Inheriting a SECRET (Corrigan & Co. #7)(24)

“No. I will not break the oath I’ve taken. That would be an insult to the people who have died, and put those still living in even more danger.”

“It’s a sad day when something as beautiful as honor can also cause heartache.”

“Yes, Steven, it is.”

He gives me one last, sad smile before walking away. I sit for a little longer, and then throw the rest of my gelato away. I’ve lost my appetite, and I just want to go home. Not to the castle, but back to Vegas, where I can nurse my broken heart with ice cream and World of Warcraft. Instead of having to hide the hurt with a fake smile and designer clothes while I sleep on the floor.

I’m only a few blocks from the castle, when strong arms reach out and pull me into the shadows of an alley. It’s not dark, but it’s secluded, and I know I could potentially be in trouble. I force myself not to struggle as I try to plan my escape.

“Hello, Darcy,” says a voice that has only lived in my nightmares for the past ten years.

He’s behind me, and whispering in my ear as I try not to shiver in fear. I’m not a scared teenager anymore, I remind myself. I can fight him off. I can make it away from him alive. But can the other people I’m protecting? The fact that I’m unsure of that is the only reason I don’t break away.

“What do you want?”

“What I’ve always wanted. I’ve been patient with you, but your time is running out.”

“My answer will always be the same.”

“I saw you with Steven, and I’ve seen you with the son. You care for him.”

“It’s an act.”

“If you give them the jewels, there will be consequences.”

“I’m not afraid of you.”

“You know well enough that you should be. Your father already paid with his life, I would hate for the same to happen to you.”

“No you wouldn’t. You’d love to kill me, but you want the jewels too much to do that.”

“If I even think you’re close to giving them to the royal family, I will make good on my threats. Remember that, little girl.”

With that, he lets me go, and is already a moving shadow when I turn around. I squat down and run my fingers through my hair as I try to breathe normally again. I can do this. I will do this. I’ve done it for ten years already, but I really hope I don’t have to do it for ten more. In a perfect world, I’d be able to hand over the jewels to Brayden before coronation day, but I know that’s unlikely. Honor can suck it sometimes.

* * *

Brayden

I’m sitting by the pool trying to figure out what to do about everything when I see Darcy jump down from the top of the fence across the lawn. Of course she wouldn’t just walk in the main gate. Or even the side one. She looks shaken up, and sad, and I just want to go pull her into my arms. I want to, but I can’t.

“She’s hurting,” Noah says, sitting down next to me.

“I’m not doing so great myself, if you haven’t noticed.”

“Oh, I’ve noticed. You still think the kingdom is worth more than her?”

No. Maybe. “Yes.”

“Then it’s good you’re staying away. Do you want me to bring some girls over tonight?”

“What? No. I’m still engaged.”

“A fake engagement.”

“That’s supposed to show how responsible I am now. Having girls over is a really bad idea.”

“I could find discreet ones.”

“I said no. Now drop it.”

The thought of being with another woman makes me want to throw up. I know I’ll need to move on once this is all said and done, but for now I belong to Darcy, even if we’re not speaking to each other. I’m hers, and I know deep down that she’s still mine.

“Your Highness?”

I turn to see Audrey standing in the doorway to the formal dining room. “You can call me Brayden.”

“With all due respect, there are quite a few things I’d like to call you. Some of them even start with a ‘b’ but I think I’ll stick to formality for both of our sakes.”

“Fair enough. What can I do for you?”

“I wanted to go over the plans for Saturday with you.”

“Just do whatever you want. I’m sure it’ll be great.”

“You don’t care about your own celebration?”

“Not really. I mean, there’s a carnival with Storyside, and then a fancy ball, right?”

“You make it seem like it’s nothing. A lot of people have put quite a bit of effort into making these events something special for everyone who attends.”

“I know. I’m sorry if I made it seem like I don’t appreciate it. I do. You’ve done a great job with PR for not only this weekend, but everything else. I’ll show up and play my part.”

“Do you even know what that is—you part?”

“I show up and smile for the cameras. Play a little polo, and then dance with my lovely fiancé at the ball.”

“I’d like you to be a little more involved than that. I think the people of your country deserve more from you than that. For the international events, do what you want. But Saturday afternoon should be special for your people.”