A Weekend Affair # 5 - The White Brunch

America was making her soft. She had gone on binders far more intense than the one the night before and ended up fucking and kicking the man out. What the hell had gotten into her? She wasn't a wake and snuggle type. Emotions were far more deadly than anyone truly realized....the exception of course being the man she just woke up next to. Brienne already let a bit of emotions take the wheel with Alek, thinking that perhaps he enjoyed her company beyond just his duty to fuck her. But alas, he was with the White Queen all night and she was with her Rook - still with her Rook. Fuuuck.

"Get out."

She grumbled into her pillow, her voice muffled but with obvious regret and self loathing in her tone.

Zach: "What?? Why?"

Brienne lifted her head enough to look over at Zach, her blonde hair half covering her face.

"Because you're still here. That's why."

Bloody hell he was gorgeous in the morning, even half asleep. Brienne, stop it for Christ sakes. She let her face fall back onto the pillow wishing she could melt into the fabric and disappear. That was when Brienne felt Zach's hand go onto her back and softly begin to rub it, feeling all the negative emotions slowly begin to disappear. She knew he was draining it away, and part of her wanted to tell him to fuck off and get out again before she forced him out. But the other part of her let herself relax.

Zach: "What's wrong? I thought we both had a great time..."

They had. Fucking hell the sex was amazing. Being able to link herself to Zach, but for him to also heighten her emotions? It was like a drug she never felt before. It was like they're powers were meant to be used together. Finally Brienne sighed heavily into the pillow before adjusting her body so she was now on her side facing Zach, propped up on her elbow in the same fashion he was.

"We did. You're great. Now get out."

He was relentless and sure as fuck didn't give up.

Zach: "Oh, is it because you missed your flight? I've got a jet you can use.... and I’m not talking about my dick.”

That actually made Brienne crack a small smile. He was sweet, but sweet men never stuck around. At least not with her. They got their fill of sex and then bounced realizing she wasn't the type to take home to mummy. Running her fingers back through her hair, she pushed the mass of blonde locks away from her face as she looked at him.

"I don't let men spend the night, it complicates things. The moment that happens, emotions get involved. And we both know how powerful those are."

She had let Alek spend the night against her better judgement, and she was left standing in the middle of the Black Party like a common whore whom he got bored of. It stung, even if she admitted that it didn't. Brienne contemplated deviating the awkward situation and bringing it back to sex by seducing Zach, but the White Brunch was soon and she knew he would likely need to leave.

"I had fun, Rook. But you should probably get to your brunch. I have a feeling it's going to be a show stopper..."

Brienne cocked up her brow with a smirk.

"And you can give your new princess all the details of our incredible sex. Since i'm pretty damn certain she's the reason you sought me out last night."
 
Hellfire -- The Red Queen's Suite

AJ, as always, was up with the sun. He eased himself out of bed, slowly, smoothly, careful not to wake his Queen. Silently, he went through his morning routine. Extensive and advanced body weight exercises, a long run, and refreshing shower. He also took the time to arrange to have some of his essential belongings brought over to the Queen's suite.

Then he stripped back down, and slipped back in, kissing Ashley's back and shoulder until she started to stir. She rolled over and cuddled closer, saying something about his skin, then rolled again and pulled his arm around her. She guided his hand to her chest, and he grazed her breast with his fingertips, his lips going to her neck. He knew she liked this in the morning, and he was all too happy to oblige.

Ash: Alek told me Haleigh is pregnant already.

He paused in his kissing, a little surprised.

"Oh, already? Alright, then..."

Ash: We need to make sure our people know I want her child protected.

"I will inform them all."

He replied, and kissed her shoulder. He recalled yesterday, when they had discussed how many children they would have had together if they'd been human when they met. The thought brought a smile to his face again. And then, a little sadness, because they could only daydream about it now.

"Are you excited to see a little one running around the halls of Hellfire?"

He asked her curiously. She stretched, pressing back against him, and the feel of her body on his stirred his blood flow. She told him that last night was fun, and implied she would be wearing something special to the Red Event tonight. He smiled, his palm gliding over her chest.

"I'm certain, regardless of your attire, I'll be proud to escort you to the celebration."

He said, leaning in to kiss her again, but then his head perked up abruptly. There was noise out in the hall, and the smell of gunpowder. It raised his hackles, but he didn't spring into action just yet. He stared in the direction of the door, and a knock came.

His Queen was about as unhappy to be interrupted as he was. She got up to answer the door, and AJ of course followed closely. As she talked to the guard at the door, Savage looked over their heads and out into the hallway, making sure there'd be no more gunfire. Ashley decided to have Amanda meet them in the Red Lounge. AJ hurriedly pulled on his jeans.

"I wonder what she wants..."
 
The Red Queen's Suite

She felt his lips on her skin, making her smile. She liked it when they stayed in bed, wrapped in each other, talking until other things took over. She had forgotten to tell AJ what Alek had told her so charmingly the day before: that Haleigh was already pregnant. AJ seemed unperturbed by it, but promised her he would make sure the men knew to protect the new life inside the White Queen. And that was enough business for the morning. Now onto more pleasant activities...

But AJ surprised her with a follow up question:

AJ: "Are you excited to see a little one running around the halls of Hellfire?"

She thought about it for a moment.

"Excited? Not particularly. But it's something Haleigh should get to experience now that she has the chance."

Her face lost its amusement, her thoughts turning to less pleasant things.

"I've had a long time to come to terms with the fact that I would never have a child of my own."

Unlike Ava. It was still new to her.

"But this whole thing..."

She sighed out, shaking her head a bit.

"I have to admit, there is some longing..."

She moved the hand draped over her to her stomach.

"To feel your child grow inside of me. For the closeness it would bring us. The intimacy. That is what I wish for more than the child itself."

Her brow furrowed.

"But if I were to have a child, I would take it as far from here as I could. No child should suffer because of who their parents are."

That was something she knew very well.

<< FLASH >>

Ashley was six. Her hand clung tightly to her little brother's, who couldn't have been more than three. Amah was barring the door to the longhouse. Amah had been the daughter of the Chinese Emperor, until her ship had been attacked in the Bay of Bengal and she was taken as a slave. Now she was a thrall in her father's house, taking care of the children. She had taught Ashley how to eat with chopsticks and sang her to sleep. And Ashley loved her.

There was fear in Amah's eyes but not her face as she turned to usher the children away from the door, to the back of the longhouse. They huddled there, sitting on the wooden floor, Amah's arms around them both in protection. But even then, Ashley knew that if the men who had come to kill her father succeeded, they would come for her and her brother next.

