by Violet Paige
“It’s clear. There is no one shopping.”
“Thank you.”
The officer pulled the door open for me. A small bell jingled as I entered. I hadn’t been in this store since I was a child. It was the official jeweler of the royal family, but they usually made house calls. It was one more way I was bucking the system. I could shop for myself.
The woman inside the store nodded. “Your Majesty, this is an honor.” She seemed flustered, immediately straightening her apron.
“Thank you. I could use your help today.”
Her glasses were attached to a chain around her neck. She had thick spongy hair like a curly helmet.
“Anything you need. What are you shopping for today?” she asked. “I-I really am honored you have chosen today to shop.”
I walked toward the first glass case. I didn’t see anything I liked.
“An engagement ring,” I stated.
The woman gasped. “Your Majesty!”
I put my finger to my lips. “Shh. It’s a secret. My family has shopped at Vitania’s for years because of the discretion here. I’m sure that hasn’t changed.”
Her curls shook. “It has not. I will not tell a soul.”
“Good. Then I’m looking for something with sapphires.”
“We have a beautiful selection. I have some pieces in the back. Let me gather a few. I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you.” I smiled at her.
The guards stood like statues at the doors. I wouldn’t be able to maintain the secrecy for long, but after tonight I wouldn’t have to.
A few minutes later the shop keeper returned with a black velvet tray. She pulled back the cloth covering the surface to reveal three stunning pieces of jewelry.
“Your Majesty, we can also custom make any design you like if these don’t suit you.”
I plucked the middle one from the tray. I held it toward the light. It was flawless. The sapphire was the perfect shade.
“I assume these are perfect quality.”
“Oh yes. These are the highest quality diamonds and sapphires. If you would like to exchange a stone for one of your family stones, we can do that as well.”
“That’s not necessary.” I didn’t like the suggestion. I wanted a new beginning. I was tired of the same rings being handed down for two hundred years. That wasn’t Molly.
She was a breath of fresh air. She was light and beauty. She was my sapphire, and I was going to buy her the most expensive pure gem in this city.
“This is the one.”
“Are you sure you wouldn’t like to look at some others?” She seemed surprised I had made my decision so quickly.
“That’s the one.” I handed it to her.
She had a toothy smile. “Of course. It’s a beautiful ring. You have wonderful taste, Your Majesty.” She scurried to the back for the ring box.
This woman didn’t need to say it. I knew I had excellent taste. I had chosen Molly.
The wooden case was nestled inside my suit jacket. Georgan stood by the car door as I walked through the private palace entrance.
Security was behind me.
I was on a mission. I had one goal. Take the elevator to the top floor and put this ring on Molly’s finger.
Enough with the family dissent. Enough with politics and worrying about the sanctity of the crown. I was in love with this woman. I couldn’t think of a single reason to wait.
After all, I wasn’t a patient man.
“Your Majesty.” Kenley rushed me as soon as I crossed the threshold. She was out of breath.
“Kenley.” I turned for the elevators. I wasn’t interested in being pulled into a royal matter.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your afternoon.”
“What is it?”
“Dominic, sir,” she whispered. “Can we step into the sitting room?”
I walked into the closest open room, shutting the doors behind us.
“What has he done this time?” I quizzed her. I could only begin to guess what kind of episode one of his binges had caused.
“He showed up drunk to this morning’s library dedication for the children’s wing.”
“He did what?” I roared. It was worse than I thought. Getting drunk on a golf course or at a cocktail party was one thing. Around children was completely unacceptable.
Kenley closed her eyes. “He stumbled into one of the librarians.”
“Good God. Did you get him out of there?”
She nodded, wincing. “But not before two flasks fell from his pockets. The children saw, sir. There were cameras and phones everywhere. I can’t contain it. It’s already on social media.”
“Fuck,” I whispered, not caring if I swore in front of her anymore. “Where is he now?”
“Sleeping it off,” she answered. “I left him in his apartment. There is a guard outside the door. He can’t leave his suite. Although, I don’t think he’ll awaken anytime soon.”
I ran my hands through my hair. “Why was he drinking so early? I thought the morning events were the safe bet.”
“He never stopped after the ball. I put him to bed, but he didn’t stay there.” Her eyes hit the floor. “He left the palace with a woman. I don’t know who.”
I clenched my jaw. “Kenley, it’s your job to know everything. How did he leave the palace?”
“He passed out,” she fired back. “Or at least he pretended to pass out. He was asleep when I left him. He made the library engagement on time. By the time I realized he was drunk it was too late.”
“Damn it.” The fallout from showing up drunk to a children’s event was going to be catastrophic. We had managed his vices so far, but at some point he was going to crack the shield we tried to protect him with. It had finally happened.
“I’m sorry.”
I inhaled deeply. “It was going to happen, Kenley. We all knew it was only a matter of time.” I sat in a nearby chair.
What kind of brother had I been? I dealt with my demons while Dominic dealt with his. As if we were on islands separated by a vast ocean instead of under the same roof, of the same blood. He was my family. My responsibility.
“I need to see him.”
