Page 59 of Pregnant at the Palace Altar

“I have endeavored to be, it is true. I thought I had to be that and nothing else, and perhaps I should be. But when I was fourteen, I was a boy. My parents and brothers were murdered, my sister lost to the chaos. And you, you saw an opportunity to twist and turn the whims of fate to give yourself power over me.” His temper was licking at the edges of his words, but still he sat and watched Marias turn an impressive shade of purple.

“I have advised you in leading the kingdom well. I helped you oust those who blamed the wrong people, the people who sought to control you. I did what I saw fit, and I will not apologize for it.”

The biggest issue was that Diamandis believed him. Marias had done what he saw fit. However, that did not make it right. “Maybe you did. But it was wrong, and it was cruel. To use my shame against me, my fear against me, mygriefagainst me, all so you could determine how I would act.” Diamandis looked at the portrait of his father beyond Marias’s head. “I have endeavored to be a stronger king than my father, but in doing so I have made many mistakes. Including keeping everyone so far away that many were ready to vote against me just months ago.”

“Not I, Your Majesty. I have always supported you.”

“Because you have control over me. But no longer.” Diamandis met the man’s gaze. He iced the temper away and spoke calmly and clearly. “You are relieved of your position.”

“You cannot fire me. I am an elected member of the council.”

“You will resign.”

“I will not,” Marais said, punching a fist on the arm of the chair.

His temper, his panic, only aided in Diamandis keeping his calm. “You will if you wish to keep your retirement pension from the crown. You will retire, and you will leave. Otherwise, I will present what I have to the council in a bid to cancel every last benefit, honor and recompense you’ve received.” He offered Marias a bland smile. “Do I make myself clear?”

“You will live to regret this.”

“Maybe. There is always a chance of that. But I assure you, you will regret more if you should ever try to undercut my position, if you continue to make Zandra uncomfortable and my brother-in-law suspicious, if I ever hear you having said an unkind word about my wife. I will make sure you lose it all. Whether that’s tomorrow or twenty years from now.”

“This emotion, this insanity, it will be your end, Diamandis. Just like your father.”

For so many years it had been the weapon used against him, but Katerina had given him armor for it. She had heard all the horrible things he’d been taught to believe would ruin him and loved him anyway. Absolved him, like always.

Just as his parents had always done, and no doubt would have continued to do if they had lived. They would not like the man he’d become—cold and remote and dedicated only to the crown.

But they would love him. And in that love, there was always hope. Hope that he could change, could be better.

Diamandis looked from his father’s portrait to Marias’s angry face. “Perhaps it will be my end, but I have finally realized I would rather live like my father for a short while, than live like the man I’ve been until I am elderly.” He rose. “You are dismissed, Marias. Unless you’d like to throw a fit at the next council meeting and lose everything. It is up to you.” Marias sat for long past what was proper. “Your king is on his feet, Marias.”

Slowly, with a face turning an ever-darkening shade of purple, Marias got to his feet. “You will regret this, and I will live out my retirement laughing at your misfortune.”

“Very well.” Diamandis smiled at Marias. “Do not forget to bow to your king, Marias.”

The man scowled but bowed stiffly, then stalked out of the room. Diamandis knew he would have to keep an eye on the man, but the threat of losing his retirement payout was a large one. He would be bitter about this, but Diamandis did not think danger would befall them from his actions.

Marias simply wasn’t brave enough to do anything in the light. Or to do it to a man rather than a boy.

Diamandis breathed in, surprised to find he felt...lighter. There was an odd sadness to the whole thing, because he had spent so long trusting Marias, but there was also something freeing in learning. Growing. Changing.

Loving.

Because he loved his wife. His sister. His brother-in-law. The family they had scrabbled together out of the ashes of tragedy. And if that meant an end to him ruling Kalyva...

So be it.

He would go to Katerina now. He would tell her he loved her. He would ask her to stay. He would endeavor to be the man his father had been. Not only a king, but a man behind the crown as well. He would change. With her help, he could. She believed in him, and wasn’t she always right?

Brighter than he’d felt in decades, he skirted his desk and strode for the door, but before he reached it, it burst open and Zandra ran in.

His heart turned to ice.

“Diamandis! It’s Katerina.” Zandra’s face was pale, and she reached out for him. “You must come at once.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

KATERINAHADNEVERknown such pain. Such fear. The twinges had quickly become something more, far more by the time the doctor arrived.

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