Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  “Why is that?” Summer asked, not entirely sure how their relationship was. She was actually surprised her mother wasn’t here now.

  “She’s been upset at me for years,” Sebastian said like it was a normal occurrence. “She broke my heart years ago, and I’m not so sure those feelings have been healed after all this time. I still have a special place in my heart for her. Even though the last words she spoke to me pretty much said that I wasn’t allowed to be in the same room as her ever again.”

  “She politely declined the offer,” Kayla said. “She really didn’t want to see Sebastian, and then seeing how close the two of you are would have been hard to see after so long. She still likes you more than she lets on, Sebastian.”

  “I’ll make sure I’m . . . . out of sight when she drops by,” Sebastian said, ignoring Kayla’s last words. He knew there was no chance there. He had moved on. Mostly. Maybe.

  “Out of sight, but not out of range,” Summer said with a knowing smirk.

  “You know me well, figila,” Sebastian said with a small smile and nod of his head.

  “What is that word?” Zinna asked, her head cocked to the side.

  “Daughter, spoken in Italian,” Sebastian said without missing a beat.

  “So . . . you’re her father?” Zinna asked, trying to piece the puzzle together.

  “How I wish I was,” he muttered. “But no. I am her uncle.”

  “Which would mean you’re my uncle too,” Clare said.

  “Yes,” he said slowly. He hadn't been made aware of who was Clare’s father, exactly, as he never bothered to look too deeply into her history, at least on her mother’s side. He would certainly bring that up with Ivan when he had a chance to.

  “Okay,” Clare said with a shrug. She never did dwell on things for too long. “Cool.”

  “That’s it? No questions?” Sebastian asked, surprised by her response.

  “I didn’t know my father. Heck, I didn’t know either of my birth parents at all. I’m okay with that. My family is here. I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Clare answered.

  “You’re a lot like Grace,” Sebastian said, still calling her the name she had picked out.

  “We’re sisters, so of course,” Clare said with a bright smile. “So tell me, is my father dead?”

  “Yes. John is dead,” Sebastian replied.

  “I would have liked to get more DNA samples off that man,” Kayla mused. “But oh well.”

  “You couldn’t be our father?” Clare asked, sure that the same thought passed through Summer’s head a time or too. It had to have.

  “Positive,” Sebastian said. “I never slept with Emma. Or any woman the year either of you was born. Wish I had, as things would have certainly turned out differently. I was always a man of my word, even towards my brothers who never could keep their dicks in their pants.”

  “Oh, did I tell you Valerie won’t be an issue again,” Chase’s voice rose above the noise towards Trent.

  “Uh, no,” Trent said, his eyes hard at the mention of his ex-wife.

  “Well, she’s not going to pop up anytime soon,” Chase said. “John shot her.”

  “Well damn,” Trent said in surprise. “Never saw that one.” He figured she’d run and hide, popping in when she needed something. Saul was dead, floating in a sea somewhere by now surely.

  “Me either,” Clare said. “But if he hadn’t I would have.”

  “There was a long line for that,” Summer said with a laugh. She was glad that bitch was gone, never to return.

  It was time to move on, and live the life that was meant for her to live all along.

  Chapter 40

  Being away from a lot of the people Summer cared about for over four months, not only taught her how to become stronger but also how to read people better. Knowing how to read between the lines of what was said, and how someone held themselves told more than the actual words that were spoken.

  Summer sat at the kitchen table, a mug of hot tea with a good helping of honey between her hands. The steam billowed upwards in swirls, as her blue eyes bounced back from Sebastian’s relaxed posture as he sat beside her, to Emma who stood momentarily frozen in the doorway of the kitchen.

  Sebastian's eyes were hard despite his relaxed form, daring almost. He had said he’d stay out sight if the woman came by, but someone was supposed to let him know beforehand. Emma wasn’t meant to just be greeted into the house without his knowledge. There was a huge reason, mostly on his part, on why he didn’t want to see Emma face to face.

  Emma had her hair pulled back from her face in a half bun style, a few pieces that weren’t quite long enough fell around her face. Her light blue eyes were alight with a smile until she saw who was sitting at the table with her daughter. The smile had instantly fallen off her face, and a calm cold mask appeared. She was pissed that he got the right to sit there, even after everything he had done. Emma knew Sebastian inside and out, and it just couldn’t be possible that her daughter was so close to him, both physically and emotionally.

  “Sebastian,” she finally spoke, her voice just as cold as her posture. If she could, her flaming eyes would have burnt him to ashes where he sat.

  He simply nodded, never one for many words. He had nothing to say, knowing she’d easily twist it into something he didn’t intend to say. She pursed her lips, not sure how to proceed. She desperately wanted to talk to her daughter, alone. She also didn’t want to see Sebastian.

  Taking a small step into the kitchen, her eyes slowly lost the fight, but for only a moment as she spoke three words, “Do you mind?”

