Page 119 of Reckless Royalty

I don’t respond, but the faint smile tugging at my lips gives me away. He brings the tea over a few minutes later, settling in between my legs again.

“We’re gonna get through this,” he says after a moment, his tone serious again. “You’re stronger than this pain, Maddy. I see it in you, even if you don’t yet.”

I look at him, his dark eyes steady and unwavering, and for the first time in a long time, I feel a glimmer of hope.

“I’ll try,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

“That’s all I ask,” he replies, his hand finding mine. “Just try.”

And for him,for myself,I think I can.

MIHAI

The morning feels heavy, like the world itself knows what’s about to happen. I watch Maddy in the walk-in closet, her back to me as she fiddles with her dress. Her shoulders are trembling with silent sobs that have been shaking her all morning.

She hasn’t stopped crying since she woke up, and every second of it is like a blade twisting in my gut.

I lean against the doorframe, fists clenched, desperate to do something—anything—to take her pain away. But she’d asked me not to.

“Let me cry,”she’d whispered, her voice shaky.“I need to. Please.”

So I stay outside of her grief for now, hating every second of it but forcing myself to give her the space she asked for even though it’s fucking killing me.

Every fiber of my being wants to go to her and wrap her up in my arms. But I don’t. Her grief isn’t something I can take away, no matter how much I want to.

She finally turns to me, her eyes rimmed red, her face pale and blotchy from crying. She looks heartbreakingly beautiful,and I hate it. I hate that the pain she’s feeling is so visible, etched into every part of her.

I step closer, adjusting the hem of her dress where it’s bunched slightly. My fingers brush against hers, and she flinches before relaxing again. “You ready?” I ask softly.

“I’m ready,” she says quietly, her voice hoarse from crying.

My hand lifts, instinctively wanting to cup her cheek, but I stop myself. She doesn’t want comfort right now. Not yet.

Instead, I nod. “Let’s go.”

The convoy is silent except for the hum of the engine. Maddy sits beside me, her hands folded tightly in her lap, gripping the fabric of her dress like it’s the only thing anchoring her.

Her eyes stay fixed on the window, watching the city blur past, but I can see the tension in her jaw, the way she’s barely holding it together.

I reach over, my hand hovering over hers for a second before I settle it lightly on top. She doesn’t flinch this time. Instead, she slowly turns her hand over, her fingers curling around mine. The small gesture makes something in my chest tighten, but I don’t let it show.

“It’s going to be okay,” I say, my voice low, the words almost getting lost in the noise of the car.

She doesn’t respond, just squeezes my hand a little harder.

The church is small, private, and cloaked in a solemn stillness. As the car stops, Maddy’s breathing picks up, her chest rising and falling rapidly like she’s about to bolt. I unbuckle myseatbelt and turn to her, my hand cupping the back of her head gently.

“I’m here,” I tell her, my voice firm but steady. “Whatever you need, whatever you feel, I’ve got you.”

Her eyes dart to mine, wide and glassy, before she nods quickly. She unbuckles her seatbelt, but she doesn’t move to get out. Instead, she reaches for me, her fingers clutching my arm like I’m her lifeline.

Fuck, that look in her eyes—it guts me. Without a word, I get out and round the car, opening her door. She steps out, shaky and uncertain, and immediately wraps her arm around mine, leaning into me like she can’t do this on her own. And maybe she can’t. Not today.

The others stand by their cars, watching us quietly. Giovanni, Chiara, Cat, Marina, Nikolai and even our fathers—they’re all here, dressed in black, their expressions somber. I catch Connor’s gaze off to the side, and he nods once, his face unreadable.

Maddy stumbles slightly as we approach the steps to the church, and I tighten my grip on her waist, steadying her. She looks up at me, her lips trembling, and I know the tears are coming before they fall.

“I can’t—” she chokes out, shaking her head. “I don’t think I can do this.”

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