As she knelt there, she vowed silently that she would never again sit and wait for someone to come and kill her. She would fight. Even if she died she would fight. She would protect her family. And when the next day had in fact come, it was on that day that she held a sword for the first time.

Amah had died of fever when Ashley was ten.

<< FLASH >>

As long as Ashley could help it, no one would come in the night for Haleigh's child. The White Prince would never have to cower in fear, a tool to be used against his parents.

She pressed her body against AJs, needing to feel him against her. She changed the subject to the Red Event, teasingly telling AJ she was going to be wearing something extra special.

AJ: "I'm certain, regardless of your attire, I'll be proud to escort you to the celebration."

She smiled but then remembered her bargain with Alek.

Fuck.

That was something else she had forgotten to mention. But there was time for that conversation later. Right now, she had other plans for her Knight...

She was about to make an entirely suggestive comment about firewood and fur carpets when there was a knock at the door. She only got more furious about it as she actually had to get up and answer the door. She could feel AJs presence behind her, which was evoking several tantalizing scenarios in her mind as she crossed the room. She was informed that Amanda of all people wanted to see her, and Savage.

I'll be she wants to see him.

She told the guard that she would meet Amanda in the Red Lounge, and moved to get her robe, though not really out of any form of modesty. She noticed that AJ was getting dressed.

AJ: "I wonder what she wants..."

Ashley stopped and faced him, putting her hands on his chest and sliding them up to his shoulders.

"I think you should stay here."

She looked up into his face coyly.

"I don't trust that snake anywhere near you."

AJ protested, insisting he accompany her. She finally relented.

"Well, alright, but you have to wear a shirt."

Ashley linked her arm with his as they made their way to the Red Lounge. Amanda was waiting for them, of course, as they entered. Ashley fixed her with a disapproving glare.

"I hope you have a good reason for getting us out of bed, Black Knight."
 
Ava was pissed. Not at John, but just in general. She had been putting off the inevitable, knowing that she would have to go back to Hellfire at some point and face what was happening.But escaping to Arklay made it seem almost possible to pretend that nothing outside the of the estate existed. John brought her back to reality, one that she wasn't looking forward to. But he was right, they had to look unified and strong as a court. So even as John promised Ava that they would return to Arklay after brunch, she knew it wouldn't be that simple.

John: "It will be if we make it that way. We're not going for Haleigh, we're going for you, for the Black Court. You don't have to stay and fix things today. And if they want to discuss it, you're busy."

"You know I can't do that. Not after how I reacted to Ashley yesterday....which is so fucking ridiculous now in comparison. I wish that was the extent of the drama right now."

Ava rolled her eyes at the thought, yesterday morning so easy compared to how quickly it all went down hill. She wondered if Ashley knew about Alek's child, and if she did, how she would react to the fact her court was about to get an heir. Would she be protective? Feel threatened? Be upset like Ava? Ashley had centuries to come to terms with not having a child, a fact that Ava was incredibly envious of. But even so, to know that her own king was having a child would have to stir some kind of reaction from her. Regardless, Ava just wanted to get it all over with and figure out a way to keep the Inner Circle from imploding.

John: "You look amazing by the way."

That snapped her out of her thoughts, looking up at John who was standing in front of her looking as if he was scared to even breathe around her.

John: "Give a poor geezer a ride?"

John extended her hand and Ava's face finally softened. She realized she was taking this all out on him, which was unfair. He was only being her voice of reason, her king. Ava took his hand and stood, her heels making her eye level with him.

"If your old...i'm ancient."

The corner of her mouth tugged into a smile at her little joke at being older than John by thousands of years. Finally, Ava brought her body against John's as she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him.

"I'm sorry. I'm not angry at you, I promise."

Sighing, Ava pulled back enough to look into his eyes. Her hands framing his face.

"I love you. Even when you tell me things I don't want to hear."

Giving him a small smile, Ava leaned in and kissed him gently. It was in that moment that the tornado of winds enveloped them both, transporting them from Arklay back to Hellfire. Ava's lips didn't part from John's as the winds died down in their chambers, the two of them standing in the middle of the living room. Finally, Ava broke the kiss, her eyes remaining shut as her forehead rested against his.

"We have fifteen minutes. I'm milking it for what it's worth."

Ava would be damned if they were the first to arrive at the White Brunch.
 
Arklay

He told her it was just brunch. That she didn’t have to stay and fix everyone’s problems. Even when she wanted to, Ava couldn’t abandon duty.

Ava: "You know I can't do that. Not after how I reacted to Ashley yesterday....which is so fucking ridiculous now in comparison. I wish that was the extent of the drama right now."

He extended a hand to her, trying to show her she had his support. He was flooded with relief when she took it and stood. She wrapped her arms around him and he exhaled, bring his own arms around her.

Ava: "I'm sorry. I'm not angry at you, I promise."

“I just want to protect you. You and your position.”

Ava: "I love you. Even when you tell me things I don't want to hear."

“And I love you. Even when you’re angry.”

He gave her a small smile.

“I’m sorry I have to be the one to ruin the day for you.”

She kissed him, and the winds engulfed them once again. When they finally stopped, and Ava pulled away, they were back at the mansion.

Ava: "We have fifteen minutes. I'm milking it for what it's worth."

That made him smile.

His hand slid down her arm to find her hand and he took it, leading her over towards the sofa. He switched on the fire, then sat down, pulling Ava down next to him and into his arms.

“I would never do anything to hurt you. Everything I do is for you.”
 
Hellfire - The Black Wing

Brienne told him that she didn't let men stay the night, because feelings. Zach looked at her for a moment, kindly. He understood her stance quite well, and he knew it had little to do with him personally. Zach had noticed Brienne, enjoying her time with Alek this weekend, only to be dropped like a hot rock whenever Haleigh was around.

And while Zach wasn't surprised, because he knew Alek was growing quite attached to the White Queen, he also knew that Brienne deserved more respect than that, and he could sense she was a bit jilted by it. Zach smiled gently.

"Well, it's a good thing you've got me to help you work through those powerful emotions, Brienne...."

He suggested, his hand sliding up her thigh and coming to a rest on her hip. He didn't want to leave, so soon. He found he quite liked this woman, not just for her unique abilities. She told him that she had fun, but that he should get to brunch, that it was going to be a showstopper. His smile warped deviously.

"I've got a show stopper for you right here."

He replied, knowing she could feel it, pressing against her leg. She told him he could give his new princess all the details, and declared that she knew that was why he was here. There was a flash of a frown on his face, but as he looked down he was distracted by her breasts, and the frown was gone again.

