currently happening in her soon-to-be vacant suite. She may have arrived with a Bishop, but she was going to leave with a Princess...as well as a Prince. Alastair, who didn’t give a damn about timezones, had given her former Rook, Damien McAllister, news of his promotion early that morning. Bretta wasn’t mad about it per se; she had just thought that they would give him the news together. Bretta was up long into the night having a frank talk with her King. Together, they had come to the conclusion that Damien proved himself worthy of being called Prince. They also had a long talk about what needed to change in the Red Court. Even though Damien was now a Prince, he would be pulling double duty as both a Prince and a Rook. Their Knight would be pulling double duty as both a Knight and as Bishop. When Bretta had left, Damien and Cassandra were having a video conference call with both the Knight, Faith, as well as the head of the Red Guardsmen. Damien had wanted to hit the ground running and he also wanted to introduce Cassandra to the various security protocols and whatnot that the Red Court had already established. Of course, Bretta and Alastair were of the same mind that they were going to transform their Court into a better one. Part of that transition would be to just keep things as they were, people-wise. Bretta didn’t feel the need at the present moment to add to their ranks. After saying hello to Faith and the head of the Red Guardsmen, Bretta headed on out. The last thing she heard as she closed the door behind her was hearing laughter. ::

At least Cassandra has been accepted by our Court. That’s a win right there.

:: Now Bretta was free to focus on the moment at hand: making sure that Ava was okay after last night. She strode along until she reached the entrance to the Black Wing. She stopped and smiled the guard. ::

“Good morning. I was wondering if either Ava or John were available at the moment. I want to make sure that the Black Queen is okay after last night’s...events.”

:: She folded her hands placidly in front of her. ::

*politely*: “I can wait.”
 
Hellfire - The White Wing

Zach could tell from the way she’d agreed to ‘consider’ His proposition that Haleigh was going to agree to it. If she’d been against it she would have turned him down flat. He knew her well enough to know that the more she considered it, the more she’d see it was an opportunity she could not let pass. He wouldn’t even have to appeal to her emotions.

That was probably for the best. It was a sincere challenge to appeal to Haleigh’s emotions, even for him. She was not an overly emotional woman. But deep down he knew she did care, about him and a few others, though when it came to him, there was a special bond. They’d been through a lot together, and done a lot for each other. He rarely asked anything of her, but when he did it was important to him, and she always came through.

He breezed down the Red Wing Corridor on the way back to his suite, feeling lighter than air. He stopped in the foyer where the three Court wings joined, drifting over to the Black Court’s side for a moment. There were waist high vases on either side of the entrance to the Black Wing, with long stemmed jet black roses aplenty. Zach pulled the most beautiful buds he could find, until he had a dozen in his hands.

He brought them back with him as he went back to his own suite. He passed Heidi in the hall, talking with the European White King. There were some very interesting emotions coming from that alcove. Neither Heidi nor Liam gave any indication that they knew he was even there.

He found Brienne sitting on the bed, a bit reluctant about something. He couldn’t help but grin as he knelt in front of her and brought the bouquet from around his back. He looked up into her eyes with delight as he offered her the roses that were all as black as ink.

“For my future Queen. Are you ready for breakfast?”
 
New York — Blackwell’s Asylum

“Cindy, you’re much too loud.”

The split personality was sobbing again, screeching that she’d miss Adriana, that she’d die if she was left alone again.

“You aren’t alone even when you are, and you’re disturbing the others. Look, Linda is hurting herself again. She hates it when you wail.”

Linda was indeed hurting herself. Off to their left, the old bird was slamming her forehead onto the cheap tile floor so hard it was clear she wanted to knock herself clean out. The orderlies stopped texting long enough to rush in and stop her, as the television continued on, watched by others who either didn’t notice the commotion or didn’t care. The crying one had started to giggle cruelly, her sobs now a sniffle.

“Oh good, Celeste, you’re back. How you put up with Cindy, I’ll never understand. She’s such a baby.”

Celeste was Adriana’s favorite, of the split personalities. Celeste was the most lucid, and the most wicked. She was the closest thing Adriana had to a friend in this wretched place, and the girl was a stark raving lunatic.

Celeste: It’s not like I have a choice. I’d be rid of her if I could. I’ll miss you too, you know. Who will I talk to after you’re gone? Brittany was fun to toy with, but now she’s dead. All I have left is you.

“And Cindy, and Cynthia, and Cecilia, and Charlene. You won’t be lonely. And I’ll visit.”

Cynthia: You swear?

