He needed to be out in the air. He needed to be free.
The man she’d met five years ago had been free and happy. Joy had radiated from him.
Courtiers appeared at their side and Dimitris was with them. In his hand was a hardback book, with a portrait of the King on the cover... It was the biography...
‘He’s ready for you,’ Dimitris murmured.
He had to mean King Astraeus.
This was the moment when he would learn what his grandson had done in his honour. She hoped he’d recognise the incredible effort Theseus had put into it. She hoped the King would be proud.
Theseus turned to Jo. ‘A courtier will take you to the stateroom where the guests are meeting for lunch. Wait for me there.’
The strain was huge in his eyes.
‘Are you okay?’ she asked softly.
He met her gaze. Understanding passed between them.
Theseus brushed a thumb along her cheekbone, resisting the urge to kiss her. Instead he gave a curt nod and left for his grandfather’s quarters.
He found him sat in his wheelchair, looking out of a high window, dressed in full regalia, with his dark purple sash tied from shoulder to hip in the same way as Theseus’s own. Only his nurse was in attendance.
‘You wanted to see me?’ his grandfather said, interest on his wizened face.
Taking a deep breath, Theseus crossed the threshold.
He’d prepared a speech for this moment; words which might explain the regret he carried for all the shame and worry he’d put on this great man’s shoulders and how this book had been created to honour him.
But the words stuck.
He held the book out to him.
With curiosity on his face, his grandfather took it from him. Wordlessly he placed it on his lap, and with hands that shook he opened it.
After several long minutes during which the only sound in the room was the King’s wheezy breathing, his grandfather raised misty eyes to him.
‘You did this?’
Theseus bowed his head.
‘It is incredible.’ His grandfather shook his head, turning the pages slowly. ‘When did you do this...? How...? I knew nothing of it.’
‘I wanted it to be a surprise.’
‘It’s not often a secret is kept in this palace,’ his grandfather observed, a tremble in his aged voice.
‘Loss of limbs may have been threatened...’
Astraeus’s laugh turned into a cough, and then the amusement faded. ‘This is a wonderful thing you have done for me, and I thank you with all my heart.’
Theseus took a breath. ‘I wanted to create something that would show how much you mean to me. I used to be disrespectful, and I brought much dishonour upon you, but I truly am proud to be your grandson.’
His words were met with a shake of the old King’s head. ‘Theseus, you weren’t a bad boy. Rhea always said you were a lost soul.’
At the mention of his grandmother’s name Theseus felt his throat close.
‘She adored you.’
‘I know. I will never forgive myself for not being there—’ His voice cracked, guilt filling him all over again.
Astraeus gripped his wrist and tugged him down so they were at eye level. ‘The past is over. What you have created here for me...’ A tear ran down his cheek. ‘Your grandmother would be very proud of you—for this and for how you’ve turned your life around. You are a credit to the Kalliakis name and I’m proud to call you my grandson.’
The backs of his retinas burning, Theseus closed his eyes, then leaned forward to place a kiss on his grandfather’s cheek. But before he could absorb the moment, and his grandfather’s words, a knock on the door preceded his brothers strolling into the room.
‘Is there a lovefest going on that we weren’t invited to?’ Helios asked.
Talos snatched the book out of their grandfather’s hands and soon all four of them were going through the pictures within, reminiscing with sad amusement, until the King’s private secretary announced that it was time for them to greet their guests.
* * *
An army of staff bustled around, handing out champagne and fresh juices as the stateroom filled. On an antique table to the left of the door sat a pile of hardback copies of the biography.
‘May I?’ Jo asked, dazzled.
‘Of course.’ A courtier handed one to her.
She studied the cover and the back, then flipped through the pages, inhaling the lovely papery scent only a new book emitted.
At the bottom of the front cover were the words Fiona Samaras & Joanne Brookes.
She traced her finger over her name, then carefully turned some pages. Pride filled her to know that this was something she’d helped create, but with it came a tinge of sadness that Fiona couldn’t be there to revel in their accomplishment too. After four years of working together, and all Fiona’s Greek tuition, they’d become good friends. Jo knew how much she would have loved to be there today.
While she waited for Theseus to join her she studied the photographs in the biography, which dated back a century, to the King’s own parents’ marriage. What a family she was moving into...
Where before she’d felt terror at the mere thought of becoming a Kalliakis, she now felt an immense pride and a determination to play her part. She’d grown to love the island, and the fierce but passionate people who inhabited it.
And what a man she was pledging the rest of her life to...
An image floated in her mind of when she had watched him teach Toby to swim in the villa’s outdoor pool the day before. She could still hear their laughter. He’d come back from the palace especially. She’d watched them with a heart so full she had wanted to burst. All her fears for Toby had gone. Seeing them together had been like watching two peas in a pod.
Toby loved his father. And Theseus loved him. She could see it in his tenderness towards him. And sometimes when he looked at her she thought she saw the same tenderness directed at her.
