Thank you so much for the feedback. Love all my followers and support! Here is the first part of a long chapter. Comment and let me know what ya think. Enjoy, happy reading. :]


A flood of police, firemen, and paramedics pass Jasper as he walks the halls in a low profile. It was like he was invisible. Just moments ago he witnessed Cyrus follow through with what he himself had planned for days. Had he gone mad? What was he thinking? To murder the King? Eleanor's older brother? Surely he had lost his mind.

He had to get to his car. Get rid of this gun. Get out of here. Forget any of this ever happened.

"Excuse me, sir." A policeman approaches Jasper cornering him against a wall. "We got a few questions for you mate."

The color washes from his face.

Shit.

"S-Sure," he stutters. His transparent blue eyes examine the hall up and down taking in the fiasco that was taking place. He mentally calms himself down. It was highly improbable that law enforcement would question him of anything.. suspicious. After all, he was the only witness to the King getting shot.

"Can you tell me exactly why you were in the room with King Robert prior to Cyrus Henstridge's entrance?"

Shit.

Jasper's eyes focus in on the plump police officer standing almost a foot shorter than himself. The first question, and he was already unsure what to respond. Admitting that he had come to the palace to 'apologize' was sketchy in itself.

"Jasper! What happened?!" Eleanor comes out of nowhere grabbing onto him knocking him to the side out of surprise. She wreaks of alcohol. He instinctually wraps his arm around her raising his vision to the ceiling.

"Excuse me, I was in the middle of asking a few questions of this young man."

Eleanor releases her grasp turning to the miniature policeman. She gives him an intimidating glare while cocking her head to the side.

"Well, excuse me," she says lowering her face toward his. Jasper's heart flutters. Nothing intimidated him more than that tone in Eleanor's voice. "I'm the god damn Princess and I would like to know what the bloody hell is going on."

"Your highness," the officer squeaks. "I'm sorry to interfere. We'll continue our conversation later," he says to Jasper.

Eleanor ignores him as she wraps her arms back to where they were around Jasper's waist. She looks up to him with big, bright, glossy eyes.

"There was a gunshot-" she lowers her voice examining his face. "What're you doing here? What happened?"

Jasper gulps in a deep breath while cupping her face into his palm. He wanted to be the first one to tell her. Liam pushes his way through the sea of people at a running pace nearing their side. He stops in his place as they see a group of paramedics carrying someone on a stretcher.

Robert lay unconscious with an air mask securely tied to his face. Medics keep pressure on the bullet wound on his chest that was still profusely bleeding.

"EVERYONE CLEAR THE WAY!" one medic shouts as the crowd falls silent.

"Robbie," Eleanor whispers as she watches his listless body being taken down the hall. She loses her balance letting go of Jasper, instinctively falling onto her twin. Liam grasps onto her in his arms. Jasper looks at the two of them out of his peripheral. Liam's wide, bloodshot eyes focus on Robert. He's expressionless. He reassuringly rubs his sister's back who whimpers against his chest. She couldn't look at her older brother.

Next to follow down the hall is Cyrus in handcuffs, taking nearly five security guards/policemen to hold him down. He was resisting as much as physically possible against their restraint. In true Cyrus fashion, he was going out with dramatics.

Everything slows down as Cyrus passes the three of them. He shoots Jasper a menacing glance before using all of his body strength to pull the five men holding him closer to them.

"You're welcome," he whispers to Jasper, just loud enough that he could hear. His heart flutters and beads of sweat cover his forehead. Out of the side of his eye Jasper can see Liam snap his head toward him. This time he fully turns his neck to meet Liam's narrowed and suspicious eyes.

Liam, too, had heard Cyrus.

"We have to get to the hospital." Eleanor breaks free of Liam's embrace. "There's too many bloody people it'll take hours just to make it out the front door."

"Let's take the tunnels," Jasper confidently speaks. "We'll take my car. It's parked right outside the exit." He searches Liam's face unsure of what was to come next. It was a gamble.

Don't expose me here. Not now.

Liam slowly nods his head in agreement with speculative eyes on Jasper.

"Let's go."

Jasper makes sure to walk at a faster pace than the two following behind. Liam was still helping hold Eleanor's distraught and drunken body up.

Jasper throws the trunk open before shooting a look back at them. Eleanor had apparently thrown up on herself and was now on hands and knees on the gravel. Liam was holding her hair back with a disgusted look on his face.

At lightning speed Jasper throws the pistol into a concealed compartment of the trunk. He slams it shut before rushing toward them. Helping Eleanor stand back up, she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

"How much has she had to drink?" he irritably asks Liam while stripping off his shirt.

"A load," Liam confirms taking a few steps back and crossing his arms. "Was trying to make some point by threatening me with booze and drugs."

"A valid point," Eleanor sways to the side almost tipping over before Jasper catches her. She accepts his t-shirt and strips of her soiled one.

"Eleanor do you really think finding our potentially dead brother drunk has lead you to a valid point?" Liam scoffs. "It doesn't solve anything."

