PRINCE MAXWELL BONUS SHORT. Lily Cahill

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2 PRINCE MAXWELL BONUS SHORT Lily Cahill

3 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales, are entirely coincidental. Copyright 2016 Nameless Shameless Women, LLC. All rights reserved.

4 CHAPTER ONE Bonus Short WHAT IF THEY BOO ME? Annika asked. She was in the ladies salon with the princesses, waiting for the big event to start. Maxwell had ofnicially ascended the throne on the day after the family vote, which also happened to be his thirty-nifth birthday. But it took over a year to make arrangements for the coronation ceremony. It was a grand, formal affair and had taken quite a bit of planning. In the end, they d all decided it was better to wait until after the baby came until after all the babies had come. Their little bundle of joy had arrived Nive months ago, and their whole world had Nlipped upside down and inside out in the most amazing, wonderful way. Princess Mara was perfect. She had her father s thick black hair and Annika s pale skin. With blue eyes, no one could tell which parent she favored otherwise yet, but Annika suspected it would be Maxwell. He was so good with her. Annika s heart swelled every time she thought about the infant cradled in his 1

5 Lily Cahill strong, muscular arms. She was a feisty little thing, and he was often the only one who could coax her to sleep at night. More than once, she d gone into the nursery only to Nind the two of them fast asleep. Maxwell would be stretched out on the recliner, and tiny Mara would be curled up on his massive, hard chest. It was a juxtaposition that made her love both of them even more every time she saw it. Mara was a sweet baby usually. But she had a temper too. Annika liked that. She loved her daughter s Nierce little spirit. She d make an amazing Empress one day. But for now, it was Max and Annika s turn to rule. Today was the day Maxwell would don the Emperor s crown. Shifter kings and queens and other dignitaries from every country Nilled the ballroom below, wearing their Ninest attire and waiting to watch the mantle passed publicly from mother to son. The princesses were dressed in their Ninest as well. On occasions like this, they were expected to be in full royal regalia. For the three princesses who had already been crowned that meant matching white gowns with gold embroidery signifying their status as Annika s attendants. It also meant crowns, gold sashes, purple velvet capes, and small scepters. For Annika, it meant entering in a more simplinied manner, and leaving in a more opulent one. She wore an even grander white gown, which had been embroidered with seed pearls and metallic threads in patterns to symbolize and honor each of the seven continents the monarchy ruled. But her crown was simpler a small diamond diadem and she wore no cape or sash. Later, though, her scepter and crown would be the 2

6 Prince Maxwell Bonus Short largest and her cape would be the longest. It would take all three of the princesses to help carry it down the aisle. They won t boo you, Frankie assured her. They might, Laila said. Laila, hush, Kay said. What? I m not going to lie to her. The facts are the facts. Not everyone is psyched about a Zoltag standing on the dais. They re going to love you, Kay said. Well they will once they get to know you, at least. We all did, Frankie said. Annika appreciated their support, but she wished Maxwell was here to calm her nerves. Unfortunately, it was customary for the women to enter the ballroom from one side of the grand staircase, and the men from the other, then join in the center before proceeding to the dais where eight thrones were arranged, hers and Maxwell s in the center. Any moment now, a trumpet would sound, and they d begin. As though they had read her thoughts, the horn played. The women rose together, exited the room, and lined up behind an arched, curtained doorway leading onto the upper balcony that overlooked ballroom. As wife of the youngest prince, Laila would go Nirst, followed by Frankie, Kay, and Ninally Annika. A waiting footman gave a signal to the announcer that they were ready. Presenting His Royal Highness, Prince Elliot Royce, of the clan of Fultan and the royal clan of Rex. And presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Laila Marks, of the Marks clan. 3

7 Lily Cahill The crowd roared their approval when Laila stepped through the curtain. As the daughter of a shifter, Laila was perhaps the most popular princess. Plus there was the whole matter of her fame. Laila had won her Oscar for Best Director, with Kay and Elliott narrowly missing the Best Picture win that would have given them joint custody of the second statue. But no one seemed to mind. Laila and Elliott were already busy making her next movie. And if Annika s nose was correct, she thought they d be making an announcement to the family about something else very, very soon. Presenting His Royal Highness, Prince Samuel Ryan, of the clan of Fultan and the royal clan of Rex. And presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Francesca Ryan. The crowd cheered for Frankie too. She d also managed to win the hearts of the people. Partly because of her down-to-earth nature and wonderful sense of humor, and partly because of her and Sam s children. To everyone s surprise, it turned out that Frankie was carrying twin girls. They d been born healthy and were named Colette, after Sam s mother, and Gloria, after Frankie s. With how mobile Sam s career was, they visited the palace often. Annika got to see them the most, and her friendship with Frankie had grown because of it. The woman was an absolute treasure of a human being and already felt like a sister. Annika hoped they would remain lifelong friends. Kay squeezed Annika s hand. It s going to be Nine, okay? she said. No matter what happens, hold your head high. 4

8 Prince Maxwell Bonus Short I will, Annika promised. Then it was Kay s turn at the spotlight. Presenting His Royal Highness, Prince Hudson Royce, of the clan of Fultan and the royal clan of Rex. And presenting Her Royal Highness, Princess Kay Lewis-Royce. If anyone was a rival for Laila s popularity, it was Kay. The crowd roared. Everyone loved her. She was a tiny ball of Nire, not to mention that she and Hudson had graced the palace with its Nirst child in three decades. They d named him Phillip after the late Emperor, and everyone adored the little prince. They adored all the royal children, but there had been something about the Nirst baby that had captured everyone s hearts. Kay and Hudson were already pregnant again, and somehow Kay was managing to launch her business at the same time she cared for a newborn and dealt with morning sickness. Annika had no idea where the woman s energy came from. She and Hudson spent most of their time in Chicago his business was going well too but they came out to visit as much as they could and the two women talked on the phone often. Annika s friendship with the other wives had grown into something she relied upon. It was one of her favorite parts of her new life since coming to the palace. Her favorite, of course, being her wonderful husband. But now, she stood alone. The moment of truth had come. Would their subjects love her or would they hate her? Please rise for His Majesty, the Emperor Maxwell 5

9 Lily Cahill Rex, of the clan of Fultan and the royal clan of Rex. And his wife, Her Royal Highness, the Empress Annika Rex, of the clan of Zoltag. The curtain parted, and Annika stepped out onto the balcony, the grand staircase curling to the ballroom below. Hundreds of eyes darted up in her direction. The crowd was entirely silent. There was no clapping or cheering like the other wives had received. Annika had a strong instinct to turn right back around, but she knew that wasn t an option. Even if they hated her, she had a duty to perform. Max was at the bottom of the opposite staircase, waiting for her, and she wouldn t let him down. Annika took a deep breath and held her head high, trying to focus on Max. But as her foot hit the Nirst step, she heard something. Koh! someone shouted. Koh! another joined. Koh! Koh! Koh! It was the battle cry of the Royal Army. And they were sounding it for her and Maxwell. Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Soon everyone was chanting in unison. Chanting and stomping their feet as she descended into the ballroom. Annika s heart soared. Tears threatened to spring to her eyes, but she managed to hold them back. Crying was not royal behavior. Crying was deninitely not Empress-like. Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Koh! Maxwell took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow, smiling proudly at her. 6

10 Prince Maxwell Bonus Short They re cheering for us, Annika whispered, unable to hide her awe. No, my love, Maxwell said. They re cheering for you. 7