2020, January 11th “You know it’s not that simple, Troy. The House of Dormer worked really hard to give you this shot to take Warlanda. You know Madz won’t just let you leave,” said Nathan, backing Emily and Troy back into the chapel. He had neither the patience nor the time for this shit. Troy walked right up to Nathan, took his hand and the gun he held in it and pressed the muzzle up to his forehead. “Are you ready to kill me Nathan? Are you ready to die? Because one of those two things is going to happen tonight if you don’t get the fuck out of my way.” He’d made promises, told her he would come for her and Troy would be damned if he wasn’t doing at least this much for her. There was no point to any of it without her anyway. He didn’t care if he lived or died as long as he could save her, as long as Dean died. Emily lifted her dress and pulled the gun strapped to her thigh. Nathan’s eyes travelled up her silky smooth leg all the way up her thigh and he let out a forced breath, gri
2020, February, 14th Had she noticed that he went a little nuts when she left the bed without him? That his mind went right back to the night that she and Ethan were taken from him? Because he knew she was already awake, had been for a while, but she didn't try to move, stayed perfectly still in his arms. Troy appreciated these little kindnesses, but how long could they live like this? She didn't look unhappy. In fact Aria had told him a million times now that her home was with him and Ethan, not in a castle, not in Sartis Est or Warlanda, not anywhere but in his arms. He wasn't the same though. Troy didn't know if he could make the woman he loved happy anymore. They hadn't laughed together since Dean died. Her ministers were finally falling in line since his coronation and the official announcement of their engagement, but the deadline for them presenting themselves in Sartis Est as husband and wife was coming up. Her rigid country still demanded he be her official king consort by th
2020, February 14th (Warlanda) She walked through the doors of the softly lit restaurant and Aaron's fear that he'd made a mistake was confirmed. Of course Troy wasn't letting Aria show up tonight. What kind of dumbass would he have to be to let this happen? What kind of dumbass was Aaron for letting her talk him into this? For still wanting to see an engaged woman whose wedding had to happen by the end of March? "Troy sends his regards," said Emily, taking the seat across from him. Emily put the ring box down in front of him. Aaron just looked at it. The bloody thing was obviously cursed. "She really did want to come Ron, but Troy's just not-" "Since when are you two such besties?" Aaron asked, draining the glass in front of him. "I guess things are better now that you're not in the picture. I'm even allowed to come to the wedding now." "Well whoop de doo for you." He got up, threw a few bills down onto the table and was about to walk out when she took his hand and stopped h
2017, June 4th Another insufferable ball. And the excuse for it? It was his birthday. Lord Bartholomew Arden would rather be sitting in his room preparing for midterms than be here with his parents and all of these pretentious people. Duke Arden took Bart around the room, drilling into his head the name of every nobleman and noblewoman in attendance and their current dealings with the Arden House. As though Bart weren't already aware of them all. He would have given many things to not have to endure this night. Grievances aside, there was one thing Bart looked forward to about tonight. He would get to see her. At least he hoped he would. Things between their families were still very unstable and he hadn't seen her since the last time she came home. Mind you, there was no guarantee he would see her tonight. She had elected to spend this year at a prestigious boarding school abroad, intending to shun her father's wishes for her by attending fashion school next year. He didn't know
December 3rd, 2019(Caines, Terres Somnia)CC's birthday was coming up. She had only recently started getting her dress ready for her birthday and planning for the next fashion show. Bart was glad to see it. The queen's absence finally seemed to be weighing on her less. CC even applied for fashion school next year. Bart liked watching his fiancee. Shortly after they got engaged, he got himself a too comfortable bean bag chair that he placed in her office. When he dropped by and she complained that she didn't need a babysitter, he swore that he just needed somewhere to study. And he did study. He got through tons of material during his time at the fashion house. Did it take him twice as long as usual because he spent half of the time watching her work? Yes, but she didn't need to know that. It might not seem sensible that it pleased him so much just to watch her, but then there was a time when he would have given anything just to lay eyes on her. A time when they were forbidden. Even
2017, June 5th The drive from the airport to the castle took Bart's breath away. True to its name, Sartis Est was exceptionally beautiful. He took in the hills, mountains, pebble roads, streams, old ruins and knew that coming had been the right choice. "Father, allow me to introduce Lord Bartholomew Arden," said Ethan as they entered the drawing room. The king and queen were just sitting down to tea. "I never met a straighter arrow. I'm sure by the end of his stay you'll wish he was your son instead of me," said Ethan, chipper as ever. Aria gave Bart a concerned look as she went to sit next to her mother, holding onto her shoulders as both women watched the situation unfold with bated breath. Undeterred, Bart stuck his hand out to the king and said, "Thank you for having me, Your Majesty." The king looked at Bart's hand, sizing him up from every angle as he walked circles around Bart, staring him down. "Are you truly the son of a nobleman? You should know better than to offer a king y
December 4th, 2019 James: So she shut you down? Zoey came up to James and wiped away a bit of cream off of the corner of his mouth and stuck her finger into her mouth. James grinned at her. Aaron: Okay, that's really gross. Save the foreplay for the 23 hours of the day during which I'm not looking at your faces. Aaron picked up his tablet as he started pacing again. Aaron: And no, I shut me down. It just felt like she was one upping me or something. Zoey: The cream's from the cake we just had. Get your mind out of the gutter. The blush on her cheeks said otherwise. James looked at Zoey's red face and he took a deep breath, wrestling with the words he was about to say. James: You talk to him. He's freaking out that his new play thing is owning his ass. I'm going to finish up with dinner. James got up, kissed his wife on the cheek and left for the kitchen. Aaron: Dinner? He cooks? Zoey: He does. He's pretty good too. Aaron: Naturally. Zoey: Ron, do you like Aria? Aaron's face scrunched
2017, June 4thCC was thrilled to be back home with her family. When she decided to go to boarding school this year after her father had been nagging her about it for years, she didn't realize just how much she would miss them. London was a different world. CC quickly grew accustomed to freedoms that being a princess had never allowed her, the kind of freedom Aaron always seemed to be able to snatch despite being a future crown prince.