  “Figila,” Sebastian said, eyeing Summer for a moment. “Up to you.” He was putting the ball in the Princess’ court. She could decide on if he should leave or not. Sebastian would do whatever she wished. At that moment, he really didn’t want to leave Summer alone with her mother, no matter that they needed time to talk and reconnect. He just wasn’t ready to give up on his time with the Princess.

  “She’s my daughter,” Emma seethed, glaring daggers at the man. She knew enough Italian to get by, and living with Kayla and Ivan for so long, she picked up more than she would ever use.

  Sebastian only blinked up at her, not surprised by her anger. He could understand it, but that didn’t mean he was going to cater to her wishes.

  “Come on!” Emma huffed out.

  “I’m not leaving unless Grace wants me to,” Sebastian spoke calmly, his eyes daring Emma to challenge him.

  “Leave, Sebastian,” Emma said darkly through clenched teeth.

  “Why do you hate him so much?” Summer asked, looking between them both. “I know you aren’t happy with him, but really, why hold a grudge for so long?” Her voice was calm, not surprised by how either of them was acting. Thinking about it, she had only seen Sebastian pissed once, but he loved a good fight no matter who it was with. He tested everyone’s limits.

  “He chose his path,” Emma bit out with force.

  “And you choose yours before I ever did,” Sebastian replied without missing a beat, leaning forward to stare her down. “You choose my brother, and I moved on.” Well, anyway the best he could after seeing the love of his life choose someone over him. It tore his heart out to stand back and watch Emma bend to his brother’s wishes.

  “You didn’t fight! I expected you to fight for me!” Emma said, nearly shouting. He was meant to fight, but he hadn’t, and that had pissed her off more than anything else.

  “And die at the hands of my brother? You know he would have killed me if I went after you after he already staked his claim, as you certainly had it on you,” Sebastian said, his eyes flashing with fury. “You choose Jason, even after you had an affair with John!” He couldn’t believe that Emma had tried to play three men at once, even though the two of those men were sweet talkers at getting their way.

  “You weren’t to know about that,” Emma said, turning pale, glancing at Summer. It wasn’t something she was proud of and didn’t want her daughter knowing
.

  “She already knows,” Sebastian said. “John has a big mouth, Emma. It was only a matter of time before her lineage really showed itself. Jason, I could have handled him. But when it comes to John, I know to not touch, or even think about touching, what he has claimed.

  I chose the Marcel’s that alone was enough for John to never let me have you. Once you slept with him it was as good as choosing him for good. The only reason he never cared about Jason having you was because he would be the Head of the family over time.”

  “I . . .” Emma began, not sure what to say. “I’m sorry,” she finally muttered out, ducking her head. “I . . . he promised that he could give me shelter, and I believed him. It was after a fight with Jason, and I was young. I didn’t know where to go.”

  “You knew you could come to me,” Sebastian said, his anger slightly calming.

  “No, I couldn’t,” Emma huffed out. “You were doing what you do best.” She couldn’t help but snort out her explanation. “You followed that boy around like he was your own son.”

  “That’s what I was paid to do,” Sebastian said with a blink. How dare she turn his work against him.

  “So why would I go to you?” Emma said, her voice still cold. “You were busy, so I went to John, but only because he showed up when I was at my worst. He took advantage of it. He was sweet and nice to me.”

  “So you just had sex with him?” Sebastian barked out. “I know how he worked. He had a motive. He wanted you because I wanted you.”

  “Did you like John like that?” Summer asked, not sure if she wanted to know the answer to that or not.

  “Yes,” Emma said, looking down at the floor. “He was good looking back then; all three were.”

  “Good thing you never met Gabriel,” Sebastian muttered out.

  “But I always felt closest to Sebastian,” she went on, ignoring the man’s remark, lifting her eyes to meet his. “At the time, I was only seventeen and thought I knew what I was doing. I didn’t really know who these men were, what they did for a living.

  “I just thought . . . thought that I could have all three at one point. Each had something I liked. But I was always drawn to him more than the other two, mostly because he didn’t hide what he did.”

  “I didn’t need to hide. I knew what I did, and who I was,” Sebastian said, keeping his eyes on the girl. “And I knew not to fight for someone that was torn on who to choose.”

  “You still aren’t fighting for that someone,” Emma said, her eyes sad as she took him in.

  “It’s past that time to fight. I already lost you,” Sebastian said.

  “When was that? I haven’t gone anywhere,” Emma said, generally wanting to know.

  “When you told me you were pregnant. I knew that I had no chance with a life that included you. If you would have come to me when things got bad, I would have gotten you out, no matter who the father was. Just because that’s who I am. I would have taken Gracie as my own, and I tried a couple of times to do just that,” Sebastian answered.

