Risking the Crown (The Crown 2)

I had found the dropped shoe.

The coffee percolated and made a sudden whoosh when the last drops filled the pot. I filled a cup and walked to the sunroom. I didn’t have the energy to make an omelet. It seemed like the sun was covered with clouds even though the ocean sparkled in front of me.

I held the cup between my hands when Nic walked in.

“That’s done. Where’s breakfast?” He looked at the empty table.

My eyes floated upward.

“Everything all right?”

I pressed my lips together. “I don’t know if it is or not.”

He sat in a wicker chair. “Did the staff return?”

“No. They haven’t.” The house was quiet.

“Well, what is it?”

There was no use in pretending. We were supposed to be built on truth and light. I couldn’t hide. He could see I was being swallowed with doubt.

“I found an empty bottle of wine on the kitchen counter. No one has been here all night or morning.”

He stared at me. “And you want me to explain it?”

I nodded. “I do.”

He relaxed in his seat. “Dr. Garcia said this would happen.”

“What would happen?” I was hurt and irritated. I didn’t want riddles.

“I found the bottle of wine too. Although, the bottle was full. The staff had opened it last night with our meal. It was paired with dinner. And it was a good wine. The kind we serve at the palace. French, of course, from the Alsace region.” He looked past me toward the waves crashing on the beach. “It was after you had fallen asleep. There were two glasses on the table and the wine, uncorked. I could smell it before I even picked it up.”

I held my breath. I wanted to protest. I wanted to yell no as loudly as I could. I wanted to shatter the glass in the sunroom with my outrage, but I stayed silent while Nic spoke.

“God, it smelled good. It smelled so good I

could taste it. I picked up the bottle and the glasses.” He looked at me. “And I took it over to the kitchen sink. There was a second. Longer than a second when I thought about pouring one glass. Just one. I wanted to celebrate. I wanted to celebrate how much I love you. How much I loved what we had just shared in that bed. How incredibly different my life is now. I wanted to drink and drink and drink.” He stopped speaking. “Drink in happiness. In joy. Drink even though the last thing I’m ever supposed to do is drink.”

My eyes watered. I didn’t know if I could listen to this. I had to get out of here, but as I tried to stand, Nic’s hand was on my wrist. He held me firmly in place.

“But I didn’t. I poured it out, baby. I didn’t do it.”

I let out a sob. “You didn’t?”

“No.”

I covered my mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry I asked.”

“Well, I’m an alcoholic. It would be strange if you didn’t ask.”

My relief was clouded by guilt. Had I hurt him? Did he think I doubted his strength?

“I wanted the wine, Kenley, but I didn’t drink it, because I want this life more.” He leaned toward me. “I want this life more.”

I smiled. “I’m glad. I’m so glad you fought it.” I let the tears fall and then I fell into his arms.

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