AN: hi, guys. WE HIT 300 REVIEWS! I'm so happy right now! If I wasn't so bogged down with finals, I'd be happy dancing all over the universe right now! I'm sorry this chapter is so short, but like I said, finals are gonna be rough and I need to be studying! But I brought someone back this chapter, someone a lot of you have been asking for.(; The fluff is coming as well, guys, don't worry! It needs to build a little more first! Enjoy!
I walk around the Tavern lightly, a small smile playing on my face. I would have never guessed that I belonged in such a place, but I fit in well. It's been about two months since I was first thrown out of the House, and I barely think about what life would have been like if I had stayed.
Except that's a lie, a small voice whispers in the back of my mind.
I quickly shake the thought free and swat Bud's wandering hand away as I walk past, slamming a pint down in front of him. "Easy, Bud," I say.
The friendly giant laughs. "You know me too well, Sophie."
I spy Mary talking to Kinsley, who sits at the piano playing a happy tune. I would have never thought that someone who had lived in the House with me, the first to be cast out, would have belonged in this place as well. But the smile on her face is genuine, and though Bart still puts me on edge, I can tell that he loves her with all of his heart.
Sometimes I wonder about Gabrielle and where she might be, but every time I think of her, the image of her and Victor creeps into my mind.
Kinsley's happy tune is cut off short by the door to the Tavern being kicked open. Everyone instinctually moves away from the bar and crowds where I am standing, watching the man as he enters. Mary wanders past me and to the front of the crowd to get a better look.
The man's gaze moves lazily through the crowd of people. It doesn't take long for me to recognize him: Maxim.
But that isn't what completely floors me. Along with him are three men, two pirates and-
"Knock, knock," Maxim says with a smile on his face. "I've come to engage a meeting with the head of this place."
I continue to stare openly at Cassius, but he seems to be ignoring me on purpose. He nervously flexes his muscles, a sign I have only picked up from spending so much time with him. What was he doing with the pirates? Has he betrayed the Royals? My mind is spinning with questions.
"Looks like we'll need a volunteer to go and fetch him." Maxim's stare finally zeros in on Mary. He grins and starts toward her.
Before he can lay a hand on her, though, I put myself in front of her.
His grin only widens. "The Prince's Favorite," he recalls. "You threw brandy in my face. I did not like that."
"Maxim—" Cassius warns, but Maxim merely waves him off.
"And that is a pretty dress, my darling," he says, grabbing the fabric and rubbing it between his fingers. I make a noise of disgust and pull away. He takes notion from that move and grabs my face roughly in between his hands.
Before another second has passed, Cassius has produced a gun and trained it on Maxim. I can also see Jules from the corner of my eye with his bow pointed at his head as well.
Maxim laughs, hauling me into his arms and pulling out a gun of his own, shoving it under my jaw. "Looks like we've found our two men," he chuckles. "That was easier than I thought."
"You have what you want," Jules says. "We'll come willingly. Let the girl go."
Maxim merely considers for a moment, then, "No," he says darkly. "She'll be the bargaining chip. I need to make sure you both will cooperate."
The next thing I know, I am being hauled into the back office. The guards have left the twins alone with Maxim and I. The back office isn't spacious, only a small room equipped with a desk and a small couch.
Maxim gestures toward the chair. "Sit," he orders the two boys. They do, almost unwillingly, as they are told and sit on the couch. My eyes travel from Jules' face to Cas' face; it is only now that I see truly how identical they really are. Neither of them look at me.
Maxim sits himself in the office chair behind the desk. I make to stand, maybe even walk away, but he loops an arm around my waist and brings me to sit on his massive lap. I squirm, uncomfortable, but stop cold as soon as I hear his low, rumbling laugh vibrate through my chest. "Don't get me too riled up, darling," he says.
Both of the boys on the couch look as though they want to rip the throat out of Maxim, and I don't blame them. "Well," Cassius says, his voice dangerous, "you have us here. Make your offer."
