Page 75 of Duty and Desire

“He was going to tell me,” I murmured. I was certain of it. That still left the question of why he’d waited so long.

“Gio.” Kai’s voice was low, his tone soothing.

I stared at him. “Nowwhat do I do?”

“If this is for real, then we need to face something.” He expelled a breath. “Nick isn’t coming back.”

“Why can’t Gio go to this country and find him?” Desperation laced Aulani’s suggestion.

Kai stared at her. “And do what? Demand he gives up his throne for Gio? Comes back here? It isn’t going to happen. Be realistic. This isn’t some fairytale romance. He’s going to be a king, with responsibilities.” Kai glanced at me. “We won’t see him again.”

I didn’t want to hear that.

I couldn’t accept that.

But even as I resisted, the knowledge seeped deeper, until it settled around my heart like a cold hand.

He’s gone. And I couldn’t do a damn thing about it, except grieve.

Not for his father and brother. What I knew about them told me I wouldn’t have liked them much.

No, I was grieving for myself, for my loss. I knew it was selfish. Nick had just lost his family, and my hurt was tiny compared to what he had to be going through.

It didn’t alter the fact that losing him left a wound that was going to take a long time to heal.

If it ever did.

“I’m going home,” I announced. “Aulani, do you need a ride?”

I felt dead inside.

She shook her head. “Malie took me to your bungalow. I can find my own way home.” She laid her hand on my arm. “But maybe it’s better if I come with you. I don’t think you should be alone right now.”

“I’m used to being alone,” I replied, unable to keep the bitter edge from my voice.

Except I’d spent the last six weeks in the company of a wonderful man, and I didn’t want my life to go back to the way it was.

Maybe Aulani’s right. Maybe I can take a trip to Eisenland, and?—

I shoved the thought aside. Kai was right. Nick was gone, and I had to move on.

There wasn’t going to be a Happily Ever After.

Except by the time I arrived at the bungalow, I’d recovered enough from the shock to take a step back and look at the situation more lucidly.

Yes, I was shattered.

Confused.

Heartbroken.

Furious.

But I also wasn’t ready for what we’d shared to end like this.

I have to know the truth.

I have to confront him, to see if our love was real.

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