  “I tried!” Emma said with a shout. “I went to Kayla, knowing you’d hear that I needed help. And you fucking did nothing!”

  “On the contrary,” Sebastian said, pushing himself up from the table, ignoring the looks from the other room that were coming towards him. He knew that Chase was watching, making sure everything was okay.

  “I did more than you ever could, more than the Marcel's could, even,” he went on, his voice deadly calm. “I checked on Gracie through the years, making sure she was alive. I looked, watching and waiting, for any moment I could take to get her out.”

  “But you didn’t!” Emma said near tears.

  “You’re right, I didn’t,” Sebastian said, holding his head high. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t try. Look at her now, really look.”

  Emma’s watery eyes looked at Summer, seeing how much she had changed.

  “I taught her what life is, giving her a reason to live, to fight. She had always had a fight in her, hidden deep. If it wasn’t for me, she’d have died at the hands of John or Jason years ago. Jason took her to upset you, John made sure of that because he knew he never stood a chance when it came to how you felt about me. You never did hide your feelings well, which your daughter certainly is an open book, just like you,” Sebastian went on.

  “I taught her how to handle herself. She is amazing, and I missed out on her life as much as you have. It doesn’t matter that I gave up on you, but I never once gave up on Gracie,” he finished.

  “Why?” Emma asked out, tears falling from her eyes. “Why couldn’t you just fight for me?”

  “I didn’t need to fight for you, Em,” Sebastian said, taking slow measured steps towards her. “You have always had my heart, and you knew it. Even when you tore it from my chest more than once. I love Gracie like my own, and nothing will make me feel different about that.

  “You should know by now, that I didn’t need to fight,” he went on, now right in front of her. “You did - do.” He took her hands in his, looking deeply into her eyes. Then gave her a sad smile, full of want, desire, and everything else he knew he could never have. Sebastian was always open with Emma about his feelings, and yet she still couldn’t see it clearly.

  She still hung the moon in his eyes.

  With one last lingering look, Sebastian dipped his head, let go of her hands and walked away. He didn’t look back as Emma stood there frozen.

  “Go after him,” Summer said with a small, knowing smile.

  “What?” Emma blinked. Was she really that stuck on her own feelings?

  “He is giving you the perfect opportunity to take a chance, to choose him. Take it. It won’t happen again,” Summer said. She knew Sebastian and knew what he was saying, what he was asking from Emma. He was asking her to be the one to fight to try to work something out.

  “He’s in my office,” Chase said, entering the kitchen and walking to his wife. He couldn’t help but drop a kiss the top of her head, feeling her melt into him, a pleased smile on her face.

  Without another word, Emma turned, briskly walking to where her heart lay.

  “When did you get so smart?” Chase muttered out with a lovesick look. He took a seat in the empty chair Sebastian had sat in a few moments before.

  “I always have been,” Summer said with a smirk.

  “Yes, you have,” Chase said, bringing his lips to meet hers in a sweet kiss. He was smart enough not to deepen it, even as she pouted when he pulled back.

  He couldn’t help but laugh lightly, knowing she loved the attention from him. And he'd do anything to make sure she always had it.

  “Sorry you didn’t get to talk to your mom,” he said. Chase knew they needed to reconnect as much as anyone else.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” Summer said, her voice soft. “She deserves to have a happy ending too. They are both and neither at fault for how things turned out. I certainly don’t blame anyone for how things went. Yes, I wish that things were different, less pain all around. I’m here. Alive. And we are going to be parents.”

  “Have I told you how much I love you,” Chase said in awe.

  “A time or two,” Summer smirked.

  In the next breath, her lips crashed onto his as she straddled his lap. Chase’s hands found their way to her hips, holding her to him as she took control.

  The Prince opened his lips, allowing her access, a moan leaving her chest as their tongues touched, creating the perfect kiss ever to happen in the kitchen. Her hands supported her own weight, placed around his neck, elbows on his shoulders. She’d never tire of kissing him, no matter what. And they certainly had a lot of time to make up for.

  After a few moments, Summer propped her forehead on his, catching her breath. Her blue eyes were filled with desire, hope, and so much love, and Chase would certainly never be able to swim above everything if he swam in an ocean filled with everything she felt.

  Chapter 41

  The next few weeks flew by, faster than Summer thoug
ht would be possible. She wanted to remember every moment with everyone, but it seemed to go by in a blink of an eye.

  Alyssa was doing wonderful, other than not growing like most babies her age should have been. But being so premature, it was understandable. She went to the doctors weekly for weight checks. But she was eating more every day. It just didn’t seem like she was growing.

  Summer’s own pregnancy was going smoothly. She was still barely showing, but after doing another ultrasound, this time, Chase was there, everything looked to be normal. The baby was measuring small, but only by a few weeks. Chase was in shock over how the pictures had come out and made sure to show them off often, and to anyone who would listen.