Page 150 of My Five Daddies

“I can’t blame you. He was raging for hours after you left. He thinks you’re going to usurphim.”

Nolan doesn’t blink. “Iam.”

His mother sighs and shakes her head. “I didn’t want it to come tothis.”

Suddenly, I have a bad feeling. I glance at the stewards and the armed guard, and I suddenly don’t know why they’re there. Talk of taking over the kingship like this is dangerous, and I don’t know where the queen stands. I don’t know if she supports her son more than she supports her husband, but I suspect we’re about to findout.

“I gave him a chance,” Nolan says. “And he spat in myface.”

“He needstime.”

“He needs to understand that the old way is gone.” Nolan isn’t backing down, and I’m proud ofthat.

“I know,” she says slowly, making me feel slightly more at ease. “The old ways are dying, as they should. But Nolan, your father made his career in the old way. He sees Julian as an extension of hislegacy.”

“I’m that extension,” Nolan says. “I’m hisson.”

“No, you’re the man that might undo everything he’s done. You must seethat.”

“I’m going to fix this country,” Nolan sayssimply.

“I know you are.” His mother smiles sadly. “But your father can’t seethat.”

I glance at the guards one more time. “We’re on our way to see Julian right now,” I say to thequeen.

“Good.” She nods at the guards. “Bring them withyou.”

I let out a breath. So she’s here to support him, not to stophim.

“I don’t need guards,” hesays.

“Yes, you do. Julian is a snake, fangs and all. Take themen.”

Nolan hesitates before finally nodding. “Very well. They cancome.”

The queen gestures and the guards step forward. There are four men in full combat gear holding assaultrifles.

“Follow the prince, obey his orders into death,” the queensays.

“Yes, my queen,” the men say inunison.

It’s like something from a movie and I can’t help but smile a little as nervous jitters roll through me. Nolan glances at me and smilesreassuringly.

“We’ll be back,” he says to my mother before we start off again. The soldiers follow us but the queen stays behind with her stewards, a sad look on her face, almost like she’s seeing her son finally becoming aman.

I have to hurry to keep up with Nolan. He’s walking with a grim look on his face, and he’s not slowing down. I glance back at the guards, and for the first time since we decided to confront Julian, I start to feel a littleafraid.

“Are you sure this is smart?” I ask Nolan. “He might know we’recoming.”

“He knows,” Nolan says simply. “And I want him toknow.”

“Nolan,” I say. “Wait a second. We should talk aboutthis.”

“We’re done talking,” he says. “If I tell you to stay behind, willyou?”

“No,” I say. “Of coursenot.”

“Then let’s do this together, Hazel. You and me, let’s finishthis.”

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