Page 76 of Duty and Desire

One way or another, I was going to Eisenland.

Chapter Twenty-Five

May 22

The Royal Palace, Korenz, Eisenland

Nick

Istood by the French doors that opened onto the balcony, watching the sun set on another day filled with meetings, arrangements, more meetings, messages of condolence…

My heartbeat was a dull thud. My head ached. My limbs felt like I had lead weights attached to them. And in my mind, I was watching another sunset, the most perfect I’d ever experienced.

What made it so had been the company, but he was more than sixteen thousand kilometers away.

It’s over.

It was an illusion.

A soft knock at the door startled me, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to see anyone. I’d had my fill of people, and I hadn’t been back in the palace for forty-eight hours.

Then I remembered there were tasks to complete.

A state funeral to arrange.

Decisions to be made.

“Come in.” I couldn’t rein in my weariness: It was probably Daniela Risch, my father’s very efficient Royal Attaché, but who was also a terrier.

God, she reminds me of Claudia.Except Claudia was human.

I sighed. I knew I wasn’t being fair. In all likelihood she was a pleasant person when she wasn’t embroiled in the affairs of state.

Maybe.

The door opened, and I slumped my shoulders in relief to hear Franz’s low, calm voice. “I’ve brought you some tea, Your Majesty.”

I turned. “And since when is that one of your duties? Plus, I don’t remember asking for any tea.”

Even eating was a chore.

“You didn’t, but I recall you drinking this.” Franz indicated the china tea pot. “It’s lemon and ginger. You drank a lot of it—when you weren’t with him.”

And just like that, I was back on the island, back tothatnight, hearing Gio’s frantic voice—and remembering what had followed our conversation.

Our first time.

I didn’t want to think about it. About him. It was still too raw, too painful.

I frowned. “Are you really going to refer to me as Your Majesty? I thought we’d got past that.” I straightened. “I think I liked it better when you called me Nick.” He opened his mouth and I held my hand up. “I know, protocol. But it’s just the two of us, and I won’t tell Miss Risch if you won’t.” I stilled. “And youcansay his name. I won’t break.”

I’d done my share of breaking. What mattered now was piecing me back together, except it wouldn’t be as Nick Wenzel anymore.

Now I was King Nikolaus. I’d been that the moment my father and brother drew their last breaths. The coronation was in its planning stages, and I was swept along on a tide of efficient organization.

I gestured to the tray Franz hadbrought. “Two cups?”

His sad smile reminded me he was in mourning too. “I thought you might like to see a friendly face—Nick.”

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