Page 89 of Tricky Princess

“There is only so much we can protect her from, but don’t let your fear get in the way of loving her, of her knowing and feeling your love. You both deserve to be happy, and if what I’ve learned from the Gods and from history is true, you are both on a path to turn worlds upside down.”

Ros searched his father’s face before he crumbled into his hands.

“I don’t know how to do this,” he groaned.

He was an idiot and had fucked up so much. Ellea was furious with him, and she had every right to be.

“I don’t know if she feels the same way,” he whispered into his hands. “How could she care for someone like me? She is so much better than us, better than demons.”

“Loki, give me strength,” his father grumbled. “You are too old to be this naïve. She could not care less about what you are; she cares about who you are and how honest you are with her. I will bet my favorite sword you have told her none of your feelings.”

“It’s been months…” He trailed off.

“I don’t know why the Gods planned for two of the most powerful beings to be so stubborn and blind and to have them be destined for each other. It feels like a curse for anyone they care about.”

The king shook his head, and Ros rolled his eyes.

Destined for each other.

Was that what he had always felt? That pull to her? Maybe he could kill everyone in the courts and start over? He shook his head like his father, who was smirking at him.

“You aren’t helping,” Ros said, banging his head against the chair. “I still don’t like it, but I love her.”

“Focus on that; the rest will come when it’s time.”

“Gods, I fucked up,” Ros grumbled.

“And you will probably do it a lot more.” His father laughed. “You are immortal.”

“Wait.” Ros sat up as another issue arose. “Ellea isn’t immortal, not really, and an heir…”

That had to be something.

“She is a descendent of a God; she is more immortal than a mere witch who gave up a part of her.”

“But—”

“Focus on now, son,” his father said sternly. “Love her, tell her how you feel, get her parents, and then love her some more. We have a long time before you need to worry about anything else.”

It couldn’t be that simple. They had been so up and down since day one, how was he going to move forward? What if she didn’t have any interest in forever?

Forever.

That had never been an option for him; but as visions of them together flooded him, he felt lighter.

“I need to apologize,” he said, thinking. “Viatrix?”

His father gave him a knowing smile as she appeared between their chairs with a bow.

“Yes, my prince?” she said with a bored tone.

“I need a book,” Ros said, and she rolled her eyes.

“Of course you do.”

33

Ellea