Maxim seems to consider for a moment, placing his hand firmly on my waist. I jump and almost cringe at the stress etched into Cassius' eyes when he registers my movement. We only make the barest of looks before Maxim leans forward to speak.
"I want it all," he says.
Julius laughs. "You're insane. I am a rightful heir and I get none," he says.
"With both of you brothers on my side, I will be unstoppable."
Julius rolls his eyes. "Good luck telling that to the top notch army our father has set up to kill, oh, lets see, you, Maxim. I don't think either of us siding with you is going to change that fact."
Maxim's hand travels from my waist to the top of my thigh and I shudder. Maxim shushes me before turning back to the boys. "You are refusing my offer?" he asks.
"You're giving us no offer in the first place," Cassius says. "You're just demanding that we side with you."
"Is that not an offer?" he asks.
Julius and Cassius both exchange glances. "No deal," Jules says.
Maxim grabs the sensitive part of my inner thigh and I yelp, grabbing his wrist and trying to detach it from my body.
"This is a lovely dress," Maxim comments once more, his hand brushing higher up my thigh. I scramble to try to get him to stop but his grip holds firm. "For such a pretty girl. I think it would look prettiest rolled up and discarded in a corner. Wouldn't you agree boys?"
Maxim squeezes my leg again and I cry out.
"Stop!" Cassius yells, looking as if to get out of his seat and kill Maxim where he stands.
"Let her go," Jules warns, his voice icy. "She has no part in this."
"She has a bigger part than you boys are giving her credit for," Maxim says, leaning over and nibbling at my ear. I gasp and jerk away. "It is funny, Cassius, the reaction I am getting out of you over this girl, yet with your wife you barely flinched. It is only an extra-added bonus that his twin brother shares the same feelings for the same girl. I am enjoying this."
"Cassius," I say, "don't do anything for my sake."
Maxim grabs my throat and presses my head back into his shoulder, exposing my neck. He brushes his nose along my neck, his breath hot on my skin. "Yes, Cassius," he says, sounding amused, "don't do anything. I'd like to see where this is going."
My head is forced back so all I can look at is the packed-dirt ceiling. I close my eyes as Maxim kisses the tender skin of my neck and Julius breathes, "I'll do it."
Maxim laughs. Letting go of my neck. My head falls forward and my gaze meets Cassius'. He looks so immeasurably sad.
In a single movement, Maxim wipes everything off of the desk and bends me over it. I am now face to face with Cassius, whose eyes are wide as they take me in. I try and push myself off of the desk but Maxim's hand presses me firmly to the desk. "And what about the brother, the prince. Will he do it for the prince's favorite? The Woman in White?"
I am still struggling to get away from Maxim. "Don't," I tell Cassius.
"Let her go," Cassius finally says, sounding broken. "I'll do it."
Maxim is silent for a moment. Then, "Excellent," he says. "I'll see the two of you back at the palace. Bring the girl or I'll come back for her myself."
He releases his hold on me and I immediately straighten. Not before I am swept back into his grip. "This was enjoyable," Maxim whispers in my ear. "We shall do it again sometime."
"Go to hell," I say.
"Mmm, only if you'll meet me down there."
He lets me go and I shove away from him, walking over to Julius and throwing my arms around him. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close, consoling me. "Don't cry," he says sternly, reminding me that I am the Woman in White, who shows no fear.
"What did you two agree to?" I ask, pulling away from Jules and looking at the two of them.
Julius and Cassius share a look. "We agreed," Julius says, "to overthrow the House. To take over the throne."
AN: Thank you all so much for your kind words in the reviews! It honestly means so much to me. I'm happy you all like my characters and the world that I've created! You all have mostly suggested Cassius' POV, but I've gotten a lot of other suggestions as well. So I'm thinking for the bonus chapter that I do something in all of the suggested POVs (that way it'll be what everyone wants and it'll be even longer than originally planned!) so if you have any more suggestions about people or specific chapters/ideas, let me know in a review or PM and I'll take note of it! Again thank you guys so much for all of the reviews and keep them coming; it lets me know what I'm doing right and wrong! Till next time!