Return From The Big Apple

Chapter I: Winding Down

I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh
Every day of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with

**Lyrics from Kelly Clarkson "Because Of You"

Cordonian Palace, Hours After Anton's Defeat

She gasped for air as the two of them broke apart from a lingering kiss, resting her forehead against his. His hands gently took hold of either side of her face as his eyes slowly opened to gaze into hers, his labored breathing matching her speed. "I love you," he breathed out.

"I love you too," she whispered, before wrapping her arms tightly around him, pulling him close to her. He was alive. They were alive. The threat was finally over.

He pressed a kiss to the top of her head before laying her back, kissing her wrists where the ropes had bound them, kissing her neck where that monster had grabbed her so roughly, kissing the bruises along her skin from the battle that had taken place in the old Nevrakis keep only hours earlier. "Riley..." he whispered painfully.

"I'm okay, Maxwell," she murmured, running her hand over his hair, as he made his way through each and every mark, as if he could somehow erase everything that had happened. "I'm still here."

His eyes shone as they traveled up to meet her gaze. "Riley, if anything had happened to you tonight, I don't know what I—" His voice broke as it trailed off, unable to complete the sentence.

"We don't have to think about that now. We made it through together..." She tugged at his shoulders, and he pulled himself up, wrapping her up into his arms. "...and we kicked assassin ass doing it."

"We sure did, didn't we?" He laughed softly, tightening his hold. "I'll never let them hurt you again."

"I know you won't..." She snuggled against him in the darkness, as they relaxed together in an attempt to ease the intense adrenaline rush of being kidnapped, battling countless assassins, and taking down Anton all in the same day. It almost felt surreal, like a bad nightmare they had mutually experienced and woken up from after their long flight from Las Vegas. And even then, they were still living the nightmare. They were mobbed by a barrage of probing paparazzi upon their return home from the battle scene, Madeleine was shoving various itinerary packets at them the size of a dictionary, and to top it all off, Maxwell's father apparently decided it was a good time to rise from the dead.

She'd never forget the look in either of the brothers' eyes as Barthelemy Beaumont strode through the palace doors like he owned the place. "Ah, the famous Duchess Riley Mason of Valtoria! Such a pleasure to finally meet you in person. And it's an honor to be here for your wedding." He was assuming that he was automatically invited. She slightly raised an eyebrow at the pretentiousness, but one glance at the hopefulness in Maxwell's eyes made her let it go for the moment.

He had turned his attention toward Maxwell, who was trying his hardest not to fidget nervously. "You're quite taller than I remember, son." Well, there was a no brainer. Did he really expect Maxwell to stay a little boy for the rest of his life? She didn't know why she was feeling so hostile towards the old man. Maybe it was simply the timing of his arrival. Maybe she was still feeling the effects of the earlier night's events and needed a chance to unwind. Maybe it was the way he seemed indifferent to the fact that his youngest son was nearly killed just hours ago in an attempted coup of the royal family. Whatever the reason, all she knew at that moment was there was an unwelcome vibe radiating off of him that she did not care for. A small shudder moved down her spine as he looked her way again and studied her closely, giving her dress an approving nod a moment later. "You and your fiancé make quite a pair."