“Would you like me to go with you?” she offered.
“No. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but this is a conversation between brothers.”
“I understand.” She spoke softly. It wasn’t Kenley’s usual demeanor. I could tell what happened this morning had rattled her.
“Kenley, what I said earlier.” I paused. “Dominic’s drinking isn’t your fault. I shouldn’t have said what I did.”
“I could have stopped him,” she argued. “I shouldn’t have left him last night.” Regret was written in her eyes.
“You carry no blame in this. He’s not Dominic right now. And I need to face that. So does he.”
I rose from the antique chair and squeezed her shoulder gently as I walked past. “Thank you for taking care of him all this time. I’ll take it from here.”
“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”
As I turned for the door, the ring box struck over my heart with a thud. My ribs closed in around my lungs, seizing the air. I straightened my shoulders and steeled my resolve. Today wasn’t going to be the day. My brother needed me.
Thirty-Eight
Molly
I couldn’t take it anymore. Brooklyn hadn’t returned any of my calls. I grabbed my purse and headed for the door. I hoped Georgan was downstairs. He was my favorite driver. I didn’t know the others as well. I was out of options. I had to check on her in person. I still had a key to the apartment.
As soon as I opened the door I ran into Damon. His wide frame filled the door.
My eyes locked on his dark stare. Chills ran along my spine.
There was something sad in his gaze. It was as if the smolder in his eyes was clouded.
I took a step backward.
His arms encircled me. He held me, breathing into my neck. Holding me tighter with each exh
ale.
“What’s wrong?” I wrapped my hands around his waist. “Did something happen?” I asked.
He kicked the door closed behind us as he lifted me. I drifted over the hardwoods as he kept me in his embrace, carrying me back into the room.
My toes touched the floor again. I looked at Damon. I traced the lines of his sculpted jaw with the pad of my thumb. I could feel his somber mood washing off him.
“What is it?”
He still hadn’t spoken a word.
“I need you. I need this.” His voice was low and certain.
He brushed his lips over mine, drinking in the kiss as if I was the last breath he would ever take. His tongue slid along mine, twisting and curling in my mouth. I had no idea what had happened. I only knew he needed my lips.
He lowered me to the couch. His hands roaming. Pulling the clothes from my body. He sat up, shirking off his jacket and shirt. I reached for his zipper, freeing him from his pants.
He found my lips again, searing them with another heated kiss.
All the other times, Damon had been commanding and powerful with my body. But as he moved between my legs, I felt how different this was. I wrapped my heels around him, digging them into his backside.
He groaned as he pushed inside me. His thrusts were slow and deliberate. He kissed my throat and behind my ear.
“Ohh,” I whimpered as he drew back and stroked my inner walls with his thickness.
If I could take away the hurt in his eyes, I would. I would love him whole again. I would heal him with my body. Give him pleasure. Take away the pain.
I arched into him, giving him my body. He surged inside me with a vibrating growl. The wave began to build, my need matching his.
“I’m yours,” I whispered. My eyes locked on his. “Yours, You Majesty.”
“Oh God.” He pumped faster. And within seconds I could feel his body tighten.
I gripped his shoulders as we shattered together. Our bodies fighting the pleasure and giving in to the release until we were covered in the glow of making love.
Holy hell, that was entirely different. Damon kissed the side of my neck and gently rested on my breast. I ran my nails over his back. He twitched inside me, but neither of us was anxious to move.
He needed to be anchored within me. It was where I wanted him. We were bound together on so many levels.
“Do you want to tell me what happened now?” I ventured.
He sighed. “Do you know how much I need you, Molly?”
He leaned forward on his arms, hovering over me.
“We need each other,” I answered. The email was lurking in the back of my head. This wasn’t the moment to tell him about it. The guilt started to erode the haze of my afterglow.
He pressed up. The couch wasn’t the most comfortable piece of furniture. It was meant for décor impact, not to binge watch shows all weekend. I doubted anyone in the palace did that.
He looked up, noticing the surroundings. “Nice apartment.” He grinned.
“Thanks. Haven’t you been in here before?”
He shook his head. “Not since it was redecorated.”
I felt a twinge of jealousy. Who had occupied the rooms next to his before I did?
“This is redecorated?”
He laughed. “You should have seen it before. Burgundy and gold everything.”
I stuck out my tongue. “Ok, then this is better.”
He moved to the end of the couch, repositioning me so I lay against his chest. I reached for a cashmere throw at the end of the armrest. It was the softest blanket I’d ever felt. Damon layered it over the side of my body.
“I was at Dominic’s before I came here.” His statement surprised me. I waited for him to continue. Whatever had happened, it wasn’t good new.
“I signed an order.” He sighed.
“What kind of order?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and finger as if he were trying to soothe a headache. “He’s going to rehab.”
I sat forward, the cashmere falling from my hip. “Oh, Damon. I’m so sorry.”
He shook his head. “I should have done it a long time ago.” He pressed his hands to his face, running his palms to his forehead. “I let it get out of control. I let him crash.”
