Writers Note: Thank you guys so much for reading the first chapter. It means so much to me that you guys read this and decided to follow and favorite. My day brightens up when I read your thoughts and ideas. My initial response to the way I want this story to end was very different from most stories. I always thought that I would give sequels to my stories but I guess not everything goes out as planned. I mean if it did and I decided to publish a sequel to my other story The Truth Behind the White Lies then it would've already been out at least five or seven months. End Game will end very differently...that's a promise.

I was asked if Rucas was the only pairing and no. They aren't the only pairing in this story. Maya will be with someone too but I will need you guys to be EXTREMELY patient with her. She and Riley will be put in a situation where they must choose their love and since these chapters are updated weekly that means that you guys will need to wait for that to happen. So don't lose interest.

End Game

.:.

Riley walked into a room she had not been able to explore. Normally when she had time, she would walk around the castle by herself. There was something about being alone and exploring something new that she really enjoyed. When she was younger and lived in Courtley, Riley would run up the stairs and into rooms she wasn't allowed to be in. She had been a queen ever since she was very little and because of that she was forced to be in select rooms in her own home.

Now that she was in Mystic, in Lucas' home, she had more freedom than every.

The room she was in now was tall in height. It was shaped like a circle and the ceiling looked like a dome. As soon as she walked in everyone straightened their postures and gave her slight nods, showing their manners.

"I see you find your way to the lounge," Theo, Lucas' cousin, spoke when he joined her. He smiled at her before Riley continued to walk. He followed soon after. "Would you like anything?"

"I'm doing fine," she told him but thanked him for his generosity. "How many rooms are in this castle?"

"Uh...about a hundred. A little more if I'm correct," he informed her but furrowed his brows when he noticed her reaction, "Are you not used to this many?"

"No, I just, never got the chance to walk freely back home. I was only allowed in a handful of rooms."

"I didn't know about that, I'm sorry for that."

"I didn't expect you to...you're the first one I've told beside my lady in waiting. Her name if Maya have you met her?" Riley figured maybe this was the right time to set her friend up with a husband. After all, that's the reason why Maya tagged along.

So she could secure her family's line with wealth and a cousin of the king's seemed to do just that.

"I have not," he said but there was a wry grin on his face. Like he knew why she said that.

"It's a shame, she's very pretty."

He smirked, "Well, I should get going. There are matters I must attend, can I trust that you will be able to find your way back?"

"I think I got it," she informed him knowing too well about his tone.

"Very well."

.:.:.

"King Lucas," the lord began as he stared into the king's green eyes. "As I have been told to inform you, we have finally gotten word from our spies back in Valemore." His worries were at ease as soon as he heard the news.

Lucas had grown concerned over his spies in the past months. He had gotten not even a single letter and he feared something had happened to them. Before being told about his spies, he was walking towards Riley's chambers. He figured they could go on a picnic or horse riding but he figured they'd do that some other day.

Looking at the tiles on the floor, he immediately remembered the times he would run around when he was younger.

He would run and hide in the secret passageways that he had been taught to remember in case of an emergency or invasion in the castle. His mother would chase after him and they'd play hide and seek, she even let him ride a donkey at the age of four but that stopped when his father ordered that he study for his geography classes.

Realizing he was losing focus, he looked back at the old man and asked, "What did they say?"

"The king has allied himself with Creisa, a kingdom located just west of them. Now that they themselves are starting to heal old wounds I suggest we start doing the same," the lord suggested and awaited Lucas' response.

The lord sought a reason for them to search for an alliance.

"Why Creisa?" Lucas asked. "Is it because they see my family as a threat?"

"We don't know, but what we do know is that we need to do the same. Will you look into it?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "I'll get on it, thank you, Lord Anderson."

Lucas watched as he continued to walk. Something didn't sound right to him.

He had learned to trust his gut and his gut told him something wasn't adding up. He didn't know why Valemore - the most powerful country in the word - needed an alliance with Creisa.

