“Ahh. And you aren’t royal.”
“No, I’m not.” It seemed as if someone was always trying to remind me what my position was in the palace. Instructing me to adhere to all the rules. Explaining that because I’m such an outsider, I couldn’t possibly understand.
“That’s a good thing, Molly.” She smiled. “Damon needs that. We all do. A touch of reality in these walls is what we’re all looking for. It will keep him grounded and make him a better king. I think it’s already happening.”
“Favor granted.” I used my best royal voice. We both laughed.
“You’re the best.” She stood to leave. “I’m glad you’re here. You have no idea what it’s like living with four brothers.”
The palace was so huge I never ran into any of them. Everyone kept to their private apartments.
“No, I only have one.” I couldn’t relate to her life for many reasons.
“Lucky you.”
“I’ll let you know how it goes with Damon.”
She pulled me into a hug. “Thank you.”
I sighed. If only the rest of my day was going to be that easy.
37
Damon
Georgan waited for me behind The Titan. The door closed as I left and I knew I’d never be back. I had paid Lesage in full. All traces of my name in the club had been destroyed. The House of Sauvage would be represented by my brothers now.
“Sir.” Georgan held the car door. He stared straight.
“Thank you. I need to make one more stop before we return to the palace.”
“Yes, sir.”
I ducked into the backseat. “I’d like to stop by Vitania’s.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
We sped away from the club. That chapter of my life was closed. No more nights feuding with Sebastian over women. No more drunken parties that ended in one night of fucking. One tender had changed that. It had changed me.
Georgan communicated with the security vehicle behind us. We arrived at the rear entrance of Vitania’s. It was unconventional, but I was steering our path as far from royal tradition as I could. Something about the unsavory exchange with my mother had pushed me further. There was value in the history and the tradition of our family, but there was also an ugly side. A side that had made my mother a bitter woman. She was controlled by the confines of the past. Those shackles wouldn’t hold me down any longer.
I waited in the car while the officers did a quick sweep of the patrons.
“It’s clear. There is no one shopping.”
“Thank you.”
The officer pulled the door open for me. A small bell jingled as I entered. I hadn’t been in this store since I was a child. It was the official jeweler of the royal family, but they usually made house calls. It was one more way I was bucking the system. I could shop for myself.
The woman inside the store nodded. “Your Majesty, this is an honor.” She seemed flustered, immediately straightening her apron.
“Thank you. I could use your help today.”
Her glasses were attached to a chain around her neck. She had thick spongy hair like a curly helmet.
“Anything you need. What are you shopping for today?” she asked. “I-I really am honored you have chosen today to shop.”
I walked toward the first glass case. I didn’t see anything I liked.