The Wild Heir_A Royal Standalone Romance

by Karina Halle

  But they’re smiling.

  Elated.

  Relieved.

  “What did he say?” I ask Magnus who is now giving me a tired, happy smile.

  “He said that he had an infection that caused him to go into shock or something, but they stabilized him and that he’s already showing signs of improvement with antibiotics. They said he may also need a kidney transplant when he gets a bit better, but they’ll have no problems matching him. I’d give my own, but I guess that’s a last resort to ask someone who’s alive.”

  I breathe out a long sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

  He puts his arm around me, holding me close. “I don’t know what I would have done. I really don’t.”

  “But now you know what you can do. Learn from him Magnus. I’m sure he has a whole world he wants to teach you about.”

  He glances at me and then a look of realization seems to come across him, like he’s remembering something. “I tried calling you, you know.”

  “I know,” I say sheepishly. “I turned off my phone after a bit. Chalk it up to being immature.”

  “So, you haven’t talked to Jane yet?”

  “No. Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing,” he says. “Nothing is wrong at all.”

  “I don’t get it.”

  “Heidi,” he says.

  Oh shit. That.

  “What about her?” I ask cautiously.

  He grins at me and lets out a laugh. “She’s done for.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Get this, so Ottar being Ottar, and man I don’t give Samwise much credit, anyway, while you and I were losing our minds, he used his brains and investigated this so-called paternity test.”

  So-called? I like where this is going. “And?”

  “It’s a fake!”

  “What do you mean…a fake?”

  He gives me a wry look. “It means exactly what I said. She faked it, Ella. She faked the whole fucking thing. I can’t believe we didn’t even think to question it.”

  Oh my god. This changes everything.

  “Well I don’t know,” I say slowly. “I’ve never seen a paternity test before, how would we know?”

  “It doesn’t matter though, because it’s fake. She forged it using dead Viking names.”

  “So…now what?”

  He nods excitedly. “So, Ottar and I took the faked paper, and we went straight to the prime minister.”

  “You what?”

  I can’t imagine that going well. Those two seem to be mortal enemies.

  “We had a little chat and made him realize that his daughter needs help. I may have also threatened him with some legal action, slander and extortion and all that jazz, but it worked.”

  “So, for sure she’s not pregnant?”

  “No. Maybe with someone else, but it’s not me. Probably just a food baby. And she won’t be bugging us again, that’s for sure. I feel like her father has no choice but to get her the help she needs.”

  “I wish I could see her face when he tells her what he knows, that she’s a big fat liar.”

  “Yeah, but you know people like that are pathological narcissists, they don’t even see where they went wrong even when it’s rubbed in their face. Believe me, I want to be petty about it too but for now I’m just so fucking happy it’s over.”

  I shake my head. Even more relief is flooding through me, to the point where I can hardly stay on my feet. “I am so relieved. You have no idea.”

  “I think I have an idea, Ella. That was something no couple should ever have to deal with.”

  I grab his hand, squeezing it. “I am so, so sorry I acted the way I did.”

  “So am I. I don’t mind fighting with you, but I don’t want you leaving.”

  “I know. I wasn’t thinking.”

  “I know. Neither was I. You know I saw your wedding band. That fucking killed me, Ella. Killed me. I can’t stand to lose you like that. You’re everything to me.”

  Oh god. More tears are coming. I blink them back.

  “I’m not going anywhere, I promise. For better and for worse. I will never leave you. I will be a leech.”

  “As long as you’re not a barnacle,” he says.

  “And the ring, I always take it off to wash my face. I just forgot to put it back on. Believe me, the ring is pretty, but you’ve imprinted yourself on my heart and that’s something that can’t be taken off.”

  The corner of his mouth tilts into a smile and he cups my face in his hands. “I think the greatest thing my father has taught me already is that I have a Viking heart. And with this heart, I can’t be afraid to love you bravely and boldly. Ella, I have fierce love for you, the kind that eats me up inside, the kind that influences everything I do. This fierce love might scare the both of us from time to time but it’s mine and it’s yours.” He pauses, his smile deepening. “Exceptionally yours.”

  I laugh. “Not that again.”

  “But doesn’t it make more sense now?”

  I sigh happily and rest my head against his chest.

  Everything makes sense now.

  Twenty-Four

  Magnus

  Three months later

  I run the silky blindfold through my fingers, biting my lip at how Ella is going to react to all of this.

  She’ll never have seen it coming.

  Literally.

  “Close your eyes,” I tell her, standing right behind her.

  “They’re closed,” she says as I bring the blindfold around her face and tie it behind her eyes.

  “You can’t see out?”

  “Not a thing,” she says.

  “Perfect.” I grab her by the shoulders and turn her around. “God, you look sexy with that on.”

  She grins, her cheeks making the blindfold rise. “I told you I was up for anything.”

  “Okay, now I’m going to put you in the car.”

  She flinches. “Okay. Wait. I thought you had a surprise for me?”

  “Yeah, but you need to get in the car, so I can take you there. Come on.” I take her hand and lead her out of the parlor room and through the front door that Einar is holding open for us. I exchange a knowing look with him and he actually smiles in return.

