Sage

We enter my family’s home, and I hold my head high, ready to stand up to my father and make sure he knows I’m my own man, and there’s nothing he can do about it.

I knock on his study door but hear nothing, so we head to the library, hoping to at least find my mom. When we turn the corner, I see her sitting by herself in the vast, opulent room lined with dark wood and books covering every wall.

As we approach, I notice she’s looking through old family photos of us. “Mom,” I say quietly as not to startle her.

She stares at me with red, blotchy eyes, and my heart breaks wide open.

I rush to her side. “Mom, I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry. You know I had no choice. I wasn’t going to marry someone I don’t love. I love—”

“I know you do, sweetheart,” she whispers. After standing and clearing her tears, she turns to Everly. “Dear, come here please.” Everly joins us and sits on the other side of my mother. “I want you to see these.” She turns the book back to the first page, showing the day I was born.

“Is that Sage?” Everly beams as she takes in my baby pictures.

“It is. He was such a handful, this little boy. Hasn’t changed much, as you can tell.” She winks at me before grabbing Everly’s hand. “I’m very happy for the two of you. I’m sorry for how it all went down and even more sorry that I missed my little boy getting married.”

“Mom, I’m sorry too, but you know I had to,” I plead for my mom’s forgiveness.

“I know, dear. But I want you to understand your father’s side as well.”

“That he wants to keep up appearances? My life is more than what’s perceived on the outside.”

“He just wants you to be happy.”

“Are you happy, Mom?”

She sighs, glancing down at the pictures. “These make me happy. You and your sister make me happy.”

“But does Dad make you happy?”

“He does. He gave me you two. I can never thank him enough for the both of you.”

“But now what? What happens for you? Mya and I are getting older.”

“Now I have grandbabies. And I hope to have many more to come.”

She smiles at Everly and then back to me. We haven’t discussed anything beyond getting married, and I have no clue if she even wants kids. Everly meets my gaze, and I see nothing but love mirroring back at me. She’s not terrified at the mention of kids, and it fills me with hope. I do want kids, and the idea of Everly pregnant with my child makes my heart swell.

“Is that enough for you though? What about Dad? Don't you want more?”

“I know you don’t understand the idea of marrying someone you don’t really know or love, but I’ve grown to love your father over the years. And yes, he’s given me some of the best years of my life. He just wanted what he thought was best for you.”

“Do you think Marie was best for me?”

She reaches for Everly’s hand, enclosing it in her own. “No, I don’t. I knew the moment we met that you would pick Everly. She was spunky enough to challenge you and your father.” She turns to Everly. “I think you’re exactly what this family needs. With you by Sage’s side, I have no doubt he will accomplish everything he sets out to do. I admire you for being you and not changing who you are.”

Everly’s eyes well with tears, but she blinks them away. “That really means a lot to me, Queen Katheryn.”

“Oh, sweetheart. I’m your mom now, no need for formalities.” She reaches for Everly, giving her a hug.

I mouth, “I love you,” to Everly without even thinking twice. It surprises me for a quick second that I thought it so naturally. Then I remember that I’ve been in love with the thought of her for years. Now that I’ve actually gotten to know her I sense it even more.

I want to laugh at the irony of having an epiphany realizing I truly do love my wife after I married her, but I stop short when she blinks away wetness, returning the sentiment, mouthing my words back to me.

I wait to enjoy our happy moment for a few seconds before I ask, “What about Dad?”

Mom tilts her head down, saying everything I need to know.

“Where is he?” I ask, trying to calm the rage building inside me.

“He’s meeting with the council,” she whispers through shaky breath.

“He’s really going to try to have me banished? He can’t do that. He won’t win.”

Her eyes fill with more tears as she reaches for my hand. “I tried, Sage. He was just so upset you defied him. Especially in front of Marie and her family.”

Anger finally bubbles over, and I stand, needing to do something. He’s only pissed because he’s always trying to keep up appearances, and I’ve disobeyed him in front of her family and the entire country. I’ve created the first crack in the façade of what people see and he knows he can’t go back. “Where are they?”

