Page 27

Ava

M y head was spinning from all the information. I couldn’t believe it—couldn’t believe that Luc had not only been so close to Mom but loved her.

Something else occurred to me as I sat there processing it all and anger rushed through me.

“Are you alright?” Luc asked. “You seem upset.”

I shook my head. “I’m not upset with you. I’m mad as hell at that prick of a father I’ve been saddled with.”

Luc nodded his head slowly in understanding. “I can imagine how you must feel. But if it’s any consolation, he’s been a fine king since your mother left—a great one, really. He’s overseen the growth of Edoria’s financial sector and used the money brought into the country to raise the standard of living for everyone.”

It was good to hear that my father had at least grown up and done some good, but it still angered me to know what he’d done to my mother.

“This is going to take some time to process, I know,” Luc said, his voice heavy with sympathy and understanding. “It’s the part of your family’s story that you had no idea about.”

“Ever since you came to find me, I’ve wondered what caused Mom to leave. Now, I know that it was my father’s infidelity that drove her off.” I lifted my eyes to Luc’s. “But… you were there for her. You’d always been there for her, even when it meant you’d never see her again.”

His expression turned grave, and I could sense that my words had affected him deeply.

“I thought about your mother often, wondering what kind of life Analise was living, what sort of person her daughter might become. And yes, part of me still held out hope that we might see each other again.”

He sighed, closing his hand into a fist and then opening it slowly.

“Your father had respected her wishes, leaving you and your mother be. As far as I could tell, he accepted that you were both gone, figuring it was his punishment for the way he’d treated her. He made one exception though—he checked in on both of you once a year, making sure that you were both in good health. It was one of the high points of his year. I’d bring him a small file with a single sheet of paper, an updated photo of each of you attached.”

He took a deep, slow breath.

“Wait, so he’s always known where we were?”

Luc nodded. “For the most part, yes.”

“But he never tried to reach out until now?”

Luc nodded. “I know he seems cruel and I’ve not always understood his decisions, but your father is a good man, Ava. When he found out Analise had passed, he stayed in his study for nearly a week, delegating me to handle the matters of the kingdom. When the week was over, he emerged as if nothing had happened. But I could tell by the look in his eyes that there was now a wound on his heart that might never heal.”

“Why didn’t he remarry?”

Luc laughed, as if the idea was totally ridiculous.

“There was no woman other than your mother that he thought suitable to be his queen. When she was gone, that was it for your father. He devoted himself entirely to Edoria.”

“Until it came time to send you for me.”

“Correct. Not too long ago, your father had a little tumble while coming down the stairs. Nothing serious, just a slip after too much port; bruised his ego more than anything else. But it reminded him that for all he’d done for Edoria, he hadn’t secured her future. That’s where you come in.”

“So, my father only cared when he realized I was his only heir.”

“I don’t think that’s the case. Your father missed you like mad. I’m certain that the realization that Edoria needed a queen was the excuse he needed to finally bring you home after all this time.”

“There’s still the way he treats me, how he barely gives a shit about me unless he’s scolding me for bombing my princess training.”

“If I had to guess, I’d say that every time he looks at your face he’s reminded of your mother, how he treated her. And he does care deeply for Edoria. Other than you, nothing is more important to him than making sure the kingdom is in good hands.”

“Well I think I’ve proven my hands aren’t the right ones to be on the wheel.”

“Give it time,” Luc said.

Ignoring his comment, I asked, “So, do you see my mother in me?”

“Honestly? You have no idea. That first time I spotted you at the food truck I was stunned. It was as if I’d been transported back in time, when I knew your mother when she was your age. You’re the spitting image of her, that is, aside from the purple hair and the nose ring.”

I laughed. “OK, OK, I get it. I’m nowhere near the proper lady my mom was.”

“Actually, that’s where you are like her. Your mother could be proper when she needed to be, but there was also a fire in her that made it clear she belonged to no one.”

“Well, I think I’ve proven that there’s no proper bone in my body.”

“I’ve total faith in you, Ava. Your mother knew how to turn on the queenly part of her, but never managed to lose her sense of humor about the silliness of some of the rules of being a royal. Remember, she’d come from barely noble roots.”

I laughed. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Can I give you my advice?” he asked.

“Sure.”

“I understand why you want to leave. Really, I do.”

Buddy, you don’t even know the half of it.

“But…”

“But don’t give up so soon. Stick it out for a little while longer at least. Your mother never quite fit in as a royal, you know. While she loved using the power of the position to help others, she always scoffed a bit at the ceremonies and customs. But she managed it.”

“So, you think I can, too?”

“I’m sure of it.”

I sighed, nodding in acceptance. “Alright. How much longer do I give it?”

“Give it until after the Harvest Ball, two more weeks. Give it your all, and if the ball comes and goes and you’re still feeling like you need to go back home, I’ll drive you to the airport myself. Deal?”

I pursed my lips, giving the matter some serious thought.

“Alright. Deal.”

He offered me his hand and I took it. As soon as my skin touched his, I realized that I didn’t want to let him go. The smile on his face hinted that he felt the same way.

“If you’re still on the fence,” he said, his smile turning into one of hot sensuality, “let me give you a reason to stick it out.”

I knew what was coming, and I couldn’t wait. Luc leaned in to kiss me and I eagerly accepted.