a car door for me. I pause before sliding in, glancing at my half-brother.
“Let me ask you something, Beckett. Would it bother you more, or less if I was into her?”
His eyes darken.
I chuckle. “Thought so.” I slide into the car and nod to the driver. I don’t have the time or the energy to deal with Beckett’s jealousy. Even when we were kids, he was like this. Always feeling inadequate and walking around with a chip on his shoulder.
We share the same mother. He’s my brother. Why can’t he see that? Why does he always have to think that things are done to spite him, instead of realizing that he could have whatever he wants, if he just reaches out and grabs it?
Sure, my father, the King, could be a bit of an ass toward Beckett. I’ll admit that. Still, Beckett walks around like the world owes him something. It’s irritating.
He’s welcome to fuck Margot if he feels like it. Fuck if I care. I have other things on my mind. Namely, a black-haired beauty with different-colored eyes.
When we arrive at the castle, I hop up the wide marble steps with a smile. Before I can make it to my chambers, though, I’m called over to one of the formal reception rooms.
Prince Damon is there, and he strides toward me with his hand extended. He shakes my hand firmly, smiling at me.
“Prince Luca,” he says with a nod. “I was hoping to run into you.”
Damon gestures to a long, overstuffed sofa, and I take a seat. His wife, Dahlia, is there as well. She smiles to me, offering me a glass full of amber liquid. I accept it with a nod.
Prince Damon sits down across from me, leaning his elbows on his knees. “Dahlia told me you’d be willing to accompany us on our mental health campaign. I’m thrilled.”
His smile is wide and open. Princess Dahlia slides her hand onto his shoulder, flicking her blue-tipped hair over her shoulder with her other hand.
I nod. “I’d be happy to.”
Unlike the first time Dahlia asked me to participate, this time I mean it. The more time I spend in Farcliff, the better. I have some unfinished business with Ivy.
Damon grins. “Good. We’re starting the tour here in Farcliff, with a three-day conference in the convention center. It’ll be in three weeks’ time, and from there we’ll have an eight-week itinerary that will take us around the Kingdom. We’d love for you to make a keynote speech. Of course, our royal speech writers are at your disposal, but we were hoping you’d be able to open up about your recovery.”
“Let me know the itinerary, and I’ll do my best to help.”
Dahlia smiles, clasping her hands to her chest. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Call me Luca, please.”
She smiles wider, nodding. “Luca.”
I down the rest of my drink, loving the burn of the liquid as it passes down my throat. Excusing myself, I slip out of the room. I cast one last glance behind me, catching a glimpse of Damon sliding his hands over his wife’s body. He cups her ass and kisses her tenderly, and a twinge of jealousy tugs at my heart.
I want that. I thought I’d have it with Cara, but I was wrong. When I found out that she married my brother, I was so consumed by hatred and heartbreak that I forgot what it felt like to want a woman. Really want a woman.
The way I want Ivy.
Now, that desire is roaring back to life with a vengeance.
My steps are light as I walk through the castle, nodding to the staff as I cross them. There’s a persistent smile on my face, and a deep excitement welling up inside me.
I want to see Poison again. Feel her again. Taste her again.
I know she’ll be here tomorrow morning to work in the kitchens, but I’m not sure I can wait that long. There’s a lightness in my heart that I haven’t felt in a long, long time. Maybe not since I was a kid, before the accident that tore my world—and my spinal cord—apart.
That lightness evaporates in an instant when I hear soft footsteps behind me. I smell Cara’s sweet scent before she calls out to me, and bitterness coats my mouth. My heart jolts when I feel a small hand on my arm.
“Luca,” Cara sighs. “Please.”
I stop in my tracks, stiffening. I keep my eyes forward, not wanting to stare into her beautiful face. I know what I’ll find there—lost