Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,248

could deny that, particularly after tonight.

And he can give you a child.

I swallowed, a new pain blooming in my chest, distracting me from my headache.

If you say yes there'll have to be terms. A contract will need to be drawn up that makes it clear what the expectations of his office shall be. He'll be Prince Consort. Your Prince Consort. He'll be offered riches and opportunities all in an effort to gain access to me. Clear guidelines, clear expectations. It's the only way this will work.

And a baby. At least two. An heir and a spare, as is my duty.

I wanted to distance myself from my future children. I wanted to consider them as nothing but names in what would be a long lineage of future royalty.

But I could not. My heart ached for these future babies. They would be the love I would never find. I wanted to shelter and protect them. Adore them. Love them more than my heart could know.

So, it's settled. Victoria can organise for the lawyers to draw up the contract. If Mr. Tuhana agrees, then we shall be married before the election. That will allow time for a small honeymoon prior to the swearing in of the new Prime Minister. We'll be married in the Murmuranay on whatever weekend is available. There will be a public holiday, as is tradition, and we shall retire to the summer house at Kilgarie for our honeymoon.

I nodded as if it were decided. As if I had any say in the matter. As if it were a decision about brunch rather than the rest of my life.

My hand absently rubbed at the skin above the ache in my chest.

I'll talk to Victoria tomorrow. All will be settled when I next meet with Mr. Tuhana.

I closed my eyes determined to fall asleep and ignore the deep well of sadness radiating from where my heart used to be.

Katherine

Morning Room, The Royal Palace

I lifted the tea cup to my lips to take a sip of the smooth brew. Around the breakfast table sat my mother, my siblings, Victoria, and the head of Palace security.

"And you're sure he was a lone actor?" My brother pressed for the fourth time in as many minutes.

"We cannot rule out the possibility of him being a part of a larger organisation, but at the moment we have no intelligence to tell us otherwise, Your Highness."

"Leo, stop." My mother sighed in exasperation. "The poor man has answered your questions. Tim has nothing more to add. Am I right?" she asked.

Tim nodded. "I'm sorry. I wish I had more but until the intelligence agencies complete their assessment I can't offer anything further."

Mother reached across the table, patting Tim's hand. "That's quite alright, Timothy. We appreciate all your efforts."

Charlotte shook her head. "I just don't understand how he slipped through. Surely the background check would have picked this up."

"It appears we were misled about his attendance. He used his cousin's name, the two being remarkably similar in appearance. The cousin lives in New York and is horrified by this incident."

"And the knife? How did he get that through?"

"We're still investigation. Tim cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably on his chair. "If there's nothing else then I'll be going."

"Thank you, Tim. That will be—"

I interrupted my mother.

"Just one thing, actually." I set my tea cup in the saucer with a small click, then settled my hands in my lap, forcing calm and reassurance into my voice. "I should like to discuss a particularly sensitive matter that cannot leave this room."

The room immediately cleared of the two bodyguards and one waiter who'd stood off to the side, they knew the process for this sort of request.

I waited for the door to shut before focussing on Tim. "I have decided to marry."

My brother stuttered, choking on a mouthful of coffee. Charlotte dropped her spoon, her mouth agape as she stared at me.

Victoria immediately opened her notebook, pulling a pen from the messy bun on her head and holding it at the ready as she watched me.

Good woman.

Tim and my mother showed zero reaction.

"And who is this man?" Mother asked, reaching for the salt.

"Mr. Tuhana, actually. Following last night's incident, he offered akaternok ah yalonel. Pending an extensive background check, risk assessment, and a signed contract outlining his role and the responsibilities that come with being Prince Consort, I expect us to be married before the election."

Silence dominated the table. I persevered.

"Victoria, can you please organise a private meeting with Mr. Tuhana for tomorrow