Page 100 of Fit for a King

I shook my head, but I knew the truth of her words deep down. I hadn’t imagined what we’d had. It was real, even if it was for just a brief moment. Some people didn’t get forever.

“Thank you, Mum,” I said, turning my head to kiss her palm on my cheek. I tried to give her a smile. “I think you’re right. This new job will help.”

I had to believe that, even though the words felt like a lie.

She brushed through the side of my hair tenderly, a wistful tilt to her mouth, and then dropped her arm by her side. “Drink your tea, sweet boy. Take in some fresh air. It helps.”

Nodding, I did as she said, bringing the mug to my lips as she headed back inside.

Tea really did help a little, which was why it was always the answer for everything. Happy? Let’s have tea to celebrate. Upset? You need more tea.

With the way I was feeling, a few full pots would suffice.

I took in a deep lungful of salty sea air and tried to block out everything but the sound of the waves and Mum’s words of encouragement as I prepared to face the day—and my new life.

Without Nicholas.

32

NICHOLAS

MY HEART WAS racing the entire drive to Whitefall Cliffs. If I’d been at the wheel, I would’ve gotten us there a hell of a lot faster, but I’d had to bring a driver and my security, so all I could do was sit anxiously in the back seat, my leg bouncing up and down and my thumbnail bitten down to the quick.

The first time we’d driven this road it’d been with Noah beside me, and I felt that aching loss even as we got closer to the place I knew he’d be. After my talk with Gabriel we’d put out feelers throughout the kingdom to find where Noah had run off to, and it wasn’t long before Sutherland House responded, having made an offer of employment to him.

And the address they’d sent correspondence to? Noah’s family home.

Of course this was where he’d come, and I was grateful that at least he’d been surrounded by people who loved him after he left the palace.

Left me.

I looked out the window toward the cliffs that appeared, which told me we were getting close. I tried to remember everything I wanted to say when I saw Noah. Begging for forgiveness was at the top of my list, because how had I thought I could live without him? Dismissing him from my life had been a futile attempt to follow the role set for my future, because why couldn’t things be different? Why did it matter that Valoria and Solterra should be joined to strengthen our countries when they were already doing well on their own? It was a power move, and not one I was interested in. I was not my father, and as much as I hated to admit it, my brother was right: I was the king now. I could make new rules.

Starting with Noah.

The car traveled down the narrow road that led to the Bennett cottage, and I wiped my hands along my thighs. I didn’t know what I would face when I arrived, whether Noah would even agree to see me, but I wasn’t leaving until he heard me out.

The small gray cottage appeared at the end of the lane, and when the car eased to a stop, I took in a deep breath.

I was here for Noah, and I wasn’t leaving without him.

My door opened, my security’s eyes already roving along the property, but I shook my head as I stepped out.

“There’s no need. Not here.”

“But sir⁠—”

“I’m your king and I command you to stay here out of sight until I return. Please.”

He didn’t look happy about it, but he bowed his head as I walked to the front door.

To my surprise, it opened before I could knock, Noah’s mother stepping outside—but no sign of the man I was here for.

“Your Majesty,” she said, giving a small curtsy and bowing her head.

“Mrs. Bennett. It’s good to see you again.”

When she lifted her eyes, they assessed me in a way that said she’d hated having her son come home with a broken heart and resented me for it.