Now he was the one who didn't want to think about Erika. He pushed Brienne's hip until she was laying on her back again, and tilted his head to trace a circle around her nipple with the tip of his tongue. Then he licked his lips, looking back up at her.

"It's true, she insisted I apologize and... how did she put it... 'fuck you senseless'. And she outranks me now, so what's a Rook to do?"

He admitted honestly, before kissing her other breast and shifting so that his weight was supported by both his elbows, one on each side of her hips.

"Maybe I'm a little bitter that my Princess is so quick to pimp me out for an alliance."

He said, as he shifted again and settled himself between her knees.

"Maybe I want to forget about what brought me here, and focus more on what's keeping me."

He supposed, before lowering his head to kiss the inside of her thigh, stopping when he got close her sex. He glanced up at her.

"Maybe I'd like to show up to Brunch with a Queen on my arm, and really throw it in my princess's face."

He kissed her other thigh, but stopped again to find her eyes.

"Maybe you'd like to be that Queen, so you can show Alek you don't give a fuck about him either."

His mouth dropped a little closer to her, but he paused.

"Consider it for me."

He said, holding her gaze as he tasted her.
 
Yesterday morning, The White King had felt very settled into his throne. One of his key allies had taken a King, his sister would be named Princess, and his wife, The White Queen, had informed him that she would produce him an heir. He felt the entirety of Hellfire in his palm, and he was getting close to keeping it there permanently. And though Hellfire (and his mother) had taught him that happiness never truly lasted, Cameron found himself hurt and embarrassed with the mark of shame creeping closer towards his shadow.

When he left the mansion, he had no idea where he was going, but as he navigated through the city, using a combination of his powers to remain shielded, things begin to clear up. He had been a frequent runaway as a kid. He had grown up knowing that men in Hellfire did not last very long, and as such, he found himself very much in the business of pleasing the women around him to keep their focus on each other. Only when he was alone could he pull his empathy back on towards himself, and clear the endless chatter of The Inner Circle from his mind. And when he was left to his own thoughts, he began to see the root of the issue he was having.

"Ugh.."

As he played the memory of seeing his wife reveal the news of her pregnancy to Alek, something in him shifted. He loved Haleigh, he loved her more than anything in the world. He had killed for her, he had betrayed all allies for her. So why wasn't he happy? Why did it bother him so much that his baby would grow alongside Alek? The shallow part of him was prideful, but that pride ran deep, and as Cameron got on a crowded charter plane upon reaching San Diego, he felt a wave of nausea in his stomach as the plane lifted off in the sky, the ocean soon consuming it's views from the port windows.

"Her."

Cameron and Haleigh hadn't grown up in love. They'd grown up with unhealthy competition, and spent the better part of their adolescence trying to outdo each other in a number of ways that distracted them from the way they felt about each other. They didn't come around to each other until later, though when they did, it appeared that they had always been together. But that hadn't been the case, and in fact - there had been a woman before Haleigh. One that he loved very much, one that he intended to marry, until he had to make a decision. He had never questioned that decision, of what he gave up to be with his wife, and to be King, until he had seen Alek's look of pure joy. It wasn't fair. As the plane touched down on the plush and beautifully green state of Colima, Mexico, about two hours from Guadalajara, as if he were waking up from a slumber, he viewed the beautiful agave fields shining with dew against the morning sun. He had been acting out of sheer impulse, letting his emotions guide his movements, on some sort of a walkabout, and it had taken him here - to her.

"Here goes nothing..."

Hailing a cab, Cameron possessed the driver and used him to navigate quickly and efficiently in the very busy and dangerous streets of the city as soon the landscape dissappeared behind him, being replaced with beautiful fields and lush surroundings, the cool wind of the morning bringing The White King a bit of comfort, and the smell of the air almost making him forget why he was so angry. Two hours of winding country roads later, and the entrance sign to La Casa Del Estrada appeared in front of him. He hesitated for a few moment. There was no way in hell she wanted to see him, and he felt surprised by how much he needed to see that for himself. Shaking loose his nerves, he exited the cab and entered the beautiful courtyard of the distillery. One of the more prominent Tequila families of Mexico, The Estrada hacienda was known for it's relaxed atmosphere and sexy clientele and as he moved through the spanish stone colored walkway and into the main bar area, one that decorated with hanging lights and tropical flowers, he saw her immediately.

"Elena..."

The White King was so taken back with her beauty that he almost turned and ran away right then. Her beautiful olive skin and pouting pink lips. The way she moved like she could both seduce you and murder you in the same heartbeat, her flavor. As his body moved him forward, almost against his will, he took in her scent. Sweet and floral, with a hint of danger that Cameron began to realize he was missing. He approached the bar as their eyes met. The White King winked.

"Is it too early for a drink?"

He needed her to say something. Say anything. He needed to hear her voice so that it wasn't just a distant memory in his mind.

"You haven't killed me yet...so I guess that's a start..."
 
The scene should have unfolded beautiful. Granted, Erika hadn't rehearsed her little monologue, but she assumed it be equal parts biting and funny. Even her magick seemed warped as she realized after a few moments that she was dealing with The White Queen.

"Holograms.."

Haleigh appeared to Erika in a red silk robe like a blazing scarlett letter as she leaned in the doorway like a pleased cat presenting her a mouse. Nobody could say The White Queen didn't have balls, that much was true. She still wanted to be princess, and she realized she probably couldn't unload on Haleigh like that again, but it still felt good. And she was not planning on becoming some kind of shrinking violet.

Haleigh: "He's obviously removed the sim card from his phone, and neither him nor his car has been seen on city surveillance. See, I HAVE been trying to find my darling husband, so you can turn the condescencion down a fucking notch."

Erika laughed.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I've had like twelve cups of coffee."

Alek appeared along side her, examining a knife, which was actually really sexy. She got why people wanted to bang Alek. He was like Pippin with better hair and a bigger dick, a theory she could now visually prove as she took ample opportunity to examine his manhood.

Haleigh: "If you've got some magickal fucking hocus pocus solution to tracking him down, now's the time to heroically present it, otherwise we'd all better get dressed for Brunch. For your sake, I hope he decides to show. He knows I was planning to use this morning's festivities to officially announce you as Princess."

The White Princess smirked.

Alek: "Care to fuck off then, Erika? If you're done spouting hypocrisy and butting your nose into things that are none of your business? I need to get dressed, and I'm shy."

