Two weeks later

---

Elias examined his reflection in the mirror with a critical eye. The navy pin-striped suit fit his broad shoulders perfectly, the white shirt beneath crisp and freshly pressed. He adjusted the ice-blue tie then tugged on the cuffs of the jacket.

“She’ll love it,” Sander said from the doorway.

Elias glanced across the room and shot his father a smile. “I’m not dressing for her. I’m dressing for myself.”

Sander cough-muttered something that sounded suspiciously like bullshit.

Elias laughed and strolled through his bedroom suite, gesturing to the sitting area with one hand, inviting his father to relax and talk. It didn’t surprise him one bit when the king shook his head and declined. Sander was dressed for a day in the wilds: buckskin boots and pants, rugged henley, hair tied back in a tail.

“I came to tell you, since you don’t have the television on, that the media firestorm has begun. Word is out that Imatra and Latvala’s kings are kin. Of course someone leaked it before Aleksi and I hold our press conference tomorrow, but we’ve decided not to address the public until then anyway,” Sander said. “So expect to be bombarded tonight at the gala with photos and questions.”

The DNA tests had come back positive less than a week ago. Elias had sat in on several meetings with Aleksi and Caspian—both of whom had been shocked at the news—with the decision made to publicly announce the findings when they were ready. Now the story had broken worldwide and, without a formal presser from the Latvalan and Imatran kings, speculation would run rampant. He could expect very little peace tonight at the charity ball he was attending with Inari.

“Maybe Aleksi will tighten security,” Elias said.

“He will, at least at the doors of the castle and the ballroom. You’ll have to deal with the media once you land. I prefer no commentary until we have our formal conference tomorrow,” Sander said.

“Agreed.” Elias would simply walk right past the reporters and photographers at the private airstrip. Once he reached Rehn Castle, where the event was being held, he intended to arrive via the back, private entrance. That would cut down on at least some of the chaos.

“You asked me once I’d gone through all the papers and journals from this latest find whether I intended to continue searching for more hidden artifacts,” Elias said. “The answer, of course, is yes. We have many answers now, but there are centuries of information missing, and I intend to search every dungeon, every castle’s tunnels, until I’ve exhausted every last niche.”

“I didn’t doubt it for a second. You’ll be as old as me before it’s all over,” Sander said with a laugh.

Elias laughed, too. “Ancient. I’ll have to hobble the corridors with a walking stick.”

“You’re not too old to be grounded, pup,” Sander said. He didn’t budge from his lean against the doorframe.

“Yes, I am.” Elias enjoyed the banter with his father. Always had, always would. He slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks, unintentionally mimicking a stance Sander often took. He changed the subject to a more serious topic. “I think it was the right move, burying Arris in the royal cemetery.”

“As do I. We’ll only have speculation, albeit better educated guesses now that we’ve learned more through the journals, but I’m confident he was a direct descendent of Alder Rehn. He belongs with his royal ancestors.”

Elias had learned, through extensive research into the papers, that the very first kings of Latvala and Imatra had been brothers, not cousins. Alder and Aksel Ahtissari had been strong-willed men, both too stubborn to work through their differences. It had resulted in arguments which then led to fights, which in turn led to the brothers parting ways. As far as Elias could tell, the fighting reached a peak on the open ocean, where the kings each commandeered half the fleet and sailed for opposite shores. What a tumultuous, violent time that must have been.

“We’re probably lucky that Aleksi didn’t want Ariss buried on Imatran soil, considering Ariss is of their line, rather than ours,” Elias said. Aleksi had not given them grief over the burial rites, for which Elias and Sander had both been thankful. Ariss had been on Latvalan land for a reason and, even if he had been a spy or a traitor, there was no proof. He could have easily decided to side with his uncle instead of his father and reside in Latvala until his untimely death.

“Aleksi and Caspian have level heads. Unlike some of our ancestors,” Sander said with a grunt.

Elias’s shoulders shook with silent mirth. He grew quiet after a time, then said, “History will look back on your reign as the era of change. You’ve taken this country in the right direction, done right by its citizens. Your father, Aksel, was the last of his kind. The last king to create division between Latvala and Imatra, the last king to commit crimes against his own family. I foresee only growth and prosperity for Latvala, and a great new friendship with Imatra.”

