Page 43 of Pregnant at the Palace Altar

There was something strange in his bodyguard’s expression, something that put Diamandis on high alert. “All right.” He stood, but so did Katerina.

“What is it you want to keep from me?” she demanded.

“Just a few details, Your Highness. No need to worry.” Christos smiled at her. But she clearly didn’t believe it any more than Diamandis did.

“Is something wrong?” Katerina asked, curling a protective arm around her belly.

Diamandis could still feel the baby move under his hands.Hisbaby. Flesh and bone. But this was not the pressing matter.

“I assure you, Your Highness. This is simply...official palace business.” Christos pointed Diamandis to the door, but Katerina grabbed onto his arm.

“I do not believe you, Christos. If there is something of importance going on, I should know about it. I am the queen. You can’t just shut me out because it might be unsavory.”

Diamandis should probably insist she obey, insist she do thishisway and stay here while he and Christos had their private discussion, but he was tired and he wanted—needed—to be away from her.

You realize this only proves that you love me.

Maybe it did. Maybe he did. But that did not mean he had to give in to it. He simply had to get away, and letting Katerina have her way in this would make that happen more quickly.

“What is the issue, Christos?”

Christos straightened. “The queen’s...mother has arrived at the palace. She has been...” Christos cleared his throat. “Difficult, at best, but the staff do not want to cause any sort of...dustup.”

Diamandis was shocked. He had paid the woman a small fortune to keep her distance. It had been nothing to him to ensure Katerina’s peace for the wedding. And now this woman dared show her face after taking what he had offered?

Irritation bubbled through him, but when he looked over at Katerina’s pale face, something much darker threaded with irritation.

“Thank you, Christos, for the warning.”

“She’s quite adamant she won’t leave without...” He simply trailed off.

“Without throwing a tantrum?” Katerina supplied coolly. “Yes, she’s quite good at those. I’m sure it will be embarrassing.” She turned her gaze to him, chin lifted, skin paler than he’d ever seen it. Her eyes seemed devoid of everything, including life. “I will handle this.”

He was surprised at how her reaction lit a fiery fury within him. That anyone could have caused this reaction from her was beyond unacceptable. “No,Iwill handle this,” he said firmly.

“She is my mother.”

“Yes, and I am the king.” He took her arm and nodded to Christos. “Have the staff move her to my office. We will be there shortly.”

Christos bowed and left, and Diamandis led Katerina off the plane and into the car. She was silent as they made the short drive to the palace. When he helped her out and escorted her inside, he gave her hand a squeeze.

“You are exhausted and no doubt hungry. You will go to your rooms and rest. I will handle your mother.”

“I know you think that because you stopped her from coming to the wedding you can handle her, but I assure you, Diamandis, you should not be alone with her. Trust me on this.”

“How—”

“I don’t need to know what you did to keep her away. I only know she would have been there to ruin things if someone had not interceded. I warned you about her, so it had to be you. But you simply cannot underestimate the damage she can cause.”

“I am the king, Katerina. What can she do to me?”

But this was clearly no comfort. She shook her head. “I will go with you. It is not up for discussion.” And with this, she strode forward, even though he was supposed to lead her into his office.

But Katerina entered first, breeching protocol. A tall, willowy blonde stood up from the little settee. She adjusted her hat and turned to face them.

“Mother.” Katerina greeted her with no inflection in her voice.

“There you are, Katerina.” The woman wafted toward Katerina, arms outstretched. Diamandis watched in surprise as Katerina seemed to shrink in on herself. He’d never seen her look quite so...small.

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