Page 30 of His Highness's Hidden Heir

“Did you tell the queen?” Magnus asked Ulmer.

“Her Majesty is aware there has been a detour.” He still sounded frosted by it, even though it had been a solid ten hours since Magnus had ordered it. “I told her that explanations are best coming from you.”

“You know why we’re here, though.” Magnus looked to Vijay, who kept his lips sealed and shook his head, indicating he hadn’t said a word.

“The service this clinic offers, and Mr. Sahir’s presence, speak for themselves.” Ulmer looked to his tablet. “Mr. Sahir and I have been running potential scenarios, projecting to a time when you might have a family to protect.”

By the time they left this facility, for instance. Ulmer might be a stuffy pain in Magnus’s behind, but he was very good at his job.

“Ulmer and the rest of our team can take it from here,” Magnus told Vijay. “One of my men can drive you to the airport.”

“I’ll find my own way. But may I offer you my congratulations, sir?” Vijay extended his hand.

It was a very normal thing to say to someone expecting a child, but Magnus was thrown by it. Every one of his thoughts from the moment he’d learned that Lexi was pregnant had been around how to mitigate this disaster. Even Lexi had said,I knew this wouldn’t be welcome news.

Now, without irony, Vijay shook his hand and wished him the best, as though Magnus’s impending parenthood was something to be celebrated. Not in the darkest corners of his heart because it meant he could trap Lexi into marriage, but because a new life was on its way.

Magnus thanked him, still dumbfounded, and Vijay left.

“I trust Ms. Alexander is well?” Ulmer said.

“Well enough.” He’d made her faint and cry. He had not saidThank you. OrI’m sorry.

Magnus steeled himself against self-hatred because mercy was also not a luxury he could afford to offer either of them. There was no escape from who he was. He knew that better than anyone, so he didn’t flinch from doing the other thing that he already knew would hurt a woman who didn’t deserve it.

“Stay,” he said to Ulmer as he called the palace secretary. “The queen is expecting my call,” he said when Yngvar answered.

Katla’s voice came on, crisp and wary. “Yes?”

“An heir is on its way, as requested.”

Her breath hissed in. “Not—”

“Yes,” he stated. “Lexi is due in October.”

“Paternity is confirmed?”

“Not yet. But it’s mine.”

There was a long pause, then, “Keep this confidential. Send me the results as soon as they’re available.” She kept her voice steady and impassive, but Magnus knew this was a blow. For her, decades of trying had resulted in nothing but heartbreak, whereas his casually strewn oats had sown in one stolen night.

An apology rose to his tongue, but he wasn’t sorry. Not nearly as sorry as he ought to be.

“You’re on your way home?” she asked.

“Once the doctor confirms she can travel, yes.”

“I’ll see you soon.” She ended the call.

Lexi was pronounced healthy and released from the exam room only for Magnus to call her into the visitor room where Ulmer also waited.

“I’ve settled your bill and procured a nurse to travel with us,” Ulmer told her, barely glancing up from his tablet. “The dining room will prepare an early lunch for you while I pack your things. What would you like to wear for travel?” He gave her sundress a squint, deciding, “I’ll leave out something appropriate for you.”

“Why on earth would you help me go to Isleif?” Lexi asked him with a catch of askance laughter. “Youhateme.”

“I apologize if I gave you that impression, Ms. Alexander.” Ulmer was nothing but smooth equanimity as he lowered his tablet and gave her his full, polite attention. “Please tell me how I can make that up to you. Your health and comfort are of paramount importance to me.”

Lexi choked, then sent Magnus a look of disbelief, unable to find words.

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