Page 100 of Duty and Desire

Nick’s face fell. “I’ll be right there, Franz. Thank you.” He looked me in the eye. “This tour isn’t finished, merely postponed.” And with that, he followed Franz from the gallery.

I looked into the face of the late king.

“He told you the truth. He didn’t hide who he was. And what did you do?” I glared at him. “You trampled all over him. You buried him in duty, obligation, expectation. And even when he was out of your sight, you still managed to ruin his life.” I shivered. “If there’s any justice in this world, his subjects will love him for who he is, not whatyoutried to make him into.”

I hurried out of there, my throat tight, praying I could find my way back to my room without a trail of breadcrumbs to follow.

I wouldn’t have believed it possible, but hearing Nick lay bare his fears made me love him even more.

Nick

I led Gio across the courtyard toward the small, solitary building with its spire and circular stained-glass window above the door. Below it on the heavy arch sat a stone eagle, its wings unfurled.

“Didn’t Claudia want to be on this tour too?”

I smiled. “I asked. Her answer was, and I quote, ‘Been there, done that, got the T-shirt.’” I shook my head. “She grows more American every time I see her. And right now she’s exactly where she wants to be—on a date with Franz.”

Gio smirked. “But aren’t you afraid terrorists will hurl ropes over the palace walls, abseil down them, and take you hostage if Franz isn’t here to protect you?”

I laughed out loud. “I love your imagination. Kidnapping me would accomplish very little, but if I found myself in danger, I hope you’d save me. After all, you once told me you could be forceful if the situation demanded it.”

He narrowed his gaze. “Do you remember everything I say?”

I smiled. “Every single word.” I came to a halt. “This is what I wanted you to see.”

Gio peered at the Gothic facade. “It looks like a church.”

“It’s more than that. It’s the Palace Chapel, and for two centuries it’s been a tradition for monarchs to marry within those walls.” I walked up to the wide door and pushed it open, standing aside to let Gio enter first.

“It’s so light in here,” he exclaimed.

The white walls reflected the sunlight that spilled into the small space. The altar was carved from stone, and the pillars supporting the roof were carved too, vines twisting around them from the stone floor to the rafters. Stained glass windows below the rafters portrayed previous kings and queens, and each monarch seemed to stare at the altar.

I stood in front of it, still hearing my father’s voice. I must have been about ten years old, and yet I recalled everything.

“You must remember, Nikolaus. A king must marry for duty, not love.”

I stared at him, my mouth open. “But you love my mother, don’t you?”

He smiled, and even at my young age, I knew this to be a rare occurrence.

“If he is fortunate, love grows from duty. I count myself a fortunate man.”

“Where did you just go?” Gio’s hand was warm on my arm.

“I was thinking about something my father once told me in here when I was small.” I repeated his words.

Gio snickered. “I can name two princes who married for love. One of them is now the King of England, and the other is his son, who’ll be king himself one day.” He glanced at me. “And if they could do it, so could you.”

Maybe. In another country.

Gio went over to one of the pillars and traced the stone vine with his finger. “Nick… Do you think Eisenland will ever be ready for a king with a male consort?”

I bowed my head. “My people are bound by tradition, as am I.”

“That isn’t an answer.”

I let out a long sigh. “Supposing I declared there would be such a marriage. That all such marriages would be legal, not only for the king but for all subjects.”

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