Page 51 of Royal Catch
He flashes a smile before getting serious again. “Don’t move,” he orders, getting off me and out of bed. “I have to go talk to my brother.”
“Which one? Why?”
He keeps walking, grabbing clothes from the dresser and yanking them on. The flex of muscle momentarily distracts me as he pulls on a shirt, boxer briefs, and pants. He shoves his feet into loafers and heads for the door.
“Gabriel? Are you going to tell him how I’m a big liar and the worst kind of nonvirgin nonprincess person there is?”
“Yes.”
I throw a pillow at him. “For real. Don’t do anything crazy. You belong on that throne. Everyone knows it. And we all know I’m not fit to be queen. I’m not proper enough and my bloodlines are muddied.”
“No argument there,” he throws over his shoulder and leaves.
I flop back on the mattress. He’s bought us a little time with the private jet, and I know I’m the worst kind of selfish person because all I can think about is him returning to bed and taking me in his rough tender way. My throat gets tight, eyes hot.Don’t cry! You can cry all you want on the flight home.I should leave right this moment, rip him off like a Band-Aid, but instead I lie here and relive moment by moment every wonderful time I’ve had with him.
I’m going to be wrecked without him.
But staying means I’ll be wrecking him, his life, his destiny as king. And I can’t let that happen. Gabriel Rourke was born to be king.
With my last ounce of willpower, I get out of bed and race back to my room to pack. I need to hurry to catch my flight. I can’t let Gabriel jeopardize his birthright, and I fear that’s what he’s about to do.
This is the right thing for both of us. One day he’ll understand and forgive me.
Chapter Fifteen
Gabriel
I’m dying to get back to Polly. Anna. Pollyanna. Ha. She is a cheerful vivacious woman, such a contrast to my more serious self. I want that in my life; I want her. I’m nearly delirious from lack of sleep and the sudden turn of events, but there’s one more thing I have to do. I knock on the door of my parents’ suite.
The maid who lets me in is smiling. She does a quick bobbing curtsy. “The king is awake and doing better today.”
“That’s great news, thank you.” My task will be so much easier now.
I go to my father’s bedside. He’s propped up on pillows, holding my mother’s hand in her usual bedside chair. They’re talking quietly to each other, so engrossed in conversation they don’t notice me right away.
I clear my throat. “I heard you’re feeling better.”
My father gives me a weak smile. “The pain is manageable. There is nobetter,I’m afraid.”
My mother is solemn. “Where have you been? Francesca told me she hasn’t seen you since she was declared your intended yesterday morning.”
I take a deep breath. “I love Anna. I will marry her or abdicate the throne.”
“No!” my mother shouts. She takes a deep breath, regaining her composure, her voice shaking with rage. “You will do no such thing.”
My father raises a hand, signaling for her to wait. “Gabriel,youare the leadership Villroy needs. We’ve put a lot of time and energy into preparing you for this role. None of your siblings have had the same. They’re untested and unready.”
“I’ve spoken to Phillip. He says he’ll do it. He wants me to be happy.”
“No,” my mother says firmly.
My happiness has never factored with them.
My father scowls. “This is just like with Daniel. Selfish. He fell in love with a commoner, abdicated, and then I had to step into a role I never wanted. It was forced on me.” He’s speaking about my uncle, who, ironically, also fell in love with an American. I can see why he thinks it’s the same thing with me, but it’s not.
I make my case as calmly as possible. “Phillip says if I guide him in the beginning, he’s willing. It’s not being forced upon him.” He surprised me with his gracious acceptance. Maybe because he knew about the dire circumstances of our father’s illness and the urgent need to find a way forward for Villroy. He was the only one I confided the seriousness of the situation to because he’s next in line for the throne. It occurs to me I did my younger siblings a disservice by not sharing the full picture. The Rourke legacy isn’t just for the king, it’s for the entire family, and that means it’s time to stop shielding my younger brothers and sisters from reality and get them involved. Villroy is one generation away from collapse. One thing at a time. First I must secure a future for me and Anna.
“You cannot live here with that lying imposter,” my mother declares. “You will be exiled just as your uncle was.”
