Chapter 34
Liam made his way to the royal suite. He entered the empty room for the first time in a long time he was alone. It almost broke him a second time that day. He removed his clothes taking care of them before putting on a pair of sleep pants. He climbed into bed grabbing her pillow and burying his face taking in the scent of her shampoo. His cock twitched his body responding to the scents on her pillow. He sighed he'd have to disappoint his cock he could only offer his hand. While his hand helped it never felt as good as his queen did.
Drake knocked on the King's door early the next morning wanting to get an early start in the search. After knocking multiple times Drake let himself in to wake Liam up. He opened the door and entered the suite heading to the master bedroom suite. He opened the bedroom door calling, "Liam it's time to wake up." Liam groaned rubbing his face trying to get the sleep out of his eyes. Liam hadn't slept well and had spent most of the night awake. Drake stood there surprised blurting out, "You look like shit man. I'll make you some coffee while you get dressed." Drake went back into the living room /kitchen combo heading to the Keurig placing a travel mug under the unit. He grabbed Liam's favorite coffee cup in the dispenser and pressed the button for it to brew.
Liam finally made it to him saying, "Is there any way to get a gallon of coffee to go?" Drake had to fight a chuckle that threatened to burst from him. This was no laughing matter his friend was suffering. Drake knew finding Riley would be what would cure his best friend. He just hoped they would find her quickly so they could plan her escape from capture. Drake handed Liam the full cup replying, "Sorry my friend but this will have to do. Bastien is outside dividing the volunteers into teams of three. The staff made breakfast burrito's so they could take the food with them and each vehicle was packed with snacks and water."
Liam nodded and he walked with Drake outside of the palace. He grabbed some food from the tables as he made his way to Bastien more than ready to find his queen. Bastien looked over just as the King arrived he stated, "We are all ready to go, sir. Everyone here looks forward to training after the queen's rescue. Perhaps you should say a few words to the men."
Liam looked over at all who had come to help him. He shouted, "Thank you for helping during my time of need. Cordonia needs its queen and heir. I will not allow it to fall into Anton's hands. First, we have to find the queen. Then we will plan her rescue and Anton's downfall." The crowd cheered as they all piled into their assigned vehicles. The vehicles all headed to the location where the queen's vehicle was recovered. They'd get out and stretch their legs while double-checking the area before heading their separate ways. As they arrived Bastien noticed a man on a motorcycle in the area he instructed the car to park a short distance away. He got out of the car and approached the man to assess the situation.
Liam watched as Bastien returned from the man on the motorcycle. Bastien opened the car door saying, "Come with me, sir." Liam got out of the car and quickly followed Bastien back over to the man. As they approached the man took off his helmet revealing blond hair. As they got closer he noticed blue eyes and his brother's goofy grin. Soon he was standing in front of Leo being pulled into a tight hug. It was a real hug the one Riley always insisted on. Liam held his brother tightly for a long moment. "I couldn't let you go through this alone Liam", Leo said.
Liam nodded as the embrace ended Leo patting him affectionately as he said, "Have you heard from Olivia?" Liam shook his head no Leo nodded saying, "I'll go straight to her keep and see if she's home. I'll let you know what I find there. It would make a great command center as her keep is in the middle of Lythikos. This way you can divide in half instead of by three. Search the other two options well and meet me at the keep if nothing is found."
Liam listened to his brother and thought about what he had said. He agreed with his brother he wouldn't be happy unless he was sure the other areas were thoroughly searched for his queen. He'd hate himself if she was missed and he spent time in a location she wasn't. Maxwell had joined them saying, "I don't know why we can't just ask Riley where she is." Bastien pinched the bridge of his nose taking a deep breath before responding, "Maxwell I doubt they let her keep her phone. Even if they did miss it. It would be too dangerous for her to contact us." Maxwell looked confused saying, "I sent a group text to her she responded at 3 AM but it made no sense."
Bastien, Leo, and Liam all looked at Maxwell's screen seeing:
Anton + Lucretia / Circle tower / stronghold/ cold/ Olivia= kidnapped / Peanut Misses U
Liam took a shaky breath saying, "This is from Riley. Peanut is what we have been calling the baby in private." Leo joins in adding, " It looks like Olivia will be kidnapped. I should head there to warn her if it's not too late." Bastien frowned saying, "If this is true you shouldn't go alone, Leo. You could get taken as well if the kidnapping is in progress. Besides, see here it looks like Lucretia is partnered with Anton. If I was Anton I'd send Lucretia to get Olivia. Olivia would go with Lucretia willingly not suspecting a plot." Leo threw his hands up saying, "Fine I will go with one of the cars that way I will have back up but I need to go and see if Olivia's been taken or not."
Liam nodded as Leo left and Drake took his place. Drake looked at the text saying," Is Riley in a round tower like a rook chess piece. We already knew that from the video. I take it she didn't know she was being recorded by Anton. Are strongholds only found in Lythikos?" Liam thought a moment before replying, "Most of those that remain as strongholds are in Lythikos. Everyone else repurposed their strongholds when Cordonia became one. The place was once a stronghold and Applewood was once the palace. Lythikos has such a small population that there hasn't been a need to do anything with the strongholds there."