Page 71 of Redemption of a Prince

Joss and Minnie would be taking over soon. Their walk in would be enough of a family presence for the time being. The doctors were holding press conferences each afternoon. Zeke didn’t plan to be at many of them. He didn’t think anyone but a member of the public relations’ team would be at most of them.

When he reached the palace, all Zeke wanted to do was sleep. He exited the auto in the garrison and took the back way to his quarters. Too bad they didn’t have extensive secret passages like some other palaces were rumored to have. Legend had it the palace in Akushla was filled with them.

But he made it to his bedroom without seeing anyone. For that, he thanked God.

After a long, hot shower, Zeke pulled on a pair of pyjama pants. He stood at the window and stared out over the harbor in New Ancora.

How could he suddenly be not only next in line again, but acting king? His life had changed so much in forty-eight hours.

As he laid down and stared at the ceiling, he was overcome by a sudden longing to have Nikki at his side.

Not in his bed, though he couldn’t deny there was a component of that. It was the companionship from the last week that he missed more than anything.

And he knew not just anyone would fill that role.

It had to be Nikki.

Would she even be interested after everything? Was he?

With a sigh, he rolled over and tucked his arm under his pillow. Pulling the sheet and comforter over his shoulders, he tried to burrow in and find that perfectly warm, comfortable spot where he could just drift off.

But he couldn’t find it.

Eventually he turned over and tried the other side again.

Instead, he was greeted by the always-empty half of his bed and found himself wondering again what it would be like to have Nikki there with him. To have her with him. Curled up into his side. Safe in her embrace.

But would he be safe? How could he trust that she wouldn’t hurt him again?

You’re the one who broke up with her for that month.

The voice of his conscience tried to be rational, but Zeke didn’t want rational. He wanted to hold onto the pain.

Even as he realized it, Zeke knew that wasn’t productive or healthy.

Maybe there was something to what his father said.

Maybe he should consider not only forgiving Nikki, but working toward reconciliation.

Toward the life they’d talked about.

The life he’d dreamed about for years.

Life with - or without - Nikki wouldn’t be lived out in service to his brother the king.

He would be king. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. But king.

His priority would have to be his people - or at least most of the time. There would be moments when family came first, but more often than not, it would be his people.

Would Nikki even want to be a part of that? When they’d talked of forever at the mountain home, it was in a far different context.

He found himself wanting to find her.

Talk to her.

Hold her.

Kiss her.

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