As she began to watch the two of them together, feeling the chemistry between them, she began to understand the path of magick that Cameron had alerted to earlier. Her little conversation with Brienne at Arklay had been more than just to insult her, though that was an added bonus. Magick users all gave off unique energy signatures, and Erika hadn't experienced Brienne's in a while, which made it harder to track. Now, however, she could sense the magick that was work, she didn't know exactly what Brienne had done, but knowing that The White Queen was pregnant with two different men's babies, it didn't take Judge Judy to settle this case.

"I'm done spouting hypocrisy, but I'm not done butting my nose into things that aren't my business. And frankly,"

she turned to Haleigh.

"I don't need some kind of ceremony, i'd just like to get to work. With that being said, before Cameron dissappeared, he mentioned to me that Brienne had worked her magick on you in Arklay. He tasked me with getting to the bottom of what exactly that magick was..."

She folded her arms and cocked an amused eyebrow, but she was also concerned.

"Did anything happen in the woods to you? Cameron is cloaked by magick, which means either he has some kind of talisman on him, or he's being protected...."

[thinking]

"Perhaps he figured out what it was and Brienne Shaw is silencing him?"
 
Persephone
Persephone
This bitch...LOL
Ashley: "I hope you have a good reason for getting us out of bed, Black Knight."

Amanda wasted no time, nodding before bowing in reverence to The Red Queen and gesturing hello to The Red Knight.

"The White King has gone missing. Ran away really. After you left the gala, Cameron left to The White Corridor before vanishing from both traditional and technological forms of tracking..vanishing even from magick. Since about 1:30 in the morning, The Red King has taken The White Queen into protection, ordering a very...thorough security detail, allowing no visitors."

She folded her arms across each other as she stood there in the center of the lounge, her eyes still surveying her surroundings for any hints as to what was really going on in The Red Corridor. She found nothing.

"My King and Queen have taken to Arklay for a respite..in order to be better rested for The Red Party later this evening, and in doing so, have left me to attend to matters. I came to you, because I became aware that your Knight seemed to have not been looped into the protocol, which I found...interesting."

She paused. Amanda had to play this very carefully. She didn't want to insult The Red Queen but it had become clear that Ashley did not know what was going on in this situation.

"And I realized that if The Red Knight was unaware, it was likely because he was spending time with..you."

[pausing once again]

"Which means you might not have been informed as well."

[shaking her head]

"Look, I don't know how to cleverly word this for Hellfire, but The White King is gone, your own King is protecting The White Queen, in his suite, right next door and is turning The Red Corridor into a cell block. I just thought it was important for you to know..."

"As would the others on my court think."
 
Ava could see that John was only trying to help her, he just had the unfortunate task of telling her what she didn't want to hear. She was being cold with him despite it not being his fault. And as he extended his hand out to her, she looked up and saw the look of concern in his eyes which made her own soften. Taking his hand, she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him, apologizing for being such a bitch. She wasn't angry with John, just the situation.

John: “I just want to protect you. You and your position.”

"I know...."

She told John that she loved him, even when he told her things she didn't want to hear. There would never be a time that she would stop loving him.

John: “And I love you. Even when you’re angry. I’m sorry I have to be the one to ruin the day for you.”

Ava shook her head, not wanting him to feel guilty for a situation that wasn't his fault.

"You didn't ruin my day...you're the last person on a long list that would ruin this day for me."

She gave him a small smile before pressing her lips against his, a tornado of winds engulfing both of them before transporting them from Arklay back to their chambers at Hellfire. She let their kiss linger before finally breaking it and telling him they had a bit more time before they had to head to the brunch, and she was planning on milking it for all it was worth. John smiled at her, taking her hand and leading her over to the couch before turning on the fireplace. Taking a seat, Ava leaned her body into his as he wrapped his arms around her.

John: “I would never do anything to hurt you. Everything I do is for you.”

Ava's brows furrowed as she looked over at him a bit taken aback by his statement.

"I know that, John....you're the one person in my life that I know would never hurt me."

And it was true. She had close relationships within Hellfire that dated back to being a child. She had relationships with other Kings and Queens whom she would consider family. But still, there was always a part of her that doubted how far they would go for Ava. Perhaps it was because she was raised by Stavros who wasn't exactly the shining star of showing familial love, but with John? She never had those doubts. She knew he would lay down his life in a heartbeat for her. She would never wished that, but she knew it to be true.

"I'm upset, but not with you. If you weren't here...."

Ava shook her head, her hand finding his.

"I would have cracked by now..."

And that would have made the situation far worse than what it was currently. Ava rested her head against John's shoulder, her face burying into the side of his neck as she curled up onto his lap like he were the couch.

"I don't want to waste our 15 minutes talking about all that."

She smiled against his neck.

"You're very comfortable, you know that? We might need to rethink your codename, Steel. "

Ava chuckled as she teased him.
 
The Black King & Queen's Suite

As they sat on the sofa in the living room of their suite at Hellfire, John tried to make her understand that he would never do things to hurt, that everything he did was to help her and protect her.

Ava: "I know that, John....you're the one person in my life that I know would never hurt me."

"Never."

He whispered it, pressing his lips against her temple as he held her against his chest.

Ava: "I'm upset, but not with you. If you weren't here....I would have cracked by now..."

She took his hand and he looked down at it, her delicate fingers in his own fumbling ones. He shook his head.

"You are stronger than you think, Ava. There's nothing that you can't handle."

He hated that Stavros had raised her this way, to feel so inadequate when she shined so far above anyone else in this place. She snuggled in against him, and the tension he felt at the thought of Stavros subsided.

Ava: "I don't want to waste our 15 minutes talking about all that."

He smiled, the hand of the arm that was around her rubbing her upper arm.

Ava: "You're very comfortable, you know that? We might need to rethink your codename, Steel. "

She chuckled, and it was good to hear. His eyebrows raised.

"Oh yeah? And what would you name me?"
 
Hellfire -- The Red King's Suite

She could always count on Alek to have her back. Deep down she had known that, but in the past twelve hours the point had really been driven home. Her husband, who had once vowed to love and cherish her until death do they part, had taken off his ring and left her. The probability of him plotting against her was haunting. But Alek was still here.

He told Erika to fuck off, that she was being hypocritical and intrusive, and then he joked that he needed to get dressed and was shy, which made a smile twitch at the corners of Haleigh's mouth. The thing that killed the smile was Erika's blatant gawking.

"By all means Erika, enjoy the fucking view."

She deadpanned, and then Erika announced that she was done with hypocrisy, though she intended to continue with her nosiness. She declared she didn't need ceremony, that she just wanted to get to work. And then she enlightened them with the news that Cameron had detected Brienne casting some magic on Haleigh while they were at Arklay, and Erika was on the case like Nancy Drew to figure it all out. She asked if anything had happened to Haleigh in the woods.

