Entering the sweeping throne room, Liam kept his head up with regal confidence but stole a glance downward at Erin. He stifled a grin at her wide eyed expression. Erin's eyes traveled as subtly as possible across the crimson red carpet rolled down the center to the glossy marble floors that met with the smooth stone walls. The massive windows let in streams of bountiful natural mid afternoon light.

Sitting in an impressive wooden throne with carved designs of what seemed like branches and leaves, was the King. An older man, streaks of gray hair in light brown locks, he sat reading something. His brows were crinkled in deep contemplation. As Liam and their party steadily approached the raised throne, he finally gazed up from his parchment at who was there. When he saw Liam, his eyes lit up with excitement.

"Liam O'Hagan!" King Caspar bellowed, rising and extending his arms in a warm greeting.

"Your Majesty," Liam answered bowing low and Erin curtsied as he did.

Caspar descended the platform stairs, clasping his hands on Liam's shoulders, permitting him to rise. Once Liam had reached his full height again, Caspar embraced him, both men clapping each other on the back.

"It has been too long, friend," Caspar added with fatherly warmth. He then turned his attention to Erin. "And who is this enchanting beauty, Liam?"

"May I present Lady Erin and her daughter Ashlynn," Liam gestured to the miniature of his companion who beamed with excitement and did a childlike curtsy.

Caspar knelt on one knee, lifting Ashlynn's hand in his and kissed her knuckles. "It is a great honor to meet you, Little One."

Ashlynn giggled and blushed. "Your beard tickles!"

Caspar let out a hearty laugh. "I suppose it does. I have a granddaughter just about your age. Would you like to meet her? Her name is Ryan."

"Oh, yes please!" Ashlynn bounced with joy. "Can Connor come too?"

"Con-... Connor!" Caspar exclaimed, eyes scanning the young man standing with Ashlynn. "I hardly recognized you! My how you've grown!" The King embraced him tightly, adding as a whisper into his ear, "You look just like your mother, lad."

"Thank you, Your Highness. You honor me with your compliment," Connor gracefully replied.

"Yes, Little One," Caspar now smiled down to Ashlynn. "Connor may show you the way."

As the two bounded out of the throne room out a side door, Caspar turned to Liam. "You have a fine young man, Liam. Perhaps we should negotiate a match between him and Rey?"

Liam nodded thoughtfully. "It is a good possibility. They have known each other since they could walk."

"Bah! Another time, Liam! I am ignoring you're beautiful companion!" He now turned to Erin now lifting her hand in his, kissing the knuckles like he did to Ashlynn. "Liam, I didn't realize you remarried after all these years!"

Liam and Erin glanced at each other before awkwardly replying "Oh, we're not-" and "She's not my-" at the same time, both flushing. Their stumble of words and denials made Caspar smirk then wink at Liam.

"Well, then, on to business!" Caspar clapped, gesturing for them to all sit at a side table in an alcove. "I wanted to meet with all the Lords of the Lands but that will happen tomorrow. For the rest of today, I want you to relax and make yourselves at home. Once our negotiations are complete, we will feast."

Liam nodded and stood, offering his hand to Erin who had been quietly observing, easily going with the flow. "Then we will retire to our rooms and I will see you in the morning for the first meeting," Liam replied with a bowing of his head before he led Erin from the throneroom to the hallway.

"How do you know where we are staying?" Erin inquired as they walked. Her arm was looped over his. It was quite comfortable and natural.

"I actually grew up spending much time here training to lead one of the clans. Caspar always has me set up in the same room. I assume he prepared the room next to it for you."

"That's fine," Erin replied. "Ashlynn says I snore."

Liam threw his head back and let out a deep laugh. Erin smiled seeing him so relaxed. She was happy she could be the source of that happiness.

As they walked, Liam pointed out certain rooms he thought Erin would be interested in like the library, music room, dining hall and which corridor led to the kitchen. He also showed her the way to the sunroom which he informed her led to the lower gardens. Erin looked around and stored all the information he shared. She'd have to entertain herself while he was in meetings and exploring with a smaller chance of getting lost was very appealing.

Just as they rounded a corner, footsteps coming toward them echoed through the halls. Soon the figure at cause stalked toward them. Liam stiffened when he saw who it was. The raven haired man of Liam's age stopped in his tracks, grinning deviously.

"Liam!" the man called, his eyes flicking over at Erin, brows rising as he quickly scanned her from head to toe and back, biting his lower lip in mischievous curiosity.

"Rory," Liam greeted with an uncharacteristic chilliness. Erin noted this and peered up at him, her eyebrows briefly wrinkling.

"I should have known you would dutifully show up for this meeting," Rory smirked, sticking a thumb into a pocket and raking the other hand through his thick hair, again giving Erin a once over with his enchanting eyes.

"Mhmm," Liam grunted. Erin's eyes went wide at his suddenly defensive behavior.

"Are you going to introduce me to this lovely creature?" Rory mused, reaching for Erin's hand. She hesitantly raised it, realizing that it must be a traditional greeting for royals but Liam yanked her behind him protectively.

"She is with me, Rory," Liam snapped, his behavior suddenly very uncharacteristically possessive.

Rory let out a relaxed chuckle. "Calm down, Liam." He raised both hands up in surrender. As he finished chuckling, he turned toward Erin and reached out for her again, bowing as he added, "I am Prince Rory, Miss. Eldest son and heir of King Caspar."

