Page 83 of This Prince Is Not Charming

“I’ll take good care of her,” I said. “Always.”

Her eyes welled with tears, and Gerald met my gaze, brows furrowing. “Yes. Yes, I believe you will. Will you be home for breakfast?” he asked.

Mother stepped forward, tugging Father along. “I think tomorrow morning would be a perfect time for us to bring some pastries and tea. I think we’re going to be spending a lot more of our time together.”

Father smiled. “Splendid. I do love a good pastry and tea.”

My heart warmed at the way my family was stepping in, ready to help in whatever way they could, and aside from the trials, for the first time, I saw a solution to our problem.

“Okay, then,” Ceri’s father said. “You’ll stay by Cillian’s side?”

Ceri raised her hand. “I promise.” She leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow after breakfast.”

Morton fluttered to her father’s shoulder. “Did I tell you my theory about Bravos and his magic?”

Ceri’s father turned, walking toward the doors. “I don’t believe you have. I’m suspicious of that fellow.”

“That’s what my theory is about. I think he’s a spy.”

“No,” Gerald said as they walked through the doors. “You think?”

“Oh, I have an entire list of reasons why.”

“Well, I want to hear them.”

Their voices faded as they disappeared through the doors.

I was about to thank my family, but I didn’t have a chance before Ceri and I were once again disappearing from the room.

CHAPTER 37

Ceri

One minute I was in the throne room, and the next I was standing in Cillian Wolfgang’s bedroom. I’d only ever been in here a few times over the years. I couldn’t believe Cillian’s family had done that for my father and me. They’d so easily jumped in to help, no hesitation, no questions, no judgment. They’d wanted to help. It melted my heart and also made me realize I’d been keeping far too many people at a distance when it came to my father and our situation. I’d been so sure no one would understand that I hadn’t ever given anyone a chance. Something I deeply regretted now that I was beginning to see how many people cared so deeply about us both.

I looked at the bed, which was a stark reminder of the last time I’d stepped foot in his room and found him thrashing on the bed, unwell. Possibly near death.

Cillian appeared beside me, and I turned to him, then gazed back at the enormous bed in front of us. It was made up with silk sheets and had a beautiful gauzy canopy over it.

“When I look at your bed, I think of . . .” I trailed off, not sure how to word it.

“Me defiling you?” He moved behind me and put his arms around my waist.

“You dying,” I said flatly, deciding I didn’t need to word it any other way.

“Okay.” He took a step back, his warmth leaving me. “Not the image I want in your mind right now.”

I sniffed and turned. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “You don’t have to apologize. I’m the one who has to apologize.”

“You already did.”

“Listen, if all you want to do tonight is sit and talk somewhere outside this room, then we can. I don’t care. I’m just happy we’ve finally admitted our feelings for each other.”

“You’ve always been a bad liar, you know.” I stepped forward, trailing a finger down his chest, and he shuddered. “Luckily I don’t want to spend tonight talking.” My gaze flicked to the bath chamber. Cillian had sung its praises over the years, and I wanted to see this giant tub he was always going on about.

“Maybe we can go somewhere other than the bed.” I tipped my head toward the bath chamber.