.:.:.

Victoria walked in the room where her son and his fiance were in. The only thing that never failed to make her smile was knowing her children still needed her. As she walked in, she quickly sauntered towards the map they looked at when they were making important decisions such as these.

"Pydon," she suggested and looked at Lucas. "They have a secure route here, we've always greeted each other like friends. Why can't we now?"

"Because..." Riley began. "They've met with the king of Valemore. We don't know what for, but any friend of there's is surely an enemy of ours."

"There's always Elinda, Loari..." Lucas suggested, but no one really agreed with him.

"Elinda has been in debt for fifty years," Victoria took a seat on the chair already feeling helpless and Riley approached Lucas.

"Loari has never fought their own battles, Lucas," she took his hands just when he extended them. When she saw him smile she knew they agreed. It was clear to Victoria that they were in love even if they didn't know it yet, she figured it'd stay this way for quite some time. "I think it's best we settle for a country that can provide support," Riley suggested. "Food, aid, shelter...one of those would suffice in case the attack on Valemore's border doesn't work."

"Of course that's something we would worry about if Lucas' men hadn't been fighting the Queen's battles," Victoria bitterly inclined. "We clearly need to set our priorities straight. Children, come." She stood up from her chair and sauntered towards the bookshelf in the office. She read their description and when she spotted the right one she pulled it out.

It looked heavy and old. Really old.

"I knew there was a day where I would show you this, I just didn't know the day would come so soon," she watched as her son furrowed his brows, "This is a book..."

"Really? We didn't notice," Riley kindly smiled but she only said that because she was starting to realize Victoria was acting bitter.

"In this book is information...classified information," she informed, "If you wish to know what's inside you must promise to never let anyone know."

"We won't tell anyone - "

"Why is the information classified?" Riley asked.

"Because," Victoria began, "My ladies are the ones who got this information."

"You mean your whores?" the brunette corrected her.

"Yes, whatever. But promise, no one can know. I'm sure you, Riley, are good at keeping secrets as well as telling them/"

Riley tightened her jaw.

"What is going on?" Lucas asked. He had noticed the way they talked to each other and he was just now realizing they didn't get along.

"Nothing, son. Is that right, Riley?"

"You're mother and I have always been on good terms, honey," she told Lucas and caressed his cheek. She knew that was enough to change his mind about them.

"In this book rest loopholes your grandparents and great grandparents took in order to...how do I put it...remain in power."

"What kind of loopholes?" Lucas asked, skeptically.

"Dirty ones."

"Is the one about Stefan Friar true?" Riley asked, "That he ordered his own daughters kidnap?"

"No that was a lie. Father - "

"It's true," Victoria admitted just above a whisper.

"What?" Lucas questioned. He had always been told that his daughter was kidnapped by usurpers. They said paying the ransom was the only way to get her back but she was already dead.

"These are the kinds of secrets that can get us beheaded," she informed, still whispering. "Now that you guys have an idea about just how deep these loopholes - secrets - whatever, really are...you can't tell anyone."

"We won't mother," Lucas informed. "You can trust us."

"Good. Now, you two can go over this when you guys are alone, but for now I highly suggest you take Tarithus as a suggestion. They're military is vast."

"But, what about Narebeth?" Riley asked now that they were on the topic of military. "They're known for their military strategy - "

The doors to the room swung open and a messenger walked in, "Queen Riley?"

"Yes?"

"This was left at the castle gate. It was addressed to you." He handed over the letter, but before Riley could take it, she looked over at Lucas. Once it was in her hand she dismissed the messenger with a nod.

"That's odd," she said once he was gone. As soon as the door closed she turned down to look at it. "Who could it be?"

"Well, open it," Victoria pressured the brunette.

Riley's hands moved to the edge of the letter and she ripped the seal in which kept the letter folded.

"What is it?" Lucas watched as he noticed her reaction sink in.

