220

Maya’s luggage filled the entire boot and backseat of the SUV and there was just enough space for Genevieve to sit. The drive to Sinaia was quiet and Maya slept through most of it. It was going to be a long and emotional day for her.

I hadn’t taken any luggage because I wasn’t staying. It would help cement Maya’s story about the annulment if I left right after and basically ignored her throughout the ceremony. We’d ended up talking for hours and I was reminded of the girl I’d talked with so easily in the garden.

Abby had come downstairs to say goodbye to me and told me to give Milo some time. I didn’t tell her that I would be back that same night. Luciana had, as was our way, stood by my window until I looked up and winked at her.

I felt a sense of dread as I drove through the Palace gates and parked near the steps so Maya didn’t have so far to walk. She’d allowed me to feel the baby kick the previous night and we were now confidantes and in a good place.

“Duke Grey, Princess Maya.” The footmen didn’t bat an eyelash at the amount of luggage in the car and I offered Maya my arm as we walked into the Palace.

Maya went straight up to her suite and I headed to Sorin’s office. He had broken the news of Dorin’s death the next day and the King hadn’t even batted an eyelash. I knew Sorin was broken inside but he hid it from everyone.

“Intra.”

I opened his office door and closed it quietly behind me. Sorin sat behind his desk and I saw genuine happiness when he saw me. We hugged and my nerves settled down when he patted me on the back. “Where is Abigail?”

“She didn’t come, Sorin.”

“I would’ve liked to see her.” Sorin showed me to the sofa and poured a drink for the both of us.

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

“It’s concerning Abigail. You always have that certain look in your eye when you think about her.”

“I don’t know how but she bonded with Milo.” The shock was masked quickly and he smiled sadly at me.

“It’s good for her to move on. She shouldn’t be crippled with the pain of that loss. I hope that she’ll be happy.”

“The Mintia Elders have given me a blood oath and we’ve discussed the ideal candidate to step in as King when Florin dies.”

“It makes sense, there is no successor unless the King names you Prince of Dragons.”

“No, it won’t be me. Maya is going to ask for our marriage to be annulled and we’ll share custody of the baby. It will leave her free to remarry and me as well.”

“Your child will not be an heir then. Is that what you want?”

“I don’t want this life for my child, Sorin. It wouldn’t be fair. Besides, I doubt Maya will live long enough to remarry although I haven’t told her that.”

“You’re going to kill her too?”

“Typhon made it clear that the whole line had to die. He said something would happen to force my hand and she is the one person that I really don’t look forward to killing.”

Sorin was quiet for a few seconds before he intertwined his fingers and gave me a serious look. “Who then is qualified to be our new King?”

“You, Sorin.”

After arguing with Sorin for two hours he finally admitted defeat and accepted to take on the role of King when Florin was put down. He truly was a good man, anyone else might have felt bitter about Abby bonding so soon, but Sorin only wished her well.

I didn’t see the King before the ceremony and I stood next to Sorin when we all gathered around the stone slab. Nicu had been embalmed and his head sown back onto his neck. They had dressed him in a suit and the shirt hid the fact that he’d been decapitated.

“Dragons of Romania. Tonight we bid farewell to the Prince of Dragons. Nicu was a good boy, a serious student and although he did wander from his path from time to time he always stood steadfast when it came to his duties.”

I looked around at the people that stood in a circle around his body as the King spoke. Maya stood next to her mother, holding her hand and tears flowed freely down her cheeks. I felt sorry for her; she was mourning a monster and she had no idea.

The King held the dagger above his hand and pricked his thumb with the sharp tip. “With my blood I grant you my blessing into the afterlife. May my blood guide you on your path my son, may you sit in the halls of kings with Typhon’s blessings.” The drop splashed against his pale forehead and the King pressed his thumb down onto the droplet.

His dragon separated from him and he breathed his fire down on Nicu’s body. It was the first time I saw Florin’s dragon and I wasn’t impressed. He was smaller than Echo and I felt no pity for him. I was going to break him, piece by piece.

We stood around the stone slab for the mandatory ten minutes of silence as we watched Nicu burn. His reception in the dragon realm would be anything but pleasant. I saw the King stare directly at me and with a flick of his head I knew he wanted to see me.

As the mourners started thinning I walked up to the King and bowed my head. We stood in silence as people left the clearing and Sorin joined us after a few minutes. The King waited three more minutes to make sure nobody could listen in on us.

