“Well, you have it. And we’d like to have you both over. Soon.”
I nodded. “Maybe when we get back.”
“Are you going to South Carolina that soon?” he asked. He followed me through the doors and to the elevator.
“Goodbye, Your Majesty.” I waved to Molly in the dining room and turned to my brother. “We are. I’d like to leave by morning. I’ve been waiting two months for this.”
He pulled me into a hug. “It makes sense now.”
“What’s that?” I looked in his eyes.
“Your sobriety. It’s for her. Your daughter.”
I lowered my head. “They say there is always the moment when a man realizes it’s time to take a stand. The morning I woke up drunk with this letter next to the bed was my moment. I had to do better for her. I knew I could.”
He slapped me on the back. “And you have. I can’t wait to meet my niece.”
I grinned. “I’ll do my best, Your Majesty.” I mocked a bow and skirted onto the elevator.
My brother laughed. “Bastard.”
“You know you love my curtsy.”
The doors closed and I had the king’s blessing.
22
Kenley
I wrung my hands one way and then the other. It felt as if Nic had been gone for hours. I looked at the clock. It had been exactly one. One hour of my life. I walked to the balcony and looked at the ocean.
Maybe if I was the kind of girl who spent time on the beach I wouldn’t be so stressed all the time. Somewhere down at the shore there were tourists enjoying the beautiful day. Taking pictures of the water and the white sand.
My life would be much simpler if I could be one of those people now.
I spun around as soon as the door opened.
I raced to Nic.
“What happened? What did he say?” I spoke
too quickly.
Nic’s hands clasped my shoulders. “We have the king’s blessing.”
My mouth opened, but I couldn’t speak. It was going to be harder than this, I just knew it. We were going to have to fight and argue our way into the king’s favor. He never gave in so easily.
“Just like that?”
He smiled. “Just like that.”
“But why? What conditions did he have?”
Nic laughed. “There are no conditions. He supports us. And he wants me to bring my daughter home.”
I blinked. I didn’t believe what I was hearing. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you trust that I’m going to take care of you and protect you, Kenley. I always will.”