Clingy Cynthia, who believed swearing was some kind of unbreakable pact. Celeste was obviously mad and now giving the silent treatment. Celeste acted annoyed by the fractures of her psyche most of the time, but Adriana didn’t believe she really wanted them to be gone.

“I swear. If you’ll stifle Cindy until she stops squealing, I’ll visit often.”

There was no more of the crying personality. Adriana’s thoughts drifted back to Brittany. She had been fun to toy with, but coaxing her suicide had been entirely necessary. The little snit had gotten too nosy and taken to trying to eavesdrop on her approved visits and even her secret phone calls with Ettore Testa.

Her father’s consigliere, Ettore had stuck by her through it all. He’d come to visit, and he knew the truth. He’d kept her informed of Malice’s moves and her father’s demise. He’d continued to consult with her on the business, he was her lifeline to the real world. He’d smuggled her in things over the years, like a cell phone so they could talk on an untapped line. It was her most cherished possession, and it would be confiscated as contraband if she were to be caught with it. Brittany had to go before she had the chance to tattle. Adriana’s only regret was that sobbing Cindy had been the one to find the body.
 
The Red Queen’s Suite

Savage was always asking if she liked certain things. Alek never asked her what she liked. AJ seemed flabbergasted by the fact that she had never been on a "road trip".

Savage: “Never?? But you’ve lived so long!”

Helena would have killed him for making a statement like that, but Ashley just shrugged.

"If I was going somewhere, I was going somewhere - it never would have occurred to me to drive around in an automobile for fun."

But from what she remembered from movies, she thought it might be fun to do, as long as you liked the person you were with. And, of course, that was no problem here. She started to get excited, thinking about how the people always stopped at little out of the way diners to eat greasy food and big pieces of dessert. Exactly the things she liked.

Savage: “I know just the place, off the Columbia Turnpike in Schodack. My Queen may have whatever she likes.”

Her arms came back around his waist. She loved it when he took charge.

"You take such good care of me, my wolf."

She smiled up at him, her eyes closing briefly as his fingertips touched her face.

Savage: “Just you and me, on your first road trip. When we get to cabin, we must celebrate. I shall put a fire in the backyard pit, and roll out a bearskin rug. Under the stars, we will mate, until the wolves howl with us.”

He kissed her then, and she could feel it through her entire body. She sighed.

"Sounds perfect."

Savage: “I will be looking forward to it all day. But first, breakfast.”

That made her grouchy.

"Yes, breakfast."

She pouted. Not that she had anything against eating breakfast, but she was tired of - oh, what did Alek call it? - schmoozing.

Savage: “I heard there was open seating, so you won’t have to put up with the little bear at all. We can sit with the d—“

Her eyes searched his face, interested to see who he would suggest. The new guy, maybe, to get him more on her side than Alek's...

Savage: “Juliette and Liam, if it pleases you.”

She raised her eyebrows. That was a surprise. It was no secret that AJ detested Juliette, and by extension, Liam. And she knew what it cost him to make the suggestion. She wouldn't belittle it now.

"That would be lovely. Thank you, AJ."

He was (a bit overly) enthusiastically getting dressed, so she pulled a simple dress from her closet and slipped in on with some strappy heels. She twined her arm around his, and with a smile, they made their way towards the Great Hall.

"Not long now," she whispered as they entered the room.
 
The Red King’s Suite

Alek wasn't sure how he managed to remain in the conversation once Haleigh untied her robe. It showed just enough to tantalize but not enough to satisfy. He teased her about thinking about escorting John to the breakfast rather than her.

Haleigh: “Hilarious. I guess I’ll just have to go stag, then. Or maybe I’ll see if Zach and Brienne are interested in a third wheel....”

His eyes narrowed, not completely convinced she was joking, while her's raised in a sexy move he was pretty sure she must have practiced in a mirror at some point, so alluring it was. It was playing dirty, teasing him with her robe open like that, and he said so. Of course, she just widened the gap every so slightly.

Haleigh: “Is it?”

And then the robe was on the floor.

He swallowed, the sight of her stirring his body into action. There was no embarrassment from her - nor should there be - and he found her bold confidence incredibly sexy.

Haleigh: “What are you gonna do about it?”

He gave her a half smile, one side of his mouth turning upward, his eyes having just a slight crinkle at the corners, while he took a slow step forward. He undid the button on his trousers, watching her the whole time. He licked his lips, already imagining the things he would do to her. He couldn't help himself, when she looked at him that way.

He unzipped the suit slacks and let them fall to the ground. He paused, giving her the same long moment to look at his body as she had given him.

