Page 80 of Prince of Storms
“Big, grand gesture,” Ty said. “Some sort of show of affection that proves to her that you’re serious, that she’s the center of your world and will never be anything but. She has to know she will never lose you.”
“Okay. I can do that,” I said, nodding.
“Good.”
I looked at him. “How do I do that?”
Ty sighed. “I don’t know. Do something that will put her at the center of attention. Throw her a ball or something.”
“A ball? In her name?” I started to think it over. “Would she even like such a thing? What if she doesn’t show up?”
“You could go several steps further, though,” Ty said, musing it over.
“How’s that?”
He explained his ideas, and I smiled. “That’sgood. Really good. I think she’d like that.”
“I know. I’m a genius. You can thank me later.”
I would have slugged him in the shoulder if he wasn’t hurt.
That sobered me, bringing back reality.
“What? What’s wrong?” he asked.
“We can’t hold a ball in her honor,” I said. “Not with Rica still out there. We have to deal with her first, Ty. I can’t risk bringing Mia back here and exposing her to that bitch. Once she’s dead, then things can change. But until then … No, I have to do what I can to protect Mia, to keep her safe. That means she stays far away from here.”
“That also means she stays far away from you,” Ty countered. “But I think I might have a way to handle all of this. It would take some intricate planning, but if it works …”
I waited for him to continue.
“Not out here. Who knows where she might have eyes,” he said, looking around uneasily. “Let’s go inside. Where we can talk in private.”
We headed down the ramp to the parking garage.
“You’re a good friend, Ty. I appreciate you.”
“I know,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “But I’m actually doing this for me.”
“What?” I jerked in surprise. “You are?”
“Absolutely. Once you’re finally mated and on the Throne, then you can announce me as your heir. I’ll kill you in your sleep, and thenIcan be the Prince of Storms.”
I stared at him. “So, you want me on the Throne, just so you can take it from me?”
He laughed. “And you said Mia was the smart one. Look at you, figuring it all out!”
“You can have it, then,” I said.
“Don’t youdareput that on me,” he said. “I’m not suited for that. You, however, are, and the princedom needs its prince. I’m just doing my duty in helping you reach that point.”
“Yeah.” I frowned. “We’ll still have to take the Test, of course. The God-King could judge us wanting. I’ll have to tell her about that. I doubt she’ll react well.”
“Maybe,” Ty said. “Maybe not. Only one way to find out, though.”
“Yeah.”
“Come on then, let’s plan how you’re going to win Mia back.”
