Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 79938 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79938 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Theo clenched his hands to keep from reaching into the backseat and strangling the man he loved. “That’s wonderful, Galen, I most certainly hadn’t thought of that. Just like I hadn’t thought to arrange to have the entirety of the sitting Parliament at the palace waiting to witness the evidence I’m presenting.”
Galen gave him a long stare. “Be a shame to make them wait.”
He wasn’t going to get them out of this car without an all-out brawl. Theo looked at Isaac, but the other man seemed to find the steering wheel intensely fascinating. “You’re going to be punished for this.”
“Can’t wait.” Galen crossed his arms over his chest and nodded at the front seat. “Shall we?”
“I’m going to throw you in the fucking dungeon.”
Meg leaned over to peer out the side windows, taking in the city. “Kinky.”
Galen snorted. “That threat would be a lot more effective if the dungeon hadn’t caved in and been walled over about fifty years ago.”
“Don’t you dare say another word—either of you.” Theo turned around to face the windshield and pressed his fingers to his temples. Walking into this confrontation with them was out of the question. How the fuck was he supposed to keep them safe when neither Galen nor Meg seemed that concerned with following his expertly-reasoned orders?
The drive to the palace felt like it took ten times as long as it should have. Isaac parked in one of the lots several blocks away and led them into the apartment building that was manned entirely by security staff. No one looked directly at their little group, which told Theo all he needed to know—everyone was waiting to see how things fell out before they declared their allegiance one way or another.
He didn’t hold that against them.
This wasn’t their fight.
Isaac used his fingerprints to open a padlocked door that led down a narrow set of stairs. Theo had frequented this path more times than he could count as a teenager, usually with Galen by his side. Whenever palace life got to be too constricting, the large rooms filled with too little air and too many needs, they’d sneak out and spend a few hours walking the streets of Ranei. Theo’s father always sent someone to shadow them, but he’d given them the freedom they needed.
Fuck, he missed his father.
Ghosting their way through the tunnels that ran beneath the palace grounds felt like walking back in time. He half expected to come out the door at the end and find his father in his study, glasses perched on the edge of his nose, embroiled in some ancient history book. Theo rubbed a hand against his chest, as if he could physically draw away the pain blossoming there.
After his father died, everything happened so quickly. Phillip’s coup. The exile. The plan to reverse the exile and retake his birthright.
This chapter would be over soon.
For better or worse, he’d have to deal with the consequences.
A hand on his arm drew him back to the present. Meg looked up at him with those pretty hazel eyes, her smile warm. “You aren’t alone, Theo. I get why you sent us away, but that’s not what this is. We’ve got your back.”
“What is this, then?” A question he should know better than to voice now.
Her smile went soft. “It’s love. And love doesn’t stop when it’s no longer convenient. This isn’t a battle we can fight for you, but we can stand at your back and support you while you fight it for yourself.”
The aching in his chest increased tenfold. In all his scenarios, he’d never once stopped to think that love might actually be the result. He’d loved Galen since they were kids. That relationship was as known to him as his own heartbeat, steady and sure and always present. Even when he sent Galen away, he never doubted their feelings for each other.
Meg was different.
She had a life that didn’t include him. She had goals and a plan that he didn’t factor into—goals and a plan that she’d staked her entire future happiness on.
When this started, he never planned on derailing her. He’d just wanted her and a window of time where they could all enjoy each other. Crossroads were supposed to be temporary, after all.
“You love me.”
“Yes.” So simple, that answer. No dicking around, no playing hard to get. She just met his gaze and gave him the one thing he never dared hope for. “And you love me, too.”
It was not a question, and why should it be? Of course he loved Meg. How could he not? “You know I do.”
“Yeah. I do.” She gave him another of those achingly sweet smiles and squeezed his hand. “You’ve got this, Theo. And we’ve got you.”
In front of them, Isaac slowed. They had reached the door to the palace.