"Please, please, please," Olivia uttered. The ball of fire catapulted into what seemed like an endless horizon. Even with the glowing spear, not much could be seen by the n.a.k.e.d eye.

By that time, everyone was standing. They weren't expecting Maxen to shoot the arrow right after King Alistair shot his, and everyone was on the edge at how things would turn out.

Oliver looked at his friend whom he called brother and shook his head. 

One-strike. 

One strike was all Maxen needed and was known for, for he loved taking the first chance he could get and winging the consequences after. 

This time, however, Oliver felt as if Maxen should have waited a bit more before releasing the string, just to be sure he was aiming as close as possible to the pit. 

Glancing back into the darkness of the lake, Oliver closed his eyes when it didn't take long for the arrow to dart above the tranquil lake and graced them with a dancing flame of red and orange. 

It glowed as it sliced in the air, giving them a glimpse of the lake's beauty in the darkness.

Pairs of eyes grew wide as saucers. They all saw it. They all saw how the ball of fire illuminated the floating fire pit before the arrow pierced the floating wooden plank.

The flame kept dancing in the right corner of the dock where the floating fire pit was. 

It ignited everyone's hopes for a ring of fire to come alive, yet the fire slowly shrank and the once aglow arrow was swallowed into the darkness.

To everyone's shock, another arrow cut through the air and flew towards the lake. One after the other, arrows flew and the three married men didn't stop until the floating fire pit breathed fire as a sign of life.

Heads snapped towards the line of trees where King Alistair, Maxen, and Oliver stood. The trio celebrated with a round of a hug.

Mouths hung open at the sudden twist of events, but it was the camaraderie of the men which tugged the ladies' heartstrings.

The spirit of their tradition lived on, and it might not be as perfect as the others, but it sure showed that with the men's solidarity, they could achieve even the darkest of nights.

Olivia slumped in her seat. With wide eyes, she turned to her right where Queen Isla was sitting. "That was intense," she commented, and the queen responded with a childlike laugh.

Queen Isla extended her arms and enveloped Olivia in a side-hug. "Can't argue with that," Queen Isla quipped, and the mother and daughter hugged it out to celebrate Maxen's victory.

"I told you—collective effort," Queen Isla said, skimming her hand on Olivia's arm. Just as the men were making their way back to the long table, lightning forked in the sky yet again, and thunder roared to life.

Earlier, Olivia wished for the winds to blow and give her reprieve from the humidity. Finally, her prayer was answered.

Leaves flew, and the floating flame swayed along with the gust of the wind. It prompted Auntie Martha to bring Grandma Lin with the help of Eli back to the cabin in case the wind picks up its gust.

Sure enough, the wind howled like a wolf on a full moon and tiny droplets of rain fell from the sky, dousing the candles on the long table.

Red and orange leaves along with wet and grainy soil coated the floor.

Ava, on instinct, counted the heads inside the cabin just in case someone was left behind. 

She started counting the children. Finn, Oliver, Aerith, Wyatt and Hunter. Check.

She then moved on to the a.d.u.l.ts. Grandma, Auntie, Queen Isla, King Alistair. Check. Emily, check. Eli, check.

Ava paused. She craned her neck and scanned the room that was filled with chatter.

"Sweetie?" She tapped Oliver's shoulder. He was speaking with Wyatt so he had to pivot on his heel to face his wife.

"Yes, beautiful?" he asked, peeling a leaf that got stuck on top of her hair.

"Where's Olivia?"

"Must be in the bathroom in the hall. I saw her and Maxen walking behind us."

"Oh, okay." Ava was a step towards the bathroom when Finn yanked her skirt.

"Milk, mama." Finn's head bopped. Ava suppressed a smile and scooped up her child.

She passed by the bathroom where Oliver guessed Olivia might be. But with Ava's focus on Finn, she didn't notice the open and empty bathroom in the hall.

Meanwhile, out in the woods, wind and rain wreaked havoc. In the midst of it all, peals of laughter echoed as Olivia and Maxen ran to shelter away from the cabin.

The wind whirled, fluttering with it was Olivia's silk gown. She let Maxen drag her to their destination, which she guessed was the house by the lake.

True enough, they reached a small cabin, but before they could enter, Maxen halted by the door.

Grinning from ear to ear, Maxen dipped his hand in his pocket. And when he pulled his elbows back, he dangled a key in the air.

"Hurry up!" Olivia urged him, but all she got was his lips pressing on hers as his hand blindly keyed the door open. Maxen parted his lips, and in sync, Olivia did the same.

Wrapping her arms around his neck, Olivia melted against the warm and sturdy c.h.e.s.t of Maxen. Their tongues danced and swirled, and a mewl escaped her lips when the tip of Maxen's tongue c.a.r.e.s.sed the roof of Olivia's mouth.

Never breaking their kiss, Maxen pulled Olivia inside the cabin, kicking the door close behind him. "Just a second," he panted as he peeled himself from Olivia. He turned around to lock the door, giving Olivia the chance to make a quick sweep of the cabin.

To her shock, it wasn't a cabin but a boat garage, housing two custom-made wooden boats inside. As if her feet had a mind of its own, Olivia found herself getting inside a docked cruiser. It wobbled as she stepped into the boat one leg at a time.

The sound of waves splashing when the boat rocked sent a surge of adrenaline in Olivia's system. This was a first for her and Maxen to sleepover in a boat. 

She wondered if she'll get Mal de debarquement syndrome tomorrow morning after spending the night on a rocking boat. However, it was when the lock clicked, which made Olivia straighten her spine. Something about the sound heightened her senses.

A jolt of electricity spread from the pits of her stomach down to her legs, it made her press her t.h.i.g.hs together. Olivia felt her n.i.p.p.l.es hardened into peaks as Maxen threw the key on the floor and stalked towards her.

Air got caught in Olivia's lungs. She bunched her gown in her hands to stop herself from shaking with anticipation, although she was also cold after getting drenched by the thunderstorm earlier.

Seeing a shadow cast over her, Olivia's eyes snapped up to Maxen. "Watch it!" she shrieked, but it was all too late. 

Maxen leapt his way inside the boat and it swayed left and right when he landed. The hull of the boat skidded on the U-shaped dock, and more water splashed inside.

"Stop it, Max. You'll get us all dirty," Olivia complained, but all she got in response was a smirk on Maxen's face.

Maxen stood while Olivia remained seated. "Nope. Not yet," he said. He unbuttoned his suit jacket and fished a flask from the inside. He sat beside Olivia and patted his l.a.p, urging her to sit on it. 

Olivia bid as instructed and straddled herself on Maxen's l.a.p, her legs splayed like a wide V on either of his sides.

Opening the flask, Maxen held it upside down, pouring out the amber liquid on Olivia's c.h.e.s.t.

The scent of whiskey wafted in the air, intoxicating Olivia. She arched her back and inhaled the aroma of leather and wood as the amber liquid streamed down to the V of her c.h.e.s.t. Her eyes closed as the whiskey warmed her skin, dotting goosebumps all over her body.

"Now you're dirty," Maxen spoke. He hooked his fingers on the straps of Olivia's gown, stripping her of the fabric. With her c.h.e.s.t b.a.r.e and ready for his taking, Maxen cupped each b.r.e.a.s.t with a hand. 

He dipped his head and peered up to lock his gaze with Olivia. Darting his tongue out, he traced the trail of whiskey on Olivia's caramel skin.