"Angel Liam," Eleanor slurs. "You're high as a kite!" she shouts pointing her finger in his face.

"SHUT UP!" Jasper yells off frustration and nervous energy. "Just shut up. This is not the time to argue over.. I don't even know what you're arguing about. Jesus Christ just get in the car, will you?"

Liam rolls his eyes before nearing closer to the car.

"Give me your keys. I'll drive. You can deal with her."


They arrive shortly at the hospital. Liam pulls into one of the parking spots before looking in the rear view mirror. Jasper is tightly holding onto Eleanor keeping her body in an upright position while forcing her to drink water.

"Put on a shirt mate," Liam says grabbing one of the many undershirts piled on the passenger seat. He tosses it to the back seat. Jasper was the first to admit that his car was a fucking mess. But now wasn't the time to be embarrassed about his pigsty of an automobile.

Liam gets out of the car before circling around and opening the door for Eleanor. Jasper lets himself out taking in another large inhale of fresh air. He was still certain he was trapped in a nightmare. But he was in the clear.. for now.

"Oh god dammit Len." He hears Liam groan as she eats shit on the pavement below her.

Jasper quickly nears her side scooping her up into his arms. He gestures to Liam to lead the way. Eleanor throws her arms around his neck holding herself close to his chest. Even though she was three sheets to the wind and listless as a rag doll, it felt amazing to have her in his arms. He felt safe.

He glances down at her face. Her foggy eyes intensely stare into his as a soft smile spreads on her lips. "I'm glad you're here," she whispers while closing her eyes and nuzzling her face in his neck. It was apparent that she too felt safe in his arms.

Hours pass in the waiting room. Eleanor spent most of them asleep, drooling on Jasper's shoulder. Helena furiously paced back and forth on the cell phone discussing matters with security detail. Other than her concern for her eldest son, she was overwhelmed with the pressure of keeping this scandal out of the press. The last thing the Henstridge's needed was another scandal. Especially of this magnitude.

"What did he mean?" Liam suddenly speaks waking Jasper from a half sleep. He takes off his baseball cap and tosses it to the side. Scratching his head and letting out a yawn he looks over to Liam.

Before he replies he looks down at Eleanor to be assured that she was still fast asleep.

"Thank you," his raspy voice speaks as he receives a cup of coffee from one of the staff. Liam accepts a cup as well with his eyes still steadfast on Jasper. But Jasper can't look back at him. His vision is more comfortable focused on the shitty brew of coffee in his hand.

"Cyrus," Liam adds.

"I.. I don't know what I was thinking Liam," Jasper replies in complete honesty. "I was in a trance. It felt like it was the only option."

"Why didn't you come to me?"

Jasper raises his head finally meeting his best friend's stare. Not only did he feel guilty for previously having all of the intentions in the world to kill his brother.. but for being so selfish and one minded.

"Liam," he says unsure what to say of next. "I wasn't in my right mind."

Liam, with a look of disappointment, takes a sip from the cup and glances up at the clock. "We were so close," he lightly speaks.

"What do you mean?"

Eleanor suddenly rustles in her sleep clearing her throat.

"Who was so close?" Jasper urges above a whisper trying not to wake her.

"Cyrus and I," he replies pensively staring ahead. "And he had to go fuck everything up. Robert could be dead."

"You've been working with Cyrus? When-"

Jasper stops speaking as they watch a nurse rush toward Helena. Liam instinctively stands up walking toward his mother. Jasper watches Helena collapse into Liam's arms with her face buried in her hands. He can feel a lump forming in his throat watching the Queen in such grief. He glances down at Eleanor and places a soft kiss on the top of her head. A single tear falls from his eye as he rests his head on top of hers. From the look of things, Robert was in bad shape.. and he didn't know how Eleanor was going to take this news, despite the horrific things he had done.

Eleanor inhales a sharp breath before raising her head looking up into his eyes. She instinctively wipes the tear from under his eye before readjusting herself into an upright position. Helena and Liam approach them as Jasper wraps his arm around her preparing for the worst.

Helena stands before them with her hands interlaced before her. Her makeup was disturbed by the tears she had shed. But in her usual fashion, she was composed to the fullest capacity.

"Robert remains in a coma," she says to them in a somber tone. "The likelihood of him to wake up is slim to none." Liam reassuringly rubs her back with one hand as the other remains in his pocket. He looks at his mother in grief.. no mother should have to live to see their children die. And for Robert's case.. twice now.

"I'm so sorry mum," Eleanor's raspy voice speaks up. She stands up, this time strong and steady. She had slept the buzz off. Liam pulls the two of them into a long hug. Jasper watches on feeling his heart break. In all reality he could give a shit whether Robert would survive.. but seeing this happen to the family he cared so much for was the most painful thing he had ever experienced. And just hours ago, he would have been the culprit to all of this agony.

"I'll stay here with you mum," Liam softly speaks holding onto both of her hands. "Jasper, can you watch after Eleanor? We'll let you know if anything changes."