I pulled his heavy hands into mine. “Hey, you’re not responsible for your brother’s choices. You know that, right?”
“But I should have helped him sooner. I’m his older brother, damn it. I let it go too long. I put it on Kenley. I pawned his problems off to her. What kind of man does that to his own family?”
I tried to ease some of his burden. “What’s important is that you’re getting help for him now. Focus on that. When does he leave? Where is this place?”
“Kenley is going with him. It’s in Spain. It’s best if he’s away from Galona press. He leaves tonight.”
“Spain?”
He nodded. “He doesn’t want to go. He’s fighting the entire thing. But he’s still drunk. Of course he’s going to fucking fight.”
I twisted my lips together. “Isabel stopped by today.”
“She did? Was it about Dominic?”
“No. Actually, she really wants to take a trip to Spain. That’s why I was reminded.”
His eyebrows arched. “And she came to you.”
“Yes. She needs a break from Galona. And even though it’s not exactly what she wanted, why don’t you send her with Dominic?”
“Fuck. My family is falling apart. A princess who doesn’t want to be in her own country. A prince in rehab.”
I turned his face to focus on me. “You’re doing everything you can to keep them together. Grant this request for Isabel. Give her some time to recharge her batteries. She’ll be in Spain if Dominic needs anything. And he will get better.”
He grazed my cheeks gently with his fingers and looked deep into my eyes. It felt like he was searching for the answer to some unspoken question.
“You are what I’ve always needed.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “Swear to me you’ll always be here like this when I need you.”
I swallowed hard. “I promise.” I closed my eyes as Damon’s lips pressed to mine.
“Now, let’s go christen the rest of this apartment.”
He pulled me from the couch, lifting me with one quick scoop of his strong arms. I flung my hands around his neck and kicked my legs wildly. He would always be hungry for me. He needed me. I wasn’t about to burden the king with more problems. The email could wait.
Thirty-Nine
Damon
The lodestar clicked open. I sipped my coffee and read the agenda. I smiled when I saw Dominic’s name on my list of appointments. I had a video call with him at three. It had been two weeks since he left the palace, and his progress had been steady. The doctors were pleased.
Isabel was still in Spain, supposedly working on state matters. Outside of my briefing reports, I hadn’t heard from my sister. I had to fight the instinct to call her back to Galona. Molly assured me she’d return when she was ready. I trusted her advice.
I pulled open the top drawer of the royal desk. The ring box sat where it had since the day I brought it home from Vitania’s. I lifted it from the drawer and cracked the lid. The sapphire sparkled in the morning sun.
I plucked the beautiful jewel from its box and carried it to the balcony. The waves crashed in the distance. The staff had brought a full cart of breakfast this morning. There were pastries, bowls of fresh fruit, and a basket of Galona’s most exotic tropical flowers. Everything was exactly how I instructed it to be presented. All of her favorites, down to the color of the china.
I inhaled deeply, my lungs expanding with the sea air.
I quickly snaked my hand around my back when Molly appeared in the doorway. My T-shirt grazed the tops of her thighs. Damn she was sexy, especially wearing my clothes.
Her hair tumbled over her shoulders in amber waves.
“Bonjour, love.” I smiled.
“Bonjour.” She looked at the gilded cart. “Wow, you must be hungry this morning. And mimosas? Are we celebrating something?” She smiled sweetly and reached for the coffee carafe first.
Why the fuck was I suddenly nervous? I could hear the blood pump between my ears.
“Are these fresh raspberries and kiwi?”
I nodded. “They are.”
“Yum. And I love these croissants.”
The sun washed over her, highlighting the blue in her eyes. She’d never looked more beautiful. More like the queen I wanted to make her.
“I fell asleep before you got in last night. Sorry.” She looked up. “But I do have some crazy news. I talked to Brooklyn for an hour.”
I eyed her. “Is this about Roux?”
She nodded. “He’s going to leave Carina.”
“What? I haven’t seen his petition.”
“They just decided last night. I’m sure you’ll have it sometime this week. I can’t believe it. I’m so excited for Brooklyn.”
I watched as Molly heaped the ripe berries on her plate. I couldn’t let Sebastian’s idiocy destroy this morning. For two weeks, I had tried to find the perfect place. The perfect time. But the world kept colliding with my plans. I had to make sure Dominic was settled. The irrigation grants had to be finalized. The Bostique Islands were impatient to start the new trade arrangements.
If I waited for everything in the country and my family to have complete peace, I’d never have my queen.
“Damon? Aren’t you going to say something? Brooklyn and Sebastian are going to be together.” She sipped the coffee. “You are going to grant his request, aren’t you?”
“To abdicate his position as duke and leave his wife?”
“Yes. He’s miserable. He loves Brooklyn. It’s obvious the way he looks at her. You can see that, right?”
I didn’t want to argue. I wasn’t going to fight with her this morning about someone else’s love story.
Today was the beginning of ours.
“Damon?”
I walked to the other side of the table. The ring was pressed between my thumb and fingers.
“Yes, I’ll grant it,” I replied. “I don’t want to talk about Roux. I want to talk about you, Molly.”