"What do you mean, like out of the ordinary? Not that I know of. But Brienne wouldn't be a very good bitch -- I mean witch -- if her target knew they were under her spell."

Erika: Cameron is cloaked by magick, which means either he has some kind of talisman on him, or he's being protected.... Perhaps he figured out what it was and Brienne Shaw is silencing him?

"First of all, Brienne is just a conniving little shrew who's best trick is using her witchy voodoo sex magic to lure men to their deaths. And while that may be impressive enough, she is not capable of silencing Cameron King. He's gone off on his own, and he's actively avoiding our detection for some nefarious reason."

She said, her hand going protectively to her stomach for a moment, glancing at Alek. She took a deep breath and let it out heavily as she looked back at Erika.

"Secondly.... do you mean to tell me that Cameron knew Brienne had hexed me somehow, and instead of warning me, or even discussing it at all, he decided it was a good time to pick a fight with me about my relationship with Alek?"

She asked rhetorically. She shook her head in frustration.

"Erika, you wanna get to work? Find your brother. Save your King from himself. Whatever he's doing right now, all cloak and dagger, can only be destructive. If he's thinking about killing Alek, or the baby, or me -- or all three -- he needs to be stopped. Forget about Brienne, she's not important. Alek and I will decide what to do with the European Black Queen."

She said, and then she let Alek address Erika as he saw fit. There was a knock at the door, and Haleigh checked the exterior camera before walking over to open it. One of the Red Guardsmen was standing there, looking contrite.

Red Guard: We tried to stop her but—

“Silence. You will escort Miss King back out of the Red Wing, and maybe we’ll let you live.”

She turned back to look at Erika, and gestured with her free hand out the door. She decided to throw some condescension back, just to make sure Erika was put on notice.

“Run along now, Princess, and advise me if you manage to succeed. Oh, and I’ll need something to wear to Brunch. Have a servant bring me a sundress, and some sandals.”

She shut the door after Erika left, and then turned to Alek.

“So. Brienne.”
 
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Hacienda Estrada

Elena had been up early and had come to the bar right after mass, getting everything cleaned up from last night. She would have to talk to the girls about the state they had left the place in, something she didn't appreciate. But nevertheless the bar now looked pristine, the inventory had been done and she was pulling glasses out of the dishwasher and setting them onto the bar top. Sunday afternoon would bring visitors to sample the tequila, or to simply sit on the veranda and gaze out at the beauty around them.

They weren't yet open, but she felt rather than heard someone arrive. Normally it would have aggravated her, having her routine interrupted in such a way. But today she was feeling generous, and besides, the one who was coming felt familiar, like someone she had known long ago. She knelt to pull the last of the glasses out, and when she stood, she paused.

Not like someone from her past. He was someone from her past.

How had he found her, with no warning? No indication that he was coming before he arrived? Her eyes narrowed as she watched him come towards her. He looked the same, but different. More rugged, less perfect and polished. Their eyes met, and he winked at her. Maldito bastardo. Her eyes flicked away.

"You're cloaking yourself."

She set the glasses down on the bar, then moved to shut the front of the dishwasher.

Cameron: "Is it too early for a drink?"

Her eyes returned to him, cold, humorless.

"Since when have you asked permission to take something you wanted, amado?"

Cameron: "You haven't killed me yet...so I guess that's a start..."

She leaned casually against the bar, taking the dish towel that had been draped over her shoulder and wiping her hands on it before tossing it next to the sink.

"Perhaps I am only trying to decide which way would be most painful."

There was a Spanish lilt in her voice, despite her excellent command of the language.

One hand went to her hip as she studied him.

"Why are you here, Cameron?"
 
The Red King's Suite

He'd hoped they might have one night of peace, at least. Well, he guessed they had, for it was late now. But still, this was not how he had planned for he and Haleigh to wake up this morning. Though, in truth, part of him was thrilled by it.

But enough was enough and if Erika wasn't going to give them a reason to kill her then she needed to go. He didn't like being interrupted for no reason and her vexing Haleigh could not be good for the babies.

Erika: "I'm done spouting hypocrisy, but I'm not done butting my nose into things that aren't my business. And frankly, I don't need some kind of ceremony, I'd just like to get to work."

He grinned at that comment, but managed only a snort and not a full out belly laugh.

Erika: "With that being said, before Cameron disappeared, he mentioned to me that Brienne had worked her magick on you in Arklay. He tasked me with getting to the bottom of what exactly that magick was...Did anything happen in the woods to you? Cameron is cloaked by magick, which means either he has some kind of talisman on him, or he's being protected...Perhaps he figured out what it was and Brienne Shaw is silencing him?"

"No way, she hasn't had time. Nor would she care to. She lives to cause chaos and she'd want to revel in the reactions to it."

His mind went back to the woods. And then he had to think about something else as the memories began to affect him in a certain way. There had been nothing out of the ordinary then that he could see. He and Haleigh had amazing sex...but they always did, and that would be the last thing Brienne would use her magick to make happen. He knew what Erika was thinking, but a baby was out of her wheelhouse also: if she'd wanted to cause a stir that way, she would have bewitched Haleigh into fucking Steel. Or, he cringed, AJ.

Haleigh: "First of all, Brienne is a just conniving little shrew who's best trick is using her witchy voodoo sex magic to lure men to their deaths. And while that may be impressive enough, she is not capable of silencing Cameron King. He's gone off on his own, and he's actively avoiding our detection for some nefarious reason."

"Plotting his next move."

Against us. He and Haleigh shared a look, Haleigh's hand going to her belly not escaping Alek's notice. He wasn't used to seeing her worried like this. They needed to find Cameron. And, if Alek had his way, come for him before Cameron came for them.

Haleigh: "Secondly.... do you mean to tell me that Cameron knew Brienne had hexed me somehow, and instead of warning me, or even discussing it at all, he decided it was a good time to pick a fight with me about my relationship with Alek?"

That almost made Alek smile. Dig that hole deeper, Cam. I'll be right here to push you into it.

Haleigh: "Erika, you wanna get to work? Find your brother. Save your King from himself. Whatever he's doing right now, all cloak and dagger, can only be destructive. If he's thinking about killing Alek, or the baby, or me -- or all three -- he needs to be stopped. Forget about Brienne, she's not important. Alek and I will decide what to do with the European Black Queen."

He nodded, not terribly worried about Brienne. He had left her in the lurch last night, but he already had an idea about how to win her back over.

