Page 118 of Stolen Princess

He thinks he’s evil. Damaged goods. All wrong in every capacity.

But beneath the layers is this man. The one who kills for me. Who protects me with his own life. Who kisses me and looks into my eyes as he’s both tender and deliciously brutal.

When we reach the second floor, Gabe is there waiting for us.

“Good evening, Your Highness. You’re looking better.”

“Thank you. I’m feeling better. Genevieve doesn’t quite work anymore, does it? So please call me… Desta, I guess.”

He grins. “Just as the prince asks me to call him Rowan and I never do, I don’t believe that’s a request I can follow.”

“We’ll work on it,” I tell him, and he chuckles.

“Are you saying I’m not looking better?” Ferrin quips.

“No,” Gabe deadpans. “Right this way. Everyone is already waiting in the parlor. I see you were able to get the thief to stay.”

Ferrin chokes out a cough. “She’s very persuasive.”

“Let us hope it’s for the right reasons.” Ferrin’s back goes straight, and he glares at Gabe, who doesn’t so much as bat an eye. “It’s my duty to protect this family from all threats.”

“If I wanted to steal from you, I would have nicked about a dozen items you’re all stupid enough to leave out in the open. Or I would have taken the reward. I’m not here for the money. I’m here because she asked me to stay, and like a helpless fool, I’m falling for her.”

“You are?” I squeak.

Ferrin gives a little uncomfortable shrug. “Yeah. I am.”

I reach up on my tiptoes and kiss him. Right here in front of Gabe. “I am too.”

Ferrin smiles against my lip, and Gabe clears his throat when Ferrin starts to kiss me deeper.

“Glad to hear it,” Gabe states. “You should also know that I don’t typically take the word of a thief, but I believe I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Don’t make me regret it.”

Ferrin goes to say something, but I interrupt him.

“If you’re both done with this, I’d like to rip this Band-Aid off already. I’m about to pass out from nerves here.”

We continue down the hall until Gabe stops us in front of an open door and waves for me to enter. Just like that. As if it’s that simple. Ferrin gives my hip a squeeze and moves his hand to my lower back. I throw him a side-eye, and he gives me an encouraging nod.

I suck in a deep breath and hold it in my lungs as I enter the room, which turns out to be a large study complete with sofas, bookcases, a fireplace, a table and chairs, and a built-in bar. Javier is standing by the window, and I spot Marcella and Bellamy sitting on one of the sofas, talking. Standing over by the bookcases are two men, King Sebastian and Prince Rowan, along with an older woman I don’t recognize.

All conversation stops, and I do my best not to fidget or bite my lip.

Bellamy stands and comes over to me and gives me a warm embrace. “How are you feeling?”

I smile. “Ask me that question again later.”

She laughs and takes my hand, leading me away from Ferrin. She walks me over to the king and prince, who seem as though they don’t quite know what to make of me.

Rowan cracks first, his eyes glistening as he sucks in a shaky breath. “You have no idea how many times I envisioned this very moment. I’ve dreamed of little else since the night you were taken.” A tear tracks down his face that he does nothing to wipe away.“You don’t remember me, but I remember you. Even if you were a baby.”

I swallow audibly, but it’s no use. I’ve already got tears coursing down my cheeks, and no amount of sniffling or wiping them away will change that.

“I had a whole speech planned,” Sebastian picks up, his voice equally as tremulous as Rowan’s. “Now that I see you, I don’t remember any of it. You’re so grown-up. So beautiful.” He grins ruefully. “Sorry if that sounds big-brotherly, but I haven’t seen you since I was fifteen, and truth be told, I never thought I’d get this moment.”

I hold out my hand to them. “Hi. It’s lovely to meet you both. I, um, I don’t know what to say. Thank you for never giving up on me, I guess.”

Sebastian shakes my hand, followed by Rowan, but it feels awkward. Wrong. Screw it. I give Rowan a hug and reach out my other arm for Sebastian until I’m planted between them. They laugh and hug me back, and a weightlessness coasts over me. A sense of belonging.