This can’t be happening. Everything is falling apart.

Victoria is the only thing in my life that is right. The only thing keeping me together. She can’t be sincere when she says this is over.

But as I look into her eyes, I realize how determined she truly is. And worse—I realize she’s right. As much as I love her, am I truly willing to risk bringing war to Montovia for my own selfish desires? Victoria is the other half of me, but we can’t let our love be used to destroy Montovia. I was born to serve this country, and serve it I must.

Victoria’s eyes are dark with emotion. This isn’t even her country, and yet she’s willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the good of its people—and for me. She is the strongest, most selfless person I have ever known—and God, she would have made a wonderful queen. She would still make a wonderful queen, if only I can find us a way out of this.

I must. I must find us a solution.

“It’s the only way,” she says softly, her eyes never leaving mine. “You know this is right, Andrew.”

It’s not right. It can never be right. But right now, it’s our only option.

“I love you,” I tell her, not even caring how raw my voice sounds right now.

“I love you, too,” she says.

“This is all very touching,” comes King Maximilian’s voice, “but if you two are done behaving like emotional little fools, we have some business to attend to.”

Victoria’s eyes flutter slightly, but she straightens her shoulders. “I think that’s my cue to go.” I start to protest, but she cuts me off. “I know this is important, Andrew. And since we’re no longer engaged, I’m only in the way here. I’ve already overstayed my welcome.”

“Promise me you won’t leave the palace grounds,” I say.

“Andrew—”

“Promise me. Swear you won’t sneak off without telling me.”

I can see the indecision in her eyes, but I can’t bear the thought of emerging from this meeting to find her gone. If she leaves now, I’m afraid I’ll never see her again.

“Fine,” she says after a moment. “I promise.”

The relief that rushes through me is almost as intense as the pain I feel right now.

“I’ll come and find you after,” I tell her.

She nods. “I should go now.” She throws a final glance over at King Maximilian, who’s staring at both of us as if we’re the scum beneath his feet.

I feel emptier after she’s gone. I wanted her by my side for this. Needed her. But while her strength is gone, it’s been replaced by something just as powerful—anger. King Maximilian has destroyed our chance at happiness. He’s trying to manipulate and blackmail me into giving him exactly what he wants.

And I refuse to play into his hands.

I have no idea what I’m going to do or say. I’m not sure I’m politically experienced enough to match wits with this ruthless man. But I’m not going to let him beat me. I refuse.

I stride back over to the table and stare him right in the eyes.

“Are you ready to discuss business?” he asks me, condescension dripping from his tone.

“Yes.”

“Good. Then let me begin by laying out my expectations.”

He’s underestimating me already. It’s frustrating, but on the other hand, I know I can use his attitude to my advantage. He doesn’t realize how much I love Victoria. He can’t even imagine how hard I will fight for her.

I still have no idea what I’m going to say. No clue how I’m going to resolve this. But I won’t stop fighting.

I’ll never stop fighting. No matter what it costs me.

* * *

Three hours later, I’m not sure whether or not I’ve succeeded.

I’ve spent all afternoon arguing with King Maximilian. Every time I thought I’d gained some ground with him, he’d shift his tactics and try a different angle. He’s used to dealing with my father, not me, and it’s clear he thinks I’m a fool. But I won’t let him take advantage of me or Montovia.

Finally, my head pounding, I told him we would have to resume our negotiations the following day. After all, with my father incapacitated, I have extra business to attend to. Maximilian must have been getting tired, too, or I’m not sure he would have agreed to stop.

I rub my forehead. I’m going to be king someday—maybe sooner than expected—and such negotiations will be a part of my life. I’m not sure I’m ready. Three hours of discussions and I’m not sure either King Maximilian or I are even close to being satisfied.

I want to go see Victoria. To pull her into my arms and kiss her and pretend that nothing could tear us apart, even though we both now know that’s not true. But I’m also afraid I’ll fall apart at the first sight of her, that the stress of the day will all come to a head in her presence.

Instead, I find myself wandering toward the treasury. I don’t know what takes me there—some desire to torture myself, I suppose.

To think—only a few hours ago, I thought I would be coming here in triumph and joy. Taking my great-grandmother’s ring from its case. Bringing it to Victoria and sliding it onto her long, beautiful finger, giving her a symbol of our unshakeable love.