"A friend of mine," she informed and continued to read. "Childhood friend..." she felt like she needed to add. "Is coming to visit."

Lucas figured this the perfect chance to meet someone she grew up with "Do you know what for?"

She turned the letter in order to see the back of it, all it said was her name. "Doesn't say, but I can assure you he's very kind."

.:.

Maya liked running in the light wind that Mystic was known for. She loved that nature looked at it's best here, the grass is greener, the leaves were vibrant, the flowers were blooming, the water was bluer, everything was perfect.

Her light pink, peach dress trailed after as she ran and twirled. She ran towards a fountain and circled around it but when she stopped, she bumped into someone. She had only realized that when she was on the ground.

"My apologies Lady Maya," he extended his hands and she took them. "I should've moved."

She stood up and looked at his blue eyes. She immediately started to fix her blonde hair and brush off the bits of grass that had gotten on her dress. He was handsome and tall. "I-It's okay, really."

"My name is Jason de Mando," he introduced himself and bowed. "You're the Queen's lady, right?"

Maya nodded and smiled at him. His biceps were bulging through his shirt and whatever he seemed to be holding only made them prominent. "You're the artist the king titled," she realized. "Sweet Jesus, it is such an honor to meet you."

"There's no need," he said but Maya continued.

"Your works are legendary back in Courtley. I mean, there are dozens of people who want you to paint their portrait but never get the chance to because you're so busy. I can't believe his very presence is standing right before me."

"I'm glad a woman as kind and lovely as you takes interest in my work."

"Why don't you tell me all about your work when we meet for dinner?" she asked which completely took him by surprise.

"Y-yeah, y-yes. Of course," he nodded.

"Good," she smiled. "I'll have one of my servants send word for you."

.:.:.

Farkle rode back to the castle from a mission Victoria had sent him to just two days previous. He was less than an hour away from the castle but the ride seemed to be taking longer than he had expected.

Ever since he became one of Lucas' trusted friends, Victoria has been asking him to do favors for her and handle some of her business contracts or meetings. When she couldn't show up to one, he would be there. He didn't mind it at first but seven months later and he grew to hate it. She chose him because he understood what she wanted more than anyone and he thought that was a good thing but it wasn't.

As he continued to ride, he noticed red drops on the trail. He didn't stop to look at it until the drops grew into puddles. When he got off his horse, he kneeled down and touched the red substance.

It was blood.

He walked more and when he looked up he saw it.

A body.

He ran towards it, but when he got there, he knew it was too late. The person was dead.

When he flipped the body over, Farkle noticed a huge X drawn on the person. He didn't know it meant but he was sure it was left there to send out a message. His hand went to his sword and he looked all around him, he didn't know if he was alone.

As he climbed back up on his horse, he noticed something besides the blood.

It was markings.

The type a carriage wheel makes when they're dragged against the dirt.

The only way he could find out who did this was to follow it.

.:.

"With an X on it?" Lucas asked as Farkle told him about his findings. "What could that mean?"

They were in his office and Lucas was looking out his window. He didn't know what the X could've been for but as Farkle had told him before, it meant something. "Did you see anything else? Something that could tell us who this could be?"

He shook his head. "There was nothing."

"What caused his death?"

"Stab wound..." he informed. "On his neck."

He sighed. "I'll send someone to pick up his body. We have a guest arriving soon we wouldn't want him to think low of us."

Farkle nodded and stepped back from the king. He was about to leave, but he stopped. "There's one more thing. I followed the carriage trail on the dirt near the body...it led here."

Lucas gulped, "Take ten guards to the place you found the body. Leave the best one's here, it's unlikely you'll need them since a killer never returns to the place they killed their victim in."

Farkle nodded before walking out.

.:.:.

Riley entered Maya's chamber and laid on the bed next to her. The brunette looked at her and furrowed her brows. She looked happy, almost too happy. "What happened? Why are you so happy?"

