they are given, which of course means the Byrnes get to keep more of what’s theirs.”
Mom leaned forward. “What do you believe, Auggie?”
Once again, he sighed. “I’ve seen it work both ways. Ademar, for example. They’ve had their own working government since the 19th century. But the road hasn’t been easy. Many times, Aldayne has had to step in to bolster their resources and protect them from global enemies. And it’s a moot point anyway. Old Mother would never sign off on such a thing. And neither would King Cillian.”
“But King Augustine might,” she suggested softly.
His eyes met hers. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that there are more than two choices here. Maybe your destiny is meant to shape your reign into something completely different, learning from the mistakes of the past. A good king will do what is right for his people.” She reached for my hand. “And a good queen will guide and support him.”
He glanced down at me. “She already does.” He glanced back at my parents. “The only thing missing would be the McPhee clan.”
Mom chuckled. “What the hell? Aldayne has already stolen two of my girls. And if you think anything can keep me away from my new grandson, you’re bananas.”
We all laughed.
Later that night, as Auggie and I were lying in bed, he snuggled me close as he stroked my tummy. “You have a phenomenal family, my love.”
I touched his hand on my stomach. “Yes. We do.”
We kissed softly. I touched his face as he lifted away.
“I don’t want to be the reason you step away from doing what you feel is right.”
He once again touched my tummy. “No one could fault me if I did. Given what happened to my mother and father.”
“Even more reason to choose me,” I deduced. An American outcast devoted to her child. I was Sofie Agassi all over again—one that a smarter Quinn knew he had to hold onto, lest he fall to ruin.
I was and always had been his “out.”
He nodded. “Is that about to blow up in my face?” he grinned.
I laughed. “Maybe,” I said softly.
He kissed me again, this time stronger and more urgently. He gathered me close. “I feel I can do anything with you at my side, Peaches.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I promised, and spent the rest of the night sealing my vow without any words at all.
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Royal Symphony Hall of Aldayne was in Queen’s Quay, a towering black behemoth overlooking the ocean. It was the home venue for the Queen’s Royal Symphony Orchestra, but many musical acts performed there throughout the year.
This was to be the setting of Auggie’s final concert on what looked to be his final tour.
I was with him when he stepped out onto the stage the first time, looking out over the empty auditorium where more than 5,000 people would soon fill the seats.
It was a smaller venue than most of the dates had been, but that was what made it feel more intimate. That it was his home, even more so.
“Are you really ready for this part of your life to be over, Auggie?”
He took me into his arms. “It was only holding your place until you came along.” He kissed me.
“There will be plenty of time for that on your honeymoon, boss,” Gav said as he walked out on stage with Fern and Dash in tow.
Auggie laughed. “You first, mate.”
“Fair play to the king,” Gav said with a bow, before he pulled Fern into the crook of his arm and stole a kiss of his own.
I pulled away. “I’m going to meet Archer’s plane. I’ll be back in a few hours.”
Auggie tugged me back by the arm. “I don’t want you going to the airport alone.”
I reached up for a kiss. “I’m not alone. Sean is with me. And Audra. I’ll be perfectly safe.”
He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me forward for a passionate kiss. “You better be,” he growled.
“Stay here and rehearse,” I said. “I’ll be back tonight.” I blew a kiss to the people I loved as left the stage to find Audra, who waited for me in the wings.
Audra was one of the few people who knew what had happened with Christopher. There was nobody in the Queen’s court that Auggie trusted more, and he trusted her to keep Christopher Tyler as far away from Jack and me as humanly possible.
Whether she, like Sean, had figured out the connection between Christopher and me remained unclear. She