In the weeks after the fire and kidnapping, I had the rest of my things shipped to the palace. We were still worried about another attempt on Beau's life, but things had quieted down. Part of the reason for that, if I may say so, is that Beau never left my side when we left the palace. He didn't try to hide from me or run away. He stayed with me and allowed me to do my job.

It was about a month later when I received a phone call from a number with a 917 area code.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Kurt."

It was Jane. It was strange, hearing her voice in my ear. It wasn't that long ago, but it felt like she existed in a different life.

"Hi, Jane. How's everything going?"

"Oh, you know..." she trailed off. I knew her tone because I'd heard it before. She'd been crying. "Erik and I decided it's best if we see other people. It was mutual, really. I know people always say it's mutual when they get dumped, but not in this case. In this case, we both decided it was mutual."

"Jane..."

"Okay, it was mostly him. But it's fine because it made me realize I was stupid for ever leaving you. And…"

I stopped her before she embarrassed herself. "Jane," I said. "I'm seeing someone else."

"Oh."

"And it's going really well," really well.

"How nice for you," she said, deadpan.

"He's a really good guy."

"He?"

"Yeah."

"You're gay?"

"I think bi would probably be a better term."

"That's cool," she said. She was still processing. "I wouldn't have pegged you for bi."

"Neither would I."

She laughed at that.

"How's Lucy doing?" I asked.

"Listen," she said. "I need to be honest with you. I think I'm going to need to put her up for adoption. I love her, but with the hours I'm working, I can't take care of her by myself."

"I'll adopt her!" I said.

"That's a long way for her to go," she said. "I don't know."

"Let me worry about that."

"If you can get her to you, then she's yours."

"No problem," I said.

I haven't heard from Jane since, but I ended the phone call by telling her she was welcome to come visit any time she liked, as a friend, of course. Maybe one day she'll take me up on the offer.

Lucy was flown first class from New York to Aldonia but needed to remain in quarantine until she received all the necessary vaccines. I've gone to visit her a few times and she was very happy to see me. The feeling was mutual.

With Windfra's blessing, I moved into Beau's room. He still needs his space and, when he's home, he can find it. There are plenty of places he can go in the palace when he needs to get away from me and, likewise, when I need a break from him, there are places I can go to relax and unwind.

At night, we've mostly stayed in. I convinced Windfra to let us hang a TV on the wall in our room, though it's hidden behind a large portrait we need to remove before watching, and we've mostly been watching old movies. For some reason Beau really wanted to see Sunset Boulevard.

When we did go out, we avoided the wild atmosphere of The Apple Tree and, instead went to smaller, quieter places in the same general area.

There was one night in particular that stood out to me.

On that night, we went to a place called Cool Cats, which had an old-time vibe to it, like something out of the 1930s, with a live jazz band and a hell of a good singer whose voice was virtually indistinguishable from Ella Fitzgerald's. They started playing a real upbeat version of "Sing, Sing, Sing," when this real knockout of a man came over and started dancing with Beau.

Beau didn't even say anything. He just pushed the guy away and turned back to me, pushing his body up against mine.

He wasn't even tempted by the other guy. I kissed him. "What was that for?" I'll never be sure, but I think it was an honest question. I really don't think he had any desire to be with the other guy. None whatsoever.

It seemed as though this prince was mine.