Tempting the Crown

by Violet Paige

  “Oh my God.”

  “It was eventually dropped,” he explained. “But the damage was done.”

  “And Dominic? There wasn’t anything he could do?”

  He shook his head. “No. He even offered to step away from the crown. But he let things get too far before he even considered that. It was too late. She left the country. She said it was the only way to have a normal life.”

  I felt a small hold around my neck as if something had clamped against my throat. The fishbowl the royal family lived in had already destroyed one relationship. Were we next? We were still new. Budding. Growing. Exploring. To even say we were a we, seemed too new. How would we ever survive anything like that?

  “I see.”

  Sutcliffe rapped his hand on the table. “What happened to Prince Dominic isn’t our concern.”

  “Like hell it’s not,” Damon snapped. “He’s trapped. We’re all trapped. That’s what the crown does. It destroyed him. Look at him now. He drinks the demons away. I don’t even recognize my own brother. It is every bit my concern.”

  Sutcliffe lowered his eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. Of course. He’s your brother. His health is the concern of the country.”

  “Why is that?” I questioned. It sounded like he had been put through enough being a member of the royal family. It had cost him his girlfriend and his freedom.

  “He’s next in line for the throne,” Sutcliffe answered.

  Oh shit. That was a problem. I’d only heard bits and pieces. But Dominic’s story was starting to come together. I didn’t need his entire history to understand how the pressure could lead to his impulse to drink.

  I remembered Damon telling me how the Galonian crown was passed to the next monarch. I knew he would never step down. There was only one way Dominic would become king. My stomach rolled with nausea at the thought. Damon would have to be dead for that to happen.

  “Molly can have her own set of apartments,” Damon started. “She’s right. No one will know what part of the roof she’s under.”

  “Sir, she doesn’t have a title. You can’t give her apartments.”

  He growled. “Fine. I’ll give her a title.”

  My heart pulsed an extra beat.

  “That requires a ceremony. She must be presented to the court as well as your cabinet.” Sutcliffe started to perspire on his forehead. He reached for a silk handkerchief. “I believe I can put the events together in six months. That is if I work day and night.”

  Damon laughed. “Six months? I said tonight.”

  “Impossible.”

  I held my breath. I knew Damon well enough he didn’t like to be told no, especially when he had an agenda. Right now, that agenda was me.

  “I’ve been committed to modernizing the monarchy. This is my opportunity to do it publicly. We’ll have the ceremony in private and Molly will be presented this evening in the blue ballroom. Invite the court and the cabinet. Make sure my brothers and sister are there.”

  “You want to mix the court and the government?”

  “It’s necessary. Now I have to think of a title.” He winked at me.

  God, I hoped he wouldn’t try to decree me as the royal concubine.

  “Ahh, I have one.”

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “Royal Consort.” He grinned.

  Shit. In some cultures, a consort was the royal concubine, and in others the consort was a spouse. Could he have come up with something more ambiguous?

  “Your majesty, that title hasn’t been used in Galona in two hundred years.”

  He grinned. “Good. I’ll appease the traditionalists with the title and prove to the modern citizens things are changing.”

  I didn’t like that they argued because of me. I was already at the center of the palace’s biggest distraction with the olive grove photo. I didn’t want to cause division. I wanted to help Damon secure the irrigation funding. Instead we were in secret meetings so I could move in.

  Part of me wanted to walk away. Climb in a car and drive back to my shabby little apartment on Rue de Santa Lucia, where I could crawl into bed and listen to Brooklyn singing in the shower. Where I could get lost in my notecards. The place where I could come and go whenever I wanted.

  Had I lost all of that? Had I already given it up to be with Damon?

  Sutcliffe and Damon continued to discuss why there had to be a ball tonight and why it was an unrealistic request.

  They argued and I grew quiet, absorbed in the place in my mind where I couldn’t escape the doubt. What was I giving up for a man I met through an auction? A man who was used to being in constant control? A man who had never had a serious relationship?

  Did Dominic’s girlfriend give up too much for too long? Was she as wrecked as the prince? I didn’t know if she was as haunted by the breakup as he was. Would that be me? Was I going to end up a shell of myself with nothing left? No privacy. No freedom. And no love.

  29

  Damon

  I wasn’t doing this. Sutcliffe could fuck off. There wasn’t an argument he could present to make me back down. Tonight, Molly was going to be presented to the royals and to the Galonian government as the Royal Consort.

  The position would entitle her to apartments in the palace. Behind closed doors, it was no one’s damned business where she slept.

  “I appreciate your counsel, Sutcliffe. I know exactly where you stand.” I interrupted his incessant argument that I was breaking every royal protocol known to generations of kings. “But this is my decision. There will be a ball in the blue ball room tonight. If it’s too late notice for any of the members, they can read about the announcement tomorrow morning with the rest of the country.”

  “Your Highness—”

  “No.” I glared at him. “If there isn’t a loophole we can use, then we’re going to pave our own way. I appreciate your perspective on the institute my family represents, but I’ve made my decision.”

  I rose, straightening my jacket. I looked at Molly, but she wasn’t paying attention. I wondered how much of my stance she had heard.

