Page 55 of Crowned for His Son

Ramon looked visibly relieved to see the young Crown Prince safe and sound. His gaze shifted to his boss as Azar turned to him.

‘First thing tomorrow—’

‘We’ll set up further security measures, Your Majesty,’ Ramon pledged, uncharacteristically interrupting his sovereign in his desperation to reassure him that this wouldn’t ever happen again.

Eden felt his gaze on her, including her in that pledge, but she was too absorbed in reassuring herself that her son was fine and unharmed to respond.

Another sob bubbled up, and Azar gruffly instructed everyone to leave. The moment the door shut behind them he gently scooped Max into his arms. He stirred briefly, then settled against his father’s chest. Azar’s other arm came around Eden and he murmured soft, soothing words against her ear in Cartanian as she sobbed quietly.

With relief for his safety.

With gratitude that, for the first time, she hadn’t endured a horrible experience alone.

And with sadness. Because too soon she would need to return to emotional solitude, suppress this yearning for love and a home even more.

‘It’s okay,tesoro. He’s fine.’ Azar’s lips found the corner of her mouth in a swift, firm kiss before he gripped her nape to angle her face towards his. ‘Let’s put him in his proper bed, shall we?’

Nodding brokenly, she held on tight to him as they returned to Max’s room.

Only to feel her spirits plummeting all over again when, in the living area of their suite, she saw who was waiting for them.

With every bone in her body she wished she could override politeness and keep walking. Her overwrought emotions still lingered on the surface, and this encounter was the last thing she needed.

‘I’m told you’re having trouble keeping track of your offspring,’ Azar’s mother drawled.

Despite addressing them both, her critical gaze remained firmly on Eden.

She looked extremely well put-together, considering it was almost midnight. Compared to her, Eden felt like a grape left too long in the sun—not fresh, almost entirely wrinkled. Grimacing inwardly, she was relieved when Azar, still cradling Max, turned to her.

‘Go on—I’m right behind you,’ he murmured, but he didn’t wait for Eden to leave before he answered his mother. ‘That “offspring” is your grandson. And if you’re here to express anything but support I suggest you leave.’

Queen Fabiana stiffened, her son’s tone leaving her in no doubt that he wasn’t in the mood for her antics. ‘I just came to see that he was okay, Azar. No need to be snippy.’

He took one more step towards her with a nod. ‘Thanks for your concern, but we’re all fine.Buenos noches, Mamá.’

Her face clenched at the blatant dismissal, and she shot Eden a venomous look, but once again Eden couldn’t bring herself to care.

The pain at her temples was intensifying.

She rubbed at them as they entered Max’s room. ‘I get why your mother doesn’t likeme, but why does she…?’

‘Actively despise me?’

At her gasp, he smiled stiffly. ‘Long story short: she’s never forgiven my father for fathering other offspring. She wanted him to reject Teo and Valenti. Papá refused. I was caught in the crossfire of their battle until I was old enough to remove myself from it. She’s never forgiven me for forming a bond with my half-brothers and not taking her side in hating the whole world for what she deems her suffering.’

Eden frowned. ‘But…she was Queen. She had everything your half-brothers and their mother didn’t.’

His nostrils flared. ‘You have front row seats to the reality that wealth and a royal title don’t equal happiness.’

What he didn’t add, and what Eden suddenly realised, was the fact that his mother was the reason he craved control. Why he was so often aloof to the point of detachment. Perhaps even why he wanted to forge a different path for himself when it came to being a father to Max.

Suddenly her throat was clogging again, her heart clenching in understanding and in foolish, dangerous sympathy. Yearning…

Because if Azar was as broken as her… If her foolish heart forged a connection…

Swallowing, she held out her hands.

Azar placed Max in her embrace where, after a moment, he whimpered as he protested at her fierce cuddle.

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