Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,175

publicly. Someone to have my children. Someone who will make a wonderful queen one day. But in Lila, I also found someone who accepts my love for Greyson. I won’t give up that acceptance.”

My father lets out an exasperated sigh. “And what happens if the media finds out about the three of you?” Father’s blue eyes narrow.

“Have they found out about Greyson and me?” I question.

“There have been rumors,” he adds.

“Exactly, and each one of them has been quashed,” I explain.

“What happens if Lila falls pregnant?” He looks between the two of us. “If you have this kind of relationship, how will you know which one of your children is the true heir.”

“We will be careful. We have spoken about it, and we all understand what’s involved.”

My father shakes his head again. “I just don’t understand how this will work.” He looks between us, confused.

“You don’t need to know. Please, just accept that what we’re doing is what the three of us want,” I explain.

“And Lila? Is she okay with this?”

I look over at Greyson and smile. “She is. We have clicked. It feels normal. Easy. As if we’ve known each other for a lifetime.”

“I don’t understand. I don’t get why you don’t want a normal relationship, Auggie.” He looks over at me, and I can see the concern on his face.

“It feels normal to us,” I tell him, but he continues to shake his head.

“If I may say something,” Greyson speaks.

My father nods in his direction to continue.

“I understand your concern, your highness,” he starts. “If it would make you feel more accepting of our relationship, then I will go to Lindburg.”

What? No. I won’t let Greyson do that.

“But I would like to come back for the wedding if that’s okay?”

The silence stretches across the room.

“You would be happy to go down there to work… to the Winter Palace.”

Greyson nods.

“I’m happy to give Augustine and Lila the time they need together before the wedding. To grow as a couple.” Greyson looks over at me and gives me a reassuring smile.

No. I won’t let him do that.

“I don’t want you to go, Grey,” I tell him.

“I know, but your father is right. I think you and Lila need to have one-on-one time together, to build on the foundation you already have.”

I shake my head.

No.

I want to build a life for the three of us, and we can’t do that if one of us is missing.

“But we want you, Greyson. You know that. Lila has said that.”

He nods his head in agreement.

“I can leave today, your highness,” Greyson tells us.

No. I don’t understand what’s happening.

Why is he running away?

“Thank you, Greyson.” My father smiles. “Thank you for your understanding.”

No. This isn’t right.

“And, yes, I am happy for you to be back for the wedding.” Greyson nods. “You may go.” My father dismisses him.

No.

Greyson stands and walks out of the office with his father.

“Why are you doing this?” I ask once we have the room to ourselves.

“I’m doing what’s best for you. For the crown and country,” he tells me.

“By sending away the man I love.”

“No. By giving you time to fall in love with Lila,” he adds.

“That is easy. She’s easy to fall in love with,” I confess to my father. His eyes widen in surprise. “She’s an amazing woman.”

“Then give her the one-on-one time she deserves, Auggie.” His voice softens. “It’s four weeks out of a lifetime.”

“And if we do this, and if after four weeks apart, we still need Greyson in our lives, will you accept it?” I ask.

“Yes,” he answers, surprising me. “My only stipulation is that I will need you to make sure that the only heirs she is carrying are yours, Auggie.”

“I understand. We all understand.” He simply nods his head. “I know that what I have with Lila and Greyson is not what you want for me, but it’s what I want for me.”

“What happens if you grow tired of the three of you?” he asks.

“For fifteen years, Greyson and I have been on and off. I haven’t managed to get sick of him during that time.”

“And what about Lila. It’s new. The foundation isn’t there.”

“I’m working on it. We are working on it,” I tell him.

Father still has a scowl on his face, but I think he’s becoming more understanding.

“Lila understands her duty, as do I.”

He nods his head.

“I’m trusting you, Auggie.”

And with that, I leave his office on the hunt for one stubborn bodyguard.

12

Greyson

“What the hell do you think you’re playing at?” Auggie