"Whatever you might feel about Haleigh, Erika, if he comes in here and starts attacking, it's not going to be good for anyone. Including you, including him."

There was a knock at the door, and Alek raised a hand to stop Haleigh, though he knew she wouldn't just blindly open a door. She chastised the guard that was there, and ordered him to escort Erika out.

Haleigh: “Run along now, Princess, and advise me if you manage to succeed. Oh, and I’ll need something to wear to Brunch. Have a servant bring me a sundress, and some sandals.”

Good luck, Erika. Alek was pretty sure she wouldn't last a week being subordinate to Haleigh.

Haleigh closed the door behind Erika, while Alek was making the call to Security and letting them know that the guards on duty at the entrance to the Red Wing were to be taken down to the dungeon, and replaced with ones who fucking knew what they were doing.

Haleigh: “So. Brienne.”

He looked at Haleigh, standing there in a red robe. He liked it.

"If she did use magick on you, then it absolutely cannot be allowed to stand. But Brienne is secondary at the moment."

The corner of his mouth turned up into a half grin as he raised an eyebrow.

"Unless you'd be interested in a little..."

He made a motion with his hand to indicate the three of them getting to know each other better. He then returned to serious mode.

"We need to find Cameron. We can't sit here and wait for him to surprise us. My people can look for him, but he could be anywhere. Is there some place he would go, some place maybe the two of you talked about, if you had to disappear...?"

He didn't like the idea of Haleigh and Cameron disappearing together, at all. But she did know him better than anyone.

"Is there some way to get past his powers?"

He rubbed his beard for a moment, thinking.

"Perhaps a certain Black Queen would like to make her indiscretion up to you by finding Cameron for you? She won't do it as a favor, but if we scare her enough...I could ask Arch to put pressure on her as well."
 
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Hacienda Del Estrada - Mexico

Elena: "Since when have you asked permission to take something you wanted, amado."

Her voice was everything he had wanted it to be. It had always been like a siren call to him. From the moment he laid eyes on her at The Hellfire Mansion at a Red Court event he had been under her spell. Cameron had always found himself deeply attracted to worldly women, which was why he had so much gusto for the likes of Juliette and Ashley. The smarter a woman was, the more travels she had sought out, the better, and though she was barely older than him, it hadn't taken long for Cameron to realize that she knew a hell of a lot more about the world around him than he did, or at the very least the world outside of The Upper East Side.

"I'd say i'm a different man, but I don't like to start lying until the afternoon."

She remained cold to him, and it drove him crazy. It was almost like cell memory. Everything in his body seemed to want to revert back to the way it was when she was his. He became aware of her movements, the way that her lips always seemed glossed and pouted, and how her eyes, even despite her cold presentation, were full of fire and passion. His psyche had guided him here, but he was beginning to think his psyche, like the rest of him, was fucked up. He tried to lighten the mood.

"You haven't killed me yet...so I guess that's a start..."

Elena: "Perhaps I am only trying to decide which way would be most painful."

Cameron smirked, though he tried to hide it. She had every right and motive to murder him in the center of the courtyard. It would take five seconds for her to explain her side of the story before the patrons of the hacienda would cheer and string him up like a turkey from a light post.

"So you've forgotten how much I like pain then?"

Elena: "Why are you here, Cameron?"

It was a fair question. Why WAS he here? Surely she didn't want to see him. He had broken up with her during the night of their engagement party in The Hamptons. It had been the night that Haleigh had finally told him how she felt about him. He watched her cry and scream out in rage, cursing him in Spanish before completely dissappearing. Elena was a very good telepath, subtle in the use of her ability, but very strong, and it wasn't long before she had been able to hide her 'scent' from him entirely. But the fact that he had found her, subconsciously, meant that there was a part of her that wanted to be found, which began to pique Cameron's interest.

"I don't really know why I'm here, Elle. I just...am."

He reached out his hand as a bottle of Estrada Tequila floated over into his grasp, his cobalt blue eyes looking up at her as she leaned back against the bar, her hand still on her hip. His eyes moved over towards two bull horn flasks at the side of the bar, the traditional way to sip tequila as he gave her a gesture to perhaps grab them.

"Got a lot going on. Stuff that's making me question decisions i've made over the years...."

Cameron gave a somewhat vulnerable smile to Elena.

"So..naturally you came to mind. But not easily. You sure know how to stay hidden."

His smile left him.

"Which is apparently something one has to do when they become involved with me. Turns out I'm a vindictive monster who inspires fear in the hearts of those who love him."

Cameron began to pour a glass for himself in the bullhorn.

"That and I've recently found out my wife is pregnant with another man's child."

[he lifted his hand up, stopping himself, not realizing he wasn't wearing his wedding ring]

"This isn't some desperate attempt to make her jealous, or to try and start something of any kind. She has no idea where I am."

[pausing]

"I just fled the compound and let my mind and heart do the navigating, and it brought me here. Peculiar I know. Suspicious? Definitely. But I promise my motives are pure. It's been a long time. There's got to be a reason I needed to come here."

[taking a sip]

"I know I'm risking invoking your rage and wrath in asking this, but...are you okay? Are you happy?"
 
Hellfire Club – Red Wing


:: Bretta woke up that morning in a good mood. She had had a lot of fun dancing at the Black Gala last night. She got up and got dressed in a light flouncy dress. She made her way into the main area of her suite and was delighted to find some tea, as well as some scones with REAL Devonshire cream and jam, waiting for her. As she was just sitting down, the door that connected her suite to another swung open and Damien stood in the doorway. ::

Damien: “Good morning, my Queen.”

“Good morning, Damien. How was your night?”

:: Damien came over and sat down in a chair. He started to pur them both a cup of tea, which made Bretta smile. ::

Damien: “My night was really good. I got to dance with two stunningly gorgeous women...”

:: He winked at her. Bretta chuckled and shook her head. ::

Damien: “In all seriousness, my night really was good. Cassie experienced some healing from what Kelly King did to her, and I was honoured to be there for her.” *thoughtfully*: “I don’t think her healing is complete, though. She still has a way to go.”

“That was nice of you to be able to be there for her. My night was quiet, but lovely."

Damien: “We stayed in her soone-to-be former suite last night. She’s meeting Ben in the Black Lounge now, so it was just easier to stay in the Black Wing.”

:: He seemed a bit apologetic that they weren't there with her. ::

"No, no. Don't sound sorry. It's completely okay. I was fine."

:: Bretta spread a little cream and then some jam on her scone before taking a bite. She chewed for a moment and then swallowed. So that’s why Cassandra wasn’t with him. She quietly appraised his outfit, consisting of jeans, a wifebeater, and a button-down shirt. It looked good with his perpetual bedhead. ::

“You look nice today.”

