Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  “I knew you needed out because come your eighteenth birthday, Jason had plans to marry you to John’s godson, Nick, tying two family blood lines together forever,” he went on. He suppressed his shudder, while Summer’s face turned to fury at the words.

  That Summer did know about. She never liked to think of being forced to marry, but thankfully it wasn’t so bad being married to the man she was in love with. She’d have killed herself for sure if John ever had given her to that vile man Nick. She was ready to do it that day her husband came and saved her as it was.

  “If Chase hadn’t got to you that day that he did, I would have come and got you myself. I wouldn’t allow my brother to marry you off, knowing what he had in store. He would have forced you to carry a child, at least one, if not more. He wanted an army, and he’d do just about anything to get it,” Sebastian said, keeping his eyes on Summer.

  “I sent Chase pictures of a few women – girls – to look through to pick his wife. I gave them to Trent to give to the Prince. I knew that man wouldn’t dare look at them if they came just from me. There was about ten to choose from, and I knew once he saw your picture in that group I hand selected, he’d have no doubt about what had become of you.

  “Chase was always worried about you, even as he tried to hide those feelings. He lost track of you for years at a time, but I never once did. His reason to live was tied to you; his feelings were for you only. So I egged him on, hinting as much as I could for him to just go pick you. I was afraid he’d be too late in doing so.

  “But he surprised me, finally, at the last minute. He not only picked you but Clare, too. Now, that I didn’t expect. Clare was just a girl, who had been in the wrong place at the wrong time more times than she should have been. I didn’t think she’d make it far. She’s a sweet girl.” He gave a small smile at the younger girl. She was her own person; always had been from what he knew of her.

  Sebastian paused, scratching his head, thinking about how to go on. There was so much to say, and not nearly enough time. He didn’t even know about Clare until those pictures, but it wasn’t confirmed until Kayla had completed the DNA test results. The only thing about the test results was who the real father of these two girls was.

  Sebastian begged Kayla to not say a word, and she hadn’t. He wasn’t thrilled that Jason had used his first love against him. But that was a story for a different time. He didn’t feel the need to include Summer in on that right now. Surely, Chase would know about the real results soon enough.

  “I hated leaving you in that place,” Sebastian finally sighed out, running a hand through his hair. “I had Ivan send me some pictures after Chase got you out. I really didn’t think you would have made it this far.

  “I was certain that when you were in the hospital,” he swallowed, refusing to say why she had been there. It broke his heart seeing her like he had.

  It was definitely not one of her proudest moments, and she couldn’t help but look away from him as he went on. “I showed up, wanting to see you for myself.”

  His heart was heavy, remembering how she had looked so small on that bed, hooked up to an IV. Summer had been so very small and pale. Chase had his head down over their clasped hands.

  “I knew right then and there, and Chase would do anything to keep you safe. He had big ideas about just bringing your father down, and John too. He wanted them killed, to rot in hell, just because they threatened his status, and how things were run.

  “I knew he loved you. It was clear with how he didn’t even know I was there in the shadows, looking on. He worried over you, and snapped at just about anyone,” he went on. “But anyone that looked on, his love was showing loud and clear.

  “I knew that if you didn’t live, he’d go on a rampage and kill everyone that ever dared look at him wrong. If you did live, and that was the only time I ever recall praying he’d kill anyone that threatened you. He no longer cared about John, at least not so much.

  “Chase loves you with all his heart and soul,” Sebastian said. It was plain as day. Her love for him shown just as brightly.

  “Of course I do,” Chase spoke from the doorway, arms crossed over his chest.

  Summer’s head whipped up, her heart picked up speed. She had to be dreaming. It wasn’t possible.

  Her eyes looked him up and down. Although his hair was shorter, it was still the perfect length to hold onto. His face had a shadow of growth. His clothes were more laid back but had a bad boy feel to them with his washed out jeans and leather jacket.

  How long had he been there? Summer wasn’t sure, but her eyes were glued to him, and she didn’t dare blink.

  It couldn’t be possible, could it?

  “Summer,” Chase said, her name a whisper on air. His eyes roamed over her in the same manner. She was dressed simple and comfortable, and in what he gathered to be her own style. She was so different, but yet the same. Her time here really had been for the good.

  That one whispered word had Summer up and moving before her brain told her legs to move. Within seconds, Summer’s arms were wound around Chase’s torso.

  He gave out a small huff as her body collided with his, but it didn’t stop him from returning the hug as tightly as he dared. His nose found its way to her hair, taking her scent into memory. Summer wouldn’t be letting go of him anytime soon. There was no chance in Hell.

  “I missed you,” she cried, not caring that she was getting his shirt wet with tears. Summer didn’t think she missed him as much as this, but seeing him, feeling him, made her realize how deeply she did miss her husband.