"Because I may have just found a husband," she informed and looked over at her. "He has the best eyes I've ever seen."

"What's his name?"

"Jason de Mando," she informed.

"The artist?" Riley asked and when Maya nodded, she squealed. "No way. Where did you meet him?"

"The garden. I think he was sketching something, but you should've seen him. He so well built and his lips, oh sweet Jesus, his lips have me obsessed," Maya fell back on the bed and smiled.

"I want to meet him," Riley informed.

"When I know he likes me back," the blonde said and sat upright. "I asked him out."

"Maya," the brunette gasped. "You did no such thing."

"I couldn't let the opportunity pass. If I waited for a man to ask me out I would be waiting for a lifetime," she got off the bed and looked at her. "We're going to have dinner by the fountain in which I bumped into him."

Riley laughed, "That's how you two met?"

"He knocked me off my feet," she explained. "Quite literally."

They both laughed. "I'll see you in a bit."

"Okay."

She was about to walk out but something stopped her, "I overheard something about you and Lucas through some of the noblewives. Is it true you and Lucas aren't sleeping in the same chamber?"

Riley ran a hand through her hair. "It's true."

Maya simply nodded before walking out. She knew that Riley wanted to take things slow but sometimes she couldn't. If she wanted her country to survive, she needed to be as intimate with Lucas as possible. And sharing a bedroom was just that.

.:.

Lucas stood from a distance as we watched over his fiance. She was roaming around the dining table and observing the foods. She stopped and then called out to the servant who had placed it there. They talked for a few seconds before Riley continued to look at the food. She moved some plates, smelled the juice that was placed in one of the cups and then moved it to another plate.

When she looked up and saw that Lucas was staring at her, she hung her head in embarrassment. "How much of that did you see?" she asked and Lucas smiled.

"Only enough to tell you that there's nothing you need to worry about," he stretched out his hands and Riley took them, "Let them handle it, they know what they are doing."

"So do I," she said.

"Yeah, but they do it better."

She gently slapped his chest and he laughed even more.

"I can see that you're trying to impress him. Is he someone we don't want to upset?"

"What?" she asked. "No, of course not. He's just a childhood friend and I care for him. I want him to know that I am doing fine here." She placed her chin on his collarbone and breathed in his scent. "You smell good, what is it?"

"My skin," he chuckled. "What else could it be?" Their eyes met and he kissed her forehead, "What's your friends name? You never got the chance to tell me."

"His name is Tobias. He's a few months older than me and he always liked to use that against me," she smiled at the memories. "I haven't seen him in two years."

"What should I do so I don't embarrass you?" Lucas asked. He liked the face she made when he said that. She was beautiful and the evening light made her all the more precious to him.

"You're perfect," she hugged him tighter and he continued to kiss her forehead. "But don't talk. That ruins it."

He knew she was joking but he still liked that this was the type of relationship they had grown into. They were comfortable with each other in many ways. There was no kissing in the lips, or sharing beds but there was the inevitable smile they felt when they were together.

"Just don't talk about anything political or anything that he could use against us," she said. "I fear he's a leech that's waiting to find something and report it back to my mother."

Lucas nodded understandingly, "Even allies need to look over their shoulder's when they're together. You can never know when you're going to be stabbed in the back."

Riley couldn't agree more. They had learned that a king and queen must always keep tabs on the people they associate themselves with, they must learn everything about them in case they turn out to be something their not. "He's also smart and persuasive so he'd know not to wrong me."

Lucas kissed her forehead this time and stepped back from their embrace, "I should get going. I only had a couple of minutes to spare..."

"And you chose to spend it with me?" Riley asked, blushing. She was acting as if she was in love with the news, which she was, but she also said it to feign shock.

Lucas winked at her.

"Oh, stop. My cheeks are already pink enough," she joked.

He placed his hand on her chin and smiled before he walked off.

.:.:.

