A/N: Woo hoo! I'm back with the final book of TRR! I'm so excited to share this chapter. I wanted to add a bit more realism to the opening scene, so there's a lot of swears, and some gore. Just to warn you all. I don't think the blood-and-guts is that bad, honestly, but if you're sensitive to that kind of stuff, just beware.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit!" I cursed as I loaded Drake into a black SUV outside the palace. After he was shot, Bastien had helped Drake and I out of the ballroom and led us around back to the car. As I helped Drake settle into the passenger's seat, I repeated Bastien's instructions in my head.

Keep pressure on the wound. Follow GPS instructions to the safe house. Find the first aid kit, keep the bleeding under control. Don't trust anyone.

"Oh, shit," I said, pulling my hand from Drake's shoulder and seeing the dark red blood. "Okay," I reached down and tore a strip of my ball gown off, using it like a gauze to help stifle the bleeding. Then, I raced around the car and climbed into the driver's seat, grateful that I knew how to drive a stick shift. "Drake, you've gotta stay with me," I said as I pulled out of the palace grounds. "God damnit, why'd you do this, Drake?"

"I didn't know you had such a mouth on you," was his weak reply. His eyes were closed and his head was lolled back against the seat's headrest.

"Well this is what happens when terrorists shoot up my goddamn homecoming ball and my best friend takes a goddamn bullet for me!" Now that I was in high gear, racing down a back road, I could reach over and press one hand against Drake's wound again. He growled. "Shut up," I said. "I have to keep you from bleeding out before we reach the safehouse."

"It would help if you could calm down a little," he said, wincing as he shifted his weight a little.

I took a deep, halting breath. And then another, and a third. "Okay," I said at last. "I can do that. You're going to be okay, Drake. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Thankfully, it didn't take long to reach the safehouse, and soon I was helping Drake into a dark cabin nestled deep in the woods. It was lit only by emergency lights, and flipping the light switch seemed to have no effect. I lowered Drake onto the couch, grimacing as he grunted in pain the whole way.

"Okay," I said, mostly to myself. "First aid kit. Where would that be?"

I found it in a drawer in the kitchen and raced back to Drake. He looked pale, and couldn't seem to keep his eyes open all the way. "Took you long enough," he said, trying for a weak smile.

I knelt on the floor beside him and helped him peel off his jacket and shirt. I tossed the bloodied scrap of my dress aside, too, since it was now impossible to tell it had once been a pale pink. Instead, it was just a crimson, sopping, mess. I tried not to think about how much blood a person could lose before they died, and reached into the first aid kit for some alcohol swabs. As I tore the first one open, I paused, warning Drake, "This'll probably sting a bit."

"Gahhh!" He cried, and I placed a firm hand on his good shoulder as I kept dabbing at the edges of his wound. Once it was cleaned up, I made him sit up so I could take a look at his back.

"No exit wound," I said. "The bullet must still be inside your shoulder. Am I supposed to...should I try to get it out?"

He shook his head. "Leave it. I'm not having you perform surgery here. We just need to hold me together until I can get to a real doctor."

"Right." I nodded and looked back into the first aid kit. There was a package with a needle and thread. "Should I sew it up?"

Drake grimaced, but nodded. "Probably the best idea, since we don't know how long we'll be here."

I took a steadying breath and ripped open the package. With my shaky hands, I wasn't sure how I would manage it, but I took a deep breath and gripped the needle tightly. "Okay," I said, "Here it goes." Drake braced himself, but held still while I managed five sloppy stitches. I bit my lip as I concentrated, doing my best to pretend I was patching a shirt, and not one of the most important people in my life. When I was done, I found some gauze in the first aid kit. I carefully wrapped Drake's shoulder until I was satisfied he wouldn't bleed out, then let myself sink back, laying on my back on the floor of the cabin.

"Are you okay?" I asked Drake as I stared at the ceiling.

"I think I'll live," he said, and then added, after a beat, "Thanks to you."

I let out a joyless laugh. "Ha! Well, I won't say we're even, but..." I trailed off. I was suddenly exhausted.

I sat up and looked at Drake, who was breathing deeply and evenly. "Come on," I said, nudging his leg.

"Mmph," he groaned.

"I think you're probably supposed to keep the wound elevated, or something. I'll set you up with some pillows in the bedroom so you can sit up a bit while you sleep."

"Mmmhmm."

I helped him up and tucked him into bed, still dressed in his formal slacks. He was propped up high against the headboard, but he didn't seem to mind, as he was fast asleep in about two minutes. I began to head back to the living room, but paused in the doorway. I really didn't want to be alone. I decided to stay with Drake, and collapsed on top of the covers next to him. I turned on my side and watched the rise and fall of his chest. I prayed that Liam was somewhere, safe, and pretended that it was his chest I was watching. Finally, I drifted into a fitful sleep, where my nightmares replayed the night's events over and over again.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of knocking on the cabin's front door. I jumped out of bed and raced to the living room, flinging the door open.

