Page 52 of Crowned for His Son

Eden’s heart wanted desperately to believe this was Azar opening up and supporting her. But while those shadows and walls remained, and her memory was a locked box, how could she trust anything he said?

‘Yes?’ he pressed, when she didn’t respond.

She breathed in deep, her own gaze now locked on the vista so she wouldn’t have to keep pathetically searching his.

Was she not better off hedging her bets until such a time when she knew his true feelings? She’d seen the consequences of rushing in where fools didn’t dare, like her mother did, with only pain and hurt to show for laying her heart on the line.

So, even though her chest squeezed uncomfortably tight at that decision, she dragged her gaze to his, pleased when her composure didn’t crack, and nodded. ‘Of course.’

And surely she misread that tiny flicker of disquiet in his eyes? His slow exhalation that seemed wrapped in the faintest dismay? Because from that moment on, as he expertly conducted a tour of the verdant mountain, it was almost as if they had been in her imagination.

* * *

They slid ever deeper into their roles of Crown Prince and consort, their well-oiled machine presenting a united front, sending even the irascible palace council into muted rhapsodies. Headlines around the world hailed theirs a fairy tale union for the ages, and Max was soon garnering his own adoring following on social media.

And as one month galloped into another Eden learned to live with the thorn in her heart, ignoring the fact that it grew larger every time Azar watched her for one second too long with those shadows still in his eyes.

She even convinced herself she had her every emotion contained.

Until one month after the wedding and several days after Azar’s official coronation, with her as his queen.

The last of the dignitaries and the extensive Domene family had left, the barricades taken down from the roads where thousands had celebrated Cartana’s most triumphant royal event to date.

Spotting Gaspar rushing towards them on their return from dinner with Azar’s worryingly more frail father, Eden exhaled, eager for relief from the constraints of beingonthe whole time. Because even now her assistant trailed after her, reminding her that she was yet to confirm a date for the exclusive interview she’d agreed to with Rachel Mallory.

‘Let’s pick this up tomorrow,’ she said firmly.

Then her heart lurched when she saw the uncustomary pinched concern breaking through Gaspar’s composure. When Eden’s gaze dropped to the fingers drumming against his thigh, alarms bells shrieked within her.

‘What is it? What’s wrong?’ she demanded.

Azar, who’d been on his phone, quickly ended the call, striding to her side as alarm clogged her throat.

‘Gaspar?’ The demand was clipped. Imperious.

‘Your Majesties, it’s about the young Prince—’

‘What about him?’ she screeched, only then taking in the tension amongst the staff hurrying back and forth through the immense palace.

Gaspar looked as close to distraught as she’d seen him. ‘His nanny is on her way, but it seems he’s gone missing.’

‘What?’Sheets of ice wrapped around her soul as she shook her head, unable to fully compute what was happening. ‘When? How?’

Strong fingers wrapped around her wrist, lending her a warmth she wasn’t sure she had a right to accept. Not if her child was in danger and she’d been sipping fine wine at dinner.

Eden recognised abstractedly that she was hyperventilating, her heart going ten thousand miles a minute. But she couldn’t stop it. Fear had taken hold of every atom of her being.

‘Eden.’

The word came sharp and piercing. Commanding her attention. Her eyes met Azar’s, imploring him to send his strength into her.

‘He will be fine.’

‘Y-you don’t know th-that. Oh, God! What if…? What if…?’

She tried to whirl away from him, to compose herself enough so she could think. He stopped her, tugged her hard into his body, wrapping her tight in his strong, warm arms. He held her long enough for a layer of fear to dissipate. Then he captured her chin and tilted her face to his. His eyes blazed with authority and implacable determination.

‘He hasn’t been harmed. I will never allow that to happen. Do you hear me?’

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