“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.
“What did you do? How did you cope with the responsibility and grief?”
“I governed,” he answered flatly. “Meanwhile, my father’s advisors surrounded me. Sutcliffe, he’s left over from the old days. I’ve replaced most of them. Kenley and Ayla are new additions. They suit my style better.”
I wondered if it also helped that they were smart beautiful women who had a way of spinning negative situations into positive ones.
“I didn’t realize your mother was still living.”
“She left the Freychon palace after he died. She lives on the coast in one of the summer homes. She converted it into a residence meant for a dowager queen. She wanted to be out of the spotlight. No one blamed her.”
“Do you see her often?”
He shook his head. “Isabel visits the most. Dominic is too engrossed in his own problems. The rest of us have heavy schedules.”
I was sad for her. Sad for all of them. It seemed as if Damon’s father’s death had a rippling effect on the security of the family.
“Maybe I’ll plan a trip after I get through the next round of cabinet votes.”
I nodded. Mothers liked that kind of thing. I knew mine did. She worried if I didn’t call every week. She loved getting cards and small things I could send home. Video calls were our lifeline to each other.
“What happened to your father? Is it ok if I ask?” It seemed like a crucial piece to the puzzle. “Am I prying? I am. Aren’t I?”
“Molly, you can ask. I brought it up. The cause of death was inconclusive. My mother swears it was the stress of running the country.”