Erin's eyes went wide again that this was the prince yet Liam was being cold and disrespectful toward him. She stepped out from behind Liam, gave the prince her hand then curtsied. "Erin," she introduced herself.

"Erin," Rory said slowly, seductively and left a slow, lingering kiss on her knuckled, his ice blue eyes locked on hers.

Liam stepped up, tugging Erin out of his hold. "I already told you, Rory, she is with me."

"So you finally remarried, then?" Rory smirked as he stood to full height. He and Liam were almost equal heights but Liam was slightly taller. Rory was a slimmer build, more lithe but his handsome features made it clear he had a way with women.

Liam growled under his breath, again surprising Erin at his behavior.

"No?" Rory stifled a laugh by biting his lower lip, a rather attractive move. "So she is unattached then, Liam?" Liam narrowed his eyes. "Excellent," Rory commented slowly, eyes again raking over Erin before he sidestepped and continued on his way. "Til we meet again...Erin..." He called as he disappeared down the hallway.

Liam glared daggers into the princes back as Rory stalked away. When he was gone, Liam firmly took Erin's upper arm and led her rather quickly into the room that would be his. Once inside, Liam slammed the door shut. He stood with his back to Erin, taking heavy breaths seeming to calm himself down. Erin whirled around with her fists planted on her hips, eyes narrowed accusingly at Liam.

"What was that for, Liam?" Erin started, very confused and upset at being dragged along into a room. This was very unlike the Liam she had known the last several weeks.

With a heavy sigh, Liam turned around, guilt and worry clear in those jade green eyes. He reached out for Erin, wrapping his strong arms around her. It took her a moment to return the embrace.

"Rory has a....reputation...for seducing women. He is married but she is rarely here at court. They have a two daughters. Reagan who is Connor's age, and Ryan who is Ashlynn's age. Reagan is who Caspar was suggesting a marriage to Connor. Rey is a nickname."

Erin absorbed all the information but sensed there was more. "How long have you known Rory?" Erin asked, nuzzling into the warmth of Liam's body. He still held onto her in slight possessiveness.

"My whole life," he grumbled slightly. "I used to spend summers here in knight training. Kyla came with me once, before we were even engaged but feelings were rooted and we were courting. I made my intentions known to Rory, trusting him, and that night he tried to seduce Kyla. She punched him, gifting him a wicked black eye."

Liam chuckled softly at the memory and Erin couldn't help but smile. "I guess she had to be pretty fierce to put up with you," Erin joked.

"That she did," Liam laughed again. After a moment, he sighed and released her. "Would you like to see where Ashlynn is? Then I'll show you to your room and I have to turn in for the night. The meeting should start early tomorrow morning." Erin nodded and Liam intertwined his fingers with hers, leading her out of his room.

They walked in peaceful quiet down the hall a bit further. Erin smirked, glancing up at Liam when they heard the sounds of growling, shrills screams then joyous, bubbly laughter. They reached an open door and sure enough, it was Princess Ryan's bedroom. Connor was chasing the two little girls around, Reagan was sitting on a chaise laughing and watching Connor with a sparkle of adoration in her eyes.

"ROAR!" Connor growled. It was followed by ear piercing screams and laughter. "I am the evil dragon! I eat little princesses for dinner!" He scooped up both girls, one under each arm and carried them over to the other Princess poised gracefully on her seat. "Here you go, My Queen! Dinner is served!" Connor placed both giggling, squirming girls down at Regan's feet, his voice dropping volume as he knelt on one knee before her. "I told you I would always provide for you."

Erin covered her mouth to stifle a laugh but then it settled on her heart. She nudged Liam in the side and whispered, "It seems sparks already are flying between those two."

"It would appear so," Liam whispered back and smirking. "Connor is truly smitten."

"Reagan is too," Erin added just as they watched Reagan's hand reach up and cup Connor's cheek. The spark of adoration in her eyes very clear.

They were about to sneak off when Ashlynn saw Erin. "Mommy!" the girl ran over and embraced her mom. "Come meet Ryan! Can I sleepover in her room, Mommy? Please, please, pleeeeeease?"

This request was matched with Ashlynn's classic "puppy face." Hands folded beneath her chin, bottom lip perfectly pouted, long lashes batting slowly and after three seconds...the head tilt. Erin groaned and rolled her eyes.

"I would have said yes even without the face," Erin answered and Ashlynn ran back into the room squealing at a deafening decibel.

"She said yes! She said yes!" Both girls took hands then danced and bounced in a circle. "Thank you, Mommy! I love you!"

"I love you too, Sweetie," Erin chuckled. "See you tomorrow. Goodnight."

"Goodnight!" Ashlynn called back before going back to playing with Ryan.

Erin and Liam turned to go back to their rooms, fingers intertwined again. They walked in that comfortable silence until they reached the door just down from the door to Liam's room. Turning to stand in front of Erin, he took her other hand in his so he hand both her hands.

"This is your room," He informed softly. "I am just next door if you need anything." He placed a soft, lingering kiss on each hand by the knuckles before releasing her. "Sleep well."

"Goodnight," Erin whispered. The warmth from his lips traveled in tingles up her hand and arms, straight to her heart.

TGIT! Woohoo!

I submitted a completely different story to the WattPairs Mentorship! It will get posted at the end of the 12 week Mentorship!  I'm super excited so that will be what I'm preparing this weekend to submit.

Have a wonderful Friday, enjoy, vote and comment!

What will you be doing this weekend?  Reading both of my stories?  Aww, shucks! LOL ;)

<3