Page 79 of The Heir
“She what?”
“She’s not that interested in my lifestyle.”
“Your lifestyle.” My dad’s tone was incredulous. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you telling me that Linea rejected your proposal?” Khan looked offended on my behalf.
“Linea isn’t impressed by grandiose buildings, titles, and money. She says I wouldn’t have time for her if I’m the ruler.”
“Nonsense. I sleep with your mother every night. We see each other for breakfast and dinner.”
“Yes, but Linea remembers Mom taking us to visit her family and you never being part of it.”
“Huh. But does she remember all the times her father left to go on hunting trips with Magni and me? I may not have joined your visits to an already cramped windmill, but I took breaks to spend time with friends and family. I still do.”
“I’ll tell her that.”
My dad lifted on his toes and made a sound of amazement. “Huh. It’s ironic when you think about it.”
“What is?”
“After all your complaints that women want you for your title and money, you go and find someone who would rather that you were normal. Do you see now why I made a list? It takes a special woman to live under the kind of pressure we face.”
My words came without hesitation. “I want Linea!”
Looking deep into my eyes, my father asked, “Why her?”
“You just said it. When she marries me, it will be despite what I am and not because of it. Her rejection of my proposal made me even more certain that she’s the woman I want. With Linea I would know for sure that she’s with me for who I am and not what I am.”
“Hmm.” my father watched me with a stern look on his face.
“Linea isn’t like other women.”
“No, how could she be with a mother like Athena? I’ve always said that she and Finn are the most unlikely couple in the world.”
Right there as my father spoke, I had an epiphany. Raising my gaze to the ceiling, I exclaimed, “I know why I love her.”
He waited for me to expand on my exclamation.
My thoughts were like words written in sand with waves washing them away as fast as I could see them. Trying to hold on to the clarity I’d felt a second ago, I rambled. “Growing up with you and Mom hasn’t been easy for me. You wanted opposite things from me and making one of you proud often meant disappointing the other. It’s not something I’ve discussed with Linea, but instinctually I know that she gets me. Her mother is royalty in the Motherlands, revered and loved by millions, and Linea is trying to live up to her mother’s reputation and be like her. At the same time, she has Finn as a father who taught her sarcasm, irony, and a love of personal freedom. Linea is as torn as me, Dad. That’s why she gets me.”
“Athena isn’t royalty. Motlanders have a flat hierarchy, you know that.”
“I meant that she’s famous for her wisdom and millions follow her for inspiration.”
Placing both his hands on my shoulders, my dad used a stern voice. “Your mother will no doubt be pleased with your choice of bride. I on the other hand worry. I’m sure Linea can give you emotional support, but what will happen to our culture if she influences you? All these years, your mother has tried to get me to soften my ways and I’ve had to stand my ground. If you marry Linea, you’ll need to be strong and not let her influence you with her Motlander ways. Remember your legacy and the long bloodline of strong rulers that came before you.”
Narrowing my eyes, I stared at him. “Are you fucking serious right now?”
“Yes!”
“The strong bloodline of rulers… huh. Did you forget that your biological father was a feared and hated ruler and that you are a product of him raping your mother?”
All the blood left my dad’s face as he took a step back.
I had addressed the taboo of our family but now wasn’t the time to back down. “Dad, you’ve done an amazing job of keeping peace and prosperity in the Northlands, but we all know that Mom had a huge influence on that development. Things are better now than when you were my age. Violence and crime rates have lowered with the influx of Motlanders. Children grow up with their parents and we can travel the world if we so desire. What you have achieved for our people is incredible, but to put the praise on your bloodline is a fucking joke. You couldn’t have attracted or kept a woman like Mom if you’d been anything like your biological father and you know it.”
He didn’t speak, but the tiny nod of his head told me he acknowledged my words as true. There was silence in the room as I watched Khan walk over to sit by the window. For a moment I stood unsure whether to leave or stay.
“Dad.” Moving to sit opposite him on the curved bench in the bay window, I muttered, “I’m sorry for bringing up the past. I know it’s painful for you to think about.”