  It’s been three months since Ella and I had our first major fight, three months since my father nearly died in front of my eyes. Three months since both Ella and I have started to carve out a bright new life for ourselves.

  Even though the shit with Heidi was crazy, it served its purpose. It brought us closer together, to know that even if something that destructive is dropped on our lap, we love each other enough to navigate through it. Our marriage might be new, it might have developed under unconventional circumstances, but it’s ours to mold and to keep. We may be young, and we may make mistakes, but we’re in it all together to the very end.

  As for Heidi, well the last I heard she moved up north to Trondheim after a bout of psychological treatment. I don’t ask the prime minister about her often because she’s honestly just a speck inside my brain, but when I do, it also subtly reminds him that I’m not someone to be trifled with. Not even a little.

  My father pulled through and had a kidney transplant just the other week. He’s back in the hospital over that, but he’s in great spirits and we’re all hoping this means he’ll make a full recovery. I’m just fucking lucky that I was able to tell him all the things I meant to tell him.

  Of course, being my father, he said he already knew how much I loved him. I’m glad I’m not that hard to read. Sometimes being an open book is a blessing.

  But I’m trying not to be an open book today, not with the surprise I have planned for Ella.

  I help Ella down the stairs and get her in the backseat. Ottar and Lady Jane get in as well, but they don’t say anything. The point is for her to think we’re going alone.

  Only half way through the drive into Oslo, Ella starts sniffing the air.

  “I smell herring.”

  Oh shi
t.

  I think she’s gotten enhanced sense from the blindness.

  Jane is wide-eyed in a who me? expression even though Ella can’t see it.

  “Herring and Old Spice.”

  Now Jane and I are looking at Ottar. He shrugs.

  “Oh wait, now I smell…what is that…bullshit and lies?” Ella reaches out for me and manages to smack my thigh. “You told me we were going somewhere alone.”

  “I had a change of heart. Just don’t lift up the blindfold, you’ll spoil everything.”

  “Ottar, Jane,” she says. “That’s you, right?”

  Jane tries to stay quiet, shaking her head but then bursts out laughing. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry I had lunch right before, even though you said not to Magnus.”

  I’m running a finger across my lips, telling her to zip it.

  “Why couldn’t she have lunch?” Ella asks. “Magnus, where are you taking me?”

  “You know, the best part of this whole experience is the thrill of the unknown.”

  “Oh my god, you’re not making me do skydiving are you, because I will murder you, I swear I will.”

  “Calm down, will ya? You’re so untrusting.”

  “Because I’m married to someone who probably thinks blindfolding someone and pushing them out of an airplane is a good time.”

  “That’s not what’s really happening, is it?” Jane whispers.

  I give her a look to shut up. “No. It’s not. Okay, how about we all sit in silence until the ride is over.”

  “Agreed,” Einar says from the driver’s seat. “You people never shut up. No offense, sir.”

  “None taken.” I always knew one day Einar would snap.

  The silence is short-lived because before long we’re pulling up alongside Oslo’s harbor. Even though it’s April, it’s still fairly cold out and the harbor is pretty quiet, just a few tall ships and fishing boats.

  I help Ella out of the car and lead her down along the cobblestones of the harbor’s edge, past the Nobel Peace Prize Museum. Seagulls cry out and whirl above our heads.

  “We’re by the ocean,” she says, breathing in deep with a smile on her face. “Ahh. It smells like spring.” She pauses. “Are we going sailing?”

  It’s at this point I know that I’ll have to take the blindfold off.

  I glance down at the docks below us.

  Right there at the end of the dock is a black inflatable-hull boat, about twenty-feet long, with rows of seats and storage compartments at the back, as well as a giant propeller motor that must weigh a ton.

  “Are you ready?” I ask her, positioning her so that she’s facing the water and the boat. “Just keep in mind if you step forward any more, you’re going to tumble into the sea.”

  She stiffens. “What?”

  “Relax,” I tell her, slipping one arm around her waist. “I’ve got you.” With my other hand I pull loose the blindfold and it’s swept away by the breeze. Damn it. I could have used that later.

  She doesn’t know where to look for a minute and then she gasps, probably because she’s on the edge about ten feet above the docks. I hold her back against me so she’s not going anywhere and wait for her to really see it.

  When she does, she gasps.

  “Oh my god!’

  “Surprise!” I tell her, kissing her cheek. “There’s your first official boat.”

  The boat has the logo of her environmental organization at the front of the ship—Ocean Crusaders. At the back of the boat, there’s the actual name of the vessel.

  Princess Planet.

  She bursts out laughing when she sees it. “You didn’t!”

  I grin at her, so happy this is her reaction. “I did.”

  She turns around to stare at me with wide, awestruck eyes. “Magnus. I can’t believe you did this.”

  I’d been planning on doing it for a while. Ella just stared up her organization and while she’s knee-deep in sorting everything out and hiring people and figuring out the next plan of action, I wanted to show her how much I support her goals and her dreams. She’s out to make a difference in the world, and I’ll do everything I can to help her do that, personally and politically as well.

