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The duke's challenge - pt 2
Last Updated:
2023-01-26 14:33:00Related chapters
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Escaping Rosa - pt 1
2019, March 6th (Rosa) James' phone rang for the umpteenth time in the last 16 hours. This time it was Bart calling, but he had just as many missed calls from CC. He was sure that they must've figured it out by now. That by some bizarre turn of events, Zoey had ended up next to him again, sleeping like she didn't have a care in the world. And what was this whole their moms go way back thing? Small world, he guessed. He remembered the look on Zoey's face when she saw her mom. It looked like her world was alright again. He knew she was in for a rude awakening, but he couldn't stop it. Especially now, since it wasn't just her anymore. Her mother, Natalie, was now along for the ride, too. The Jeep with James and the three women in it finally stopped in front of a two-story house. The rest of their party had been asked to hang back. "Well, we're here. Who wants pancakes?" Natalie asked. "Your pancakes are terrible," said Zoey, stirring from her slumber. She looked up at James and down
Last Updated : 2023-01-27The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Escaping Rosa - pt 2
2019, March 6th "Hey Ma," said James, answering his phone. "Where are you? We'll come and meet you." "We're just at this diner down the road. Great pancakes." "Oh yeah? Get some for us, will you? I'm sure Zoey's starving." "All right, honey. See you soon." "Bye Ma." James looked at Zoey one more time before starting the car. He was only two blocks away from her house when Zoey said, "Stop the car." It was the first thing she had said in over 40 minutes, so he responded immediately. Zoey opened the car door and hopped right out. "What's wrong?" He parked the car as he watched her enter a boutique. By the time he got into the store, she had already disappeared into it. Almost instantly, he knew what it was. A wedding dress boutique. "May I help you, sir?" the salesclerk asked. "The woman that just came in here-" "Don't you know it's bad luck to see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding day?" The breath caught in James' throat. Her eyes were puffy from the crying
Last Updated : 2023-01-28The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Deal with devil Maine - pt 1
2018, December 17th (Two days before the fashion show) "How about I just get you away from the strippers? CC would kill me if she knew I brought you here," Aaron said, slapping a hand onto Bart's back and steering him in the direction of the tables. "Also, let's never come to a strip club together again." "Agreed," said Bart, as he watched a waitress in a thong and lace bra pass him by and screwed up his face in disgust. "Dude, are you even a guy?" "Why would CC care if I came to this tacky place?" "Aren't you guys like a thing or whatever?" "Nope." "Someone should maybe tell your faces that when you're together then." "12 o'clock. She's not the Maine we want, but she is a Maine." Straight ahead, four or five tables in front of them, sat Emily Maine. She stood immediately, in a cashmere knee-length coat and pencil heel boots, no doubt the most clad woman in the place. Lazily playing with the olive in her martini, she looked to be waiting for someone. "You wait here," said A
Last Updated : 2023-01-30The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Deal with devil Maine - pt 2
2018, December 19th (Five hours before the start of the show) "I suppose it's a good thing that you're not coming to your only daughter's first show, since you all but doomed it. Why couldn't you just let her have this?!" Aaron yelled, bursting into the drawing room at the royal palace. "Watch your mouth!" King Henry reprimanded. "Remember who you're speaking to," Queen Mary seconded. Aaron flared his nostrils. "Did you or did not use your business relationship with Duke Maine to get JJ Jewels to pull out of the fashion show?" "Your brother puts us all at risk. Don't think that because you're making kissy faces with the Arden girl that they wouldn't make moves against us. One whiff of his connection to us and we'll be right back to five years ago, holding onto the royal seal by the skin of our teeth," said King Henry. "Bart already knows about James," Aaron informed his parents. The king and queen exchanged concerned glances. Aaron rolled his eyes. "You can relax. If he wante
Last Updated : 2023-01-31The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Once stolen, twice forbidden - pt 1
2019, March 7th (Copia) By the time the doctor had finished dressing James' wound and the three women had concluded their fussing about said wound, it was already dinner time. Since no one particularly had much of an appetite and their bodies were wary from the activities of the day, dinner was had quickly and in near silence. Not wanting to be apart from her daughter, whom she was perfectly aware had escaped death by a hair's breadth, Natalie had insisted on sharing a room with Zoey, if only for the night. James found that sleep came for him almost instantly. He was appreciative of the sedative that the doctor had given him to calm his nerves and allow him to sleep easily. As it was, even without being hunted and getting shot, James often had trouble sleeping. Just as he was drifting off, he could've sworn he heard the creak of a door opening, but before he could think about it anymore, he was asleep. Zoey was lying in bed wide awake, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling. Next to
Last Updated : 2023-02-01The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Once stolen, twice forbidden - pt 2
