Page 98 of Royal Rising

“And he’s been awake for how long?” I ask.

“About two hours,” Odin puts in. “He was pretty groggy when we stopped by so we left so he could go back to sleep. I’ll head back in as soon as we get settled to relieve Duncan.”

“I can do that,” Gunnar says.

“Let’s check schedules to see who has what going on and get someone to the hospital to take over from Duncan,” I say. “He’s going to need some sleep.”

There’s a flurry of chatter while we set up who will head to the hospital and who will take over some of Dad’s duties. I keep things on track, and the conversation off my personal life, and when we finish eating, Gunnar and Stella set out.

When the room empties, I stay at the table for an extra minute of quiet because I suspect I’m going to need it.

Odin pops his head back in as I finish my coffee. “Too bad you had to cut your trip short,” I say as he snags the last piece of bacon on the platter.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here last night.”

“Nothing you could have done.” This is the first time I’ve been alone with my brother since he got married—and since he told the world he was abdicating. It’s a little awkward.

It was a good wedding; originally, Odin and Camille had been an arranged marriage. Camille needed a husband to take over as prefect for her country of Saint Pierre, and Odin had been humiliated on reality TV, sent home before he had a chance to do much but announce to all that Camille has beenthe-one-that-got-away.Telling the world he was engaged to be married to her seemed to settle his embarrassment, plus he got the bonus of falling in love with her.

And Camille loves him. They pushed their wedding off a few months to have the time to get to know each other, and it really helped.

It’s good to know the person you’re going to marry.

I know Edie so well, so that’s got to be a plus.

Odin must feel the awkwardness, because he doesn’t waste any time. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” He’s always been truthful and real, and I hear the sincerity in his voice.

I shrug. “You don’t owe me an apology. It’s your life.”

“But it affects your life. If anything happens to you…”

“I was surprised,” I admit. “I thought you would have said something to me first.”

“It was a last-minute decision.” Odin sits down beside me, an earnest expression on his face. “Camille and I had talked about itbecause Lord Arnaud will be retiring due to health reasons and Camille really wanted to move back. And I want to help her.”

“She’s your wife.”

“Yes, but…” He trails off and I know what he’s not saying.

“And you’ll get a country to run,” I finish for him.

He gives a rueful shrug. “That sounds bad when you say it that way. But it’s true. And I never really expected to take over here.”

“Just thought you might.”

He shakes his head. “Not really. When we found out about Daulton going to the press about Camille’s father and how we started out as an arranged marriage, I knew Gunnar bringing over Fenella for a distraction wouldn’t be enough. I went to Dad before I even talked about it with Camille—I told her about ten minutes before I announced it. I needed to do something big and I thought that might work.”

“It did. You did the right thing.”

“I wish I’d talked to you first.”

“No, you don’t, because you were afraid I’d convince you not to do it.”

Odin grimaces. “You’re not that good at persuading, you know.”

“Really?” I lean forward. “Who convinced who to go up on the greenhouse roof?” I thrust a thumb into my chest.

“And Gunny fell off and ruined it for all of us.” Odin grins.

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