The Prince's Christmas Vow

“She...she must have been quite a lady.”

“She was. I miss her dearly. She was so much better at handling our boys than I have ever been. I’ve made so many mistakes along the way.”

Zoe wasn’t sure what to make of this conversation. She laced her fingers together to keep from fidgeting. Was he trying to apologize? Or was he preparing to send her packing? She really hoped it was the latter. It’d make leaving so much easier. Not that any part of this was easy.

The king stopped walking and turned to her. “I have a question for you.” When she went to say something, he held up his hand, silencing her. “But I need you to think carefully and tell the truth. Can you do that?”

She didn’t want to. She had a feeling she knew what his question was going to be. And the answer was best left unspoken. But she nodded her head anyway.

“Do you love my son?”

She was right about the question. The truth was Demetrius’s name was tattooed upon her heart. She didn’t know where the king was going with this conversation, but she couldn’t lie. Not about that.

She nodded. “I love him. I never stopped.”

The king didn’t look the least bit surprised. “I suspected as much. And so will anyone who sees that picture of you two.”

“But—”

He held up his hand again. “I need you to listen carefully to me.”

She wrung her hands together. If only the king knew the whole truth, he would banish her from the palace—banish her from his son. Guilt hung heavy on her shoulders.

“I’ve watched my son over this past year. I’ve seen how he’s grown—how he’s taken on his responsibilities. And I couldn’t be more proud of him. But this change came at a horrendous price.”

Zoe’s chest tightened. She knew that the king was going to blame her for his son’s unhappiness. But he was too late. She already blamed herself. If she could undo it, she would.

The king’s gaze met hers. “When he first brought you home, I didn’t believe my son had found his soul mate. Back then he was known for his rash decisions. And I must admit that I was quite leery at first. I thought that his elopement was just him acting out again. But I was wrong. Over this past year I’ve learned how much he truly loves you.”

Zoe blinked repeatedly, keeping her tears at bay. “I never meant to hurt him.”

“I know, my dear. And I’ve called you here because I owe you an apology. If I have played a part in keeping you two apart, I am sorry. Please excuse this old man’s meddling. I only ever wanted what was best for both of my sons.”

Zoe couldn’t let the king believe he was the reason for her and Demetrius breaking up. Sure, at first she was overwhelmed and a bit intimidated with the skepticism from the king and his advisors, but that was to be expected. Her problem was that she had unrealistic expectations—hopes that life with a prince would solve all of her problems.

The truth was only she could solve her problems—by facing them head-on. And even then there weren’t always solutions, sometimes there was only acceptance of the inevitable.

“Your son is a wonderful man. He will one day be a great leader.”

“But will you be by his side?”

The backs of her eyes stung with unshed tears. She shook her head. “It’s better this way.”

“My dear, if I’ve learned anything in this life, it is that life is fleeting and true love should never be taken for granted. If you love my son as you say you do, trust in him and his love.”

She wanted to do just that, but the king had no idea what he was asking. He didn’t understand that she was not the proper match for Demetrius. She was flawed and she just couldn’t put Demetrius through the same agony she endured day in and day out as she watched her mother slowly fade away.

“And now, my dear, I hate to bother you, but I have a most urgent request. Would you be willing to help out this old man?”

Zoe would never classify the vital man standing before her as old. She had no idea what he was about to ask of her, but she didn’t have it in her to turn him down.

“Of course. Just tell me what you need me to do.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

ZOE WAS ON a special mission—a royal mission.

She sat alone in the back of a limo.

The car pulled to a stop in front of the Mirraccino Royal Hospital. The driver opened the door for her. Here goes nothing.