Not Fit for a King?

On the other hand, he hadn’t been living in Raguva when his parents died. He’d been in Madrid, but he had returned, and learned what he needed to know to get the job done and he’d served Raguva well.

Others could do what he had done. His oldest cousin, Emmanuel, was first in line, and a compassionate, educated man. He’d be a quick study but his health was poor. So poor in fact that he and his wife hadn’t started a family yet due to Emmanuel’s weak heart, which meant succession would once again be an issue.

Emmanuel’s younger brother, Nicolas, was next in line and Nicolas was charismatic but a notorious spendthrift. Despite a sizable allowance, he was always in debt and looking for a quick bailout from one family member or another.

No, Nicolas was not an option. He’d ruin Raguva within a year or two.

So who then would be Raguva’s king should Zale step down? Who would protect Raguva? Who could put Raguva first?

Hannah reached out, placing her hand on his chest. “Stop,” she murmured. “There’s nothing to do, nothing to decide. We both know how this plays out. I’m leaving in the morning.”

“No.”

Her hand caressed the smooth plane of muscle. “I don’t want to go, but I can’t give you heirs, and you need heirs. Not just an heir and a spare, but a whole brood.”

“I won’t lose you.”

“It will be better once I go. Better to make a quick, clean break. We both know the longer I stay the worse it’ll be.”

“I’ve lost so much in my life, Hannah. How can I be expected to give you up, too?”

She was silent a long moment. “I don’t know,” she said at last. “But it’s the only real option. You can’t forsake your country, and you need to be here for Tinny.”

“Tinny can go wherever we go.”

“But the palace is the only home Tinny has ever known. You can’t take him from his home. Nor can you walk away from your responsibilities here. You are the king. This is your country. This is your destiny.”

He cupped her face in his hands, his expression fierce, his amber eyes burning. “You are my destiny. I am sure of it. More sure of it than I’ve ever been of anything.”

She kissed him, once and again. “I love you, Zale, but you’re wrong. I can’t be your destiny, not when Raguva needs you.”

“It’s so easy for you to go?”

“No! It’s not easy, but if you relinquished your throne for me, you’d come to resent me, and I’d always feel guilty.” “There has to be another way.”

Hannah curled closer to him, her cheek pressed to his chest so she could listen to the strong, steady beat. The even steady beat soothed her, reassured her. He was a good man and a true king. “But there isn’t, darling. Is there?”

So it was decided. She’d be leaving in the morning. Zale would take her to the airport, and put her on his plane for Dallas.

Decision made, Zale called the palace requesting Chef to send dinner over, and they ate in her room, and drank a bottle of red wine and talked for hours about everything but Hannah’s departure in the morning.

At midnight they made love again and talked some more, and then somehow it was dawn, and the sun was rising from behind the mountains, turning the sky pale yellow.

Hannah lay in Zale’s arms watching the sky gradually lighten.

She felt Zale’s hand in her hair, his fingers threading through the long strands. He hadn’t spoken in hours but she could feel the emotion inside of him.

“I know I’m not in a position to be asking for favors,” she said softly, breaking the silence, “but I’d like to ask for one anyway. Can I see Tinny one more time before I go?”

Zale didn’t answer.

“Just a brief visit,” she added. “I’ll keep it light. Won’t get emotional. Won’t make a big deal about saying goodbye.”

“I don’t know, Hannah. Tinny already thinks you’re going to be his sister and he won’t understand why you’re not there anymore.”

“But won’t he already be confused as to why I’m not there?” She turned in his arms to better see his face. “I can tell Tinny I have to go to Texas to see some of my family, and I’ll tell him about Texas and ranches and cowboys.” Her eyes searched Zale’s. “Please, Zale. It would help me to leave, help me know I haven’t just walked away from Tinny as if he didn’t matter.”

Zale’s jaw flexed, his expression taut. “Fine. I’ll call Mrs. Sivka and let her know we’re taking morning tea with Tinny.”

“Thank you.”

Three hours later they were sitting down in Tinny’s suite at a small table in the living room for morning tea. The table was covered with a cheerful yellow check cloth and a bowl of daisies sat in the middle. Teacups and plates were at each of the three places and Tinny rocked excitedly back and forth in his chair, delighted that he was entertaining.