  “Molly?”

  “Yes?” Her head jerked upward.

  “Let’s go.”

  I held out my hand and led her away from the study. The staff carried on their usual tasks, but in about ten minutes they would find out we were hosting a ball. This place would come alive like a bee hive.

  We turned down the corridor for the residence elevators.

  “Are you ok?” I asked. She hadn’t spoken since the meeting.

  The security officers opened the elevator for us. The doors closed.

  “Molly, are you tired from the trip?” This morning we had awakened on the yacht, flew to Freychon, and completed an aggravating protocol meeting. Hell, I was tired.

  “Royal Consort? What is that? Mistress or advisor?”

  “I didn’t think you’d care what the title was as long as I made this work.”

  “I don’t care about having a title at all.” She walked into the apartment. “I do care that people are going to hear ‘consort’ and think I’m the royal call girl.”

  “You’re not.” I pressed my lips together. This was supposed to be settled.

  “Why didn’t you mention Dominic’s past to me before?”

  I ruffled my hair. “And give you more reason to run out of here?”

  She looked startled. “I wouldn’t do that.”

  “No? Isn’t that where we were last night? You were ready to quit before we even began.”

  She sighed. “For completely different reasons. It’s not the same.”

  “I can’t make this perfect for you, Molly. I’m trying my fucking best here. But this is my life. I’m the king of Galona. And I want you. I’m willing to break traditions and laws to make that happen. What are you willing to do?”

  I saw the look of hurt flash across her eyes.

  “What if we both sacrifice too much?” she whispered. “Is it supposed to be this hard?”

  I wrapped m
y arms around her. “I’m ready to announce to the world that you are the king’s Royal Consort. To clear up any confusion, that means you’re my advisor.”

  “Not a concubine?”

  I chuckled. “No, love. Not a concubine.”

  Her shoulders relaxed. “I’m sorry. The meeting freaked me out. Sutcliffe isn’t a fan of me.”

  “He doesn’t like anyone new. Try not to take it personally.”

  “It’s hard not to. His job is to protect you, not me.”

  I shrugged. “He has a new job now. He’ll get used to it. He’ll warm up to you. I swear.”

  “And this ball tonight, I guess I get to meet the rest of your family?”

  I nodded. “They will be there.”

  “Where’s Ayla?” I saw the panic.

  “You have plenty of time to prepare. In the meantime, I need to address the cabinet. I have a strong set of arguments to present thanks to you.”

  “Oh God. The vote is today.”

  I gripped her shoulders. “It is. I am going to the cabinet room. Will you be here when I get back this time?”

  She smiled. “I will. But I’d like to have my own things. Can I pack them and bring them over?”

  “It’s already taken care of. Everything will be here in a few hours.”

  “How’d you do that?”

  “Helps to know the king.” I winked.

  I turned to leave. I had a few notes I wanted to collect from my office.

  “Wait, I know you have to leave, but can I ask a favor?”

  “What is it?”

  “Since we’re having a ball, can I invite someone? I’d like Brooklyn to be here. She’s my best friend. I need a friendly face other than yours,” she added.

  I knew Sutcliffe would advise me to forbid it, but this was Molly’s night. “Sure. Tell her it’s formal.”

  Molly nodded. “Thank you. Good luck with the vote.”

  I grumbled. I needed more than luck. Yesterday’s publicity stunt had blown up. I didn’t know whether I had enough sway to convince the rest of the cabinet to change their votes. They could be stuck on my damn love life instead of the critical infrastructure system our agriculture needed.

  “I’ll let you know how it goes, love.”

  I picked up my files in the office and headed for the cabinet room. I didn’t know how today turned into the one day when I had to fight for everything that mattered. There wasn’t time to second-guess how I had arrived at this intersection. I had to make it through two huge obstacles to come out on the other side victorious. Failure was not an option.

  30

  Molly

  I knew the elevator had reached the main floor. The air always changed when Damon was gone. I sank on the sofa, curling my feet underneath me. I leaned over and pulled my phone from my purse.

  I called Brooklyn. “Hey.”

  “Mol, what is going on? These people just showed up and started packing your things. I’m freaking out.”

  “Shit. Already?”

  “You know about this?”

  How was I going to explain it? “I’m moving into the palace.” I went for the rip-the-Band-Aid-off approach.

  “You’re what? Hey, that’s mine, not hers,” she called to one of the movers.

  “I’m moving. Damon wants me to move into the palace with him.”

  “You’re not coming home? Ever?”

  I sat forward. “Not back to the apartment. I’m sorry. It’s not safe for me anymore. Damon thinks royal security will be able to keep a closer eye on me here.”

  “What am I going to do? You’re my roommate, Mol. We have a lease. Rent.”

  “And I’ll cover all of that. I promise. I wouldn’t do that to you.” I didn’t know how she would take it. I hadn’t had much time to process it myself.

  “This is so weird. They’re going through everything.”

