Page 2 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Once he was appropriately dressed, he clasped Brendon’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and they walked back down the stairs together.

“Sorry about the wait,” Rick said as he opened the door. With one look at the child, he understood Brendon’s distress. “Please, come in.”

The child looked uncertainly up at the guard. When the guard nodded and gestured for the child to enter, they walked into the front room and perched on the edge of the closest chair.

Brendon dropped into the seat across from them, his stunned gaze locked on the child. He scanned their face, searching for traces of himself.

“Tell us what happened,” Rick ordered, standing beside Brendon’s chair, his hand resting on his husband’s shoulder.

“This child arrived at the castle with a note,” the guard explained, holding it out to Brendon.

It took a moment for Brendon’s eyes to focus on the words.

Dear Brendon,

I know years have passed and you haven’t heard a single word from me. I should have written this letter long ago, but I feared you wouldn’t believe me. I promised I would take my secret to the grave, but if you’re reading this … I already have.

Our onenight of passion led to the greatest joy of my life. I named him Treasure, for that is what he is to me. Now that I’m gone, I hope you will guard him close and give him the best life possible.

Yours, if only for one night,

Imogene

Brendon stared at the name for a long time. Then he looked up at Rick and said, “I swear, I have no idea who this is. I’ve never strayed, I would never cheat on you.”

Rick snorted. “Is that why you’re so flustered?”

Brendon hesitated, then murmured, “You know my reputation.”

Turning to the boy, Rick softened his voice and asked, “How old are you, Treasure?”

The boy looked between the three grown men surrounding him and shrank further into himself. “Nine.”

“See? I don’t care if you fu—loved—” Rick caught himself in time “—a hundred people before me, as long as I’m the only one you love now.”

“You are.” Brendon clutched his husband’s hand. “You always will be.”

“Wonderful. Relationship crisis averted. Now we figure out the rest of it …” Rick trailed off and looked down at the letter again, realizing that they had a much larger problem on their hands. He nudged Brendon’s shoulder. “Go meet your son.”

Brendon released Rick’s hand and knelt in front of the boy. “Hello, Treasure.”

“Hello,” Treasure whispered.

“You look like you’ve had a rough time.”

As Treasure nodded, two fat tears streamed down his cheeks, clearing a trail through the dirt.

“Where are you from?”

Treasure opened his mouth to speak. It took him a second to get the words out, and when he did, they were louder than anything else he’d said. “I peed my pants.” A heavy flush colored his freckled cheeks, and he covered his face with his hands. “I didn’t mean to say that!”

“It’s alright, Treasure,” Brendon assured him, placing a steady hand on his shoulder. “It’s late, and I’m sure you’re tired. The nice guard will takeyou back to the castle to find you a room for the night. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

The guard held his hand out to Treasure, helping him off the chair. As they left, the guard closed the door behind them.

The moment they were alone, Brendon said, “I swear, I don’t remember anyone named Imogene.”

Rick sat on the couch, leaving space for Brendon to join him. “Do you remember all of your partners?”