Theseus Discovers His Heir

‘I don’t care.’

‘Well, I do. I’ve spent over two hours getting ready.’

‘And you look spectacular.’

She felt her cheeks flame at his heartfelt compliment and couldn’t resist one more glance in the mirror.

Another shopping trip with Elektra had resulted in Jo picking an ivory crêpe dress that dipped in a V at the front and fell to mid-calf. She’d finished the outfit with a wide tan leather belt across her middle and pair of high, braided white leather sandals.

A fortnight ago she wouldn’t have dreamed of wearing something that put so much emphasis on her buxom figure—although the height of the sandals elongated her nicely—but Theseus’s genuine delight in her curves had given her real confidence. She’d never shown so much cleavage in her life!

Elektra had twisted her hair into an elegant knot and gone to work on her face. The result was a dream. Her eyes had never looked so blue, her lips so...kissable. Yes, the lips she’d always hated for being as plump as her bottom looked kissable. She even had defined cheekbones!

Today she was going to meet the King and dozens of other dignitaries as Theseus’s guest at a select pre-Gala lunch.

Boxes of the biography had arrived in the early hours, and a dozen members of the palace staff were already organising them for distribution amongst the five thousand Gala attendees.

But first Theseus wanted to present his grandfather with his own copy.

He hadn’t said anything but she knew he was apprehensive about his grandfather’s reaction, so she was trying hard to smother her terror at the thought of all the important people she would be forced to converse with as an equal and to be bright and cheerful for Theseus, in the hope that it might settle his own silent nerves.

Once the lunch was over they would go to the amphitheatre. Theseus would sit with his family in the royal box and Jo would sit with Toby and Elektra, who was caring for him in the meantime.

After kissing Toby goodbye—and his, ‘Wow, Mummy, you look like a princess!’ had made her feel ten feet tall—she and Theseus got into the car and were driven to the palace.

It felt strange, coming back to it.

Barely a fortnight had passed since she’d moved into Theseus’s villa but it felt like so much longer. It felt as if she was looking at the palace with fresh eyes.

The sun shone high above, its rays beaming down and soaking the palace in glorious sunlight, making the different coloured roofs brighter and all the ornate gothic and mythological statues and frescoes come to life.

When they arrived, entering through Theseus’s private entrance, they passed the door of her old apartment. She looked at it with a touch of wistfulness, wondering who the next person to inhabit it would be.

Climbing the stairs, she watched as the carefree man who had slowly re-emerged during her time in his villa put his princely skin back on. She wished with all her heart that she could pull it off him.

Theseus felt no joy as a prince, spending his days at official functions with stuffy dignitaries and being sent abroad to protect and advance his island’s interests. There was no time to climb the peaks or stare at the stars.

He needed to be out in the air. He needed to be free.

The man she’d met five years ago had been free and happy. Joy had radiated from him.

Courtiers appeared at their side and Dimitris was with them. In his hand was a hardback book, with a portrait of the King on the cover... It was the biography...

‘He’s ready for you,’ Dimitris murmured.

He had to mean King Astraeus.

This was the moment when he would learn what his grandson had done in his honour. She hoped he’d recognise the incredible effort Theseus had put into it. She hoped the King would be proud.

Theseus turned to Jo. ‘A courtier will take you to the stateroom where the guests are meeting for lunch. Wait for me there.’

The strain was huge in his eyes.

‘Are you okay?’ she asked softly.

He met her gaze. Understanding passed between them.

Theseus brushed a thumb along her cheekbone, resisting the urge to kiss her. Instead he gave a curt nod and left for his grandfather’s quarters.

He found him sat in his wheelchair, looking out of a high window, dressed in full regalia, with his dark purple sash tied from shoulder to hip in the same way as Theseus’s own. Only his nurse was in attendance.

‘You wanted to see me?’ his grandfather said, interest on his wizened face.

Taking a deep breath, Theseus crossed the threshold.

He’d prepared a speech for this moment; words which might explain the regret he carried for all the shame and worry he’d put on this great man’s shoulders and how this book had been created to honour him.