Page 120 of Reckless Royalty

“You can,” I say, brushing her hair back gently. “I know it hurts, but you can do this. They’d want you to.”

Her gaze flickers to mine, and for a moment, she looks like she might argue. But then she breaks. A sob tears from her throat, and she reaches for me, clutching at my suit jacket like I’m the only thing keeping her grounded. I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly as she cries against my chest.

“It’s okay,” I murmur against her hair, my lips brushing her temple. “Cry, scream, do whatever you need to. I’ve got you.”

Her hands fist in the fabric of my jacket, her body trembling as she lets it all out. I don’t care who’s watching, don’t care about the eyes on us as she falls apart in my arms. This moment is hers, and I’ll do whatever it takes to get her through it.

Her body shakes against me, her cries raw and unrestrained. I glance up at the others, meeting their gazes, and shake my head slightly. They get the message and start filing inside, leaving us alone on the steps.

“It’s time, baby,” I whisper after a few minutes, tilting her face up to mine. Her tears stream down her cheeks, but she nods, her eyes filled with something that looks like determination.

I guide her inside, my arm still wrapped around her waist, and she leans into me like she’s drawing strength from every step we take together.

MADDY

The moment I step into the small church, the weight of it all crashes over me again.

The large photos of Mum and Isla feel like a physical blow, knocking the breath out of my lungs.

My feet falter, and I instinctively grab Mihai’s arm to steady myself. He’s solid and steady, murmuring something low in Romanian that I can’t quite make out over the roaring in my ears.

But his voice and scent aren’t enough to keep me upright this time. My gaze drifts to the photos again, and the sight burns into my chest, spreading outwards until I can’t bear it anymore.

Before I can even process what I’m doing, my eyes catch movement off to the side. Connor is standing near one of the pillars, his broad shoulders stiff but his expression soft when he looks my way. His green eyes meet mine, and he gives me a small, gentle wave. It’s such a simple gesture, but it shatters something inside me.

I let go of Mihai without a word and I rush to Connor. My boots scuff against the old stone floor, and the sound echoes in the quiet church. He straightens up immediately, his browsdrawing together in concern. He catches me the second I reach him, pulling me into his arms like he’s been waiting for it.

“Hey, darlin’,” he murmurs, his voice low and soothing as his arms come around me. He sighs deeply, his chin brushing against the top of my head. “It’s alright. I’ve got you.”

I sob into his chest, his solid presence comforting in a way I can’t explain. Connor doesn’t flinch, doesn’t move, just holds me steady, rubbing soothing circles on my back and whispering soft words of comfort I don’t even register.

I don’t know when it happened, maybe it was because we became closer when I couldn’t speak, but having Connor here means so much more to me than I ever thought it would. He became like my big brother in those silent weeks, and I can never repay him for the kindness he showed me.

He didn’t have to be here today, not with what’s going on, but he’s here.For me.

After a moment, he gently pulls back and looks down at me, brushing some hair from my face. “C’mon, beautiful,” he says, his Irish lilt soft and comforting. “Let’s get you seated, yeah?”

I nod weakly, and he leads me gently toward the front pew, where Mihai is waiting, his eyes following me the entire way. Connor eases me into the pew, sitting down on one side of me, and Mihai takes the other. Their presence feels like a shield on either side, holding me together when I feel like I’m falling apart.

The service begins, the priest’s voice calm and steady, but I can barely hear the words. My mind drifts, flashes of memories playing behind my eyes—my mother’s warm laughter, my sister’s cheeky grin, the way they always made me feel like I was part of something whole, something unbreakable.

And now they’re gone.

I blink rapidly, trying to clear the images from my mind, but they just keep coming. I feel Mihai squeeze my hand, his silent reminder that I’m not alone. Connor takes the other and leans inslightly, murmuring something I can’t quite catch, but his tone is comforting, like he’s trying to shield me from the worst of it.

I sit there, trapped between grief and guilt, feeling like I’ll never be able to breathe normally again.

After the service, we step outside, and Mihai keeps me close as we head to the private mausoleum behind the church. It’s secluded, surrounded by tall trees that cast long shadows over the graves.

They wouldn’t want me to carry this guilt. I know that. But knowing it and feeling it are two entirely different things.

Mihai pauses as we approach, his voice low. “This is my family’s tomb,” he says, glancing at me. “It’s where we lay our own to rest.”

I don’t know what to say to that. The significance hits me harder than I expect. I glance at him, my throat tight, and nod, unable to find the words.

We reach the stone mausoleum cloaked in ivy, I feel the dam inside me begin to crack again. Mihai’s family tomb is imposing, carved with intricate details that speak of generations past, their lives now reduced to names etched in marble.

It feels cold and suffocatingly final.

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