Page 121 of Reckless Royalty

I bite down on my lip, trying to keep the tears at bay, but my resolve crumbles when I walk inside and see the delicate flowers Mihai must have brought—white lilies, my mother’s favorite.

“Maddy,” Mihai says softly, his hand still firm against my back. “Take your time.”

I swallow hard as my eyes land on the empty spaces prepared for my mother and sister. Their names are already engraved, acruel reminder of the finality of it all. My legs feel like lead as I move closer, my breath catching in my throat.

Behind me, Mihai moves closer. I feel his warmth before I feel his touch, his arms wrapping around me from behind, holding me together when I’m falling apart.

“They loved you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my hair. “They still do. This isn’t goodbye, Maddy. This is a place where you can come to feel them, to remember them.”

His words unravel me further, and I clutch his arm, grounding myself in his strength. “I don’t know how to do this,” I whisper, my voice breaking. “How do I let them go?”

He shifts, turning me gently to face him, his hands firm on my shoulders. “You don’t,” he says, his voice low but certain. “You carry them with you. Always. In the things they loved, in the person you’ve become because of them. This isn’t about letting go—it’s about finding a way to live with the loss.”

I swallow the knot in my throat and nod as my mother’s face flashes before my eyes, then my sister’s. The memories hit me like a wave—the sound of my mother laughing as she twirled around the kitchen, my sister’s tiny hand clutching mine as we crossed the street, the way their smiles lit up the darkest days.

Without realizing it, I start to hum. The melody of one of my mother’s favorite songs spills from my lips, shaky and broken, but insistent.

Broken Halos by Chris Stapleton.

The words come unbidden, my voice cracking as I sing. My mother loved this song. She used to play it and sway gently with my sister in her arms. The memory is bittersweet, but right now, it feels like the only way I can let them go.

The mausoleum goes silent. Even Mihai stops breathing beside me. His hand tightens on my back, a small, grounding pressure that keeps me from falling apart completely.

My knees give out, and I collapse onto the cold stone floor, my hands gripping the edge of the bench beneath the plaques. The tears spill freely now, unstoppable, as my heart breaks all over again.

Mihai is next to me in an instant, dropping down beside me. His strong arms wrap around me, pulling me into his chest as I cry with everything I have. His chin rests against the top of my head, and I feel his breath, warm and steady, against my hair.

“They’re at peace now, Maddy. You’re giving them the goodbye they deserve,” he whispers, his voice rough with emotion. His lips brush my temple, soft and comforting. “You’re so strong for doing this, baby.”

But I don’t feel strong, not as I crumble into his chest, my sobs muffled against his shirt. He doesn’t rush me, doesn’t try to fill the silence with platitudes. He just holds me, his steady presence anchoring me as I pour out every ounce of grief I’ve been carrying.

When the tears finally subside, leaving me drained and hollow, he pulls back just enough to tilt my face up to his. His thumb brushes away the tears on my cheek, and his dark eyes meet mine with a warmth that feels like sunlight breaking through the clouds.

“You did good, baby,” he murmurs, his voice soft but firm. “I’m so proud of you.”

His words make something in my chest loosen, and I take a shaky breath, the air filling my lungs a little easier now.

“I don’t feel like I did anything,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

“You’re here,” he says simply as he pulls me close again. “That’s enough.”

As the attendants move carefully to place the urns into their resting places, Mihai keeps his arms around me. The finality of it all hits me again, and I whisper, “I’m sorry.”

Mihai pulls back just enough to look at me, his dark eyes fierce. “Don’t you dare blame yourself for this,” he says, his voice firm. “You’ve carried enough guilt. It’s time to let it go.”

I nod, my throat too tight to speak, and lean into him, letting his warmth seep into me. I feel raw, like an exposed nerve, but also feel lighter. The weight isn’t gone, but it’s shifted, just enough to let me breathe.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice hoarse.

He shakes his head, brushing a stray tear from my cheek. “Don’t thank me. This is where I’m supposed to be—right here, with you. I’m just glad you’re letting yourself feel this.”

His words settle over me, and I lean into him, letting his strength hold me up when I feel like crumbling. The attendants finish their work and step back respectfully, leaving us alone in the stillness of the mausoleum.

Mihai presses a kiss to my temple, his lips lingering there. “It’s time,” he says gently, his voice steady. “Let’s say goodbye.”

I nod, my heart heavy as we get to our feet. His hand never leaves mine as we approach the plaques. I run my fingers over their engraved names, my fingers trembling.

“Goodbye Mum. Goodbye Isla,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “I love you both. Always.”

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