Outside were Hana, Bertrand, Maxwell, and Liam. I flung myself into Liam's arms as he stepped into the cabin, holding him as tightly as I possibly could as I whispered, "Oh, god, you're okay. You're okay."

"I'm okay," he assured me. He pulled me back and stared lovingly down at me, tucking my hair behind my ears. "Riley, these past hours have been torture. This is all my fault." His face was grim.

"What do you mean?" I asked, unable to break eye contact.

"If you'd never met me...if you'd never come to Cordonia, you'd be safe. I'll never forgive myself for putting you in danger."

I shook my head as he spoke. "Hey," I said, poking him in the chest with one finger. "I chose you. I chose to be here. We're in this together, you got it?"

He didn't reply, so I took my left hand, interlacing it with his, and held them up so he could see my ring. "For better or for worse."

Finally he nodded, pulling me close again. "I plan to make it more of the former and less of the latter," he said, his voice muffled by my hair.

"Ahem," I heard Maxwell behind me. "Not to interrupt, but...where's the love?"

I pulled reluctantly back from Liam with a smile.

"Maxwell," Hana said, batting him on the shoulder, "They're having a moment."

Letting go of Liam for a moment, I pulled Hana, Maxwell, and Bertrand each in for a hug. When I was done, tears of relief were pouring down my cheeks.

"I was so worried," I choked out. "I feel like I can finally breathe again!"

"I know exactly what you mean," Hana said with a frown.

"You know, doctors usually prescribe peace and quiet to shooting victims." This was from Drake, who had managed to get out of bed and was shuffling slowly towards the couch. Liam raced over to help, and once Drake was settled, Liam knelt beside him.

"Hey," Liam said softly, "Didn't anyone ever tell you not to be a hero?"

Drake gave him a half-smile. "Not sure anyone thought they needed to."

"You saved Riley's life. I don't know if that's a debt I can ever repay."

"I'd rather you didn't try, Liam. You don't owe me anything."

While those two were talking, I asked Hana, Maxwell and Bertrand about their own daring escapes.

"After Maxwell and I were separated from you in the crowd," Hana said, "We tried to get back to you, but the palace security wouldn't let us go back."

"They said their orders were to clear the room...not many people were crazy enough to be trying to get back in," Maxwell added.

"It was utter chaos," Bertrand said. "Luckily, I was able to usher a few others to safety as I escaped."

"Well, I'm glad you're all safe." I said. Liam stood and walked back to me. "What about you?" I asked him.

"My security detail held off the attackers until Bastien was able to get me out of the ballroom. Once the assassins saw that I was out of reach, they fled." His face grew fierce. "Clearly, you and I were the targets."

"Was anyone else hurt?"

"There were injuries, but no one was killed. Lady Kiara was caught by a knife, though I'm assured there will be no permanent damage. And, your former press secretary was shot."

"Justin? Is he okay?"

"He and Kiara are both in the hospital now, receiving the best care Cordonia has to offer. Bastien was also wounded helping me escape. His leg may never be the same, but he should still be able to walk."

I frowned and shook my head. "Poor Bastien. Who do you think was behind all this?"

"Cordonia has its fair share of enemies, but it's pointless to speculate and worry about it now. Bastien will have more information when we return to the palace."

From the couch, Drake asked, "And when will that be? Not that Riley didn't do an amazing job saving my life last night, but I still think a doctor should take a look at my shoulder at some point."

He was smiling at me as he spoke so I let myself laugh.

"My guards and the police are still securing the palace," Liam said. "It'll be an active crime scene until they're done. They'll call when they are certain the palace is safe, and that all evidence has been collected."

"At which point we'll return to face a press and a country that both want answers. Rightfully so, I'd say," Bertrand said with a serious expression. He looked at me. "Riley, as the future queen, it will be up to you and Liam to assuage their fears and put Cordonia at ease."

"I..." I sniffed, dabbing at the few stray tears still sticking to my cheek. "I'll do whatever I can to help."

"For now," Liam said, "All we can do is wait. We should try to rest and relax as much as possible until we get the all clear."

"Why is it so dark in here?" Hana asked, as if noticing it for the first time.

I laughed. "I'm not sure. The lights weren't working when we got here, and it wasn't really my top priority."

"The generator must be busted," Drake said.

"I'll go see if I can find it," Maxwell volunteered. "I don't know if I can sit still right now, anyway."

"I'll go with you," I said.

"Oh!" Hana cried, holding up a bag. "I almost forgot! I brought you a change of clothes."

I looked down at myself and saw the tattered, blood-stained ball gown I was wearing. "You're a godsend, Hana." I took the black dress she offered and quickly changed in the bedroom, then followed Maxwell outside to look for the generator.

Maxwell was unusually quiet as we walked. "You okay?" I asked him at last.

He shook his head. "Just thinking." He stopped walking and looked at me. "I was so scared last night, Riley."

"Yeah," I said, "With assassins in the palace, we all were."

"No, not for my own safety. Well, not just for my own safety. I was scared for you."