  “Missed you too, honey,” Chase said, choking back tears. There was so much he wanted to say, but right at that moment, all he wanted was to hold his wife. He’d never let her go again.

  Chapter 29

  Summer never wanted to let go. She hung to Chase almost too tightly, willing this to not be a dream. She wouldn’t be able to handle it if it was merely a dream to torment her.

  Chase kept mumbling words to her, trying to calm her down. He had thought she was okay here, safe even. He was confused as to why she was so emotional. From what he could see of her before she flung herself into his arms, Summer was safe and healthy.

  He could see that Summer had changed, and for the better. She was stronger. She had life in her, fight within her soul. She’d make it through life without any more fear, that was for sure.

  Whatever Sebastian had helped her do, he did it well. Chase wasn’t sure he even wanted to know what that included.

  When Ryder demanded Chase to go, knowing that the Prince would ring any neck if someone said one wrong word or made one wrong move, Chase was quick to have Carter get the family jet ready for flight.

  Chase didn’t question why his right-hand man demanded him to be out of the city and with his wife. Nor did he question why Ryder had the entire whereabouts of where his Princess had been all along.

  He didn’t question it. Chase went on autopilot, filled with fear, worry, but also happiness. He couldn’t pick just one thing to feel as his emotions were all over the place. The only thing he knew for certain was that he had to be there.

  He had no idea what he was walking in on when he finally arrived two hours later. He was filled with panic when Gabriel was the one that answered the door, a knowing look on his face. The two men hardly spoke words, as Chase looked everywhere for his wife.

  Where was she? She wasn’t in the house that he could tell.

  Gabriel simply pointed towards the back of the house before making himself scarce, but not without giving Chase a hard look and muttered words about not making the girl upset.

  Like Chase would ever make his wife upset. At least not on purpose.

  Chase couldn’t help his surprise that so many people were protecting his wife. He knew he shouldn’t be as Summer always drew people in, but he was still happy nonetheless.

  So now, after hearing what Sebastian had to say, he couldn’t deny that the time here for Summer was in her favor. Sebastian had do
ne more than Chase ever could to prepare his wife for what was to come. He just never would have it in him to push her limits like Sebastian could.

  He never wanted to let her go as her body molded to his. She was safe, healthy, and no harm had come to her.

  After a few minutes, Chase picked Summer up, knowing that she would eventually cry herself to sleep as her tears grew in force and her sobs built up, soaking his shirt. He didn’t care, he was more than happy to let her get his shirt as wet as she wanted.

  Summer wedged her head into the crook of his neck, sniffing and mumbling what sounded like gibberish against his skin. Her lips would brush against his skin, sending tingles down his spine. Man did he ever miss her.

  Chase walked into the living room, seeing Sebastian give him a slight nod before heading up the stairs further away, but yet not far enough at the same time. He took a seat on the couch, letting Summer come to terms on her own.

  He rocked her back and forth, humming and whispering words of comfort, hoping to slowly bring her out of whatever she was feeling. Chase had expected tears, but not this. It was not quite the reunion he had foreseen.

  “Missed you so much,” Chase muttered against her head before pressing his lips to her hair.

  He did notice that her hair was different, but it fit her. She was completely different from what he had remembered. He couldn’t help but worry that her feelings for him had changed too; his sure hadn’t.

  He wasn’t sure how long they sat there before Sebastian came in to check on them. Without saying a word, he took the blanket that Summer used often that was on the chair and covered her with it.

  Chase's arms held her tightly against him. His arm brushed across her stomach, but things didn’t click for the man as his thoughts were only on her feelings. Plus, with the way they both sat in the chair, a small rounded stomach seemed normal, didn't it?

  Not that Chase's mind was comprehending much except the fact he had his Princess back in his arms.

  The tie blanket was from a friend in town, given to Sebastian about a year ago. Handmade with white and blue camo design on one side, and black on the other. It was soft and warm, so he never once complained about the girl using it. Sebastian surely never used it.

  He gave the Princess a soft smile, laying the blanket over her. Summer refused to let go of Chase, even though they both needed to talk about a number of things.

  “Thank you,” Chase whispered, looking at Sebastian. He was thanking him for more than just the blanket.

  “Anytime,” Sebastian said, nodding his head. His voice was quiet, not wanting to disturb Summer who was slowly calming down as sleep overtook her.

  “We need to talk,” Chase said as Sebastian took a few steps back.

  “Yes, we do,” Sebastian said. “Now is as good a time as any.”

  “Not sure that would be wise,” Chase said, glancing down as his wife. He knew he needed to talk to this man who kept her safe but wasn’t sure how much she knew of their history.

  “She knows most of our history, Chase,” Sebastian said quietly, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “I did tell her many things, making sure she would be prepared when things are said about anyone tomorrow. You as well as I know they will go for the shock value on the things said to her.”

