Page 116 of Duty and Desire

“What surprises me is that you weren’t here sooner, given the circumstances.”

That answered one question. “Then you know.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course I do. My aide told me. I still think you acted rudely, disappearing like that. All those people were here at your invitation.”

I stared at her. “One, I doubt they even missed me. And two, I think dealing with this situation was more important.”

“You really think so? We’ll simply issue a statement first thing in the morning, denying everything. Then we’ll get an injunction, preventing any further lies from being printed.”

Then it hit me. “You don’t care, do you? This hasn’t disturbed your little world one bit.”

Karoline frowned. “What is there to care about? A sensationalist headline? Someone trying to stir up trouble? These things happen, Niko. The best thing we can do is make sure everyone sees it for the libelous garbage that it is, then move on.” She smiled. “Do you know the best way to silence wagging tongues? We bring the wedding forward. There’s no reason to wait, after all. And by the time?—”

I held my hand up. “Please, stop talking. Because I really can’t listen to another word of this.”

Her mouth fell open once more, and her eyes widened. “Niko…”

I let out a sigh. “There’s something I should have told you years ago, but I never had the courage. I felt sure my father would have said something if I had.” I looked into her eyes. “I hate it when you call me Niko. It implies a shared intimacy, and that isn’t the case, is it? To be honest, I find it a little impertinent. After all, you never once asked me if I minded you calling me that.”

She paled. “You… you’ve never spoken to me like this.”

“You’re right, I haven’t. But the situation has changed.” I walked over to her and took her hands in mine. “I will not be denying one word of that article, do you hear me?” I locked gazes with her. “Because it’s true. I’m gay. And no, this isn’t a recent thing. I knew I was gay when we met for the first time.” I managed a wry chuckle. “And while I’m sure you’re a remarkable woman, you don’t possess the power to turn a gay man straight. Well, notthisman, at any rate.”

Karoline stared at me, her face a mask of shock. Then she wrenched free of my hands. “That writer… the one who’s staying here… It’s him, isn’t it?”

“I thought you’d read the article. It names Gio.”

She blinked. “Of course I didn’t read it. That scurrilous headline was more than enough.” She sneered. “Iknewthere was something wrong with him. I felt it throughout that whole conversation.”

How I kept my voice even I would never know.

“That’s strange. During that exchange allIcould think of wasthat there was something wrong withyou.” She gasped, but I paid no attention. “We met on Bora-Bora. We fell in love.” I swallowed. “I’m not naïve enough to believe we can stay together, but one thing Iamcertain of.” I expelled a long breath. “You and I will not be married.”

She said nothing, her eyes glacial. I readied myself for her next verbal onslaught. But as I watched, her shoulders sagged, and the light died in her face. “I think part of me has always known. Not the gay part—I never suspected that—but the fact we were never close.”

“How could we be? I didn’t choose you, and you didn’t choose me. The only people who thought us well-suited were our fathers.”

Karoline raised her chin. “So this is how it ends between us.”

I blinked. “You’re not going to reason with me? Tell me I have to do my duty? You’re going to give up, just like that?”

Her expression was impassive. “You said it yourself. I don’t possess the power to turn a gay man straight. Nor do I have any desire to do so. I think that would prove a fruitless task. And the thought of a sham marriage?” She grimaced. “I have needs too, Nik—Your Majesty. Why would I want to bind myself to a man who would never love me the way I needed to be loved?” Her eyes gleamed. “I am enough of a realist to know it would be better to…. What is that phrase Americans use? Ah yes—‘cut and run’. Because to be a queen in these circumstances is not something I wish to contemplate.” She peered at me. “What will you do now?”

My head was still spinning from the direction our discussion had taken.

“I was about to ask you the same question. You’ve spent most of your life preparing to be a queen, the dream of many little girls, I suppose. You’re used to being royalty.” I tilted my head. “So what are your options?”

She huffed. “I’ll think about that when I’ve had some sleep. Do you know whatyournext move will be, or is this a spur-of-the-moment decision, and you’re as lost as I am?”

That was the only part Iwassure about.

“I’m going to tell the Prime Minister, and everyone else in mycabinet, that there will be no wedding. And as for what happens after that?” I shrugged. “I have no idea. Let’s deal with one hurdle at a time.”

And once I’d called off the wedding, I’d have to decide where my future lay.

The throne—or Gio.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

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