Chapter 42

MILA

The words came out of my mouth before I could even realize what I was saying. Felix tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and pulled me tighter against him. I had never said those words out loud before–I love you–not even to Derek, but it felt true and honest and right.

And I did love Felix. I loved him for his kindness and generosity, and for all the similarities we shared. It really did feel like we were two halves of the same heart. If that wasn’t love, I didn’t know what was.

For a while we just stayed like that on the couch, holding each other, breathing in the silence. I loved Felix, and Felix loved me. Everything was simply… extra. There was nothing to be stressed or concerned about anymore. So much of our time together had been shrouded in secrets and lies. None of that mattered now. All was well.

Felix’s confession about his brother, not to mention his love confession, warmed my heart, filling my soul with a deep sense of calm. I felt close to him, closer than I had ever felt. It seemed like we could really connect on an intimate, honest level moving forward.

It made sense that he was worried to tell me about his relationship with Charles–I knew the royals tried to keep any and all family drama under wraps, and it made sense that he would not share such personal, painful information about his brother with every woman that came along. Knowing that we had something in common, even if it was a troubling sibling relationship, made me feel connected to him in an even stronger sense.

“So…” I said. “Isabella and Charles said some things to me after you left to talk with your father, and I think it got in my head more than I realized.”

Felix tilted his head so that he could look me in the eyes.

“What sort of things?” He asked.

“Weird stuff,” I said. “Just saying that you were using me and keeping secrets from me and all that. I think it really got under my skin. That’s why I ended up here in the first place–I wanted to avoid their drama.”

Felix clutched my arm a little tighter, a clear sign of protectiveness.

“I’m sorry that you had to deal with that,” he said softly. “And all their behavior over the past few weeks. I don’t know what’s gotten into those two. I know Isabella was always hoping that we would get married someday, but I had started to hope that she had let that go.”

“She thought you were going to get married?” I asked. A bitter jealousy crept into my voice–I couldn’t help it.

“She comes from a good noble family. Her father owns land in the north,” Felix said carefully. “It would have made a lot of sense for me to marry someone like her. I’m almost certain that her parents raised her to be my consort, preparing her to be a queen one day. But, frankly, she’s been a spoiled brat since she was a child, and I never had any interest in someone like that.”

“That does explain a lot,” I responded. The wheels in my head were turning. Of course Isabella hated the common American who had stolen the man she saw as hers. Her entire identity had centered around marrying Felix, and now that was no longer a possibility. And it was no wonder Charles had teamed up with her–he didn’t want to see Felix happy and she wanted Felix all to herself.

I almost laughed at the childlike petulance of it all. They were cruel, yes, but they were also nothing more than spoiled rich kids with no understanding of the real world.

“I’ve been thinking,” Felix said slowly, “that we should take a little trip this weekend. Just the two of us.”

FELIX

I made a vow to myself that I would have a conversation with Charles and Isabella as soon as possible. Did they want Mila to discover the secret of the Dragon Knights? Were they rooting for us to break up, thereby killing me? I knew Charles was vindictive, and Isabella spiteful, but this seemed evil even for them.

I decided I would seek advice from Esmeralda in the morning. That way, I could also see how her research was going.

It was comforting to know that Mila had accepted my confession, and that we had a tentative trust moving forward. I felt horrible lying to her, and the words left a bitter, coppery aftertaste in my mouth. Still, it felt like there had been progress, and she had even admitted that she loved me.

She loved me.

I had been the recipient of many emotions in my life–admiration, fear, vengeance–but Mila was the first person besides my parents who had ever loved me for me, not for the crown. It was refreshing. I had spent so long trying to find my Destined Bride that I had not taken the time to consider love as a possibility.

And now, I had both.

I wanted to take Mila away for a few days, away from the bustle and prying eyes of Fresia, and to one of Fresonia’s more relaxing cities. I was long overdue for a trip to the coast–it was important for the people of Fresonia to see me as an involved leader–and the thought of splashing around in the sea with Mila was thrilling.

The thought of ravaging her in the sand was just an added bonus.

“A trip? You and me?” Mila asked. Her brow puckered in concern. “There’s still so much to do for the restaurant. I don’t know if I can get away right now.”

I kissed both her hands. “I want to take you to a little village on the coast. I think it’ll be good for you to have a vacation. You’ve been working so hard on the restaurant, you deserve a break.”

Mila was still frowning. “I don’t know…”

“This town, Carnea, is well-known for their hand-carved artisan furniture,” I explained. “You need tables and chairs for your restaurant, and this just might be the best place to look. You would have something unique and beautiful, something that guests would leave chatting about.”

Mila hesitated, but I could tell I was convincing her.

“I do need some sturdy furniture pieces,” she mused. “And it would be nice to have something local to Fresonia, to really tie in the theme of the restaurant.”

“I just think it would be nice to get away for a while,” I told her. “And you haven’t seen Fresonia aside from the capital city. It would be good for you to see more of the country, especially if you’re going to be staying here for a while.”

Hopefully forever.

“Alright, Your Highness, you’ve convinced me,” she said, playfully swatting at my arm. “I just need two hours to pack and then I’m all yours.”

All mine. All mine.

I kissed Mila, hoping to channel all my relief and angst into one singular point of contact. She climbed into my lap almost immediately, and we tumbled backwards.

It was my first time making love on that couch, but I had a feeling it would not be the last.