Page 104 of Wanted
“It’s not that,” I responded, raising my voice.
“Stop yelling. That’s not your place,” Fylox added from the other end of the room. With his arms crossed in front of his chest, he observed what was happening on the street below.
“You know what, Fylox? Shut up!” Somebody needed to slap the hysteria out of me. Checking my looks in the mirror, I looked every bit of the princess my people knew. My hair wasn’t as long as they were used to, but it would do. I wore my wedding band on my left hand. After going into my jewelry storage, I picked up one of my mom’s more delicate diamond necklaces. The hardcore fans would recognize it. I had forgotten when she’d worn it before, but I remembered that she’d handed it over to me a couple of days after I got my period.
Too preoccupied with my looks, I missed that Jordan had joined us. He didn’t make much noise when he roamed around, just like his protégé Fylox. “You need to calm down. We should leave. It’s already late.”
“I don’t want to go,” I insisted. Fylox and I had cleaned up. The bad blood had been settled, and we were talking to each other again without smashing heads, but my insides were full of turmoil. “Nothing’s working. I’m still a mess.”
“Get your shit together and let’s go,” Jordan cursed, and I flinched.
“That’s not helping,” Alex commented, stepping in my direction. I moved away as if he was the man that scared me. He wasn’t. I was petrified about what was going to happen in the next couple of hours. I looked the part, but I wasn’t ready to face my father just yet. It had been months since I had last seen him. We’d been here for days, and I’d miraculously kept away from him. “Perhaps Kamila and I should stay here.”
“That’s not an option. Spencer is here, and they’re announcing your brother’s car crash to Katantia. You’re making an appearance.”
Jordan’s words were final.
♥♠♥
On our way to the palace, I prayed that it would start raining antidepressants or something that would take the edge off. Hell, I’d even do coke.
Alex talked to me, but I couldn’t focus enough to listen. Fylox and the other men formed a circle around us, walking us to the palace.
Once I saw the endless cars lined up to park in the parking lot behind the palace, I swallowed. This was happening. Our family reunion would be televised.
Any person that visited the palace for the first time was astonished at the interior design. The giant double-sided staircase that led up to the second floor at the entrance was an incredible sight. The men that were escorting me didn’t think so. They held their position. Alex wasn’t smiling, and that was my sign. We’d put on our rings. As husband and wife, we barged into the space I’d grown up in.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt like throwing up.
The last time I had an appointment in the palace, I ignored it, and I escaped the country.
The main hall awaited us. Mandy, Valentina, and my brother sat in their seats at the front of the big crowd. Who had we invited? Usually, I’d know these things. Not working in the palace anymore, I had lost certain privileges.
Travis and Felicita Cross had their own section at the edge of the first row. Where was their son? Not that I particularly liked the guy, but he usually made an appearance at important events. Mandy had told me that he’d accompanied her to my wedding only to fight with Weston in front of everyone. He had been escorted away from the festivities. Today, Ryan was nowhere to be found.
Alex and I treaded to the center stage, where we had allocated seats behind a golden podium, ready for the king’s speech. The palace staff attempted to break up my formation of protection. Jordan and Fylox vanished in the background while five men remained nearby to interfere if necessary.
Aram and Spencer weren’t here yet, but they would be arriving soon.
My father wouldn’t let me stand him up again. That was for sure.
When they played the theme of Katantia, I closed my eyes. Alex, who sat next to me, grabbed my hand. I heard as the entire hall rose from their seats. Cameras flashed. Whispers all over. I opened my eyes a moment later, and I also stood up. Alex followed my lead.
There he was, my father.
I waited for the voices to bring up another troubling piece of my past, but they remained quiet. They didn’t need to harass me. Their king was here, live in the flesh. He’d take over now.
Aram’s silver eyes sought me out. They burned me. I could feel my insides dissolving. He had cut his hair shorter. It was even ashier now. Had I caused that to him? No, I hadn’t. My father stressed about other things. The scandal. What would the people say? He didn’t give a shit about my well-being. He wanted to control the narrative, and my escape had robbed him of all control.
Behind him, another man followed. Unbent, both tyrants joined us in the front of the hall. Next to each other, they looked like family. How did everyone miss it? They had similar facial structures. Everyone said I had my father’s nose; Spencer did, too. Grandfather had passed it down upon us.
Spencer’s hair wasn’t as ashy as my father’s because he was a couple of years younger.
The difference between Spencer and Aram lay in the money. Aram pretended for the cameras, while Spencer didn’t seem like he cared. He didn’t even wave hello to his daughter in the front row.
My father stepped towards me, and I almost sunk to the floor. I had to bite my tongue to steer clear.
Alex whispered something to me, but I didn’t listen.
