Page 52 of Royal Player
I shake my head. “Not yet. It will be chaos and the worst possible time for me to try to shake up the monarchy with our relationship.”
He leans forward. “I can help.”
I let out a breath. I know he means well, but I also know it’s not possible. “Your presence will only cause discord and tension during a time when unity is required.”
He leans back in his seat and crosses his arms. “You’re not marrying him.”
He’s right. I had to consider the possibility, but now that I’m looking at the man I love, I know I can’t go through with it.
I swallow over the tightness in my throat. “I won’t, but by denying him, I’m taking a big risk. Our people will be unsettled, and he will do everything in his power to overturn the monarchy in his fury. He employs half the island, which gives him great influence.”
He stares at me for a long moment. “You have no power to lead alone. You told me that before.” He uncrosses his arms. “Pol, I understand you want to help, but I can’t allow you to sacrifice yourself.” His voice cracks. “Nothing can happen to you.”
Tears sting my eyes, and I steel myself against them. I can’t allow myself the indulgence of personal feelings. This is the moment I’ve been trained for, to assume leadership, to put my kingdom above myself.
He rises from his seat and crosses to me, pulling me out of my seat and into his arms. “You said you’re with me.”
My throat closes with emotion, and I hug him tight. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and the hurricane will shift out to sea.”
He holds me by the shoulders and pulls back to look at me. “I don’t want our relationship hanging on the whims of the weather. Stay here. You’re meant for me. I knew it the first time we met.” He frames my face with his hands. “I lo—”
“No. Don’t say it. If the worst happens and I must return home, I will call for you as soon as I’m sure you can have a place with me.”
“You expect me to live there?”
“Yes. I will be needed there, and I want you by my side.”
“And what about my business here? I’m supposed to abandon the one chance I have to contribute to my kingdom? I’m supposed to abandon Adrian to run everything himself? We’re supposed to be partners—the three of us.”
“I don’t have all the answers!”
He cups my jaw and strokes his thumb over my cheek. “I thought we had an understanding. You here on Villroy with me. You’ll be safe here.”
“I may not have that choice.”
“You do. You just won’t take it.”
I pull away. “You don’t understand what it means to be the heir, especially the sole heir. The kingdom looks to me. You said it yourself, you’re the middle-of-the-pack prince, and there are no expectations on you to lead.”
He scowls. “I know exactly what limitations my place comes with.”
“And you know my limitations as well in my traditional kingdom, but I can’t turn my back on them.”
We stare at each other at an impasse.
I swallow over the lump in my throat. It hurts that he’s not agreeing to join me one day in the future on Beaumont, and I fear it means the end of us.
I break the tense silence. “We’ll wait and see.”
His eyes flash. “Wait and see which way the wind blows. Great idea, Pol.” Then he stalks out of the room.
~ ~ ~
Oscar
It’s one a.m. and she’s not here. She’s always in my bed by one a.m. Something’s wrong. My gut churns. She’s leaving me. She’s pulling away already. No.
I grab my phone and text her.Where are you?