“I agree with most of that. Though it did not come easy, nor without a price. You would do well to remember a few things, son. Ruling a country is ruthless business. Expect the unexpected. Be prepared to do things you won’t like. Understand that some humans in this world will do anything to obtain what they covet. Be on your guard, always. Even in times of peace, even when all seems well on the surface. There are constant plots and machinations brewing in the places you’d least think to look. If things progress with Inari, there’s no telling who might take offense or want to break up what they view as a threatening alliance.”

Elias soaked up his father’s wisdom like a sponge. Sometimes he provoked these kinds of conversations with the sole purpose of hearing his father spew wisdom that came from cold, hard experience. The decade or so since the last year of volatility in Latvala had been relatively peaceful and uneventful. Before then, not so much. Elias recalled certain aspects of his part in it all, mostly snippets of memory that had faded quite a lot over time. The only way to learn to deal with adversity was to pick his father’s mind.

“So you think there will be tumultuous times ahead?” Elias asked.

“I guarantee it. We’ve been lucky the last decade or so. No severe winters, no attempts to overthrow me by the advisors and councilmen. I worked hard to keep only the men I knew were loyal to me on board. Things change. People die and are replaced by others. I can’t oversee everything. And the world is changing. Many countries are and have been at war. The second some other country wants our land for its position on the coastline or decides to run a pipeline or craves the natural reserves beneath Latvala’s soil, there will be trouble at your door. So far, I’ve held my ground. The pressure to cave to certain demands has not escalated beyond words. Someday, Elias, it will.”

“You will still be king for a long time to come. I expect to learn a lot by watching how you deal with the problems,” Elias said. He frowned, puzzled, when his father simply stared for a few minutes. In silence, no less.

“I do not intend to rule into my seventies and eighties, Elias. You’ll ascend the throne sometime in your late thirties, with my blessing and guidance. It’s my preference. It’s how I perceive Latvala will thrive. New blood, young hearts, fresh minds. I want rulers of other nations to see a strong, healthy king on the throne,” Sander said.

Elias narrowed his eyes, suspecting his father of playing a joke. But his father remained resolute, his expression serious. Elias was so surprised that, at first, he wasn’t sure what to say. Taking the throne in his late thirties? That was young. Yet Sander had ruled then, after Aksel had died, and done well by the country.

Sander chuckled and stepped forward to clap a large hand on Elias’s shoulder. “Don’t look so shell-shocked. I’ve still got fourteen or fifteen good years in me yet. I’ll make sure you know everything I know before you take the throne.”

Elias could not imagine his father diminished to the point that he handed over the throne. It reminded him that the years were passing quickly, and that his parents would not be around forever. How easy it was, and had been, to take their presence for granted. He traded a smile with Sander and gave his pop a short chuck on the shoulder.

“I’ll hold you to that. Now, get out of the way, old man. I have a date to keep.”

---

Inari held a glass of champagne in her fingers, turning the fluted crystal in slow circles. She’d yet to take a drink. Perhaps it was because she stood in the same great hall as when the assassin first tried to poison her, when Elias had luckily intervened. Or maybe it was the spotlight she felt like she was standing under.

So many glances, so much scrutiny.

It wasn’t just the Valentina scandal, or the whispers about the Ahtissari and Rehn blood ties, but her budding relationship with Elias that drew all the attention. Half the women in this hall would give their eyeteeth for a shot at the prince. She knew they were waiting for Elias’s arrival. To see if he went straight to her, stopped for drinks first, or ignored her altogether and hung around his friends. The amount of scandal and gossip would be ripe no matter which choice Elias made.

“Do you get the impression that everyone is staring?” Caspian said at her side.

She glanced at the prince and smiled. “You read my mind. Yes, they’re staring. And already talking. Maybe they think you and Elias are sharing me.”

Caspian coughed on a swallow of his drink, then threw his head back and laughed. The rich baritone drew yet more attention their way. Caspian was the host of this shindig, and not lacking in stature or interest himself. Just as many women pined after him as Elias.

“Can you imagine the headlines?” Caspian said.

“Yes. Unfortunately, I can.” Her shoulders shook while she battled a vast amount of mirth. “Before we knew it, I’d be pregnant and no one would know who the father was, and then there would be speculation over whether I was having twins, where I would give birth, which kingdom the children would rule, and whether we would combine all three countries into one. The media would absolutely melt down.”

