Page 46 of Crowned For The King's Secret

‘This means it’s time to consider the future.’

Theyhadconsidered it. The future where they were married, she’d be queen. She almost laughed at that. When she’d made love to this beautiful, complex man what seemed like so long ago now, she’d never contemplatedthatfor her future. All she’d wanted was one night of freedom, to be herself, much as he had. The thought of what lay in store for them all terrified yet excited her. There was so much good she could do for so many as queen. And she and Sandro would guide Nic to be the best man he could be, when he one day took the throne.

But more important than anything, they would be a family. She’d sensed that was what they’d become in their time together here, but she hadn’t realised how much she’d craved it when on her own. Sure, Lance was family too. But he had Sara now and one day soon, no doubt, they’d have children of their own. She’d always wanted that for herself, she realised. A marriage. Children. A home full of laughter and love...

Although love wasn’t really on the agenda here. Sandro had made that clear. Yet something warm and expansive that spoke of every possibility imaginable bloomed in her chest. Nic loved his father, loved her, and maybe that love would spill out over them as a couple too. And after thinking for so long that she didn’t want it, that love was an illusion, that she and Nic were enough, she realised that love with the right person was no trap. It was the ultimate freedom. She craved that for herself and she wanted it for Sandro too.Hedeserved more. Whatever the future held, it felt big and bright and bold in this moment.

She gave a smile. Sandro didn’t return it. He looked cool, dispassionate. Every inch the King he’d been raised to be. The King she’d met for the first time at the private airport before being bundled onto a plane. Right now she needed the man who’d made love to her, the man who loved Nic. Protected them both.

‘The future is something I’m looking forward to.’

There was a flicker over his face, almost like a wince.

‘Given that my cousin’s now in prison and his cronies in disarray or fleeing the country, the dangers to you and Nicolai present when I brought you to Santa Fiorina are minimal. There’s no need for you to stay.’

It was as if the floor had opened and she’d been consumed whole. The bottom fell out of her world. ‘What?’

‘There was danger to you both which required immediate action. That situation no longer exists.’

That couldn’t be right. After he’d fought to bring her here. The lengths he’d gone to. The exquisite lovemaking they’d shared. The home he’d promised them both. The engagement to be announced. The magnificent ring he’d given her. Promises that she and Nic would be with him for ever.

‘Sandro—’

He waved his hand as if in a dismissal.

‘We’re unmarried and there’s now no requirement for any formal engagement. It’s not been announced. There’s no risk.’

She shook her head. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘It’s quite clear. You don’t have to stay in the palace. Should you wish to remain in Santa Fiorina then you’re welcome to. Should you wish to leave and return to the UK, flights will be arranged.’

‘But Nic’s...your heir. How would that work?’

‘You said once that you wanted a normal life for Nicolai. He can have it. I remember you told me your greatest fear was my coming to claim him. I can give his life back.’

Her heart pounded, the blood roaring in her ears. ‘What are you saying?’

‘As you’ll recall, there’s been no formal announcement that I’ve acknowledged him as my heir.’

He wasn’t just casting her aside, he was casting Nic aside too.

‘But the DNA...the rules of succession here...’ There didn’t seem to be enough air in the room...she could hardly breathe.

‘Things are more grey than black and white.’

No, not in her mind. ‘You lied to me?’

‘No lies were told. You believed what you chose to.’

That simple sentence hit her like a slap. How had it come tothis? She saw it now. She’d become so needy in wanting a future that she’d believed anything Sandro told her. Kidding herself, when she should have known better. Her only experience with men was that they lied, they gaslit. Her brother might be a good man, but her former husband had been her greatest teacher and she should have listened to the lessons she’d learned from him.

‘No. You turned our lives upside down. Put us at risk, saved us, made promises, and now you’re doingthis? Why?’

‘I’m a king. I find there’s a great deal I can do within my remit.’

Sandro may not love her, but he loved Nic. Of that she was sure. The night of the intruders. His rage. His distress. Once she’d been afraid Nic would be taken away from her. Then she’d come to believe Sandro was a good man whom his son deserved. And she’d been sure of something else, too. Perhaps there wasn’t enough glue for them to stick together, but deep in the core of her being she knew Sandro loved their little boy. He might reject her, but he’d never reject Nicci.

‘You might be the King, but Nic’s yourson.’

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