It gave her hope. Maybe love really could grow between them...
Activity at the entrance of the stateroom caught her attention.
An old wizened man in a wheelchair, who nonetheless had the most incredible aura about him, had entered the room. Theseus was at his side, Helios and another man who had to be Talos were with them.
The four of them together looked majestic. But it was only Theseus she had eyes for.
It came to her then in a burst of crystal clear clarity.
She was head over heels in love with him.
She had belonged to him since he’d stood up for her on Illya, and no matter how hard she’d tried to dislodge him from her heart—had convinced herself for years that she’d succeeded—he was nestled in too deep.
She stared at him as if she’d never seen him before, her heart as swollen as the highest river.
She loved him.
He came straight to her and took her hand. ‘My grandfather wishes to meet you before we go in to lunch.’
There was a lightness to him and his eyes were brighter than she had seen them since her arrival on Agon.
She cleared her throat, almost dumbstruck at what she had finally admitted to herself. ‘Do I curtsey?’
‘As it’s an official function, yes—but only to my grandfather.’
And then she was there before him, this wonderful man who’d sacrificed so much for his glorious island and his magnificent grandsons.
It was with enormous pride that Theseus made the introductions. Jo, pale and shaking, was obviously overcome by the occasion, but she curtseyed gracefully.
His grandfather reached for her hand. ‘Thank you,’ he rasped, clasping her hand in both his own. ‘My book... I will treasure it.’
‘It was an honour to be involve
d,’ she said with feeling. ‘But Fiona wrote most of it.’
‘My grandson tells me you came at short notice and have barely slept?’
‘It was all down to Theseus.’ She stepped closer to meet his grandfather’s gaze properly. ‘However many hours Fiona and I have put into this book, it’s nothing compared to the time Theseus spent on the research.’
His grandfather turned his face to him, his eyes brimming. ‘Yes. I am a lucky man. I have three fine grandsons—my island is in safe hands.’
Theseus’s chest had grown so tight during this exchange it felt bruised. She was championing him.
A footman came into the room to announce that lunch was ready to be served. Before they could file out Astraeus caught hold of Theseus’s wrist and beckoned him down.
‘I am guessing she is the mother of your son?’
His mouth dropped open.
His grandfather gave a laugh. ‘Did you think you could keep such a secret from me? A biography is one thing but a child...? I might be on my way to my deathbed, but I am still King.’
‘I was going to tell you...’
‘I know—after the Gala.’ There was no sign of irritation. ‘I am disappointed to have heard the news from a third party, but I do understand your reasons. How is the boy?’
‘Settling in well.’
‘I am very much looking forward to meeting him.’
‘He is looking forward to meeting you too.’
‘Have him brought to me when lunch is finished.’
‘He would like that,’ Theseus said, imagining Toby’s delight at meeting a real-life king. ‘Be warned: he’s hoping you have a flying carpet.’
Astraeus gave a laugh, which quickly turned into a cough that made Theseus flinch, although he took pains not to show it. His grandfather despised pity.
‘I hear he looks like you?’ he said, when he’d recovered from his coughing fit.
‘Your spies are very reliable,’ Theseus said drily.
‘That is why they’re my spies. You can inherit them when I’m dead.’
Theseus wasn’t quick enough to hide his wince. Here was his grandfather, welcoming death with open arms and a smile, and here was Theseus, who would give the flesh from his bones to keep him alive for ever.
‘You are planning to marry the mother in a few weeks, I believe?’
‘Yes. I apologise for not asking your permission.’
Astraeus waved a frail dismissive hand. ‘You have never asked for my permission for anything—why should this be any different?’
‘I’ve always asked your blessing.’
‘Having already made up your mind,’ his grandfather countered, with a twinkle in his eye that made them both laugh. ‘Does the mother want to marry you?’
‘She knows it’s the best thing for our son.’
‘Don’t evade the question, Theseus. Does she want to marry you or not?’
There was a moment when his vocal cords stuck together.
‘Do I take your silence as a negative?’
‘What alternative do we have? The law forbids Toby from being a part of our family or inheriting my wealth unless we marry.’
The dismissive hand rose again. ‘Do you think you are the first member of our family to impregnate a woman out of wedlock? You’re wealthy in your own right. There are means, if the will is strong enough.’
‘Are you suggesting that I shouldn’t marry her?’ Now he really was shocked. He knew how much importance his grandfather placed on matrimony, and how important it was to him to see the family line secured.
‘I am suggesting you think in more depth about it before you tie yourself into a marriage neither of you can back away from.’ His lined face softened. ‘Whatever you choose...know that I will support you. Now, let us meet our guests and enjoy the day.’
* * *
Theseus dragged himself off the sofa in his palace apartment, clutching his head with one hand. From the look of the sunlight filtering through the shutters he hadn’t closed properly it seemed that the sun had long beaten him awake.
