Sneeze in this town and my mom finds out. I should’ve known better.
“Yes, my Queen,” I answer with reverence because I know what’s in that box. We all do. “I wanted Nash to know my intentions. I won’t break Alena’s heart. Iwillask her to marry me, but I want to romance her first.”
Mom nods. “As every queen deserves. And when you’re ready, she deserves the right ring, the ring that saved our lives.”
“My queen, you… You…” Nash blinks, stammering. I see where Alena gets it. “You don’t have to. I mean, I’m honored but?—”
“But you’re my son too,” Mom reminds him. “And Alena’s mother was the closest I’ve had to a daughter, and Alena is my first grandchild. Iwanther to wear it.”
“Mom.” I swallow. “That was Maxim’s ring. Are you sure?”
It’s a rare, five-carat, demantoid garnet. Often mistaken for deep green emeralds, they’re rarer. More vivid and mined in Russia. A favorite gem of the Czars, Mom’s ancestors. Hers is antique, set on a gold band, and surrounded by tiny yellow diamonds. Maxim gave it to her, and she hid it when we escaped, sewn into the hem of her skirt.
“Maxim was a true king.” Mom blinks back tears. “Royal by decree and demeanor. Even on my darkest days, bruised and bloodied, he loved me like a queen.”
Gently, Sire reminds her, “But that ring is all you have left of him, our Queen.”
Solemnly, Mom looks at me. “No, it’s not.”
Like a lightning strike, I feel it in my veins. “Are you saying I’m Maxim’s son?”
“I’m saying,” Mom answers me, “that is the providence of women. Of women alone, and Maxim respected it. Regardless, he loved me as I have raised you all to love your queens. Unquestioning. Unflinching. Undying.”
“I’m honored, my Queen,” Nash speaks, his voice choked with the emotion in the room. “It’s all I can wish for Alena, for a man like Maxim to love her.”
“Loch is.” Axel shocks me, defending me. “Loch’s honorable like our father. Ourtruefather.”
Maxim.
Not Ruslan.
We know it. We feel it. One father may haunt our minds, but another lives in our hearts.
I swallow the lump in my throat, honored by the kings in the room. For the first time, I feel like one too.
If I am Maxim’s son, I’m not sure. But I will love like him.
“Unquestioning. Unflinching. Undying.” I turn to Nash, vowing, “That is how I will love Alena.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
ALENA
Eight months later
“What?”I laugh. “They’re cute on him.”
“Yeah, just what every dog wants,” Loch grumbles. “Descended from wolves, apex predators, only to becutein the snow with little puppy fur boots on.”
Mutt tilts his golden head. His paws in said tan furry boots, stand by the door to my cabin, watching Mom and Dad have a cute fight while he’s patient about it.
“Oh, come on.” I reach for Loch’s tapered waist, tugging my grumpy bear into a hug. “He has to wear snow boots. It’s icy outside, and those are cute. Just like his daddy.”
Loch peers down at me, as thrilled for this as he’d be for a root canal. “The ones I had for him are just fine.”
I beam, “But it’s Valentine’s Day, and I wanted to give our little boy something special.” I nuzzle into Loch, hugging my warm mountain of marble. “I got something for you too.”
He kisses my hair, muttering, “I’m the man. I boughtyouthe Valentine’s gifts, and we’re waiting to celebrateuntil tonight.”