And then his hands were on her, sliding quickly down her back and cupping her buttocks, lifting her as his mouth hungrily took hers. He carried her to the bedroom, his mouth not leaving hers, the feel of her bare skin against his own, not needing his eyes to know where he was going.
 
New York — Blackwell’s Asylum

The sound of helicopter blades made Adriana shudder with excitement. It was usually the sound of sanity, when Ettore came to visit and she could talk to someone normal. But today it was the sound of freedom as well. She was being released at 8 am, and he had come to collect her, a couple of minutes early. She let Audrey win, she was so ecstatic. Adriana coolly slid her chair back and stood, as an orderly came over with her old confiscated purse full of all the personal things she’d been forced to surrender when she was committed.

The helicopter pilot asked her where she wanted to go, when she boarded. The salon, because she couldn’t show up to Hellfire looking like this. Her hair, once sunlit honey, had become a bland light brown color under the florescent hospital lights, over the years of not being allowed to even sink dye her own hair because the orderlies said some poor fool might try to swallow the chemicals in an attempt to hurt themselves or put it in someone else’s food in an attempt to cause pain.

The rules in this place were all born of paranoia. It was truly a padded-wall kind of asylum. There were no sharp objects allowed, even all the edges of the tables were rounded off. They weren’t permitted to have their own clothes because there might be belts or strings to strangle with, or buttons to choke on. The boring grey linen scrubs they made the patients wear weren’t flattering in the least. She would be ashamed to be seen like this, but with Ettore she felt comfortable enough. He’d seen her this way for years, and still paid her frequent compliments. He smiled at her now, and it was almost arresting.

“I’m so grateful you’ve come to pick me up.”

Grateful enough to kiss him, though he was at least ten years her senior. She sat across from him in the cabin instead. He might think her crazy after all, if she acted impulsively before they even properly left.

Ettore: You know I wasn’t going to leave you in that horrible place a moment longer than necessary, or make you take the grimy old ferry back to the Manhattan.

Ettore had a deep, gravelly voice and still rolled his Rs like the imported Italian immigrant that he was. He reminded her of her father, though he had always been much more accepting of her than her own father. When he’d told her about her father’s death in prison, she’d shed bitter tears, but not for the reason people assumed. She didn’t really miss her father. His death was beneficial, even, except that she’d never get her vindication. But If someone told her Ettore was dead, she would be grief stricken and vengeful. He was probably the only person she felt that way about, but then he was the only person who remained truly loyal to her.
 
Hellfire — The White Wing

She crossed paths with Liam on the way, and for once he didn’t have that little vamp attached to him. She smiled warmly when she saw him, and stopped to chat. Heidi had been his Bishop in Europe for years, and quite fancied him. He was intelligent, and handsome, and he had brought her down from her exile amongst the stars. For that, she would have given him anything he asked, though she wouldn’t betray her new Queen Camille, who she’d become immediate friends with.

Sometimes she dreamt of him, even now. Seeing him again had reawakened a long denied desire. The power that must be rippling beneath his skin.... it was no small task to pull her Essence from the cosmos. In her dreams she was in her true form, and he shed his human appearance too, to become the nuclear energy he harnessed. In her dreams their union was an ecstasy no mere mortals could experience.

He was kind to her, still, asking how she was faring here, if she was happy. He lamented what Archer had done, expressed satisfaction at the Black King’s death, and wished he could have gotten away with doing it himself. He offered her a position on his court again, the Princess position. When his hand touched her forearm, it felt electric. If it weren’t for Jack, Heidi would have been pleased to give Juliette a lethal dose of her own medicine.

The thought of leaving Jack made her melancholy. Sure, she could easily swim across the Atlantic to see him whenever she wanted, but the distance would still make a difference. What she felt for him was more than a passing lust, it was not something that could be ignored like her passion for Liam or the memories of Zach. She respectfully declined Liam’s offer, and could tell it surprised him a little. He told her the position would remain open to her, in case she changed her mind.

She kissed his cheek, wondering if she was making the right decision. There was once a time she would have forsaken any man for such a prestigious position. And certainly the predicament of the American White Court would no longer be her problem if she went back to Europe. But there was Juliette to endure, and even if she met a timely demise, Heidi had grown loyal to many of the people here. Liam kissed her forehead and went back to his guest suite, and Heidi set her contemplations aside as she glided on towards the Red Wing. She remembered quite suddenly that she needed to stop by the Gardens and check on the falcon Daniel had given her, so she turned down the hall to the commons and made a quick detour.
 