Damien: “Thanks, Bretta. You look absolutely smashing yourself.”

:: Then they both fell into a comfortable silence in which they enjoyed the other’s company while eating. ::
 
Hacienda Del Estrada

He had walked in here, asking for a drink like it was the most natural thing in the world. As if they were old friends suddenly bumping into each other unexpectedly.

Cameron: "I'd say i'm a different man, but I don't like to start lying until the afternoon."

"So, you have changed."

There was no humor in the statement. She pushed the industrial dishwasher front closed before wiping her hands on a dishtowel. If she had not yet killed him, it was not because she hadn't thought about it a thousand times. There was truth to her statement that she hadn't decided which way would be most painful for him. Which way was painful enough. She hadn't found it yet.

Cameron: "So you've forgotten how much I like pain then?"

His flippant attitude was obnoxious, so she directed him to the point: why was he here?

Cameron: "I don't really know why I'm here, Elle. I just...am."

Invading her life.

"Well that's just great, Cameron."

He brought a bottle of tequila towards him, gesturing to the glasses, again as if they were old friends sharing a drink. Old friends, yes. And enemies. And now, he had found her. She wasn't sure how to process that fact. He shouldn't have been able to find her. Not that he had tried. Until he was lost and wanted her to pick him up. She could feel the crushing uncertainty of his mind, the heaviness that weighed on him. Good, part of her said. He doesn't deserve to be happy.

Finally, she rolled her eyes and took two horn flasks from their stand, roughly handing him one and holding her own out for him to pour her a shot into.

Cameron: "Got a lot going on. Stuff that's making me question decisions I've made over the years...So...naturally you came to mind. But not easily. You sure know how to stay hidden."

He smiled, like he thought she would comfort him, pity him. Elena didn't smile.

"I've learned to protect myself."

Cameron: "Which is apparently something one has to do when they become involved with me. Turns out I'm a vindictive monster who inspires fear in the hearts of those who love him. That and I've recently found out my wife is pregnant with another man's child."

"So now you're, what, here to figure out where you've gone wrong in your life - at my expense? You made your choices, Cameron. You can't just walk in here after all these years and expect me to be your shoulder to cry on. Your wife got knocked up by some pendejo? Kill him, kill her, leave her with nothing. Do something, anything - it has nothing to do with me, not anymore."

Cameron: "This isn't some desperate attempt to make her jealous, or to try and start something of any kind. She has no idea where I am."

"Then I'll ask you again, why are you here?"

Cameron: "I just fled the compound and let my mind and heart do the navigating, and it brought me here. Peculiar I know. Suspicious? Definitely. But I promise my motives are pure. It's been a long time. There's got to be a reason I needed to come here."

She scoffed.

"Because you just got fucked over in the same way you did me seven years ago? Excuse me if I don't shed a tear for you."

Cameron: "I know I'm risking invoking your rage and wrath in asking this, but...are you okay? Are you happy?"

She laughed at that. A chuckle at first growing louder and bigger as the seconds wore on. She shook her head, and threw back her entire shot, slamming the empty horn face down on the bar.

"Am I happy, Cameron? Am I happy?"

She paused and started at him, incredulous. Finally she narrowed her eyes and leaned towards him over the bar.

"Your precious Haleigh has tossed you aside for someone else? Well, then, yes, I'm pretty fucking happy."

She picked up the horn from the bar top and held it out for him to fill again.
 
Brienne wanted Zach to leave. He had overstayed his welcome despite making her come like the fucking Niagara Falls. She had already allowed herself to start to enjoy Alek's company only to be dropped like a bad habit every time the White Queen was around, the last thing she wanted was for the White Queen's Rook to do the same damn thing. He already had at the Red Hunt. But Zach just smiled at her, like some after school special.

Zach: "Well, it's a good thing you've got me to help you work through those powerful emotions, Brienne...."

"Powerful emotions? Now you really need to get the fuck out."

Rolling her eyes, fucking empaths and their inability to mind their own damn business. She reminded him that he would be late for brunch and that it was surely to be a showstopper. His court was about to gain an heir, not to mention the Red Court. Fuck, at this rate, probably the Black too. But Zach moved closer to Brienne, his hips pressing against her and his cock making it's presents known once again.

Zach: "I've got a show stopper for you right here."

Brienne lifted an amused eyebrow,, tilting her head a bit to the side as she gave Zach an 'oh really' look. She reminded him to let Erika know just how phenomenal their sex was after he left, because she was damn certain that bitch was the only reason Zach sought her out. That was when Zach's gorgeous little smile faded into a frown, making Brienne finally smirk.

"Gotcha."

He couldn't deny that she was right about Erika. It further proved to Brienne that Zach was exactly like Alek, and that she wouldn't fall into the same trap. However instead of leaving like she ordered, Zach pushed Brienne's hips down onto the bed so she was laying on her back, his mouth immediately dipping down to her breasts. His tongue began to circle her nipple, Brienne inhaling a sharp breath of pleasure. His blue eyes lifted to meet with hers, his mouth still by her breast like she were his morning breakfast.

Zach: "It's true, she insisted I apologize and... how did she put it... 'fuck you senseless'. And she outranks me now, so what's a Rook to do?"

Brienne licked her bottom lip, her eyes narrowing as he took her other breast in his mouth.

"So you're saying you fucked me on orders? You American's certainly know how to make a girl feel wanted."

She deadpanned as she laid her head back into the plush pillow and got more comfortable. If he was ordered to fuck her, she might as well enjoy it.

Zach: "Maybe I'm a little bitter that my Princess is so quick to pimp me out for an alliance."

"Poor baby."

Her word laced with contempt. She watched with hooded eyes as Zach positioned himself between her knees, pushing them apart and placing kisses on the inner most part of her thigh.

Zach: "Maybe I want to forget about what brought me here, and focus more on what's keeping me."

"Fear of disembowelment?"

With Erika King, it was a very strong possibility. But even as Brienne attempted to show zero interest in what Zach was doing to her, her body was responding heavily to his touch. She was wet for him despite feeling like she was being used as a pawn instead of being treated like a Queen. Zach held her gaze for a long moment - teasingly.

Zach: "Maybe I'd like to show up to Brunch with a Queen on my arm, and really throw it in my princess's face. Maybe you'd like to be that Queen, so you can show Alek you don't give a fuck about him either."

