Page 25 of The Prince and the Double Shot (Runaway Prince Hotel #2)

PHIL

T he knock on my door told me that the House of Grandir had arrived. I was a fucking mess. I hadn’t slept, and I was totally ill-prepared for their arrival, much less a goddamned ball. I tightened my robe around me and opened the door.

“You look like shit,” Seraphina frowned.

“Is that how you speak to your prince?”

“Damned right,” She scooted by me, and Marcus followed behind her, carrying a large garment bag emblazoned with the seal of Grandir on it and a large duffel over his shoulder. “Marcus, you were right. He needs a lot of work. Apparently, Your Highness cannot take good care of himself.”

“I resemble that remark. In fact, I think I have found a new low.” I scowled as I shut the door behind them.

“Well, you will have to get over yourself and make the best out of it. We don’t have time for a full facial, but we can at least help close those pores and try to make your hair look like it hasn’t fallen and can’t get up.

Seriously, what’s happened to you?” Sera crossed her arms and stared at me crossly.

“You were supposed to be getting better, Phillipe.”

“I slid backward.” My heart was cracked in two, once again.

“Because of a certain man?”

“Precognizant as always. It didn’t quite work out.”

“And now you're pining for him and suffering alone in your room. How things never seem to change. How are you ever to rule a kingdom if you can’t man up and get your man?”

“It’s not quite that simple, Sera. I’d… I’d rather not get into it if you don’t mind.”

“I mind.” She frowned. “We always get into it.” Her sigh was legendary. “I need to meet your parents and escort them downstairs. You have an hour, Marcus, to try to salvage whatever this sad sack is. Seriously, Phil… I don’t want to worry about you. Are you going to be alright?”

“I don’t know. But I have to be, don’t I?” That was the truth. I had to leave this behind me and start over once again. My country, my father needed me.

“Are you traveling back with us, Your Highness?” Marcus asked. “I can make sure that everything is packed while you are at the ball.”

“Please. I leave with you tomorrow.” My heart slowed to a dull sadness.

“That’s depressing, Phil. I was rooting for you. I hadn’t seen you so happy in a long time. It was nice.”

“It wasn’t meant to be, Sera. I’m surprised Mother didn’t tell you.

” I pouted like a petulant child. Every thought I’d had was to call him, but I stopped myself.

We were too different, and there was too much baggage between our people.

He didn’t want to be with me anyway. Not your consort… “I’ll see you downstairs?”

“Wait until you see the dress the queen chose for me. I might actually go home with an American husband. I look very hot.” She giggled before walking out the door and letting it slam shut behind her. She was nothing if not subtle. It was one of the many reasons I adored her.

“Do your best, Marcus.”

“It’s very good to see you, sir.”

By the time he was done, Phil was gone, and Phillipe of Grandir stood in his place.

Of course, Phillipe had dark bags under his eyes that Marcus could not get rid of, even if he put so much Preparation H under my eyes that they should have shriveled to nothing. The cover stick could barely hide them.

“I will pack your bags and have them ready for you, sir. I’ll leave your pajamas on the bed. Do you require my services tonight after the ball?”

“No, Marcus. Get your rest and explore the city. How often do you get to come to America? There's a great little place down the road a bit.”

“I’m exhausted, sir. I’m just going to tuck in for the night. Thank you, sir.”

“I guess that’s my cue.” I looked at myself in the mirror in all the regalia and costume of my role and country. I looked… royalish . The regalia wore me instead of me wearing it. But I knew the person in the mirror. He was tired and sad, but a prince nonetheless.

I walked out of my room and made my way to the ballroom.

It was packed with a throng of people, and as I looked around, I saw quite a few people that I knew.

Royals from other countries had made the excursion to be a part of Layla and Sheena’s ball.

How many of them had found themselves here just as I had?

Had they tried to help them along their journey, too. I was sure they had.

I saw Layla talking to a small group of people. One of them had a very pretty mask on. She looked lovely in her dress.

“There you are. I was beginning to think you decided not to come,” Sheena slid her hand in the crook of my arm.

“You look beautiful.” I smiled tightly.

“I know.” She pulled me to the right through a small throng of people gathered in the middle. “She’s been waiting.”

“You spoke?”

“We had margaritas while she got ready. It doesn’t take me too long to look like this, but your mother needed three people to get her in that gown,” she giggled. “It’s been good to see her again.”

“Sheena? Did you know who Zane was?”

“I know who Zane is, and so do you. I think you’ve just let your fear get in the way. Maybe you should remember that. He is always exactly who you see, no matter what clothes he puts on.”

“That’s… I thought I knew him. But…”

“Phillipe!” Mother opened her arms as she saw us walking up. Sheena let go of my arm, and I stepped into my mother’s embrace.

“Son,” Father smiled, and I could tell he had lost weight. He patted me on the shoulder. “You look good.”

“I’ll leave you to it. I have a lot to still do tonight.” Sheena nodded at my mother.

“Will you visit soon? You and your wife.” Mother let go of me, and she reached over and took Sheena’s hand.

“Of course. I think it’s time we had a little getaway ourselves. We’ll talk later, Margaurite.”

Sheena turned and disappeared towards the door.

“You look better than I expected.” Mother let her gaze rake across my body.

“Thank you, I guess,” I huffed. “How are you feeling, Father?”

“Better. The King of the Forests gave me a restorative potion made from a plant that only grows within his realm. It has done wonders, but I’m still moving slowly, Phillipe. At least, I’m no longer having the fainting spells,” he said quietly.

“I will be traveling home with you tomorrow.” I tried to sound enthusiastic.