2019, March 8th James woke up feeling stiff, but unusually relaxed. It took him a moment to remember why he was stiff, but he didn't mind that so much. Regular morning training sessions would soon get him back into the shape he had been before he left for Caines, where he slacked off a lot. He was just about to sit up and stretch his arms when he saw her. "Bloody hell!" he cursed, breathing in sharply. Of all the things that James might have been concerned about occurring around her, he was sure it would be him who did something foolish. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would wake up to her sprayed out next to him in his bed, her legs wide apart, her robe half open to reveal a white little camisole dress and him cradling her hand against his chest in both of his. "Reckless woman!" he hissed, dropping her hand. "And what the hell is with what she's wearing, mom? How the bloody hell is that even sleepwear?" he complained as he jumped away from her and covered her up ha
Last Updated : 2023-02-02The Girl Who Loved Two Princes The wrong moments - pt 1
2019, February 4th "Carr, I'm stealing this chair. So comfortable!" said James, reclining in CC's office chair. "Not on your life," CC said, dropping onto the couch next to Aaron. "That chair was designed and built specifically for me." "Who cares about the dumb chair?!" Aaron yelled too loudly. CC frowned at him. "What's your problem?" "He's nervous about tomorrow night," said James, spinning himself in the office chair. "I am not!" Aaron said, his voice going up an octave. "You quit that!" CC said, giving James a warning look. "Why are you two troublemakers in my office in the middle of the day, anyway? What's tomorrow night?" James stopped spinning and leaned forward onto the desk. "Ronnie here is going to pop the question," James volunteered. "What?" said CC, surprise and horror on her face. "What's that face?!" Aaron yelled into CC's ear. "Aaron, inside voice," CC snapped. "I just think it's kind of fast, that's all." "Well, the coronation is in two months. We need ti
Last Updated : 2023-02-03The Girl Who Loved Two Princes The wrong moments - pt 2
2019, February 4th Aaron cautiously approached. "I'm going to go out on a limb here and say you got into it with your dad. I know how that is. It just comes with the territory of having snobby rich parents," he said carefully. "Oh yeah? Do you know what it's like to have your father abandon you at birth, send you a letter 23 years to summon you and then immediately marry you off? No? Didn't think so!" Zoey grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "Don't follow me!" she screamed as she headed out the door. (Another 20 minutes later) "Dude, you're killing me here," James said into his phone, motioning for the waiter who was bringing the dessert to go away. "She ran, just like I thought she would. She's gone James, and it's bloody freezing out here!" Aaron exclaimed, panicking. The waiter obviously hadn't gotten the hint, because he was still heading their way. "Just one sec, Em. It's important, I guess," said James sheepishly. "You guess?" she replied, giving him a WTF look.
Last Updated : 2023-02-04
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The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Epilogue: the her before you - pt 2
(Sartis Est: Some time ago)It was over, at least in real time. In her head, it was still ongoing. She was still imagining the agony, the fear her brother and parents and thousands of her people had experienced when they were blown to bits. Even as she watched her country still alight, still burning while what was left of her people worked tirelessly to put it out, she was kneeling in the dirt and the ashes to receive the crown, her father’s crown. A crown that was never supposed to touch her red-haired head. She remembered her father’s strict words to her brother every time he showed that he was hurt or wanted to cry. “Tears are not for monarchs,” he’d say and Ethan, her brother, would immediately stop crying, like it was a switch he’d just flipped.She kept saying the words to herself like a mantra, softly so that only she could hear them. When the other side’s surrender came, she gave the order to annihilate them. What good was their surrender now? Her entire family was dead and s
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Epilogue: the her before you pt 1
(8 Months Later)Their loved ones had, at last, convinced James that it was time to take Zoey on their honeymoon. King Henry had managed to detain the newlyweds for far too long, both he and James recognizing that he had a lot to learn about the ins and outs of what exactly being a prince entailed. Since James wanted to be with his wife and involve her as much as possible in his life, his world, even if that meant that they spent a lot of their time together working, Zoey was always with him, picking up the tricks of the trade along the way. They even managed to make it look romantic somehow, stealing little moments wherever they could, disappearing when they could. So their marriage wasn’t exactly on the rocks, but they had earned some time to just be with each other, like they’d always wanted. They had been gone for two weeks when the news that the palace would be having a new guest reached them. “Your worry lines are showing, Jamie,” said Zoey, wrapping her arms around his neck
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Anywhere, anything - pt 4
2019, March 31st & April 1stShe was like a woman on a mission, running her fingers all over his body, touching his face with her eyes closed, like she was mapping him out for future use. He just watched her, letting her words settle into his heart. Her touch comforted him, made him feel loved, like he had all her attention. Maybe he was just letting it all go to his head, but he didn't care. As far as he was concerned, they were forever now. They really were a bunch of besotted fools. She was absolutely out of her mind for him and he for her and nothing and no one was going to change that."I love you too, James Beaumont, Condor, whomever," she whispered, as she watched him fall asleep. She had seen the questions in his eyes, the concern. Maybe she had taken on more than she could handle. There was peace in his eyes too when he picked her up afterwards, though. That moment that he looked at her and seemed to believe, seemed to realize that she was never going anywhere again, she wou
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Anywhere, anything - pt 3