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Hellfire -- The Red King’s Suite

Alek joked about escorting John to breakfast, which earned him a smiling eyeroll from Haleigh, plus a threat that she might see if Zach and Brienne wanted a third for their little lovefest. His gaze scrutinized her, clearly trying to see how serious she was being, and she raised an eyebrow at him in return.

He accused her of playing dirty, based on the opening of her robe in preparation of getting dressed for breakfast. She pretended like she wasn’t aware of the effect she was having, even as she upped the ante. She practically dared him to do something about it, knowing he wouldn’t disappoint.

He was the man she knew him to be. The man who didn’t waste words when he could take action, the man who would, truly, rip the arms off whoever interrupted them now. He dropped his pants and paused, so she could take a look at him. Her gaze traveled down his body and back up again, with wicked glee to see that junior was well on the way to being ready. She bit her bottom lip in anticipation as her eyes locked on Alek’s once more.

He crossed the distance between them in the blink of an eye, and his hands were on her, strong hands that lifted her as if she weighed nothing. His touch made her skin sing and her body scream for his. Her hands slid up his arms to grip his shoulders. When his mouth found hers, she kissed him back feverishly as he carried her to bed. She didn’t think she could wait that long. She reached down between them to grasp hold of him, to stroke him and guide him inside her. She settled her hips down onto him, throwing her head back with a loud moan of pleased relief.

“Oh, fuck yes!”

Her heart racing, her body tingling, she felt more alive when they were joined than any other time she could remember. She smiled wickedly, giving him a little squeeze within her, her legs wrapping around his waist so she could pull him closer, deeper inside.
 
Hellfire - The White Guest Suite

Heidi had turned him down. That was a surprise. He’d thought for sure a Princess title would be all she needed to hear. How he was going to convince Juliette to agree to it, he hadn’t known, but he didn’t think Heidi would require any persuading. Seeing her again reminded him of what he’d lost in the coup. Camille had been lost long ago, but Heidi had been a good Bishop and should have been retained.

It made him a little jealous to see the American White King get mildly possessive of her when he brought her up. Liam had brought her here, if she belonged to anybody, it would be him. But he didn’t want to trap her, and he was willing to let her go rather than see her miserable under his command. He told her that she could be his Princess any time she changed her mind. He would not give the position to another for as long as he lived.

He went back to his suite to find Juliette sipping blood from a glass in the dark. Her eyes, usually a shade like milk chocolate, had changed to a bright amber that glowed and gave her position away. It was normal for them to lighten up when she fed, but he was accustomed to seeing them more bronze. The remarkable brightness and the radiance of her smile made him wonder just who’s blood filled her cup this morning as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.

Juliette: I vent to see ‘aleigh and she geef-ted a case of ‘er own ichor.

Ah, mystery solved.

“It went well then, I take it.”

Juliette: Vell Enough. Archair trussed us up for dzem. Ve ought to call ourselves lucky not to be too badly abused. Dzough.... ‘aleigh insists dze must ‘ave control of SubZero.

“Funny, Cameron neglected to mention that.”

Juliette: ‘e cahn-not be trusted, Li-ahm.

“Not entirely, no. But I am interested in seeing if he can put his money where his mouth is in regards to a boast he made to me. He says he can hand the city’s power grid over to me in no more than six month’s time.”

Juliette: Do not get your ‘opes up too ‘igh.

He promised he wouldn’t, but he could hardly help himself. It wasn’t just the money. The power grid was a city’s lifeblood. If it was his, he had the clout to make any demands of the city officials that he wanted. It served him very well in London, Paris, Rome, and Berlin. If he got a foothold in America.... the thought was arousing.

Juliette: Dzere ees von more dee-velop-mont. Ve vill ‘ave a new Black King.

This morning is just full of surprises.

“Who, pray tell, made such a strong impression on Brienne?”

Juliette: Zahk-airee Armani.

Haleigh was going to let her prized pony go? Liam smiled and shook his head. It was more amusing than anything else. Zach was only a threat to ladies loins.

“Well we can’t tell Bree a damned thing, so there’s no use in wasting our breath. Are you ready for breakfast?”

Juliette: Oui.

She replied, draining her glass before she set it down. She pulled up her hood to shroud her face, and donned gloves to protect her hands, the only parts of her skin not covered by the rest of her clothing. Then she grabbed her glass again, refilled it, and handed him the bottle. It was hot in his hands, as if the blood had just been drained. He tucked it under his arm to keep it from cooling, and off they went to breakfast. No sooner had they passed the threshold into the Great Hall than they were approached by a servant and invited to sit with the American Red Queen and her pet puppy (as Juliette called him).
 
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