Reign A Romance Anthology - Nina Levine Page 0,256

hesitated, glancing around before catching my hand and giving it a firm squeeze. "Thank you. I might take you up on that offer." With that, she walked away, lifting the sandwich to her lips and taking a large bite.

It was as close to a concession as she'd give me.

And despite the tragic situation, it made me feel like a king.

13

Jonathan

Royal motorcade, on route to The Royal Palace

Katherine slumped into me, her breathing slow and even as she slumbered.

Victoria and Jane sat across from us, their own eyelids drooping.

For the last four days these women had worked tirelessly to support our country through the crisis.

In the end, three people lost their lives, Kit sitting with their families for hours, hearing their stories, letting them grieve.

While it was called a miracle that more passengers and crew hadn't died, Kit didn't see it that way. She's grieved alongside the families, feeling each death as if it had been a member of her own family.

To protect her will be a full-time job, that's for sure.

It wasn't just her body I now knew I needed to watch, it was her heart as well.

The car slowed, the smooth road turning to gravel under the tires, the car jolting a little as we drove down the back entrance to the Royal Palace.

Kit started, jerking away from me, blinking sleep from her eyes. "Are we home?"

"Nearly."

She rubbed at her face. "Okay, good. I'll need to have a look at—"

"Kit," I said softly, cupping her cheek. "You need sleep before doing anything else."

She shook her head. "The families—"

"Are likely sleeping as well, it's nearly three in the morning. Nothing cmore an happen tonight. Go and sleep. The summons and decisions can wait until tomorrow."

Her jaw clenched, her chin lifting. "You do not control me, Jon. You don't own me or order me around. I didn't give you that permission."

I loved the fire in her veins, the warrior ready to sacrifice all for her people. "And I would never ask it of you. You're exhausted, Kit. Anyone can see it. You'll have another long day tomorrow, and likely another after that. I'm suggesting you sleep so you can better deal with all your tomorrows. That's all."

The fight faded from her, her body wilting. "This doesn't mean I'm giving in."

"I never doubted it."

The car slowed to a stop, the door opening. Kit climbed out first, the rest of us following like sleepy little ducklings.

"Luke, could you please find beds for Victoria and Jane?"

"And Mr. Tuhana?" the butler asked helpfully.

She glanced back at me. "Not just yet. We have something to discuss first."

Jane and Victoria bid us good night, following the butler into the visitor wing of the palace.

"This way."

Kit led us through the quiet palace halls and down towards her private residence. There were areas of the palace where the general public could go on escorted tours during the day. Other areas where visitors and dignitaries were housed. And this wing, which was solely for the Royal Family's use.

Here, formal pictures and paintings gave way to warm candids and intimate captures. Plants grew in pots, and flowers filled vases, all adding a lived-in feeling to the rooms.

Her hand hesitated, hovering on a door knob. "Don't judge."

I grinned. "Judge?"

She rolled her eyes, then pushed the door open, revealing her extensive private suite.

I followed her through, absently closing the door behind us, my gaze drawn to all the greenery around the room.

Plants dominated the space, turning it from a bedroom into a small jungle.

"This is…."

"A lot? A jungle? A plant hoarder's delight?" She laughed. "Go on, I've heard it all before."

"I was actually going to say incredible." I reached out a hand to touch the leaf of a giant fern. "Do you look after them?"

She nodded, gesturing at the room. "My therapist suggested green therapy as a way to deal with grief."

"Green therapy?"

"Gardening. Or looking at nature. Long story short, I'm not allowed to touch the gardens because it freaks the gardeners out and there are too many public tours and yada yada." She shrugged. "So Mother purchased me a fern and this slowly happened."

I made a mental note to purchase her plants for her birthday.

"Therapist?"

She chuckled. "Oh yes. Don't you know the Royal Family has a full suite of psychologists on staff? We're quite mad, you know."

She yawned, her jaw stretching so wide that it cracked.

"Sorry," she muttered, scrubbing a hand over her face. "I wanted to speak to you about our engagement."

"How about we sleep first?" I asked, placing a hand