Page 67 of Redemption of a Prince

But in the last three or four years, Zeke had loved getting to know Lydia as his sister.

“He’s gonna be okay?”

“I think so, but there’s no way to know for sure. We need to keep praying and believing that he’s going to be all right.”

“I can do that.” She took a deep breath. “I want to see him.”

“Not right now, kiddo. He’s in intensive care. There’s wires and tubes everywhere. He can’t talk. He’s not awake. I don’t want you to see him like that. He wouldn’t want you to see him like that. Let’s give it a few days and hopefully, he’ll be doing much better, and you can see him then.”

“Are you sure?”

“I think that’s best.”

She heaved the kind of sigh only a young teen girl could. “That’s what Mum said, too.”

“And you thought I could override her?”

“You are the acting king.”

“But I’m not your acting father.” The stab to his heart surprised him. Not because he wasn’t Lydia’s father, though that saddened him, but because it reminded him of Nikki’s betrayal.

“I know. I miss him already.”

“I know you do.”

They sat together for a few more minutes before Zeke got a text that Kari needed to discuss something with him. Zeke walked Lydia back to the monarch’s quarters.

It felt different knowing that one day he would live there.

Mum waited in the living area and, after a quick word, Lydia stayed there.

Zeke went to his office, texting Kari when he arrived.

He stared at some paperwork dealing with their treaty with Auverignon, trying to absorb the changes the current king was trying to make and not absorbing any of it.

The door nearly flung open, letting Kari in.

And she looked furious.

“Are you an idiot?” With her arms crossed in front of her, there was no doubting his first impression was correct.

Zeke blinked. “I don’t think so.”

“I beg to differ. You, Your Temporary Majesty, are a moron.” She dipped into a low curtsy.

He frowned. “What are you talking about?”

“Nikki.”

Looking back down at the paperwork, he tried to close off his emotions. “That’s not a topic for discussion.”

“She told me what happened.”

It was his turn to be angry. He stood, hands propped on the desk. “She what?”

Kari waved a hand his direction. “Chill out. I guessed first. Then she filled me in on most of the details, just not who adopted the baby.”

That was a relief.