“That’s what your mother said.”

“Well, Luis, look who’s arrived.”

Sheena walked through the crowd with a thin woman and man dressed in purple.

Her long cape flowed behind her. Their crowns glittered on their heads.

They were striking with red hair and fair skin.

It made my heart ache. I so wanted to see Zane tonight, but I also hoped I wouldn’t.

What would I say? What could I say? I was leaving tomorrow, and there was no time to heal the rift.

I had to look toward my future, even if my heart was breaking.

With Zane, there could be no future. He had made that clear.

Mother reached out her hand, and the queen of some country took it within hers.

“It’s been many years, old friend.” Her eyes twinkled as she looked at my mother. There was so much that I didn’t know about her life. It was hard to imagine that she had a different life before she became queen.

“It has. I think it’s time for us to reunite, don’t you, Sevier? I have missed your laugh.”

“It has grown hoarse with the mountain air,” she grinned.

Sheena touched me on the arm. “Phillipe, let me introduce you to Queen Sevier and King Henri of the mountain kingdom of Montagne.”

I almost passed out. My spine went rigid, and my head swam.

“A pleasure. I… I hadn’t been aware that you were coming. It’s very nice to meet you, Your Highnesses.”

“It’s been a long time coming, young Phillipe.” King Henri said. “At one point, I thought we’d be meeting you much sooner.”

“I’m… Well, happy to make your acquaintance now,” I replied, confused as to what he meant. Our people rarely communicated, as far as I knew.

“Ah, yes… But the best laid plans often go awry, don’t they, Margaurite?” Queen Sevier’s eyes sparkled.

“That they did. It always amazes me how the worm turns, though.” Mom laughed happily. “I’ve been waiting on good news for years, it seems.”

“What is going on?” I asked quietly, feeling like I had missed the entire first act of the play I found myself in.

“Are you coming stalking with us this fall, Luis? We found a magnificent buck. It feels a shame to find him, but he will help feed the people.” King Henri slapped my father on the arm.

“I wouldn’t miss it. We always have such a great time.

I wish we could do it more often.” Dad laughed, and I realized that I had entered a wormhole and was in another reality.

That’s what had to have happened. How did I not know any of this?

“Maybe this time, I can get Phillipe to join us. He’s never been much for hunting, but… ”

“Neither was my son.”

“Oh, speaking of.” Sheena laughed, and both queens grinned widely. “Phillipe of Grandir, let me introduce you to the Crown Prince of Montagne, His Highness, Prince Nicolas Zane Marchand.”

My jaw fell open. It couldn’t be.

Queen Sevier and King Luis stepped apart, and behind them stepped one of the most beautiful men I had ever seen in my life. Zane, dressed in a matching purple suit. A small crown worn on his head made his eyes twinkle in the lights.

“Phillipe,” Zane nodded his head, and frowned. “I… didn’t know how to tell you. I wasn’t really sure, to be honest, if I was…” His full European accent was back in place, and all I could do was stand there with my mouth agape.

“Once a prince, always a prince, my son. I’m just glad that you came back to us.” Queen Sevier touched him tenderly on the shoulder.

“Zane, I… A prince?” I chuckled and couldn’t stop the wide smile from exploding on my face. “I should have known.”

“Well, I acted the opposite of princely.” He shrugged and reached out his hand. “But I’m here now. I’m back where I belong with my family, and with you if you’ll have me?”

“I… Yes?” I turned towards my mother.

“There’s a lot to discuss.” My mother reached out and took both of our hands in hers. “But once upon a time, before this young rascal escaped, there was a plan to reunite our kingdoms and have the two of you marry.”

“It was the reason I ran away, to be honest.” Zane frowned. “One of them, anyway. I mean, I didn’t know you then. I was young and didn’t want to be used as collateral. I understand now. It took being on my own to… Well, you know, to find myself.”

“I was also not available then,” I muttered.

“But I am available now.” Petra had his hand in this.

He was guiding the whole thing with his energy from the green.

He wanted me to be happy. He had given me a final gift from beyond – a man who would always remind me of my first love.

But a man I could love on his own, for who he was. “Zane, I…”

“If you are going to apologize – don’t. We both said things that… Does it matter, Phil? I guess I should get used to calling you Phillipe, huh?”

“To you, I will always be Phil.” I stepped forward, and Henri Zane Marchand crushed me against him.

“Parents, if you don’t like PDA, you should look somewhere else,” Zane chuckled before crushing his mouth against mine. My head swam. My feet felt like they were floating above the floor. I lost myself in him.

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather look,” Queen Sevier giggled.

“I do love a happy ending,” Sheena said. “If you don’t mind, I do have to see to the other guests, Margaurite.”

“Thank you,” Mother answered.

Zane broke our kiss. “I mean, which of us is going to propose?”

“Let’s just see what happens. I don’t think we’re in a rush. Now, do you promise to love, cherish, obey, and make me a double-shot macchiato every morning?”

“How about love, cherish, and I’ll always be your personal barista for eternity? I’ve never been very good at the obey part,” he laughed, and it was music to my ears.

“I can live with that. Now, what did you say about reuniting the kingdoms?” I turned to the four royal parents, who were smiling at us.

“Son, you are going to make a wonderful king.”

We danced and kissed all night. I couldn’t keep my hands off him. Photographers took our photo as we spun around the dance floor. It was magical, and the future was ours.

King Henri Zane and King Phillipe Marchand-Vallee would reunite the kingdom and live happily ever after.

Somewhere, I knew Petra was smiling.

THE END