Holy fuck.
She brought him in for a hug. “Ethan. I’m so sorry.”
He hugged her back tightly, then pulled away. “I’m sorry. I have to talk to the Admiral. Marcello arranged my leave, but I still need to talk to him.”
“I understand. You don’t have to explain to me. Just do what you need to do.” She already knew what he’d say but she said it anyway. “You can leave me here, I’ll be fine.”
His lips tightened into a thin line. “I’m not leaving you, so please don’t ask again. I need to make sure you’re okay. Then I’ll make sure the other people I love are okay. Christ.”
“What did Marcello say?”
“My father seems to be doing okay, though it’s too early to know for sure, for either him or Arianna and her baby. But they’re…alive. So, that’s something.”
She offered the only thing she had. “Go talk to the Admiral, pack, do whatever you need to do, then come back to me. I’ll hold you until we dock. Does that sound good?”
Sadness lingered in his eyes, but the corner of his mouth tipped up. “Sounds like love.”
“I love you, Ethan Santoro.” She said the words clearly and evenly, yet full of all the passion she felt for him.
He brushed his lips over hers. “I love you, my Anda.”
* * *
ETHAN
One year ago…
Santoro Hospital Center, Royal Wing
Valentia, Valleria
Agony.
That was all Ethan felt.
Agony for having to leave Anda in Masillia. Agony during the short trip from there to Valentia. Agony at the prospect of seeing his father in a hospital bed, then rushing to Brazenbourg to see his sister the same.
He strode down the hospital hallway, not paying attention to much of anything. He’d run his hands through his hair so much, it was abysmally disheveled and he wondered how much shit he’d get from his mother for it. He was in his Navy uniform, something he’d used to grant him extra privileges at the hospital; being a Naval doctor carried more weight than being a prince sometimes, as it did now.
He met Alex in the corridor, who looked probably as rough as he did at the moment. They gave each other a kiss on each cheek, followed by a long hug.
Ethan pulled back. “Sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
Alex shook his head. “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
“Only for a while, though, isn’t that right? You want me to go to Brazenbourg? Don’t misunderstand me, I want to make sure Arianna and the baby are healthy, but I want to spend some time with Papa, too.”
“It’s your decision, though I do feel going to Arianna is the best thing right now.”
“For who? Is this some public perception shit again?”
“Get your head out of your ass, Ethan.”
“Excuse me?”
“No, I don’t think I will. Did you stop to consider the fact that, while Papa has all of us and more besides, Arianna and Finn are essentially alone? We’re their only family, both of them. You know Finn’s the last one in his family line.”
Jesus. Of course he knew that. That wasn’t what he meant. “Alex—”
