Tempting the Crown (The Crown 1)

“You’d do that?” I had to keep my lips together.

He smiled. “Yes.”

“True, but I do have a roommate.” I tried to think how Brooklyn was going to handle this news.

“She was the one with you at the gala?”

I nodded. “It was actually her night. Something on her bucket list. I tagged along to supervise.”

He laughed. “That’s such an American concept.”

“Why do you say that? Everyone should have a bucket list.”

Damon leaned against the table. “What we did five minutes ago—was that on your bucket list?”

I blushed. “It should have been.” My bucket list consisted of seeing rare collections of text, visiting historic libraries, and traveling to New Zealand. It was probably a one-of-a-kind combination of wanderlust and thirst for knowledge.

“Just live, Molly. Don’t worry about crossing things off an imaginary list. I promise you’ll have more fun that way. Maybe even tonight.” He winked.

I didn’t want to tell him Brooklyn would severely disagree.

“You must have something,” I pressed. “It’s not only Americans. Kings can have goals.”

“I made one happen tonight.”

I tried to think of what we had done that might have given him a sense of accomplishment. “Which was?”

“We’re not locked in separate hotel suites, are we?” I saw the Cheshire cat grin on his face.

“And why is that? Ayla told me not to enter your suite no matter what. She is strict.”

“We’re on international waters. There are ten state rooms on this ship. My crew isn’t going to report anything that happens aboard. It seemed the only way to have you to myself.”

“Is this what happens when we return? We have to sneak to each other’s rooms like we’re in a dorm?”

He laughed. “There is an elaborate tunnel system in the palace.” He paused. “But I’m not using it. You’ll be in my bed.”

The way he said it made me shiver. It was just as possessive and controlling, but I had seen underneath Damon’s hard exterior. I knew there was an emotional side he guarded tirelessly. And for some reason he had peeled back the curtain and given me a glimpse.

“And you think you can pull that off? Upend your family’s history?”

The flicker in his eyes dimmed. “Do you know how I became king?”

“I’m sorry. I don’t.”

“Everyone else in the country knows. You should too.” His voice was smooth.

“It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be a happy story.” I took the refreshing champagne.

“There are two ways you can become the head of the monarchy in Galona: your predecessor steps down and hands the crown to you, or the crown is vacated.” He paused. “In my case, it was vacated. My father died.”

“I’m sorry, Damon.” I wanted to pull him into a hug, but I knew it was important to listen. I stayed put.

“It was supposed to happen eventually. I knew it. But I didn’t envision the weight of the country of my back before I turned thirty. But I’m thirty-two and I’ve ruled for five years. I assumed I’d take over on my father’s death bed, when he was well into his eighties or even nineties. I’d be an old man myself by then. Not a young king. Not a man who wanted freedom. To be honest, I loved being a captain in the Royal Navy.

“It took me a while to stop blaming him. To stop cursing my father for what he did to my life, by dying young. By leaving my mother and the rest of us.”

My heart twisted with his pain.