“It’s gorgeous,” I said, running my hands over the fabric of the exquisite ballgown that could’ve come straight out of a period movie set.

“Have you decided?” Jameson asked, raking his fingers through his wild hair.

I worried my lip between my teeth, glancing out the window of the suite he’d secured just for me. “I still can’t believe you found me.”

He sighed. “It wasn’t easy. Xander had exhausted every possible resource until he realized you didn’t want to be found.”

“And you?” I asked, the guilt and grief and hope gnawing at my frayed nerves.

Jameson’s eyes flickered with that hint of mischief that seemed ever present. “I have resources Xander doesn’t.” A smirk shaped his full lips, and I shook my head.

“A secretary, no doubt,” I said, a little laughter in my tone. “At Laura’s agency.”

“I’ll never tell.” He winked and shoved his hands in his pants pockets as he came to stand next to me. “You came all this way,” he said. “And you won’t tell me if you’ll actually attend the ball or not.”

“I don’t want to hurt him.” I smoothed my hand over my tummy but quickly dropped it when Jameson’s gaze lingered there. He arched an eyebrow but I turned my back to him to collect myself.

“You’re hurting each other,” he said, and I sank into the chair in the corner of the suite. I’d flown across the country, again—after Laura had massively researched that it wouldn’t hurt the baby in any way. But I wasn’t sure if I could bring myself to see him. What I carried inside me…it could ruin him.

“I know this is a shit situation,” he continued. “But…fuck, can you blame me, Willa? He’s my brother, my best friend. Hell, we’re twins. He’s miserable and it’s making me miserable right alongside him.”

“I ruined his life.”

Jameson kneeled in front of me to catch my gaze. “You exploded it,” he said, smirking. “I’ve been with him since birth, and I’d never seen him as happy, as content, or as strong when he was with you. You altered him, Willa. That’s why I’m here. That’s why I tracked you down and begged you to get on a plane. He needs to see you.” He tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his eyes. “Even if only to get closure. The way you two left things…it’s eating away at you both.”

I nodded, swiping away the tears under my eyes. “I know. I’m sorry…I had to leave—”

“I don’t need your reasoning. I’ve ran away from more problems in my life than anyone. He deserves to know. If nothing else.” He stood and glanced at his watch. “They’ll be wondering where I am and why I’m not dressed.” He flashed me a soft smile. “I’ve put your name on the list…without Xander knowing,” he added quickly. “I know it’s selfish of me to place this on you…but he needs your strength, Willa. This will be the hardest announcement he’ll ever have to make, and it’s killing him.”

More tears pooled in my eyes as Jameson headed toward the door.

“Jaime,” I said, and the use of his family nick-name stopped him with his hand on the knob. “Thank you,” I said. “For…loving him the way you do. You’re a good man. And an even better brother.”

He gave me a slight nod before turning out the door.

An hour long shower, and some serious magical finger work, I was in the dress that was eighty percent skirts and twenty percent bodice. I slipped the damn heels on, and asked valet to call me a cab.

I can’t believe we’re doing this. I rubbed my hand over my belly, speaking inwardly as I had the past month. I already loved this child with all of my heart, and now we were headed toward its father with no way of knowing what to do or say or how to tell him.

A father my baby might never know.

Again the thought occurred to me to just give us both closure and leave him to his people, his kingdom. It shot ice through my heart, but I wanted to do what was best for him.

Jameson says he’s miserable.

But wouldn’t he be more miserable knowing he had me but not wholly? I’d be in his life, we’d be in his life, but only in the shadows. In secret. Always living in fear over who would discover us and the true heritage of our child.

By the time the palace guards had waved me inside, I still didn’t have a clue what to do.

My heels clicked against the marble floors as I followed the crowds of people toward the main ballroom, my throat closing with each step I took. My heart raced, threatening to burst from my chest with the simple anticipation of even setting eyes on Xander again. Just seeing him…God, it would both crush and revitalize me.

The ballroom was packed with people dressed in their finest, something that never seemed out of place in the palace. Me, on the other hand…

I stuck to the back, my eyes scanning the crowd for Xander but coming up blank. Jameson was near the front of the room where a dais was planted on a stage. He caught my gaze, relief pooling through his eyes as he smiled at me.

I shrugged, gripping the folds of my dress for support.

I found a place to hold up the back wall, determined not to be seen. I wouldn’t cause a scene. Not here. Not with so much at stake for Xander.

A sharp gasp I knew all too well jolted my entire body.

“What are you doing here?” Xander’s mother whispered as she clicked over to me, her own gown beautiful and elegant and all the things I wasn’t.

I parted my lips but quickly closed them. Composure. Don’t make a scene.

“Are you hell bent on destroying him?” She kept her tone a whisper, now so close to me I could smell her minty breath.

“No,” I said, and lowered my voice when a man in full military dress glanced at the two of us. “No, of course not.”

The queen narrowed her gaze at me, and for a second I swear I saw sadness in them. It was gone as quickly as it came. “What will it take for you to leave my son alone?”

A sharp burst of pain sliced through my chest, and tears pooled in my eyes. Damn hormones. I flicked the moisture away, taking a deep breath.

“Money?” she continued. “What is your price?”

I gaped at her. “You still think I’m after a crown and a title?” Fire coursed through my veins but I kept a lock on my anger.

“A million?” She asked. “Would that do it? Two?”

I rolled my eyes. “Pardon me, Your Majesty, but are you fucking serious?”

She straightened her shoulders, tilting her chin up just slightly. “Five million.”

I shook my head. “I don’t need nor do I want your money. No amount, not five million, not one hundred million, could stop me from loving your son. I would take Xander in any way I could get him—broke and living in a box under a bridge, or wealthy and living in a palace…even one I’m not welcome in.” I sighed. “Even knowing I’m not allowed to hold his heart as my own, even after all the pain this situation has caused us, I’m still here. I’m still here. Every jab you’ve thrown, or the paparazzi, or fucking parliament and the Prime Minister…I’m right here.” I sucked in a sharp breath, the realization of my decision crystal clear in my head and my heart. “I adore your son. I love him more than I knew was possible for one person to love another, and I have no intentions of leaving him when he needs me. I will not cost him his crown, I will not risk his kingdom, but I will be here for the man that he is. I will be whatever he needs me to be…even if that means being a  ghost in his life. Because my love for him is that strong.” I pressed my lips together. “But it’s his decision what he wants. Not yours, or a council’s, or the family. It’s his. And I’ll support whatever it is he decides.”

A lone tear trailed down the queen’s cheek, and the sight of the emotion stunned me.

She flicked it away, a small smile on her lips. “Well,” she said, folding her hands in front of her. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“What?” I stared at her, dumbfounded.

She pursed her lips, a slight lift to her shoulders. “I wouldn’t want anything less for my son. I know that may be hard to believe, but can you blame me? I had to know.”

“Had to know what?”

She sighed, glancing toward the dais before returning focus to me. “Know that you were worth whatever may come next.” She gave me a nod and then spun on her heels, gracefully clicking toward the stage.

My heart swelled from the exchange but it was quickly replaced with sheer terror and excitement.

Xander.

He stepped onto the stage, the weight of the world on his shoulders. Everything in my soul screamed to rush to him, soothe that stress, let him know we’d find a way to make this work, but I kept my feet firmly planted.

I couldn’t cause a scene.

I couldn’t ruin one more thing for him.

I gripped the folds of my dress skirts, needing something to hang on to, and silently sent up a message.

I’m here. We’re here. We’re with you. Always.