Mother considered for a few moments, the fire adding a reflective gleam to her lined skin. “You can abdicate the throne, in which case, your cousin Benedict will inherit the royal line.”

Henrik shuffled, drawing the chair nearer to her. “Is there no way I can be with her? Father said I could choose anyone I wanted. That was the whole reason I went to America in the first place.”

“Do you genuinely think Lily Hope would be a good fit in Einvar?” Mother asked.

He rubbed his forehead as if in an attempt to smooth away the worry plaguing him. “I wouldn’t have brought her here if I didn’t think that.”

In fact, the more time had passed, the more certain he’d become. He just wasn’t sure what to do about it. He hadn’t heard from her since she’d returned to Florida.

One botched business deal did not a failure make. She thought their prospects were ruined because of what had happened in her parents’ company, but he’d seen her in her element as Mr. Elir’s assistant. She’d done her best to turn her life around and to be successful in her new job. And a wealthy resort owner like Ahmed Elir wouldn’t have kept Lily on as his assistant if she wasn’t up to the task.

“I think so too.”

Henrik perked up, surprised by this. “You do?”

“She is very sweet. I didn’t get to know her well, but I think she would be able to learn quickly. And love can help when things get hard if she loves you back.”

Did Lily love him back? Henrik had never asked her as much. He’d been too busy telling her how fallen for her he was. Mother and Father’s marriage had been arranged, like they were trying to do for him and Lady Eden. Did they ever have the chance to see if it was love before they wed?

“Do you regret marrying Father?” he asked.

“Sometimes,” she said with a sad smile, staring at the fire. “I should have liked finding my own way in life. But I don’t regret having you. And I’ve been comfortable here, darling.”

“Comfort isn’t the same as happiness,” Henrik argued.

She exhaled. “No. Happiness is a choice, regardless of who you’re married to. I have had so many blessings here because I married your father. I can’t help but be happy whenthatis my choice.”

He tried to follow her train of thought. What did she mean? “You’re saying I can choose to be happy whether I have Lily or not.”

“No matter what we face in this life, I like to believe that happiness is always an option.”

Henrik didn’t like the idea at all. He shook his head. “I don’t see how I can be happy with Lady Eden, Mother. I don’t think I can be happy with anyone but Lily.”

“Then it sounds to me like you have your answer.” She smiled.

Adrenaline rushed through him. Flames began burning inside him, too strongly for him to remain still any longer. He rose to his feet. “I’m not abdicating the throne. Grandfather selected a common woman for his bride, and she was the best thing for Einvar.”

Mother rose to her feet as well. “Then what are you waiting for?” she asked, patting him on the cheek.

22

Lily dipped low for some doggie kisses. Pooksy licked her chin in enthusiastic greeting and Lily ruffled the husky-doodle’s poofy mane.

“I know, I missed you too,” she said, rustling the dog’s ears. It was a wonder any of them recognized her with her hair chopped as it was. Lily had been quick to make a hair appointment while waiting for the driver to pick her up at the airport. She’d gotten her shaggy mess taken care of so now her red hair was more like a pixie cut. She still didn’t recognize herself when she passed a mirror and had to do a double-take, but still, the look was cute, even if it was something she would never have chosen for herself otherwise.

Frou Frou and Dr. Gumbles sat in the hallway’s opening, staring in cat condescension. They hadn’t yet forgiven her for leaving them for so long. Lily understood. She hadn’t meant to make them feel so abandoned. On the other hand, Artemis, in all his kitty splendor, hadn’t stopped nuzzling against her sides and purring to show his relief. Lily turned her attention to the cat and scratched him behind the ears.

“The point is, I’m back,” she said, flopping down on the carpet. Artemis immediately padded onto her stomach and settled himself there. With a gripe or two in his throat, Dr. Grumbles approached. He climbed onto her chest and settled his paws on her sternum.

“That didn’t take long, did it,” she said to the opinionated cat, petting him as well.

Lily stared at the fan blades on the ceiling above her. She couldn’t believe everything that had happened. Damon was in a prison cell halfway across the world. She was finally rid of him, of his threats, of the constant worry that had taken up space in her bones. A laugh erupted from her chest, startling her fur-babies, but she splayed on the ground and kicked a few times like a child having a happy tantrum.

She’d expected to hear from Patrick Billingsworth’s agent, but so far, he hadn’t contacted her either, and something told her he never would. Things had been handled swiftly enough. Henrik’s staff had deleted the emails Damon had posted.

Retrospect was a funny thing. Lily had been in a crisis, but part of it was of her making. She lost everything, true, and while the emails and Damon’s threats of sharing them had been worrisome, they weren’t as drastic as he’d made them sound. Damon had painted things for her as though she’d never get her life back if she didn’t comply. She’d bought into his fear and let it fester for so long she hadn’t been able to move past it.

She saw things differently now. Everything was done. Over.