Jasper stands to his feet viciously nodding his head with tear filled eyes. "Of course."

Eleanor weakly walks toward him as he consumes her into a big bear hug. He looks down at her raising her chin with his finger.

"Are you okay?" he softly asks, already knowing the answer. Her exhausted emerald eyes resemble a raccoon with smeared makeup.

"Just take me home."


Eleanor exits the shower and brushes her teeth. She slips into a night gown before glancing at herself in the mirror. She looked dismal. Her damp hair clings to her sunken in cheek bones. Removing the makeup from her bright green eyes exposes dark circles.

It didn't feel right. It wasn't fair. Her brother, who she looked up to all of her life, was in critical condition. He had essentially returned from the dead last year and was put back in the same position. But she couldn't forget all of the terrible things he had done to their family. It was unforgiveable. It left it nearly impossible to feel the pain that she should truly feel about his fate. She was simply emotionless.

Leaving the bathroom she finds Jasper on the couch scrolling his phone. He's wearing jeans and a stained undershirt. His dark blonde hair is swept to the side across his forehead laying just above his defined eyebrows. He looks up from the phone with a pensive expression. It was evident from his body language that he didn't know how to act. And neither did she.

"Hi beautiful," he softly speaks placing the phone in his pocket.

A light smile crosses her lips as she takes a seat on her bed. She sinks into the soft comforter lying her head on the pillow. Staring up at the ceiling she can feel the bed shift as Jasper sits down next to her. His arm wraps around her waist. She can feel his breath on her neck as his grip tightens.

"I didn't want him to die." Eleanor's voice is monotone.

"I know," he speaks above a whisper. They sit in silence for a few minutes until she lays on her side facing him. She stares into his ice blue eyes bringing her hand to his face. There was an unspoken electricity in the air. But it didn't come as a surprise. Whenever she was this close to him she could feel it.

Jasper moves his arm to her lower back pushing her body closer to his. She can feel her heart rate rise along with her breathing. He stares at her mouth lightly licking his lips.

Her body was screaming for him to kiss her. She certainly wasn't going to make the first move. Especially after that shower disaster. Practically begging on her hands and knees for him to fuck her. Pathetic.

Eleanor was too wrapped up in her thoughts to realize that he had moved his face closer firmly pressing his lips onto hers. He pulls back a bit examining her face. Gauging her reaction.

Hold back, Eleanor.

Jasper lies beside her with a soft yet stern expression. Lustful. That look. The one that always got her going. His thumb traces her lower lip. She can feel his heavy breathing against her body. She couldn't wait any longer.

Fuck it.

She delicately places her hands onto either side of his face pulling in closer. She passionately kisses him intertwining their tongues. Within an instant, all of her troubles were wiped away. Jasper Frost was her antidote. He pushes her lower back even closer rubbing her against the growing erection in his pants. Removing one hand from his face she unzips his jeans with the other.

Jasper complies with her movements slowly wiggling out of his pants. Next to go was his shirt. She wraps her leg around him giving leverage to lay on top of him. She grinds against him moving her lips to his neck, lightly sucking and licking from his jaw to his collarbone. He lets out a light sigh grabbing onto her face bring it back to his. Deepening the kiss he gropes onto the back of her thighs, up to her ass, and eventually slides the night gown up. She straddles him taking the slip off. His eyes light up as he takes in the sight of her naked body.

Supporting her back with his arm, he sits up so his mouth can roam her bare breasts. His other hand is under her panties, her fingers rubbing against her. She was almost embarrassed at how wet she was, but didn't care. It felt too damn good to have his touch again.

His tongue lowers from her breast to her navel laying her on her back. His mouth lowers further, his tongue eventually reaching her clitoris. He uses great pressure with his tongue as his fingers gently glide in and out of her. She can't hold back several groans. Even though it was way too soon, she could already feel herself reaching climax.

"Stop," she whispers trying to delicately push his head back. But he doesn't listen. Instead he moves his fingers quicker and applies more pressure. Her chest moves up and down at an accelerated rate as she feels the buildup growing nearer. "Jasper," she cries trying to mentally hold back. But it was beyond return.

Yelping out an aggressive orgasm, Eleanor grabs onto his hair as her head whips back in pleasure. She's certain she's going to pass out from the head rush. Her shallow breathing won't subside as she gasps for air.

Jasper lightly chuckles in between her legs. She snaps her head up looking at him with furrowed eyebrows. With a devilish smirk he wipes his mouth with his hand.

"That was quick."

Eleanor feels her cheeks flush. "Oh no it wasn't," she scoffs with embarrassment. She shifts his head from between her legs and sits upright on the bed.

He sits on his knees grabbing onto her waist with both hands. He wasn't letting her go anywhere. Softly kissing her neck, her head naturally falls to the side in bliss.

"That was sexy as hell," he growls in her ear. "You have no idea what you do to me."

Eleanor lays herself on her back after pulling his briefs down. She spreads her legs inviting him back in between them.

"Show me."