  “I know you’re just getting it off the ground and probably won’t need a boat for a little while longer but when you do, whether you’re going to go free Willy or yell at tourists for getting too close to endangered rocks or something, this is your vessel.”

  “Congratulations,” Jane says, clapping. “Now, do we get to go on it?”

  I raise my hand. “I’m driving.”

  “Oh, hell no,” Ottar says. “Einar should drive.”

  “Actually, I’m driving,” Ella says, holding her hand out for the key.

  “Is that so?” I ask while I reach into my pocket and pull it out.

  “It’s my boat,” she says smartly. I place it on her hand and she snatches it up with a grin. “This will be the closest I’ll get to your adrenaline sports, Magnus, mark my words.”

  We’ll see about that, I think, following her down the gangplank to the docks.

  “Hey, does sex count as an adrenaline sport?” I ask.

  She shakes her head. “Honestly, Magnus.”

  “Yeah, honestly Magnus,” Jane adds.

  I sigh.

  Epilogue

  ELLA

  A year later

  “I now pronounce you husband and wife, again,” Erik says. “You may kiss the bride.”

  I grin at Magnus as he leans in, cupping my face with his palm. His eyes twinkle with love and adoration and a hint of something wicked before his lips press against mine and he envelopes me in a long, slow kiss. A sweet spring breeze picks up and flows through us, bringing the smell of glacial water and flowers.

  Everyone claps and cheers.

  And by everyone, I mean everyone that matters the most to us.

  There’s Jane.

  Ottar.

  Einar.

  The King.

  The Queen.

  All of Magnus’s sisters.

  There’s my father, and, low and behold, my brothers, most of whom spend their time ogling Magnus’s sisters, even after being told off by Cristina, but hey, at least they’re here.

  There’s Viktor and Maggie.

  There’s Harold, Maud and Guillermo.

  And of course, Slender Man, our officiant. Apparently, it became a side business of his right after I first met him.

  There are even two wedding photographers, Russian twins that Magnus likes to call the T-1000. I guess because they tend to be everywhere, Magnus just went right ahead and hired them, just to make it official. If you can’t beat them, join them.

  Or hire them, as it were.

  We’ve all been gathered on the top of Kjerag mountain where Magnus usually does his BASE jumping. And even though that’s not out of the question today, the reason we were really here was to renew our vows.

  Yup. We’ve only been married for over a year, but Magnus had the crazy notion a couple of months ago that we should do it right this time.

  Now, I happen to think that the nationally-televised wedding we had was doing it right, but I saw where Magnus was coming from. Mainly, he wanted this to be something that the both of us planned, that was under our control. Most of all, he wanted to get the proposal right all over again. I’m not sure that question time was all that official.

  So, he got down on one knee and proposed and gave me a ring that he picked out himself—diamonds and orange garnets—and with that, we were doing things honestly. We’re not starting over, far from that, but at least it got to be on our terms.

  The truth is, a lot has happened in a year.

  My non-profit organization, Ocean Crusaders, managed to stop illegal fishing vessels off the coast of Iceland and we started a campaign to eliminate whaling in Norway by 2025. It’s been a slow process and there’s a lot of opposition, but that doesn’t stop us or scare us. In fact, one of the things that keeps us going is the youth in this country.
They’re numerous, passionate and progressive and it’s through their voices, particularly through the high schools, that a lot of the changes have already begun.

  It just gets me so excited to get out of bed every day and see what kind of challenge I’ll be up against with all these like-minded people at my side. It gives me hope and light and peace to know that surely but steadily I’m making a difference and I’m giving a voice to the powerless. This is exactly what my dreams have been made of and now I’m finally living it, with the man I love at my side.

  We still don’t have a dog yet. But I’m working on it.

  As for my father, we’re definitely closer. I visit him every few months for “diplomatic business” which is really just hot-air ballooning with him and Schnell (it’s his new hobby). We talk a lot, sometimes about business, mostly about my mother. It’s nice to know that I have that relationship with him but it’s also nice to know that I don’t need it to validate me.

  On the other side of the family, the King has made a full recovery, but Magnus has really stepped up in his role of heir. He’s balancing his ADHD with mild medication and spending a lot of his time focusing on that aspect of his life. He’s attending all the high council meetings, as well as meetings with the prime minister. They still don’t get along, but at least there is respect. He’s also acting as King Regent and traveling on behalf of his father when he doesn’t feel up to going.

  I couldn’t be more proud of him, taking on the new responsibilities with the same kind of zest and gusto that he has for other things in life.

  But of course, he’s still Magnus.

  And we wouldn’t be up here at the top of this cliff if he didn’t have some dastardly plan to jump off of it.

  “As you all know,” Magnus says to the small crowd, “this is a very special place to me.” We’re gathered about twenty-feet back from the edge. It’s been a hell of a climb to get here so there wasn’t much to the actual ceremony because we couldn’t transport anything up the mountain (except for all the old folks—they were dropped off by royal helicopter) and all of us are wearing layers of warm clothing to deal with the high altitude.