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He didn’t say anything else, but moved to the window and stared at the lights. “It’s so pretty, Mama.”

“Wait until you see the ocean and beaches. They’re some of the prettiest in the world.” She reached out and brushed Gray’s hair off his head. “We’ll visit one soon.” With a full security detail. She suspected the queen had already assigned one.

The plane taxied into a hanger. Once the doors closed behind them, they exited the plane, and entered another SUV.

Except this time, Mac didn’t go with them.

* * *

Couldhe manage to sneak off? Mac wasn’t sure he’d ever be ready to see the queen again, not knowing she wasn’t his sister.

Did she know? Silas and now Fiona were the only ones he’d ever told, but had Queen Carlotta left information behind that would tell Queen Esmeralda the truth?

Until he landed on Sargassian soil, it had been relatively easy to continue thinking of the queen as his sister, as Esme.

But now...

Wouldn’t Prince Gabriel have treated him differently if he’d known the truth? Maybe the queen didn’t know.

Before he could try to slip away, Mac found himself in a dark SUV.

“Good evening, sir. It’s good to have you home. I’m certain the queen will be quite excited.”

Mac couldn’t see the driver’s profile well enough to make out features. The voice sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.

Not a member of his security team. Maybe a member of the queen’s?

Whoever he was, he didn’t say anything else as he drove through the nearly empty streets of Ancora.

Despite the wishes Mac made upon the stars as they flew, his destination appeared to be the palace. A sense of foreboding swept over him as they drove through the gates and to the garrison where another member of the security team opened his door.

Judy, the queen’s long-time chief assistant, waited for him. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, sir.”

She fell in half a step behind him. “The queen is waiting for you in her quarters.”

It surprised Mac that she didn’t plan to meet him somewhere less personal. Her office. A reception room.

The dungeon.

They didn’t have a dungeon anymore. Not really.

But the point remained.

He didn’t say anything, but hoped he remembered the way to her apartment.

When reached a point where two hallways met, he hesitated. Hadn’t he read somewhere that she’d moved into the former queen’s quarters, where all the monarchs lived?

“The kitchen in the monarch’s quarters has some food if you’re hungry, sir.”

Mac gave a single nod of thanks to Judy for giving an answer to a question he hadn’t asked.

He paused again when he reached the door leading to the apartment.

The door opened giving Mac his first look at his sister in years.

The queen stared at him. “You’re really here?” When he nodded, she gave a small cry, and launched himself at him. “Maximilian!”

Mac caught her, wrapping his arms around he, holding her tighter than he’d ever held anyone.