2019, March 31st & April 1st(Eleganter Ludo) When Zoey and James got to the penthouse around 3 AM, they were exhausted. But the goodbyes had been so emotional that they ended up just staring at the wall. “Having second thoughts?” he asked.“Nope. Are you?” she asked back.“Nope.”“Are you lying?”“Yes.”“Me too.” In a bid to make him and herself feel better, Zoey got up, put some music on, went into the bedroom and put the emerald dress he’d so lovingly saved on. “Dance with me?” she said, holding onto the skirt of the dress. He smiled at her. She had no idea what this gesture meant to him. “I never thought I’d see that dress again,” he said, pulling her into his arms, just holding on tight for a moment. “Do you know why I took it off of you that night?” he asked, as he began to gently sway to the music, moving with her. “You don't have to tell me,” she answered gently, looking down.There was hurt in his eyes, just like the moment he had taken it off of her that night. He
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Anywhere, anything - pt 2
2019, March 31st & April 1st(Caines - palace)By the time James and Zoey showed up in Caines, it was already midnight. Feeling like they were about to betray everyone, James and Zoey were squeezing each other’s hands tightly as they sat in front of King Henry and Cassandra. “So, you’ve decided then,” said King Henry. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning. I’m taking Zoey on our honeymoon,” James said, kissing her hand. “Where to?” Cassandra asked, her face a mixture of happiness and concern. “We don’t know yet. We’re just going to go,” Zoey answered. King Henry was furious, but he said nothing. Cassandra sighed. “Well, make sure to take lots of pictures and enjoy every moment and check in-”“Damn it, he’s only 19, James!” Henry exploded. “And your sister, she can’t take a crown, not after what happened with her mother. You know how she is; she’s absolutely set on that boy.” “Henry, they’ve made up their minds,” Cassandra said gently. Zoey and James exchanged looks. She did know,
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Anywhere, Anything - pt 1
2019, March 31st & April 1stJames had been driving Zoey around all day on his brand-new motorbike. He thought he would have to get her one too and then thought better of it. He liked the feel of her against his back as he drove it, her arms around his waist. They’d been all over Copia. He took her to markets and what he considered to be a better painting class than what she'd been taking. He took her to beautiful clearings and showed her breath-taking flower fields and secret coves he’d found while walking on the beach for hours. The bathing suit she had shown up in last time she wanted a beach day was of course forbidden, but then the wetsuit she had ended up in didn’t make men stop and stare any less. It drove him crazy. He showed her absolutely everything he could think of.Finally, as the sun was setting, he took her up to his favourite tower of Beaumont house and showed her his favourite spot in his city. The sunset, the view, the warmth and safety of his arms, all of it, made
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Our brothers' predicaments - pt 2
2019, March 30th & 31st"Leave my son be, Henry. He's happy. For the first time in his life, he looks unburdened," she said, her voice becoming unsteady as she showed him the pictures Bart and Aaron had collected of the newlyweds. There wasn't a single one in which they didn't look happy, truly, beyond a shadow of a doubt happy, even as they fled from place to place. They looked something like she and Henry had in the beginning. Always touching in some way or another, stealing secret glances and kisses and sharing not so secret ones. Forgetting the world and making their own. "He'll call, he always calls. We have a rule about going off of the grid. We always call within 24 hours. He's probably just-" Cassandra's phone rang. Sure enough, it was James. “Hi honey,” she answered, working hard to steady her voice. “Ma? What’s wrong?” “Nothing. I just had something cold to drink, that’s all.” “Sure you did,” he answered suspiciously. But as James was calling his mother while watchin
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes Our brothers' predicaments - pt 1
2019, March 30th & 31st Zoey woke up to the sound of the shower running. She picked up his shirt off of the floor and pulled it over her shoulders. Most of the wedding night was still a blank to her, but one tiny piece of memory stuck with her and she wanted to see if it was still there. She knew he had had something similar made for her for the Duchess’ Welcome, but that one seemed new somehow. That night, Zoey had woken up midway through James struggling to get her wedding dress off, felt the zipper go down and watched him as he hung it up. She wished she remembered the way he did, or at least remembered a better memory, like the actual wedding. This one memory hurt too much to have. She opened the closet door and there it was, not quite as beautiful as the new modified version, but still as radiant as the night she’d worn it. “I guess you do remember some things after all,” he said, watching her touch the dress nostalgically. She didn’t freak out that he was fresh out of th
The Girl Who Loved Two Princes What James wants - pt 2
2019, March 29thIt was barely a whisper, barely a whimper, but he heard her. He heard her give him her heart, truly and completely. James took a firm hold of her hips and slammed into her, entering her hard and fast. She cried out his name in pain. Sorry that he'd hurt her by being greedy and selfish and impatient, he rolled them back over and pulled out of her slowly, thrusting back in just as carefully, much gentler this time. He hadn't meant to be so rough; he just couldn't quite contain himself. She said the words, and he had to have her, had to make her his, be hers.Zoey's face relaxed into contentment. She was happy that he'd finally taken her, made her his in every way. It didn't matter that he'd hurt her a little, because the rest was pure pleasure, because her heart had never felt so full.They stared at each other as they went at it, painfully slowly at first. But he lost the battle, went back to being impatient and overly eager, didn't want to miss a single chance to make
