Chapter 38

Riley sat in her room with Olivia. Lucretia tied in a chair in the corner. They both could hear shouting coming from downstairs. George faithfully standing at her side. It hadn't taken long for Riley to win George's loyalty. Olivia paced back and forth asking, "Do you think we should make a break for it while they're distracted?" Riley looked at her before replying, "That's not a good idea. We could get hurt or captured trying to leave. Plus I don't move very quickly anymore. They'd catch up with us in no time."

Olivia glared at her as she heard shouting about securing the queen. She threw her hands up in frustration Olivia was sure with all the commotion they could leave undetected. Olivia said, "It would be strategic to leave now they are distracted. I am sure we won't have to go far before finding someone. I know Liam is here but at least consider moving somewhere else. So Anton doesn't know where you are?" Stomping footsteps echo the hallway moments before the door flies open. "Where is Lucretia", a male voice asks.

Riley replies, "She's tied up at the moment. Can I take a message?" She watched anger fill the man's face. "Lucretia get you're sorry hide overhear. You don't want me to tell Anton that you refused to follow a direct order," he bellowed. Riley shook her head saying, "Lucretia did you choose this idiot, or was it Anton's idea. He's not looking like a good idea for King let alone marriage to Olivia."

"James untie me this instant", Lucretia ordered. A confused look crossed James's face as he starts to enter the doorway. Only moments after he steps forward does he collapse onto the floor. A new man now standing in the doorway. Riley smiled saying, "Hi dad took you long enough." Bastien shook his head as he took in Olivia's shocked look. He quickly checked the room for threats taking in Lucretia tied to a chair behind the door. Lucretia glared at him causing Bastien to chuckle. "A little birdy told me where to find the queen", Bastien said with a smirk.

Bastien moved to Riley saying, "Come on I'll take you to the kitchen where we have two teams. The building is almost secure although Anton is pretending that you are down in the cells." Bastien moved to Riley helping her up to her feet. Riley turns her head saying, "Come on Olivia it's time to move." Olivia shacks her head following along silently leaving her aunt behind.

They moved silently not wanting Anton to find out they had left the room they had been held in. Soon they arrived in the kitchen where Bastien takes them to Maxwell and Drake. Drake and Maxwell pulled Riley into a hug. Bastien said, "I have to go back to Liam. Get Riley to safety." With that said, Bastien strode back out of the door. Riley looks at Drake asking, "How is he?"

Drake shakes his head saying, "Not good he hasn't been sleeping. He's been too worried about you. So the sooner we get you to a safe location the sooner he can stop worrying." Riley arches an eyebrow replying, "So what's the plan then." Drake sighs saying, "You will go with Maxwell's team. They will take you to where we left the vehicles. The outside has been cleared, and you will be surrounded until the trees cover you."

Olivia huffed, saying, "Riley isn't a fast mover. How far do you expect her to walk? Anton has kept her inside due to fear of someone whisking her away. All you're doing is putting these people and Riley at risk of being hurt." Drake ran his hand through his hair replying, "There isn't another choice Olivia we can't get the vehicles closer without risk of Anton or his men knowing where we are headed. We can't stay here I heard there could be a storm so the sooner she's at your Aunt Lucretia's home, the better. I will go make sure it's still clear and safe to leave."

Drake left to check outside Olivia followed wanting to make sure Drake did a thorough job. They soon returned motioning the group forward towards the treeline. The trip to the treeline was uneventful. To be safe the group split into smaller groups at first regathering once the coverage of trees was thicker. Progress was slower than Riley liked but she could only walk so fast. At one point during the trek, George picked Riley up and started carrying her. Progress was much quicker once Riley was off her feet and being carried. Soon they arrived at the vehicles that had been left behind.

Drake looked at Riley asking, "What should we do with the staff we can't leave them here but we don't have extra room either." Olivia stepped forward replying, "We will take their information and let them go home. I'm sure they live in the area unless they are part of my aunt's staff. Then we will have to transport them while waiting for Liam. Once the cars return Riley needs to be taken to shelter before the storm hits."

Drake nodded in agreement even if Liam didn't like it he'd understand why she wasn't with the vehicles. George put Riley down near one of the vehicles saying, "Could someone open the door so she can sit while we wait." Maxwell pulled out a set of keys and fumbled to get the right key to open the car. George grabbed the keys from Maxwell quickly finding the key and opening the door. Once the door was open Riley sat on the seat sideways in order to put her feet up.

Drake marched over to George crossing his arms asking, "Why shouldn't we leave you here with the rest of Anton's men?" George had expected to be grilled once they were away from danger and Riley was safe. George crossed his arms saying, "Your queen is very convincing and not as helpless as you'd think a pregnant woman would be." Drake only let it go when Olivia told him to drop it. Drake decided to let Liam grill George and decide the man's fate. However, he'd keep an eye on the man until Liam arrived Drake would take no chances.

Soon Olivia and Maxwell are driving the staff from the stronghold to either Lucretia's or their home at a nearby village. It doesn't take either long to return to the meeting location. Within moments of Maxwell and Olivia returning Liam and Bastien break the treeline. Liam looks frantically around the clearing rushing over to Drake as soon as he spots him. Once Liam reaches Drake asking, "Where's Riley?" Drake points to the car with the open door letting Liam go to his wife.

Liam rushed to the car moving quickly to the door yelling, "Riley are you in there?" Riley scooted towards the open door at the sound of Liam's voice. Liam fell to his knees in front of her saying, "Thank god you're ok." He placed his hand on her stomach adding, "You too peanut. I've missed you both." Peanut responded by kicking Liam's hand. Riley put her hand over Liam's saying, "We're fine Liam. George here helped keep us that way. He was working for Anton but I hope I can keep him as a guard. He's the best I've ever had."

Liam's head snapped to the man he missed standing next to the vehicle. Liam turned back to Riley saying, "I will consider it. For now, let's get you to Olivia's while the men transport the prisoners." Liam gets into the vehicle with Riley wrapping his arm around her keeping her body close to his. Liam kisses her forehead, cheek, lips, and then belly. He places his hand on her belly not caring who saw. Riley put her hand over his saying, "It's good to be back in your arms. I've missed you." Liam responded, "I've missed you too. Both of you."

The car ride to Lucretia's was uneventful they stopped there for food and to take a short break. Soon they were heading towards Olivia's keep having left half of the team behind celebrating the victory of rescuing the queen. When they left Lucretia's it was snowing as they traveled the snow grew heavier and the vehicle had to slow down to see the road. Eventually, the vehicle stopped Bastien had been at the wheel he turned saying, "The road is getting icy were not going to make it to the keep. We need to find shelter for the night. Do you know any place close by Olivia?"

Olivia shook her head no. She didn't know any place they could stay the night close to there location. Riley shifted forward saying, "Show me where we are on the map." Bastien grabbed the map opening it and pointing to their location. Riley looked over the map and then pointed to a location asking, "Can we make it here?' Bastien nodded responding with his own question, "What's here?" "The Lythikos birthing huts. Women used to use them to deliver strong babies. I don't believe they are used anymore but they would make a good temporary shelter."

Olivia shakes her head saying, "That area is a known Dire wolf area it's not a safe place to go. It's likely why it's not used and I didn't know about it." Riley sighs before responding, "I don't see any other choice. Plus we won't make it to your keep or back to Lucretia's." Olivia nodded to Bastien Riley's idea was better than being trapped in the car. Bastien made his way to the location Riley had pointed too.