"Me? Oh, Maxwell, that's so sweet."

He shook his head, like I wasn't getting it. "I was sitting in this other safe house last night, thinking about what I would do if you weren't around anymore, and, well, I want you to know just how much you mean to me. You're one of my best friends in the world. And, I'm just so glad you're okay."

He gave me a hug, and I patted him on the back. "I love you, Maxwell," I said.

"I love you too, Ri," he said. When he pulled away, he quickly wiped at his eyes and kept walking.

Eventually, we found the generator, and after carefully studying the instructions, flipping a few switches, and kicking it a little, we got it working. When we got back to the safehouse, Maxwell dramatically stood by the lightswitch and shouted, "Let there be light!" He flipped it, and our friends applauded when the lights turned on.

"Much better," Liam said. Then, he turned to me, motioning me towards him. "Riley, now that you're back, I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time?"

"Of course," I said, leading him into the bedroom. He shut the door carefully, and stood studying me intently for a minute. Finally, I said, "What did you want to talk about?"

"While you were outside, I was thinking about what I can do to make sure this doesn't happen again. We need to make Cordonia a safe place for all of us. Not just you and I and our friends, but everyone in our land."

I nodded. "Of course."

"Cordonia needs something to rally behind, a show of strength and unity. I was thinking that a court event with the entire nobility in attendance could work." He stepped towards me, taking my hands. "An event like a royal wedding."

I grinned. "Our wedding?"

"It would need to be soon. Much sooner than we'd anticipated."

"Hey, the sooner I'm married to you, the better."

"Oh, so you're really just agreeing for selfish reasons, is that it?" He gave me a wink.

"No," I protested, "But I'd call it a win-win situation."

"I see. You're going to be a mighty force at the negotiating table, my Queen." Liam hugged me, and then said, "We'll issue a press release as soon as we're back at the palace."

I was still holding him close, both of us hesitant to let go. Looking up at him, I said softly, "Should we go back to the others, let them know?"

Liam nuzzled my nose with his. "I'd rather spend a bit more time here with you. If you'd like, that is. This may be the last time we have some privacy for a while, and I'd hate to let it go to waste." He planted a soft kiss on my neck and I hummed with pent up energy.

"I've heard waste is bad," I said, pulling Liam with me towards the bed. We lay on the mattress, each turned on our sides to face each other, looking but not touching. Liam studied my face for a long moment.

"For a moment last night," he said quietly, "I had to face the possibility that I might never see you again."

"And?" I prompted.

"And I found that I could never accept that."

"I hope you'll never have to."

"When I think of what you went through..."

I gently pressed a hand against Liam's chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing. "I was worried about you, too," I told him.

"I'm here now. And, trust me, Riley. I will do whatever it takes to make sure the attackers never get another opportunity to hurt you."

He was getting riled up, so I scooted closer to him. "I believe you," I said. "But I really don't want to think about it right now. We'll have plenty to do when we get back to the palace. This is our safehouse. Let's just enjoy being safe. Together."

He sighed. "The bloodstained pillows and blankets don't help," he said.

I reached over and threw the pillows on the ground, then stood and dragged the blanket off the bed, tossing them all in a corner. "Better?" I asked.

Liam sat up and reached a hand toward me, pulling me back into bed. "Better," he said as he lay me down, hovering over me to plant a kiss on my lips. Then I saw him wince, and I sat up.

"Are you okay?" He lay back against the mattress and nodded.

"Just a few bruises. I'll be fine."

"Let me see," I said, unbuttoning his shirt and casting it away. Underneath was a large, dark bruise covering almost his entire left torso. There were also smaller bruises dotting his arms. "Oh," I breathed, resting my hand gently against his chest. My eyes followed my fingers as they traced the outline of the bruises. "Why don't you lay back and let me take care of you?"

Liam arched an eyebrow at me, and I smiled coyly, leaning down to brush kisses along the outside edge of his large bruise. I moved from his chest down his torso, finally kissing right at the waistband of his pants.

"Kisses do make it better," he said.

I moved back up to kiss his lips, but let my hand tease in and out of his waistband, making him suck in a sharp breath. "Time to get these pants out of the way?" I asked with a grin. He nodded, and I helped him undress.

"Your turn," he said as he lay back down, eyes staring greedily at my figure. I slowly removed my clothes and climbed to straddle Liam. His hands found my hips and traced random patterns on my skin as I looked down at Liam thoughtfully. "Everything okay?" He asked.

"I'm just so wildly in love with you."

He chuckled and tried sitting up, but I pushed him back down. "Nope," I said with a smile. "I'm in charge, here." I sank into him and started moving, drawing out each moment and savoring the way Liam's breathing hitched when I moved just right. When we were finally spent, I curled into him and he held me for a long while. On the floor, his phone buzzed. I reached over and fished it out of his pants pocket, handing it to Liam.

"We're cleared to go back to the palace," he said, sitting up.

I sighed. "Just when I was getting comfortable."