"Tobias, why don't you tell us about your childhood with Riley? She's told us you guys have been friends since then," Lucas informed and watched as Tobias and Riley smiled. They have been eating together for a couple of minutes and they were already off to a great start.

Tobias was around the same height as Lucas. They were both well built and had manners. Tobias spoke eloquently and his dark hair was pulled back. He had chiseled features and a vibrant smile, his brown eyes said a lot about him.

"Riley was very adventurous when she was younger. She was swift, a very fast runner should I add - "

"That was because I loved to play," Riley added.

"Just as much as you liked to run away from your teachers. There was this one time when she refused to recite the alphabet out loud and name the treaty that granted our country's independence. She refused up to the point where she wafted the ink bottle across the room hitting her teacher and staining her clothes. She was ... some child," Tobias laughed and Riley could cringe at the memory.

"To be clear my parents could've hired a better teacher. She reeked of dirt and sweat - always wanted me to fix my posture and act like the perfect young girl I should be."

"When I realized we couldn't play that night," he continued, "I convinced your mom into letting us play for at least an hour but she must've forgotten and we stayed up the entire night. We always had the most fun when we were together."

Riley smiled. "We did, didn't we?"

"That reminds me," he said, "There was this time when she tried on one of her mothers dresses," Lucas chuckled when he saw her do that, "She walked in this long purple dress but as soon as she got hold of her Mother's wine, she spilled it all over the dress."

"For clarification I didn't get hold of the wine to drink it, I wanted to be just like her."

"Your mother banned us from seeing each other that week. She was so angry with you..."

"I know," Riley hung her head. "But of course I made it up to her when I had the best stylist in Courtley make a dress for her. I was twelve at the time and the stylist was 53...that had to be the first time I ever gave an order."

"Soon after you had a ship name after me," Tobias brought up.

"You're my best friend, it's the least I could do."

"Your Majesties," a guard called and they turned to look at him. Victoria was in the middle of finishing off her grape when he had walked in. She was grateful that something had interrupted both Riley and Tobias from taking a long trip down memory lane.

"A nearby village has burned down," he informed. This caught everybody's attention.

"How did this happen?" Lucas asked.

"They don't know anything exactly but they found the remains of what looks like a lantern. It must've been thrown inside intentionally. We still don't know who."

"Were there any casualties?" Riley asked.

"Two," he informed. "A mother and a son."

"Dear God," Victoria gasped. "Has the fire died down?"

"Yes. King Lucas had sent Farkle to investigate a nearby area prior to the fire, he and the guards helped put it out."

"Thank you," Lucas nodded. "We'll be there in a few minutes with food and physicians."

.:.

Maya walked into Jason's chamber and looked all around. He had many unfinished paintings lying on the ground and multiple drawings pinned on his wall. They were beautiful and she didn't understand why he didn't finish them.

As she kept looking all around his room, she saw that his paintings were mostly of the castle. There were also parts that she hadn't seen.

"Your work is just breathtaking, it's hard to believe I'm standing right next to you."

He smiled and picked up the clothes he had worn the day before. "If only I was clean as I am a good artist."

"You know there's this painting back in Courtley that Queen Topanga kept in the foyer," Maya informed. "She kept it on a wall like ten or fifteen feet above us and Riley and I would stare at it for so long that our necks grew sore. When we finally found out who the artist was, I told myself that if I ever got the day to meet him I would tell him I am madly in love with his work as well I am with him."

Jason raised his chin, surprised at what she had said.

"It's silly, I know."

"Am I what you imagined?"

She nodded, "Only better."

Jason smiled before he walked into the room beside him. When he came back, in his hands were a stool. "I have been wanting to be inspired to paint something new. For weeks I thought maybe I was done with painting, but I was wrong." He settled the stool right beside her and walked over to the empty canvas right in front of her. "I take it that you don't have a portrait, am I right?"

She nodded.

"I guess that's about to change."

"You want to paint me?" she asked and when he nodded she immediately fixed her dress.