Unshakeable, ha. It hasn’t even been a day since I proposed to her, and circumstances have already torn us apart.

The treasury, for all that it holds our country’s greatest treasures, is a relatively plain room. As I enter, my eyes flick to the display holding the royal scepter, and it glints in the low lights, taunting me.

Looking quickly away, I walk over to the glass case on the far side of the room. Inside, on a bed of purple velvet, lay a number of pieces of fine jewelry. Some belonged to previous generations of my family, others were gifts from other nations, some were purchased at various auctions by my grandfather, who was a collector of antiques.

There are several rings in this collection, many of great value, but there’s only one I’m interested in right now. At the far end of the case is a white gold ring set with a single black pearl. I open the case and reach down inside, lifting the ring from the velvet and holding it up in front of my eyes. Even in the dim light, I can see a thousand colors in the depths of the pearl—a dark midnight blue, a flash of silver, even a ripple of green.

This should be on Victoria’s hand. Forever.

I’m only torturing myself by looking at it—I know that. But something drew me here. Even though negotiations with King Maximilian didn’t go as planned, I can’t give up hope. I must find a way to be with her and to protect the people of Montovia.

I should return the ring to its case, but I can’t bear to. Instead, I slip it into my pocket. I can’t give it to Victoria yet—but I will. I’ll find a way.

Now, though, I just want to see her.

I leave the treasury, trying to decide where she might have gone since leaving the receiving chamber. In my mind, there’s only one answer—the gardener’s cottage.

I head down the corridor, determined to get to her as soon as possible. I only make it a short way, though, before I turn a corner and find William striding toward me.

“There you are,” he says. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“You should have called me,” I say, tapping my pocket for my mobile phone. It’s only then that I realize it isn’t on me—I must have left it in my chambers when I was changing to receive King Maximilian. “Is Father—”

“He’s out of surgery,” William says quickly. “And stable. The surgeon said it went as well as could be hoped.”

Relief rushes through me. “Thank God.”

William nods, looking as relieved as I feel. “Mother is still with him. She sent me back here to find you. And to check on you. King Maximilian—”

“Has currently retired to his guest chamber.”

“Is he being his normal pleasant self?”

“Even more pleasant than usual.”

“And Reginald?”

“I’m told he retired early, and that he requested not to be disturbed before noon tomorrow. This is probably some sort of power play, but I must admit I’m grateful I don’t have to deal with him just yet.”

“Bastard.” William shakes his head. “Whatever his issues with you, he and his father should have waited until after Father’s health improved before inviting themselves here. I saw when I came in that they brought half of their staff with them. They seem to have taken over the guest wing.” He gives a dismissive wave of his hand. “Princess Justine is nice enough, but thank God you got out of marrying her. Can you imagine having those people as in-laws?”

My expression must give my thoughts away, because William’s eyes widen.

“What?” he asks. “What happened?”

“Victoria and I received King Maximilian, and he threatened us with war. In response, Victoria called off our engagement.”

William’s eyes get even wider. “What?”

“We are not going to war,” I say firmly. “And Victoria will be my wife, one way or another. I don’t know how, but I refuse to bend to King Maximilian’s outrageous demands.” At this point, I want nothing more than to give him the damned scepter and be done with this.

“Fuck,” William says. “I’d rather spend more time with Lady Clarissa than a minute alone with Maximilian.” He shakes his head. “Clarissa’s been quiet lately. At first I just thought she was being understanding because Father’s in the hospital, but now I’m starting to wonder if we should be worried. I don’t trust that woman—especially now that she feels personally slighted by our family. But we have bigger things to worry about than her. What the fuck are we going to do about Maximilian’s threats?”

“I’ll figure that out,” I say. “In the meantime, please don’t say anything to our mother. I don’t want to upset her right now.”

“Understood,” William says with a nod.

“I’m going to find Victoria,” I say. “But I’ll let you know if there are any updates on the situation.”

“Please do,” he says as I start to head down the corridor. “And Andrew?”

I pause and look back over my shoulder. “Yes?”

“No one fucks with Montovia,” he says. “If you need any help—”

“I know,” I say. “And you’re right—no one fucks with Montovia.”