  “I’m sorry. I’d be there if I could, but it would only upset everyone in the building. I don’t want our neighbors to be harassed for an interview.” I looked out the window. Everything was peaceful and serene here. Surrounded by beautiful grass and ocean scenes, it was hard to imagine what Brooklyn was dealing with.

  “I can’t believe you would just leave like this.”

  “I meant to call you before they got there, but Damon is a little impatient sometimes.” I pulled the curtains together and returned to the sofa. “But I have something I think will cheer you up.”

  “What?” she snapped. She tried to stay annoyed but I could tell she was intrigued.

  “How would you like to attend a royal ball?”

  “Go on,” she prodded.

  I smiled. “Damon is throwing a ball tonight to announce my position at the palace. It’s a protocol thing. I could really use a friend. And I know you would have fun. It’s exactly the kind of party you’d love. All the royals in one place,” I teased.

  “You aren’t kidding. He is impatient.”

  “Will you come? Please?”

  “Does this mean I have to go shopping for a dress?” she asked. The previous anger in her voice had been replaced with excitement.

  “Probably.”

  “Then, yes. I’d love to go.”

  I grinned. “Thank, God. I thought you were going to turn me down.”

  She laughed. “I would like to kick these movers out of the apartment.”

  “Soon. They’ll be gone and you’ll have your own place.”

  “You know I never really wanted my own place.”

  “I know. I’m sorry. But we can hang out tonight and we’ll make some plans. You can come to the palace anytime. I’m going to have my own apartment here.”

  “Holy shit.”

  I looked up when the elevator dinged. Ayla walked into the suites.

  “Brooklyn, I have to go, but I’ll make sure you have all the details and an invitation. And a car.” I smiled. If I was dating the king, I could send a car.

  “Wow. You can do that?”

  I wasn’t completely sure, but I thought it was worth trying. Sutcliffe would go crazy. I decided I’d try to flex my muscle with him a little.

  “I can’t wait to see you.”

  “You too, Mol.”

  “Thanks for doing this.”

  “I can’t believe I’m going to a ball.” I smiled. Maybe there was a way to smooth things over with my best friend.

  “See you soon.”

  I hung up and looked at Ayla. She was holding a leather-bound notebook. I was nervous about whatever was in there. It looked like a lot of information to cram into my head in such a short amount of time.

  “Are you ready to get started?” she asked.

  I nodded. “Lesson number three hundred fifty-two.” I sighed.

  “I promise to make it as painless as possible.” She smiled lightly. “But as usual, we are pressed for time. We need to review the guest list, royal customs for balls, and I think we’ll need at least three hours for your wardrobe.”

  “Three hours?” My eyes popped. “Shouldn’t I spend more time studying the attendees than having my hair done?”

  Ayla laughed. “It’s all equally important.”

  “I don’t see how that’s possible.”

  She patted the sofa. I sat next to her, making sure my ankles rested against each other in a slight slant as she had taught me. I was amazed at how quickly I had started to adapt to the nuances of acting royal.

  “As Royal Consort you’ll have to reconcile what is important to the king against what you’re accustomed to as an American. I don’t pretend that it’s easy. If it were, there wouldn’t be a position for someone like me. Royal expertise is an honored and respected profession in Galona. I trained for years, Molly. Becoming royal isn’t something to be taken lightly.

  “It’s not any of my business to know whether that’s something you need to consider. It’s my job to make sure that you have every tool you need to be on the king’s arm. I’m here to help you.”

  Ayla was too polite to be rude.
She wouldn’t be callous like Sutcliffe. She wouldn’t push me like Damon. I believed she genuinely wanted me to succeed, but I heard her subtle messages. This role was unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. And it wasn’t for everyone. Dominic’s story had taught me that some relationships weren’t strong enough to withstand the cloud over the crown.

  To Ayla, spending hours to choose fabric and accessories wasn’t a waste of time. It completed the package. Being dressed in a well-known designer with a stunning clutch held just right was equally as important as knowing the names of foreign dignitaries.

  “Ayla, I’m not actually becoming royal. This is for show. For Damon.”

  It must have sounded sacrilegious. But why should we all continue with the charade behind closed doors?

  “You are going to be the king’s Royal Consort. That is not a show.” She flipped open the leather cover. “Let’s get started.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you, Ayla. Or the crown.”

  “First we will cover the differences between the king’s cabinet and the royal advisory board. One is a part of Galona’s government and the other is part of royal tradition.”

  “And where do I fall as the consort?”

  “You are under the royal side. But since the ball tonight includes both, you’ll have to study each group and understand how they fall under the king’s rule.”

  “All right. I can do that.”

  I’d spent the past year doing nothing but studying. I was a professional student. If I thought about tonight like an exam I had to cram for, I could nail the details down, no problem. I twisted my hair into a bun and grabbed a pencil from the desk, jamming it into place. Now I was almost ready.

  “Ayla, can I have some note cards?”

  She tilted her head sideways. “Note cards?”

  “Yes. I need note cards if I’m going to make this work.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Coffee?”

  She grinned. “Coffee is a must.”

  I wanted to think I had found a new friend in this woman who advised me, but there was a noticeable distance between us that I feared Ayla would never let me shorten.