Page 121 of Princess Avenged

“You’ve redecorated.” I take in the sleek room, adorned with stylishly designed furniture and new modern pieces of art. “Are the furnishings Danish?”

The King nods. “Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful.” I run my hand over a graceful curve on the back of one chair, more art than furniture.

“Let’s sit over there.” He points toward a pair of chairs upholstered in steel blue velvet. The chairs look almost like thrones with their exaggerated high backs, but as I settle into one, I’m surprised at how comfortable it is, conforming to my body as I sit.

Placing his hands on his chair’s arms, Dunkan leans toward me. “Please. Tell me what has you so wound up.”

I cross my legs, placing my hands on my lap. “Wound up?”

“Daughter.” He chuckles. “If you were a spring, the smallest flick would shoot you to the moon.” His expression fills with compassion. “You can tell me anything. You know that, right? Are those men you arrived with not treating you well?”

“Oh, they’re treating me very well.” My chest floods with warmth and bolsters my confidence. “I love them. I love all four of them so very, very much.”

“I’m very happy to hear that.” He leans back. “So, whatever is troubling you does not relate to them?” He cocks his head to the side.

I clear my throat. It’s time. There’s no point in seriously discussing a possible future with the men—or even truly considering it myself—until I know the shape of its boundaries.

“Father. I love these men. I love them more than I ever thought possible.”

“Are you asking for my permission to select these men as your mates? Are you ready to make such a commitment?” King Dunkan’s face turns stern, heightening my nerves. “Are they ready?”

My stomach flips, and suddenly I’m unsure about everything. Terrified. Not about what I want, but whether the men want to commit to me. They’ve said as much, hinted at it, but…

I draw a long breath and remember how strong and loved and safe I feel when they’re at my side. Phil’s fierce loyalty and passion, Blade’s intelligence and kindness, Flame’s dedication to beauty, humor and pleasure, and Crusher’s wisdom, power and consistency. Those are a just a few of the many reasons I love these men, and the more I learn about each of them, the fiercer my love becomes.

“I cannot speak for the men,” I tell him. “But I know what I want.”

“You haven’t told them what you want?” Dunkan’s head tips to the side.

“I…” Suddenly, all the reasons I’ve been stalling seem foolish at best, cowardly at worst. “I love these men,” I tell him. “And if they’ll have me, I want to be with them forever. Even if I don’t have your approval. Or the approval of the council. Even if it means I can’t continue my diplomatic work.”

“You’re willing to give up everything you want, everything you’ve been working toward, for these men?”

I nod, sharply, realizing the truth of my response.

“Then, if you don’t care what I think, why are you even coming to me?”

I shift forward. “Because I do care what you think. I care very much.”

Smiling slightly, he nods. “Then why so nervous? Why all the uncertainty? Am I such an ogre?” He chuckles.

“It’s because they… The men. They have pasts.”

“Who of us does not?”

I shift forward on my chair. “They’ve done things…” I don’t want to lie to my father—not ever—but also don’t want to say something that might land them in jail.

I raise my chin. “For many years, they were under the power of a vampire who abused them, who controlled their actions, who forced them to do terrible things.” I shake my head. “But if you agree to meet my loves, you’ll see that their past deeds don’t define them. That it’s not who they really are. That they’ve changed.”

“How can you be certain?” he asks.

“Because I’ve seen their hearts.” I press my hand against my chest where my own heart is pounding. “I’ve seen their characters, their souls. And I’ve never been more certain of anything or anyone in my entire life.”

King Dunkan leans back in his chair nodding, his expression frustratingly neutral. “Then perhaps we should invite them in for a chat. Perhaps I can study these hearts and souls for myself.”

Rising from the chair, my knees shake. “I’ll go get them.”

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