He hadn’t intended to stay the night. His plan had been to return to the villa once the official after-Gala party in the palace had finished. But with Talos long gone—chasing after the fabulous violinist who’d brought the entire audience to tears—and their grandfather having already retired, it had been left to him and Helios to play hosts to their distinguished guests.
When the last of the crowds had gone, all abuzz with the news of Helios’s engagement to Princess Catalina, which had been announced during the gala, the Princess had flown home with her father and Helios had muttered that he needed a ‘proper’ drink.
Armed with a bottle of gin and two glasses, they’d hidden away in Helios’s apartment and drunk until the small hours. He didn’t know which of them had needed it the most. It was the first time Theseus had drunk so much in years.
They should have been celebrating.
Theseus had achieved the one thing he’d set out to do all those years ago, when he’d turned his back on being Theo and embraced who he truly was: he’d made his grandfather proud. The biography had been completed on time and it was a true celebration of the King’s life—exactly as Theseus had wanted it to be.
And Helios had just got engaged to be married, so he should have been celebrating too.
Instead, the pair of them had drowned their sorrows.
All Theseus had been able to think about was Jo, and how animated her face had been when she’d championed him to his grandfather.
No one had ever done that before—spoken so passionately on his behalf. Not since his mother, who would implore his father to treat him as an equal to Helios only to be slapped or, if she was lucky, just ignored for her efforts.
His mother had loved all her children fiercely. He could never have disappointed her, because in her eyes her boys had been perfect and incapable of doing wrong.
Jo loved Toby just as fiercely. Like his mother, she was a good, pure person. She deserved everything that was good in life. She deserved better than him.
He might not have disappointed his mother, but at some time or another he’d let the rest of his family down. When he’d selfishly left the palace to see the world he’d left the fledging business he and his brothers had just formed in their hands.
What a monstrously selfish person he had been.
Even his years of doing his princely duty had been done with the ulterior motive of gaining his family’s forgiveness. His heart had never been in it. Indeed, he’d had to shut off his heart to get through it, to be Prince Theseus.
He knew that to make it through the rest of his life he would have to keep it closed. His dreams had to be stuffed away with the memories of his travels before they crowded his head with taunts of what could never be.
‘Those people watching the Gala. They have no idea of our sacrifices,’ Helios had said, finishing another glass.
It was the first time Theseus had ever heard his brother say something disparaging about being a member of the Kalliakis family, and with hindsight he should have probed his brother about his comment, but his mind had immediately flown to Jo and the sacrifices she’d made. The sacrifices she would continue to make for the rest of her life...
She’d been so pale during lunch, and when Toby had been introduced to his grandfather she’d hung back, her eyes fluttering from Theseus to Toby and back to his grandfather.
Toby hadn’t been even slightly overawed, and had happily chattered away as if the King had been a fixture in his life from birth.
But Jo...
His heart lurched.
He knew what he must do.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
HE FOUND HER in the pool with Toby.
Her lips widened into a huge smil
e when she saw him. Then a quizzical expression formed as she noticed his set face and the smile dropped. She had learned to read him very well.
Toby had no such intuition. ‘Daddy!’ he cried. ‘Look! Mummy’s helping me swim. Come in with us!’
Theseus stiffened.
Daddy?
His son had called him Daddy.
It was the one word he’d been waiting to hear. He’d been content for Toby to call him Theseus, hadn’t wanted to upset the apple cart by demanding a title he’d done nothing to earn. Rather like his title of Prince, he mused darkly.
He hadn’t been at Toby’s birth, and neither had he been there for the first four years of his life. And it was all his own fault for not seeing what his heart had known from the start—that Joanne Brookes was the best person he’d ever met.
And for that reason he had to let her go.
For her, he would cast aside his selfishness and actually do something for the benefit of someone else. To hell with the consequences.
He stepped to the pool’s edge and smiled at his son. I love you, Toby Kalliakis. I will never abandon you. I will always be there for you. Always.
The words went unsaid.
‘Chef is making cookies,’ he said to Toby. ‘If you get changed, they’ll be ready for you to eat.’
‘Can I, Mummy?’ he asked eagerly, wriggling in Jo’s arms.
Her eyes were fixed on Theseus, but she nodded, wading to the edge of the pool and lifting Toby onto it.
Elektra wrapped a towel around him and scooped him up.
Jo’s heart shuddered and juddered. Something was badly wrong. She could feel it in her bones.
Please, not his grandfather...
Climbing out of the pool, she reached for her own towel, her heart juddering even more when Theseus made no move to hand it to her.
She wrapped the towel around herself and followed him to the poolside table. A jug of fruit juice and two glasses had been placed on it. He poured them both a glass and pushed Jo’s towards her.
‘Have you packed your bags yet?’ he asked heavily, looking at the jug rather than at her.
‘Yes. We’re ready to go. Is there a problem with the apartment? It won’t be a problem staying here longer. To be honest, Toby and I both love it—’
Theseus Discovers His Heir Page 15