"I'm not even dressed for it -"

"Nonsense, you look beautiful."

"I - "

Jason walked to her and placed his hand on her cheek, "Tell you what. I'll paint you another portrait, you've given me enough inspiration to do more..."

She smiled, "Thank you."

.:.:.

The carriage Riley, Lucas and Victoria were in approached the village that had burned down. When it stopped right in front, the three of them got off and looked all around. They were dumb founded, it wasn't just the village that burned down, it was miles and miles of land. The villagers gathered around them expecting a speech from the king.

Lucas gulped and stared at them. They were covered in fire residue and it was clear they were exhausted from putting the fire out.

"Many of you lost your home today and some of you lost everything you had. I am here not only to express how sorry I am but I am here to tell you that there is a village not far from here that will gladly give you a home. You are not alone and never feel like you are. You all must be drained and tired and in pain which is why I brought food, water and physician's to aid you."

The crowd cheered and began to approach them.

Riley unveiled the loaves of bread on the carriage that trailed behind them. She and Victoria handed them out to the starving people while Lucas helped hand them their water.

This continued for a few minutes or so. The day had grown night and everyone had been fed. They circled in one huge long circle and began to sing and dance, Riley had never felt so much joy for other people like the this day. Lucas stood next to her and she wiped a tear from her eye. "They respect you," she said and he turned to her.

"They respect us," he grabbed onto her hand and gave it a kiss. "Everyone," he called out and the villagers turned to look at them. "Riley, Queen of Courtley will be your queen someday. We need you to know that we will do everything in our power to provide for our people and take care of them. It hurts us to know that many of you guys are acquainted with hunger...we will continue to do what we can to provide for you guys."

.:.

Lucas knocked on Riley's door and opened it slightly. He peaked his head in and when she gestured for him to enter, she did. As soon as he stepped in, he looked around her room. She had added things to it. When their eyes met, Lucas noticed that she was dressed for bed. She was in her white sleep gown with her hair in a pony tail. "Just wanted to know if you needed anything."

She shook her head no but then she patted on her bed for him to sit. He removed his shoes before doing so and when he got on the bed, Riley scooted towards him. "I am going to be the queen of Mystic one day, and I hope to be a good one."

"Riley," he caressed her cheek. "You will."

She grabbed his hand and their eyes met, "I hope to be a good wife too."

He furrowed his brows, "Of course you will. If our marriage is anything like this then I want it now."

She leaned on his shoulder and they stayed like that. "It is the nights in Mystic when I feel alone," she informed and he turned to look at her. "I am a foreigner to this country Lucas. I face threats and I when people hear my name they think of Valemore. I'm sure you did when you heard you would be marrying me."

He leaned his head on hers, "When I heard your name, Riley, I heard a Queen trying to survive. Not once did I doubt your story, I continue to believe you."

"You do?" she asked. A lot of people didn't believe the real reason she rejected Valemore's alliance.

"Well," he began. "When we met did I ever ask you if he actually did it?"

Riley shook her head, "You never did." They stayed quiet for a few seconds before Riley started the conversation again, "You know people talk about us not sleeping in the same chamber?"

He had never heard any talks or whispers, "They do? How would they know?"

"I have no idea," she told him. "The servants must be talking, but - that shouldn't matter - what does is... I wanted to talk to you because I am not ready for any of that."

He nodded, "I know and it's okay."

"I just...don't want you to feel like this alliance is pointless because - "

He grabbed her hands, "It's not. I want this. More than anything." He didn't want to ask why she doubted so many things, she has lived a life of fear and trouble, he understood but was curious. He waited till their eyes met, "I will always want this."

.

.

.

Writers Note: This concludes the second chapter of End Game. Riley and Lucas are growing closer and let's see where it takes them. And who do you think set the village on fire? The reason why Riley lives in fear and went to Mystic will be revealed very soon. It's always an honor to hear back from you guys.