Page 21 of The Prodigal Prince

“I’ve missed you, brother,” she whispered.

The lump in his throat meant Mac couldn’t reply. When he closed his eyes, hot tears leaked down his cheeks.

Before he could gather his wits enough to speak, she let go of him and moved away, her hands framing his face.

“I am so glad you’re here, brother.” She grasped his hand and led him into the sitting room. Prince Gabriel sat in one of the chairs, his face impassive. “Of course, you’ve already had a chance to talk to Gabe.”

Mac nodded in the general direction of the other man. “Briefly.”

The queen let go of his hand. “Are you hungry?” She turned toward the kitchen. “I can get you something to eat.”

“I’m fine.”

She turned back toward him, and for the first time, Mac bowed to the woman he’d always believed to be his older sister.

“Itisgood to see you again.” Mac couldn’t quite bring himself to use her title or an honorific like ma’am. He took the seat she motioned to. “I’ve missed you.” They’d never been overly close, but he had loved her as his older sister for his entire life, and hehadmissed her.

“Tomorrow, we’ll talk more about where you’ve been and why you left, but for now, it’s enough that you’re here.” Queen Esmeralda smiled at him from her spot next to her husband.

A door on the other side of the room opened quietly. Fiona exited and pulled the door almost all the way shut. “He’s asleep,” she whispered. “Thank you for...”

Mac knew the second she realized he was also in the room.

Fiona recovered quickly. “Thank you for allowing us to stay here, but guest quarters would have been more than enough.”

The queen waved a hand. “Oh, please. Gray is my nephew.” She glared at Mac. “I have lost time to make up for since no one knew...”

“I had my reasons,” he interrupted. “Good ones.”

Fiona seemed to understand his unspoken statement. His sister didn’t seem to know anything about his reasons for leaving. If she did, she wouldn’t have greeted him - or his son - the same way.

“Yes, you did.”

It surprised Mac that Fiona took up for him, but it probably shouldn’t have.

“He hasn’t elaborated on them to any of us.” Prince Gabriel it shifted slightly. “We have no idea if they were good reasons or not.”

Straightening in her seat, Fiona glared at him. “He told me. I understand why he did what he did, and I’m really the only one who matters. His leaving had nothing to do with either of you or his responsibilities as your younger brother. That’s all you need to know. Now, can we move on to other matters? Is there any word on what happened to my son?”

The prince consort shook his head. “Not to my knowledge. There won’t be a full briefing until morning, but if there’s anything urgent, we’ll be contacted.”

“Thank you.” Fiona tried to stifle a yawn, but covered it with one hand instead. “I do hate to be rude, but I’m exhausted. Do you mind if I turn in?”

Mac stood as the rest of them did.

“Please, go right ahead.” His sister motioned to the room Fiona had left. “You are welcome to stay with your son if you’d like, of course. I understand how hard it would be to leave him alone after the day you’ve had. You are also welcome to stay in the room attached to it if you’d prefer.” She turned to Mac. “Your quarters have been made ready for you, unless you’d rather stay here for the night.”

He tipped his head her direction. “Thank you. If it’s all right, I think I’d rather stay here, closer to Gray tonight.”

“Understandable.” His sister lifted onto her toes to kiss his cheek. “Welcome home, little brother. I love you.”

Mac couldn’t bring himself to stay it back. “Thank you.”

Prince Gabriel glared his direction as he followed his wife out of the sitting area.

“I’m going to bed.”

Mac turned to see Fiona standing next to the room where their son slept.

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