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CHAPTER 4

TRISTAN

“I think we did well.” Amelia still holds my hand as we make our way back into the palace, preparing to go up to the balcony so that we may greet the people.

“I think so too.” I lick my lips, helping her up the first set of stairs. At the landing, we’re by ourselves, and I push her into the shadows under the next set of stairs.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asks when she realizes we’re relatively alone. It’s something that won’t happen much in this place. There’s always someone around. We need to take advantage while we can.

“No.” I can’t help but to reach up, brush a curl out of her face. “On the next landing, you’ll meet my father. More than likely, he’ll treat you kindly, but almost as if you’re not even there. Just warning you. It’s not you; he’s been like this since my mother passed. Don’t take it personally, he’ll grow to be fond of you in his own way.”

“Thank you for warning me.” Her dark eyes are wide, showing a bit of the fear I imagine is mirrored in mine. It’s not easy to become part of another family, especially one as dysfunctional as mine.

“Are you ready?”

She nods. “As long as you’re near, as long as you’re there to hold my hand and be my support, I’m ready to do anything.”

The trust she gives me is enough to put a warmth in parts of my chest where warmth hasn’t been in a long time. I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed it until this moment, when I’m reminded again of what it feels like. I’ve not gotten to this age, though, without knowing that some women have as much of a silver tongue as men do. My walls aren’t completely down just yet, and I’m not sure when they ever fully will be, but I’ll be nice to her. What I’ve seen so far, I genuinely like. She deserves it, and I’ll at least allow her to be my friend. If it moves beyond that—damn if her kisses aren’t the best I’ve had in ages, I’ll deal with the consequences then.

The side of my mouth tilts in a smirk as I put my finger under her chin, lifting so that I can look fully at her. “What is it you told me? We got this?”

She smiles brightly. “We do. Together we do.”

“Then let’s get the introductions out of the way. The quicker we do that, the quicker we can leave here, and go to my home in the country.”

“The country?” she asks.

Ahhh, so no one must have told her about the other residence I keep. I tend to not mention it in the press, although everyone knows about it, I’m mostly left alone when I’m there. “I have a home at King’s Pass,” I mention a sea town on the coast. “It’s where I’ve primarily lived for the past five years. We’ll stay there for a couple of months, getting to know each other, preparing to take on our roles.”

“You love that place.” She inclines her head to the side, searching my face with her gaze. She can see through me, and that makes her one of the most dangerous people I’ve met.

“I do,” I admit, which is more than I’ve ever done to anyone else. “It’s where my soul is, it’s where I feel the most comfortable.” I grip her hand in mine. “And I hope that you love it, I hope it’s something we can share together.”

She breathes deeper. “I hope it’s something we can share together, too.”

I hear my father asking where we are, and know I’ve got to get us moving. “Come on, Amelia. Let’s get this done and head out to the country.”

The look on her face tells me she’s happy about the unexpected change in plans for her. “I’m excited, and I can’t wait to see the place that has your heart.”

Holding my elbow out for her, I escort her up the next set of stairs. He’s there, looking solid as a stone. He’s a statue of the man he used to be.

“Hello, Father,” I greet our king as I pull Amelia to my side.

“Tristan, are you going to introduce me to your fiancée?”

“Amelia, this is my father. Most people know him as king, but to those of us inside these walls, he’s Phillip.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She curtsies to him, holding out her hand to him.

He takes it with the practiced grace he can affect in his sleep. “Pleased to meet you, Amelia. I look forward to what you bring to the family. I understand you’ll be departing with Tristan after the introduction to the people, but we will all be back and forth throughout the next few months.”

“I look forward to it as well.”

Parker enters the room like the head of security he is. “We’re ready for you all on the balcony if you’re ready to make your appearance.”

“We’re only going to wave and smile, right?” Amelia asks, her hand beginning to get cold in mine. I don’t remember a time when the people scared me. They’ve just always been there, holding me up in the saddest of times, pressuring me when I didn’t pressure myself enough, and smiling when I do something to make them proud. The people have never intimidated me. What’s intimidated me is what’s inside this building.

My father. The responsibility. The memories I’ll never be able to forget.

“Correct, just smile, wave, and look beautiful. I have no doubt you’ll have any problem doing either of those three things.”

She blushes and it looks so good on her cheeks that I vow to myself to make her do it more often.

All too soon, the doors are opened and we’re escorted out onto the balcony. As a trio, we wave, smile, and acknowledge the crowd. There are people as far as the eye can see, signs proclaiming their support of my engagement. Signs proclaiming to support Amelia. The noise of the crowd is almost enough to knock me backward, so I hold on to Amelia’s hand tighter. She’s smaller than me, and she’s not used to this at all. She closes her hand more fully around mine, probably hoping my flesh can make hers warmer.

“Should we kiss again?” I turn to her, speaking loud enough so that she can hear me over the roar of the crowd .

She nods, leading me to lean into her. Like before, I take the moment to cup her cheeks, but this time I look into her eyes. I look for something to tell me she’s not what she seems to be, but I see nothing there. There’s no sabotage in her eyes, and I do my best to take her at face value. Amelia stands on tiptoe, meeting me more than halfway, causing the crowd to scream and whistle their approval.

As we break apart, we turn, waving to them one more time before we take our leave off the balcony.

Just like that, our official duties are done, and I feel as if I can finally breathe again.

Parker comes in behind us. “Are we heading to King’s Pass?” he questions, looking at me.

“We are. Amelia will need to pack her things, and then we’ll head out. There are a few things I need to get, a few plans I need to make, but I’d like to leave within the hour.”

“Will Shannon come with me?” she asks quietly.

“She will. We’ll do most of your training there, so she will need to be present. We’ll have each other, but I know you’ll need a female friend there with you as well. Even though we’ll be getting to know one another, you’ll need someone else to talk to.”

“I’ll make sure they’re ready,” Parker assures me.

An hour later, a couple of cars packed with the belongings of the women, the security team that travels with me, and the few things I’m taking back, we leave the palace and head toward King’s Pass.

Amelia sits in the front seat of my Range Rover, Parker in the back with Shannon. There are two more Range Rovers with us. One in the front and one behind us. Even though I’d love to drive as fast as I’m allowed, I know it’s not safe, so I stay in our caravan. The farther we get away from the palace, from the city, the more I relax, and the more Amelia seems to relax as well. She reaches over, grabbing at my hand. I look over at her, smiling slightly. She takes my lead, smiling back.

“Is there anything you can tell me about it?” Amelia asks as we drive along the sea-side highway.

“No.” I shake my head. “There’s no way I can do it justice. I’d prefer for you to see it, not hear about it. I think you’ll love it just as much as I do. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do.”

I notice the only time she’s taken her eyes off the passing sea as we’ve been driving is to look at me, and I just know the next few months are going to surprise me. Things I never thought I would never have again will be mine. Just maybe I will have someone to love and love me back. A feeling I haven’t felt since my mom died, even if it’s a different kind of love.

For the first time, I have hope that I’ll feel that emotion again.

Fuck, I’ve missed it.