HENRY

Hands shoved deep into my pockets, I watch with a mingling sorrow and relief as the big white tent on the East Lawn is disassembled. The closing ceremonies were held yesterday, and most of the guests have departed. The palace is slowly returning to the silent, empty retreat I need it to be. Winter has settled into the breeze floating across the gardens, and its harsh nip gives me a shiver.

“Didn’t your mother ever tell you you’d catch a cold standing out here without a coat?” The familiar voice of my best friend helps to dispel my foul mood.

I give Spencer a playful push as he draws up beside me. “The Crown Prince doesn’t get colds.”

He laughs and shakes his head then grows quiet. We look out over the activity on the lawn, watching a dozen workers carefully take apart the outdoor bandstand and load chairs into a box truck destined for the storage buildings at the far edge of the estate.

Spencer turns, giving me a long look. “You were right.”

“The Crown Prince is always right,” I counter.

This time, Spencer is the one giving me a spirited shove. “Soon to be crowned King, I hear.”

“At the first of the year,” I say with a nod. “Almost thought it wouldn’t happen, between knocking Finley’s ass out cold and the uproar I created at the spa — after keeping my nose out of trouble so long, I nearly lost the throne due to that.”

“We all do crazy things, sometimes. Especially over women. But Finley deserved every punch you landed, and then some. I’m sure the Royal Council understands that.”

“They do, now that things have come to light.”

My father has been awaiting this for a long while, ready to step down and enjoy his retirement, but he dared not until I’d proven my worth. With the documents I’ve provided to my father, the Royal Council, and the investigative ministry, I’ve been forgiven for my run-in with Finley and the scars his face will carry. The future of the crown has been sorted out and planning for the coronation ceremony is underway. All appears well on that front now. But it hasn’t brought me the sense of accomplishment I’d hoped.

The future of the Strathmore family is still up in the air. I can only pray that I’ve done more help than harm. Even though I won’t be able to and that my plan will provide Abigail with a satisfying end to the hell she’s been in.

“But seriously,” Spencer says, his tone solemn. “I wanted you to know you were right — from the very beginning. My little sister needed me, and I needed a gut check. I was too caught up in myself. I was being selfish, I see that now.”

I shrug. “We’re all selfish, Spencer. Look at me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just kept chasing after her. I couldn’t let her go, even when I knew I should. I wanted her more than I’ve wanted anything — more than all the parties and all the women the world could offer. More than the Crown, even. I was selfish, and look at the hurt it caused.”

“But a good thing came out of it, Henry. If you hadn’t been involved, we wouldn’t have those documents, and Finley would still have the upper hand, in total control of our family.”

“Maybe,” I say, staring straight ahead.

“It’s official, you know. Just came from signing the last of the documents. The Goutley contract is null and void. Abigail’s free of Finley and that abomination of an agreement.”

Relief pours through my chest. “Oh, thank God!” That was the last piece to fall into place, the news I’ve been praying to hear for days. “Thank you, Spencer, thank you.” My voice cracks, and I lay a hand on his arm.

“It was all you, Henry. Having Pierre gather those documents was damn smart. You saved her from that awful fate. Saved us all, really.”

I take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air. It feels good. I haven’t breathed this free in days. Not when I froze fucking Finley’s international assets with a few phone calls to other heads of state, or made sure all his drug connections knew he’s now a liability. Not when I assigned a tail-for-life on that son of a bitch to make sure he never touches another woman. Not when I banned him from the palace grounds or appointed a special counsel to ensure Finley’s bribes have no reach within the court. Now that I know Abi is free, they can proceed with bringing him up on charges. There’s no way he’s wiggling out of facing the consequences this time. If he’s lucky, he’ll spend the rest of his days destitute and alone, living in some God forsaken prison cell, far out of my sight. And that’s still far better than he deserves.

Spencer and I stand in companionable silence, watching the uprights of the tent hit the ground.

“You don’t have to stop chasing her, you know?”

“No, Spencer.” I shake my head. “No, as you said, she’s finally free of this mess. Free of Finley, free of me.”

“She’s getting on a plane today, leaving for Africa.”

My shoulders sag. Is possible for news to simultaneously bring one immense joy and heartbreak at the same time? The sharp ache in my chest tells me it is. “That’s good,” I manage to croak out. “She’s wanted that.”

“If you don’t go to her now, you’re going to lose the opportunity to tell her.”

My throat tightens, and my eyes sting with the tears I refuse to let fall. I swallow hard, feeling the loss of her all over again. “She’s following her dreams — I’m not going to stop her. Besides, what am I supposed to tell her that I haven’t already?”

“That you love her.”

My spine goes ramrod straight, and my gut turns. There’s a growing pain in my chest that’s not letting me breath. I set my jaw as I look out over the East Lawn, determined to keep it together.

“You’re not invulnerable, Henry,” Spencer says, watching me.

I shift my eyes, studying him to see if it’s a throw-away comment or something deeper. I’m not sure. I don’t recognize my best friend much these days. We have a lot of catching up to do, him and I, now that things are settled down. “Invulnerable to what?”

“To this frost in the air, to the love of a good woman. To the messy, complicated existence of being human.”

I purse my lips and nod with a sigh. “I know that. I didn’t always, but I do now.”

“I know we’ve had our issues, Henry, but I know you. I’ve never seen you like this before over a woman, ever. Don’t you fucking tell me the Crown Prince doesn’t fall in love, because I see it all over your face,” he says, his words crackling with intensity.

We stand side by side as only men can, watching the corners of the tent being folded in on one another, unspoken volumes passing between us. We don’t dare to look at one another, not with mist in our eyes.

After a long while, Spencer takes a deep break and clears his throat. He smacks his head on the wrought-iron railing and turns to me with fervor in his voice. “Be selfish, damn it.”

“She deserves better than me. You know that, Spencer.”

“No,” he insists. “I don’t know that. You’re a good man, Henry. I didn’t listen when you told me Abi needed me. Don’t repeat my mistake. She needs you — I’ve seen it on her face, too. So just get the fuck out of here before I have to kick your ass.”

I do the only thing I can. I give Spencer two hard slaps on the back of his shoulder and turn to go.