“They’re at the chambers. He called an emergency meeting,” mom says, ashamed.

I kneel down in front of her, making sure she sees me. “Don’t worry, Mom. I will make this better.”

Her hands grip either side of my face. “I know you will. My sweet boy.”

I turn to Everly. “I’ll be back, are you okay to stay here alone?”

“I’m going with you.” She stands up, ready to take on the battle herself.

“This is my battle, you—”

“No. This is our battle. We’re a team remember? Change begins with us.”

A smile covers my face when I wrap my arms around her. “Yes. Change definitely begins with us. Let’s go.”

“Goodbye, Katheryn.” Everly hugs my mom again right before I do.

“I love you. Don’t worry,” I say as I release her.

Reaching for Everly’s hand, we hop in my BMW to head straight to the chambers.

As I reach for my seatbelt, Everly asks, “What’s your plan?”

I wink her direction. “For love to win.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s a good plan.” She rolls her eyes. “Seriously though.”

“I’m serious. No one in that room would want to be forced to marry someone they don't love. I followed their rules. You were on that list, and we’re already married, so if they want to run this through the country to the people then so be it. We’ll win.”

“You’d really take this that far?”

“Watch me.” I plant a hard kiss on her lips before turning back to the road ahead of me.

I speed away from the house while reaching for her hand, holding tightly as we drive the mile down the road to the chambers where the parliament meets. They forgot one thing though; I’m supposed to be there too.

We walk through the doors, and the security guards instantly stand. “Prince Sage. I’m sorry, but you can’t go in there.”

“I’m sorry, but yes I can. I’m officially a king in training which means I go where I want when I want. Now, are you going to stop me?” I ask, being stern with the guy but not trying to be a dick.

“No, sir.” He backs away and lets us through.

I nod as I grip Everly’s hand firmer, bringing her up to me and open the door with her directly by my side. “Hello, gentlemen. Am I missing our first meeting?”

“Get out, Sage,” Dad’s voice bounces around the room. “And Everly, you will never be welcome here.”

I hear Everly’s intake of breath in shock. I pull her closer to me, ready to protect the woman I love from my father’s harshness. “We belong here.”

“Not anymore. When I’m finished, you’ll be banished from this land to go live with your commoner of a wife.” He flips his hand in the air like he’s dismissing Everly. The motion disgusts me.

I step up to the table. “Why do you always think you’re so high and mighty? Just because you were born from a certain bloodline, you think that makes you special? But did you also forget that she’s of the approved bloodline as well? I followed your rules, you’re just upset that I’m actually happy about it.”

“How could you be happy with her? She’s not to our family’s standards.”

“Well, you know what?” I wrap my arm around her again, making sure he knows that she’s staying. “Neither am I, and I’m still here.”

“Why are you here?” He stands up and walks toward us. “You’ve never wanted to be king. This is your chance to leave. To walk away.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I never wanted to be king under your rules.” I turn to Everly, who stares back at me with those big, beautiful blue eyes, giving me the courage to stand up to my dad. “But with Everly by my side, we’ll make our own rules. I want to change the perception of this family. I want to use who we are to make Canterbury, and the world around us, great again. I’ve finally found the woman I need to have by my side to do just that, and you bet I’m not going to miss out on this opportunity.”

For the first time in my life, my dad stays silent. I’m shocked, but I don’t want to press my luck. I’ve said my peace. They will either move forward with the banishment or allow me my birthright and start the official training.

I meet eyes with all the men in the room, then my father, before bringing my attention to Everly again. She nods as her lips tilt up into a small smile, reassuring me.

“Gentlemen, I hope you can see my side. I wasn’t trying to disobey my father. I was just willing to fight for what I wanted. If you give me a chance, I will prove my worth, and I promise, one day, you will be proud to call me king.”

In the room full of silence, Everly and I turn to leave them to their thoughts, praying I’ll get the chance to make everything right.