Caspian rumbled more laughter. “Should I kiss you and see if your theory is correct?”

She was so surprised that she almost spilled her drink. Inari snapped a glance at Caspian, only to find him fit to burst with raucous laughter. “You bastard,” she muttered, amused. “You wouldn’t dare kiss me, even if I asked you to.”

“When the cat’s away, the mice will play, isn’t that the saying?” Elias said near her ear.

Inari twitched at being snuck up on like that, and shot Elias a playful, petulant glance. “He knew you were there all along, didn’t he? Led me right into that one.”

“I know nothing,” Caspian said, jovially defending himself.

Inari shivered when Elias’s breath brushed her skin. He laughed quietly and remained standing just off her shoulder. So close she could feel his body heat. His eyes glittered with good humor.

“You’re both fired,” she announced, keeping her voice low.

Elias smiled and set a hand low on her back. “I guess that means you don’t want to dance with me, then. Pity.”

She did want to dance with him. Despite the increasing whispers in the crowd and the extra sets of eyes that were watching their every move, she wanted to be closer. Dancing was the perfect excuse.

“I can make an exception this once.” She set her glass on a waiter’s tray and offered Elias her hand. He looked devastating in navy pinstripes and a crisp white shirt.

“Lucky me,” Elias said, capturing her hand.

“Indeed. Lucky you. Have fun.” Caspian toasted them with his glass before upending the contents.

Inari snorted at Caspian and Elias both, then followed Elias onto the dance floor. She stepped into his arms with easy grace, one hand resting on his shoulder, the other caught in his fingers. They spent the first sixty seconds dancing in silence. Staring into each other’s eyes. Speaking without words.

“One week,” she finally whispered.

“One week,” he agreed.

“Do you have your suitcase packed?”

“Not yet. Do you?”

“Not yet,” she said with a smile.

“Maybe you intend to run around naked on the island and don’t need any clothes.”

She laughed. “You wish.”

“A man can dream.”

“I have made a list of things I want to do, though.”

“Oh?” He cocked a brow.

“Sunset boat ride, paddle-boarding, swimming with the sea turtles. Just to name a few.”

“Sounds like an extensive list.”

“It is. You feature prominently in all my plans. I’m sure you’re happy to hear it.”

He laughed and tightened his arm around her waist. “That’s good, because you feature prominently in mine, too.”

“Oh?” She cocked a brow, mimicking him.

“Most of my plans involve open windows, sheer curtains blowing in an island breeze, and us beneath the sheets.”

He caught her off guard with such a blatant statement. Thank goodness the music was loud enough to drown out their conversation. In a lofty tone, she said, “I think I can fit in some time for that.”

“Really. Do you think you can fit some time in for it now?”

“What?” She studied the intent look in Elias’s eyes, the devilish expression that overtook his features. And then, without any warning at all, he bent to scoop an arm under her legs, capturing the flowing skirt of her blue dress against the back of her knees. She gasped in shock as he carried her, groom-style, right off the dance floor.

Oh, the scandal.

A swell of surprise raced through the prominent guests as Elias navigated his way off the dance floor toward the ballroom doors.

“Elias Ahtissari!” She laughed. With shock, with delight, with a sudden fit of wild freedom that sent heat and desire rocketing through her system.

“Now that will give them something to talk about,” he said, leaving the great hall behind.

Inari wound her fingers into the loose strands of his blond hair. She nuzzled his cheek, his clean shaven jaw. “We’ll be in all the papers tomorrow.”

“Yes, we will.”

“You don’t sound one bit sad about it,” she said, laughing.

“I’m not. Because then, when we’re off enjoying our secret vacation and someone snaps a picture of us together—which you know they will—it won’t come as quite a shock now that I’ve carried you off to have my way with you.”

“You rogue. You had this planned all along.” She discovered she didn’t care what the headlines read in the morning, or what speculation would come of Elias’s blatant move. All she cared about was the night ahead, the vacation, their continued time together. There was a feeling of longevity to it all that she loved. This was only the beginning, the very start of something new and amazing.

A relationship to last a lifetime.

She felt it in her bones.