Page 55 of Untouched Queen by Royal Command

‘Yes, I know. We all know that. But, if I may be so bold, don’t come back if you’re not planning to stay. He let you go once because that’s what you said you wanted and it nearly destroyed him. Don’t make him go through that again.’

‘I won’t.’

‘Would you like to put that in writing?’

‘If you tell me where he is, I’ll put it on a billboard.’

‘He’s at the Sisters of Mercy Hospital in the capital. They have a helipad, and I assume you have access to a helicopter and a pilot. Tell them to go through me and I’ll clear your way for landing.’

It was more welcome than she’d ever hoped for. ‘You’re probably going to get into trouble for this.’

‘I probably am,’ he countered drily.

‘That’s a debt you’ll be able to collect on, should you ever need something from me in the future.’

‘Do you still have your guards with you?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then I’m calling that debt in right now. Bring them. The King’s head of security quit this morning in a fit of temper. There’s an opening.’

‘I’ll bring them.’ She couldn’t resist the next question. ‘What happened?’

‘Which version would you like, milady?’

‘Your version.’ She trusted the older man’s take on palace events.

‘In that case, the answer’s very simple. Most people have a healthy sense of self-preservation. My King has lost his.’

It took three tries to put the phone back in its cradle and the third time Claudia’s hand was guiding her. ‘I need a helicopter,’ she said.

‘Then you shall have one.’

‘And a pilot.’

‘I shall fly you myself.’

Which was how Sera managed to get from Byzenmaach’s Winter fortress to the Sisters of Mercy Hospital in just over an hour, her guards flanking her as she strode from the helipad towards the building. She had her travelling cloak on but didn’t bother with the hood. Memorable entries were her speciality, and she had every intention of brazening this one out.

Augustus’s secretary stood waiting for her and opened the door as she approached.

‘How is he?’ A question that carried with it everything her world had narrowed down to. Because there was only one person she wanted to walk beside in this world and if he wasn’t alive…

If she never got that chance…

All the colours of the world would be gone.

‘Please. How is he?’

‘Follow me,’ he said. He avoided her gaze and supplied no other answer. Maybe he had no answer for her. ‘Is his sister here? His father?’ Had Augustus’s next of kin been gathered?

‘They’re about.’ The older man swept them through a long hallway with security guards at either end. Guards who nodded and straightened to attention as they passed by. She thought Ari’s barely leashed displeasure at their carelessness in letting an assassin get close enough to their King to do damage might have something to do with it. That or her own scathing, stormy gaze.

‘Ari and Tun will relieve the guard detail on the door to the critical care unit,’ she said, and smiled tightly when the old courtier blinked at her sheer hide. ‘You were the one who wanted them here. No one said anything about you commanding them.’

‘Perhaps you will allow His Majesty’s guards to brief your men on what actually happened last night before you sweep them aside,’ the older man advised. ‘The King occasionally goes into the city by himself and in disguise. He did this last night.’

‘And you let him?’

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