Thorn took in a deep breath and raised his hand to scrub his face before glancing around like he was confused where he was. Then he reached for where I should have been and shot up when he came up empty-handed.
Immediately, he locked in on me and where I was sitting. “I thought you ditched me again.”
“We’re in my room, so my dragon wouldn’t have pushed for me to get somewhere safer,” I muttered awkwardly.
He nodded, scrubbing his face again but then slowly stopped, anger filling his eyes. “Tell me you’re not saying what I think you are.”
I swallowed loudly. “It’s not my fault.”
Upset filled his eyes. “Of course not, Sagan. I’m not pissed atyou. I’m just pissed!” He rolled out of bed and started pacing. “I’m pissedfor you. You were drugged the night of your parents’ funeral. You’ve been with someone twice and have no memory of it! And yeah, I’m pissed—it does a lot of things to me that you don’t remember what we’ve shared.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, bringing my knees in tighter to my chest.
He sighed and walked towards me, kneeling in front of me and wrapping his large hands around my calves. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I feel… I’m trying not to feel icky about this because what we shared was amazing.”
I flinched. “Why would you feel icky?”
“Because you don’tremember it!You were drugged the first time and you don’t—I took advantage of you, not just you being in heat. And like you agreed this time, but did you…” He jumped to his feet and grabbed his clothes.
I flinched again as he slammed the door behind him as he left.
So that went well. Awesome. And I was drugged.
Darren was already back in his area, but luckily he was able to get on a call with Benson, Treena, and Myriam in Father’s study. After a bit of thought, I included Maple and Fraser. We all needed to be careful as the royal family going forward in case this wasn’t just me.
“We have to consider the possibility that it’s all the stress you’re under, Sagan,” Maple hedged. “How powerful you are and this new level of stress.”
“You’re not wrong,” I muttered, hearing her that it could be because of my two dragons when others only had one. “I thinkit’s enough to investigate—analyze video from that night and see if anything is off.”
“We should do it anyways,” Fraser grumbled. “Too many snakes and—we should have everything from that time analyzed as we can. You’ll have less staff serving elders. Teach them how to review whatever and see whatever is off. Or have them watch monitors for Benson’s men and let them do it so the investigation is closed.”
“That’s smarter,” Benson accepted, jotting down notes. “I think the answer can’t be said either way until the princess has another heat of her own that we know is naturally occurring. If she remembers it—that’s the answer.”
“Agreed,” everyone said firmly.
“It’s also enough to warn the family,” I told them, continuing when others objected. “No, this isn’t the time to play games. One of the cousins could be targeted for retaliation because of what I did to the elders. We all need to be on high alert. They weren’t happy I named Darren my advisor. Wehave tocome together, not keep secrets.”
“That’s brave of you and we appreciate it,” Maple commended. “What can we do to make things easier for you?”
I shared a look with Treena who nodded. “It’s a sensitive topic, but it was pointed out to me that it would make a very loud statement how my family is supporting me no matter whatwhispersthe media is lying about.”
“Anything,” Fraser said firmly.
I swallowed loudly and couldn’t seem to find the words.
Treena gave me a pitying look. “I apologize if it’s crass, but I suggested that it would say a lot if you both agreed to clean out your parents’ rooms for her to use so she could preserve her parents’ rooms as they are. King Rhys was praised for the move of not just pushing everything aside and respecting it took more time to grieve.
“Sagan does want to do the same, and looking at the floor plans, it makes the most logical sense. She simply didn’t want to be insensitive. But it would send a message that King Rhys’s siblings support her taking over and think it’s time to move forward. Giving her the original rooms meant for the ruling member of the De la Rosa family would show they back her. I’m sorry if that upsets you.”
“No, no, it’s time,” Maple said after a few moments. “We should have suggested it. Sorry, Sagan.”
“Yes, we—my mind wasn’t even on where—there’s been so much, but of course you couldn’t keep your old room,” Fraser added. “Silly of us not to think of it.”
“I did, but one thing or another interrupted and then another—yes, of course. There might even be a way to make it—we should make sure everyone hears it, not just whispers.”
“I was hoping you would say that, and I would suggest—my father allowed a selection of his grandfather’s belongings to be an exhibit in our museums. It was very popular and tasteful. Most people will never see inside this castle and are curious. There’s no reason they can’t see their previous ruler’s desk or—any different items that aren’t too personal.”
“I love it,” Fraser said, his voice cracking. “Especially the desk. Mother used to complain how he ruined the finish of it with taking tea there or—all during her pregnancy with Maple because Mother had a rough time. He hated to leave her and—it’s a wonderful idea, Princess Treena. Thank you.”