Brienne didn't like the assumptions that Zach was making, nor did she appreciate him doing a monologue when her pussy was ripe for the eating. Brienne grabbed Zach by the hair, her icy eyes as cold as the color.

"Maybe you talk too much."

She guided his head down until finally his mouth was on her. Expelling a breath of pleasure, her eyes stayed locked with his.

Zach: "Consider it for me."

His tongue made laps against her, sucking and teasing her in all the right ways. She didn't break their eye contact, the grip on his hair loosening until her touch was more gentle, holding him in place right where he was giving her the most pleasure.

"Make me come and i'll consider it...."

She finally responded before linking them together so he could feel everything he was doing to her.
 
From the long list of people she considered her closest friends, to even her family, she knew John was the one person in her life that would never hurt her intentionally. It was why she trusted him with her court, her life, and her heart. She felt his lips press against her temple, kissing her before whispering never. Ava melted into his arms, his words and emotion behind them making her body completely relax. John would never understand how much he grounded her. Without him, she would have surely cracked by now, and not in the hysterics kind of way. In that Queen of the Underworld kind of way.

John: "You are stronger than you think, Ava. There's nothing that you can't handle."

She smiled at that, her hand gently sliding down his cheek graciously.

"Thank you.."

She whispered. But Ava didn't want to think anymore about the problems that loomed over Hellfire. They have fifteen minutes of freedom before they had to go to the White Brunch, and she was going to enjoy it. Snuggling into John, her smile grew as she made herself comfortable on his lap, tucked in his arms, her head laying on his shoulder. She was certain he made a better couch than the actual couch, her body fitting against his perfectly.

"You're very comfortable, you know that? We might need to rethink your codename, Steel. "

John: "Oh yeah? And what would you name me?"

She chuckled, making a 'hmm' sound as her smile grew.

"Captain Comfortable, definitely Captain Comfortable."

Ava laughed at the ridiculous codename as she lifted her head to look at John, her eyes light with levity. She pressed her lips against his, the kiss meant to be sweet. But the smile between their kiss faded as Ava slowly slipped her tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss long and slowly. As she arched her body into John's, she felt his arousal against her, hard and prominent. Ava broke the kiss, her breath heavy between them.

"No...there's a reason why you're called Steel."

The evidence clear and unmistakable.

"And why you're mine."

Ava was never good at sharing, especially now.
 
She leaned into him, her scent intoxicating while her tone said something different altogether. He knew he would be invoking her wrath in asking how she was doing. He knew he was likely crossing the line by even being here.

Elena: "Am I happy, Cameron? Am I happy?"

She laughed maniacally for a moment, which made her even more attractive. She took the shot like the professional that she was, before slamming the horn down on the table.

Elena: "Your precious Haleigh has tossed you aside for someone else? Well, then, yes, I'm pretty fucking happy."

His pride got the best of him.

"She hasn't tossed me aside. Not yet anyway."

Sighing, Cameron downed his shot before pouring them both another.

"And I'm not asking you to shed a tear for me. I don't deserve it, that's for sure."

He eyed her up and down for a moment, allowing himself to picture what married life with Elena Estrada might have been like. This was her family's distillery, and it had always been her dream to one day run it. But she also had wanted to see the world, and her work for Helena Quartermaine allowed her to do that. Elena would have settled down. She would have wanted a home, she would have wanted a husband, just him. He pictured himself learning the family business, meeting her father, spending his days underneath the hot Mexican sun, thousands of miles from Hellfire, just enjoying his life. At the time Cameron didn't want those things. He wanted to be king. He wanted to rule the world. Though as he looked at her, experiencing her aura for the first time in seven years, he questioned whether or not he had made the decision to be with Haleigh because he truly loved her...or because she was the right choice for what he wanted, and that sent a chill down his spine. She was the daughter of The White Queen, he was the son of The Black Queen. Their union was just as much about passion and love as it was about power. And Cameron loved power, so much so, that he was wonderin if it had clouded his judgment.

"Are you telling me that you have nothing to say to me? After seven years? Nothing that comes in and out of your thoughts? No final damning words, no digs? No pain you never got to express? Nothing?"

"No passion?"

He knew she would hear his thoughts as their minds got used to the other's once again, though both were heavily shielded. A dark part of him wanted to throw her on the bar counter, rip off her clothes and let her fuck her hatred and pain out, but Elena would never bed a married man, not even Cameron. Not even a man who had an open marriage. He grimaced at the thought of it, his mind wandering to Haleigh in Alek's arms, his hand on her stomach, and then his mind went to rage for another moment before settling down.

"I couldn't have found you if you didn't want me to...on some level. So here I am. I found you. So let's deal with it."

The White King took another shot, wiping his scruffy face with the sleeve of his shirt, before giving Elena a serious look, his cobalt blue eyes peering through her, before breaking it. He couldn't attempt to romance her, not after the stir he had just caused with his wife...and not after what he had done to Elena. It wouldn't be right. Cameron and Haleigh had an open marriage, and it was something they had both benefitted from over the years. In fact, both would say it was one of the things that made them stronger than the other couples of Hellfire. But deep down, it had been a decision that Cameron had made because he knew it would please his wife. He engaged in it because she engaged in it, and after a few years it had become their normal. Cameron wanted Haleigh to be happy, and he knew she wasn't the type of woman he could keep in some kind of display box. She would never be a trophy wife. If he wanted to marry Haleigh, he was going to have to make certain sacrifices, that at the time didn't seem to be important. All he had wanted was her.

"Until I wanted everything else too..."

But there was something about the way she was with Alek that didn't sit right with him. Cameron was standing in front of one of the most beautiful women in the world, a woman who had loved him deeply, who had wanted to marry him, take his name, be his wife, and he ended it without so much as a second thought. Haleigh never asked him to, but he did it. Cameron may have had relaxed ideals when it came to sex, but when it came to his heart, he believed it could only belong to one person at a time. At some point you needed to be an adult, to be fair and say either "this is what I have chosen and I am sticking with it" or "I am choosing something else." You couldn't just have your cake and eat it too, which is exactly what he believed his wife to be doing. The White King may have seemed like he was overreacting, or reacting to something that hadn't happened yet, but each member of The King Family had the gift of sight, that coupled being with a telepath and empath caused him to know, Hex's tricks aside that Haleigh did love Alek. More than she was willing to admit to herself, because she knew that if she did, he would make her choose. A baby added fuel to the fire, and gave The White Queen a reprieve, a way out of simply just saying she loved Alek and wanted to have his baby just as must as she wanted to have his. There was nine months to figure things out, and Cameron wouldn't wait that long.

"Let it out. We'll see if I can take it."
 
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