Page 24 of Amethyst Queen
Chapter 20
After a long and sensual shower, Amalee was feeling better. Her heart still ached for the mistakes she’d made that led them to this point, but she couldn’t contain the elation in her face.
Dante gripped her hand in his as they headed into the conference room. He’d told Amalee he intended to make their relationship known, regardless of anyone’s opinion. Her fingers squeezed his as he pushed them through the door.
The silence was deafening.
Everyone’s eyes were riveted to their entangled hands. Amalee stiffened beside Dante, unsure what to say.
“Yes,” Dante broke the silence, “We’re together. Have been for years. Now that that’s out of the way, where are we on locating my son?”
“Wait… your son?” Officer Stokes spoke, glancing around at the others seated at the table.
“Officer,” Commander Gentry spoke, “We kept certain aspects of the events private – we didn’t want the Queen's business being shared with just anyone. But yes,” he sighed, “the missing child is the Queen's and the Constable’s son. So, finding him is a top priority.”
“What about the journal?” Captain Howard asked.
“That’s still important… which is why I’ve called in some help.”
“Help?” Amalee scooted her chair closer to the table, Dante stood with his hands on her shoulders.
Nodding his head, “The Sapphire and Ruby Queen have sent several men to assist in the search. Your Majesty, I must ask you – do you have any pictures of your child?”
“Baxter… his name is Baxter. And yes,” she felt Dante stiffen, “but I will need some time with the Constable before I hand them over.”
“Fine. The sooner you can get that to me, the sooner his picture can be circulated through the six kingdoms. We have to assume he could be anywhere.” Commander Gentry looked at all the men, nodding for them to take leave.
Captain Howard stood, “I will continue to scour the castle and surrounding areas for the journal. It hasn’t turned up anywhere else, so I believe it’s still here.”
“If that is all,” Amalee pushed the chair back, “The Constable and I will be in my quarters if you need us.”
Casting a sideways glance toward him, she walked out of the room, hoping he’d follow her. She let a breath out when she felt him place his hand in hers.
“You have pictures of our son?”
Dipping her head, “It was the only thing I had of him.” Pushing the door to her quarters open, she beelined for her closet, “wait here.”
Dante watched as Amalee emerged, holding a shoebox. He could see the torment in her eyes and the stiffness in her posture.
“It’s ok, Amalee.” Dante covered her hand with his.
Nodding, she pulled her hand free and took off the lid. The box contained trinkets of a time when she was alone and scared. Dante couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret in his gut. She’d done this alone and carried the burden on her shoulders for two years.
“Sarah and Jeff helped me through one of the worst moments of my life.”
“Was the pregnancy hard?”
“No… giving up was. Sarah, even though she wanted him more than her own life, tried to convince me to keep him. She could see the love I had for him as I cradled him in my arms for the last time. Handing him over, broke something inside of me.” Amalee reached in and pulled a grainy black-and-white photo from the box and handed it to him. “This was his first picture. I was seven months pregnant when I finally agreed to find out the sex.”
Dante stared at the still image, his heart racing as he swiped his thumb over the first image of his son.
“This was the day he was born. It’s the only picture I have where I’m holding him.”
Dante’s eyes welled with tears. He could see the hurt in her eyes through a camera’s lens.
“Sarah told me I could see him any time I wanted, but I knew to see him would bring too many regrets to the surface. I was trying to forget about what I’d done. But Sarah knew best. She sent two pictures of him. One on his first birthday,” Amalee handed two pictures over, “and then on his second birthday.”
Dante couldn’t tear his eyes off the little boy. He was a perfect blend of their love. His eyes were green, just as he’d hoped, and his skin was a beautiful blend of fair and dark. He was the most magnificent thing he’d ever seen.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Amalee glanced at the photos clutched between his hands.
“He looks like you,” Dante smiled, “we need to get this photo to the Commander.” Dante stood abruptly and walked toward the door.
“Dante?” Amalee furrowed her brow, his change in demeanor confusing.
“I need some time to process this.”
She watched as he stepped through the door and jerked when the dense wood snapped into place. For two steps forward, they took three steps back. Getting through this was going to be difficult – she only hoped her heart could take the strain.