  “You knew this would happen, didn’t you?” Chase asked, his heart heavy.

  “I’ve known it was a possibility, yes,” Sebastian replied his voice calm. “I tried to get you to expect a number of things throughout the years. But you tend to be stubborn on certain things.”

  “When it comes to her, yes,” Chase said, not upset. “She’ll always come first. You know that.”

  “Which is why I kept tabs on her. I just wish I could have prevented her all this pain,” Sebastian stated.

  “Don’t we all,” Chase muttered out. “How has she been?”

  “She’s strong,” Sebastian said with a fond smile. “She’s perfect and will blow everyone away with what she can do. Don’t doubt her. She’s strong enough to get through tomorrow.”

  “Not sure I am,” Chase said, looking back down at his sleeping wife who still clung to him with a death grip.

  “You will be,” Sebastian said with a smirk. “She’ll make damn sure you are. She’s a little firecracker.” That was an understatement.

  “Thank you for sending her my way,” Chase said. His father took long enough to tell him about Sebastian’ role in everything. He had never realized that the man that kept him safe through most of his childhood and was the man that kept his wife safe too. There was so much more to Sebastian than anyone ever let on.

  “It’s what I do,” Sebastian said with a shrug. He knew nothing else but to keep the ones he called family safe.

  “She trusted you?” Chase asked, wanting to know how their relationship was. He knew Summer didn’t trust just anyone.

  “Took some time, but yes,” Sebastian said. “A lot of work on both of our parts, of course. But we got through it. She’s . . . .” he wasn’t sure how to say how their relationship was, exactly. He knew he viewed her as a daughter, and he rightfully should have been. He wasn’t sure Summer felt the same way towards him. It was close, but not quite there.

  “He’s family,” Summer said, blinking her eyes opened sleepily.

  Summer blinked up at Chase as Sebastian broke out in a wide smile, pleased that she felt the same way. He knew he’d never be able to be her father, but that would never stop the way he felt about her. Being called part of her family was more than enough.

  “He’s more than family,” Chase said after a moment of thought, not taking his eyes off of Summer. His green eyes were filled with hope, worry and so much happiness.

  “I’m good with being family,” Sebastian said before Chase could say anything else. “I’m just . . . gonna go start on dinner.”

  “I can do that,” Summer yawned out. Not that she wanted to get up and do anything, but she would.

  “Don’t worry about it, figila,” Sebastian said, his voice gentle. “You two have a few things to talk about, I’m sure.”

  Summer simply tilted her face towards Sebastian, giving him a soft smile. She kept her head leaning against Chase, though. She didn’t want to ever move.

  That was until the little one in her stomach kicked her in the bladder, and Summer grimaced.

  “What’s wrong?” Chase was quick to ask as Sebastian held in his laugh.

  “I have to pee,” Summer pouted out. At her words, Sebastian chuckled.

  Sebastian was used to such randomness with her now. Being around Fayth had helped the Princess quite a bit too, but being pregnant made Summer pee a lot more often. She tended to not have much of a filter when she first woke up or was over emotional.

  Chase wasn’t sure how to respond to that, instead just giving her an amused smile, and loosening his arms to let her go. His hand brushed over her swollen stomach, but yet again, it didn’t register as her beauty of her face dragged all of his attention.

  With a shy smile, Summer kissed his cheek before making her way off his lap and shuffling to the bathroom. Chase was tempted to follow her, but wisely stayed put.

  Sophie took that moment to jump up onto the couch, laying her head on Chase’s lap with a huff. Apparently, the dog demanded attention now that the Princess was out of sight.

  “That’s Sophie,” Sebastian said with a glance, not surprised that the dog took to Chase as much as she had to the Princess. “Grace’s dog.”

  “Grace?” Chase repeated, confused, but he didn’t stop petting the dog.

  “Your Princess,” Sebastian said with a roll of his eyes. “She picked her name. No one here knows who she really is. Well, other than Fayth, of course.” And the OBGYN, but he left that out.

  “And who is that?” Chase asked in a demanding voice. What had Sebastien been up to here? He wasn’t even sure he wanted to know that answer.

  “A close friend of Grace’s,” Sebastian said. He’d let the Prince find out who she was on
his own. He knew that she’d have a few words for him.

  “Someone likes you,” Summer said with a smile as she stood near Chase, seeing her dog practically on his lap. She felt much better after relieving her bladder and even brushed out her hair before throwing it up into a ponytail.

  “Guess so,” Chase said, smiling at his wife. “Feeling better?”

  “Much,” Summer said with a happy sigh. “Sorry about the whole . . . well, ya,” she said with a wave of her hand.

  “She’s a bit emotional,” Gabriel said with a tenderness as he walked into the room. He couldn’t help but give the said girl a small smile, showing that he was only joking.