Page 21 of Amethyst Queen
Chapter 17
“I don’t know where to begin,” Amalee sighed as she took a seat next to Emersyn. “My mother had this perfect idea in her head who I was to marry and how I was to portray myself as the Queen.” Amalee got a far off look in her eyes, Emersyn waited, not wanting to interrupt. “But I fell in love with someone she’d never approve of – even if he is my compliment. We hid it… and I thought I could tell everyone once I had the crown, but,” Amalee sucked in a sob as she spilled her secrets, “I got pregnant before my ascension to the throne. I panicked, Emersyn.”
“What do you mean, you panicked?” Emersyn laced their hands together, squeezing as if to show her support.
“I ran and did the only thing I could think of. I lied. Dante didn’t know I was carrying his child when I left for college, no one did. I took a few classes here and there – but it was all part of the cover-up. When he was born, I remember holding him in my arms… it was the best and worst moment of my life. Sarah and Jeff were wonderful. They couldn’t have children of their own, so giving them my son was a precious gift. I took a few more weeks at school, to get over the depression, then came home. In my head, I knew I couldn’t be with Dante again, not after what I’d done – but… I love him, Emersyn. And now… now he hates me. Our son is out there missing because of my lies. The two people I trusted to take care of him are gone. How am I supposed to go on?”
Amalee crumpled into Emersyn’s arms, her tears wetting Emersyn’s shirt.
“Amalee…” Emersyn rocked her cousin, “It’s not over. We will find him and bring him home.” She tilted Amalee back, “Do you hear me? Don’t give up. When we bring your son home, he will need you.”
Amalee nodded, “How can I take care of him when my heart hurts so much?”
“Oh, sweetheart. Dante is mad, but underneath all that, I believe he still loves you. Give him time to process everything that’s happened. What did your parents say?”
“Mother and I aren’t speaking. I am done allowing her to control me. And my father… well, he suspected Dante, and I were hiding something, but he is supportive and promises to help me with my mother.”
“That’s good. Now…” Emersyn sat up straighter, “Your heart will heal in time, Amalee. Don’t lose hope.”
“It’s hard… when everything is falling apart. I really fucked up, Emersyn. I’ve lost my son, my mother, and the only man I’ll ever love. What kind of Queen does that make me?”
“A Queen who can rise above the turmoil and do what’s best for the kingdom, that’s who.”
“I don’t deserve to be Queen. I don’t deserve to breathe.” Amalee closed her eyes and let out a lengthy breath.
“I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again.”
Emersyn jumped at the booming voice behind them. Turning her head, her mouth hung open to find Dante standing in the room.
“Um,” she glanced at Amalee, then back to Dante, “I think I should leave you two to talk. He’s right, though… don’t talk like that.”
Amalee watched as Emersyn glided out of the room and pushed the door closed behind her. Cutting her eyes to the one person who could crush her soul completely, she sighed.
“Why are you here?”
“Did you mean what you said?”
“You’ll need to be more specific,” Amalee stood, making her way out of the room, “I said a lot of things. Things you wouldn’t have heard if you weren’t eavesdropping, Constable.”
Reaching out, he snagged her arm, halting her in place. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop… do you really think you don’t deserve to breathe?”
Amalee closed her eyes, “Yes… what I did hurt everyone I love.”
“Hurts can heal. But death is final, Amalee. No one deserves death but the man or woman responsible for taking the lives of Sarah and Jeff… and for taking our son.”
Amalee’s resolve broke. Her chest constricted with the pain as a sob bubbled up from the hollow space beneath her ribs. It was the first time Dante had referred to him as their son.
“If only it were a scratch to my heart… I love you, Dante. I always have. My heart's last beat will carry your name with it.”
Dante pulled her closer, his hand cupped her cheek. Amalee kept her eyes cast down, refusing to let him see the pain in her. His thumb swiped at a tear as it trailed its way down her porcelain flesh.
“I am angry – but don’t for a minute think I’ve stopped loving you.”
“How can you love me?” She whimpered as she leaned into the roughness of his palm.
“How could I stop?”
Dante surprised her by pressing his lips to hers. His mouth was warm as he licked the seam of her lips, begging to be let in. Amalee gasped against him, offering him the opportunity to slip inside her mouth. Giving in to the desire, her tongue tangled with his, silently demanding more as her arms wrapped around his neck.
“Dante,” Amalee whispered his name against his lips as she rested her forehead against his, “I’m sorry I lied to you.”
