Page 12 of Royal Love
He nods, relief evident in his expression. “I start on Thursday.”
“I’m proud of you,” I tell him. “So proud.”
“Even though I’m terrified?” His voice drops to a whisper. “Even though I walked out during our fight?”
“Especially because you’re terrified and doing it anyway. And because you came back.” I press my lips to his. “That’s what real courage looks like.”
He kisses me back, deep and slow, his hands tangling in my hair. When we part, the worry lines around his eyes have softened.
“Do you forgive me? For leaving like that?” he asks, vulnerability raw in his voice.
“I do,” I say softly. “We’re both learning, Tristan. Neither of us had perfect examples of how to do this.”
“Another reason to be better than those who came before us,” he says, a new determination in his voice.
I settle back against his chest, our argument fading into reconciliation. His arms wrap around me, one hand resting protectively over our growing child. For all the complexity of our lives, for all the weight of the crown we share, this moment feels like coming home.
“I love you,” he murmurs into my hair.
“I love you too,” I whisper back. “Both of you.”
As I drift toward sleep, I feel a peace replacing the turmoil of the night. Tomorrow will bring its challenges—it always does. But tonight, in the darkness before dawn, with Tristan’s heart beating steadily beneath my ear and our baby growing within me, I know that whatever comes, we’ll face it together. The king, the queen, and the tiny heir on the way.
It’s not the fairy tale I imagined as a girl, but it’s better. It’s real. And it’s ours.
CHAPTER 12
TRISTAN
I sit in Dr. Merrick’s waiting room, my leg bouncing with nervous energy. The magazines on the side table remain untouched. I’m not here to catch up on celebrity gossip or the latest political scandal. I’m here because I need to get my head straight before our baby arrives.
Five months. Just five more months until I’m a father. The thought both exhilarates and terrifies me.
“King Tristan?” Dr. Merrick’s assistant appears at the doorway. “She’s ready for you now.”
I nod, rising to my feet. Parker shifts in his seat across the room, always vigilant. “I’ll be right here, sir.”
Dr. Merrick’s office is deliberately calming—soft blue walls, comfortable furniture, and large windows that let in streams of natural light. She rises from behind her desk when I enter, extending her hand with a warm smile that never seems forced or performative.
“Your Majesty, thank you for coming,” she says, gesturing toward the plush armchair across from hers. “I was able to rearrange my schedule when your office called. I understand this is your first session?”
“Thank you for fitting me in,” I say, settling into the chair. The tension of exposing my vulnerabilities to a stranger sits heavy on my shoulders, but I’m desperate enough to try anything.
“Of course.” She sits, crossing her legs and placing her notepad on her lap. “Perhaps we could start with what brings you here today?”
I exhale slowly, considering how to begin. “Nightmares. Flashbacks. Things I thought I’d buried deep enough.”
She nods, her expression remaining neutral but attentive. I appreciate that—no shock, no pity, just professional focus.
“Can you tell me about these nightmares?” she asks.
“The village. The orders. The aftermath.” My throat tightens as I speak. “I’m back in the valley, watching as my unit moves forward. I can hear the commander’s voice in my ear, telling me we have to neutralize the threat, that intelligence confirms enemy combatants are hiding among civilians.”
“And in the dream?” she prompts gently when I pause.
“In the dream, I see their faces before I give the order. In reality, they were just blurred shapes in the distance. But in the dream…” I swallow hard. “In the dream, one of them is always Amelia. And recently, she’s been holding our baby.”
Dr. Merrick makes a small note. “It sounds like these nightmares might be intensifying with your current circumstances. Major life changes often trigger stress responses, especially in those who have experienced trauma.”