The King looked different tonight, more vulnerable. “Maya came to speak to me this afternoon. I was not happy with what she confessed to me.”

“She told me that she planned to speak to you.”

“I will meet her demands and I ask only thing of you.”

“Of course, my King. I am at your service.” I hated saying those words but I also needed to keep him close.

“Should Maya borne you a son I want him to train from the age of ten. He would be a great warrior like his father and lead the Royal Armies.”

“I don’t doubt that a son would be all that. You have my word my King.” It was an easy promise to make because that promise would be null and void the day I forced his last breath from his lungs.

“You’re a good man, Wynter Grey, a far better one than me. I would’ve had her publicly shamed and then exiled.”

“She’s still the mother of my child, my King. She’s not the only one at fault here. I’ve been busy and I haven’t given her the time she deserved.”

“It matters not. She is a woman and should know her place.”

“I will be returning to Mintia tonight. I have duties there that require my presence.”

“You have done well with Mintia and I’m glad that Maya convinced you to stay on there. Also know that you are always welcome in the Palace as my personal guest. Maya told me of your plans to share the child. It is admirable of you to let her keep the baby with her.”

“Don’t be too hard on her, my King. I don’t hate her and I wish her well. Hopefully the next husband is a better one than me.”

“If she weren’t pregnant and my only living child, I’d exile her to Europe to live in shame. As things stand now, I agree that the marriage will be annulled and the child taken care of. Her next child will be named my heir if it is a boy.”

“Yes, my King.”

I was itching to get back to Mintia, to be able to live with Luciana freely and also to sort out things between me and Milo. I missed him intensely and it was a void that couldn’t be filled.

“Why isn’t your sister here?” Florin’s voice had taken on an edge and I willed myself to look regretful.

“She has taken this all very badly, my King. She suffers nightmares and she’s been sedated most of the time. I didn’t think it fit to have her here in her condition.”

“Women are such fragile creatures. Send my regards when you return to Mintia.”

I could see that he was furious with her absence and then Echo said something that sent chills down my spine. He could be right and I was glad now that she hadn’t come with me. If the King had forced her to remain here I would’ve most likely overplayed my hand.

I drove the four hours back to Mintia and made it there just before midnight. I felt better being back in my own territory and I knew that the next time the King saw me would probably be when Maya was nearing her due date.

We had discussed that as well and she asked me to be there. I also wanted to be there. The genders of royal babies were never revealed until the birth so I still didn’t know the gender of the baby but I hoped it was a boy.

“Grey.”

“Daddy said you’d left and that you took my crimes like a gentleman.” Maya chuckled lightly and she sounded better, happier even.

“Well you didn’t actually commit any crimes.”

“I really appreciate you playing along, Wynter, and I really think we’ll make this custody agreement work. Our child will only benefit from two loving parents instead of us fighting and not being happy.”

“I hope you find peace, Maya. Confirm your due date with the doctor and I’ll make sure I’m there to welcome him or her with you into this world.”

“Thank you, Wynter, drive safe.”

I opened the door of the SUV and locked it. The air seemed different suddenly and I saw the light in my suite was still on. I smiled, knowing Luciana had waited up for me. Milo would have to wait until tomorrow morning.

I walked into my suite with a smile on my face and Luciana looked up and grinned as she lowered the volume on the television. Her stomach had popped out the day before and every night I talked to my daughter as Luciana laughed at me.

“What are you so happy about?” She stood up from the bed and walked towards me, meeting me half way.

“The King agreed to annul my marriage, which means the moment that baby takes her first breath, we’re completing the bond.”

“I can’t believe it! He agreed to do that?”

“I promised not to publicly shame Maya.”

“This is the best news ever!”

I picked her up against me and spun her around before kissing her. It was something to celebrate and the ringing of her phone shattered the moment. She rolled her eyes as I put her down on the floor and reached for her phone.

“Hello?”

I walked to the dressing room and started undressing. I pulled sweats and a t-shirt on and walked back into the room to find Luciana sitting on the bed, tears in her eyes and the phone still pressed to her ear.

“Thank you, I understand.” Her hand shook as she put the phone down on the side table and a sob escaped her lips as I knelt down in front of her.

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“My father was found in an alley, strangled to death.” She looked at me and my heartrate did a double tap as I saw the question in her eyes.

“It wasn’t me.”

“Promise me.” Her hands gripped mine so tightly.

“I promise you, I didn’t kill your father.”