Royal Disaster #6: Royal Disaster, #6

By Ember Casey and Renna Peak

Pax is willing to give up everything for Sophia. When he faces the ultimate sacrifice, can it ever be enough for her family?

This is the final episode of the six-part serial.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casey Peak Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Mar 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386440314

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Pax

Ah, Montovia. Land of beautiful mountains and picturesque green valleys. A country right out of a storybook—or one of those amazing, cheesy theme park rides. A place full of royals who hate me .

Okay, that’s not entirely true. Sophia loves me, of course. And at least two of her brothers—Leo and William—seem to mostly be on my side. I might even have the queen’s approval, but that’s a touchy area, considering the last time I saw her I gave her husband a heart attack.

So yeah, a little out of my element here.

It’s been over two months since the last time I set foot in this country. The weather’s warmer now, but there’s still a crisp wind. Of course, the locals don’t seem to notice the chill. One glance at the people outside the airport and you’d think it was a hundred degrees here—everyone’s in short sleeves, and I even spot a couple of people fanning themselves. Meanwhile I’m trying to figure out how much trouble it will be to dig through my bag for my jacket.

Sophia grabs my arm.

Over there, she says, nodding toward a dark car along the curb. The driver is already heading our way, and when he reaches us, he grabs our bags before I can even protest.

But I should know the routine by now. I thought I was royalty back in the U.S., but even rock stars carry their own luggage most of the time. I’m playing on a different field now.

Or am I? If Sophia accepts her father’s deal—which she’s halfway done already, just by coming here—then I’m not real royalty at all. I get no titles, no political standing. I think I’m okay with that, but I know Sophia isn’t.

Does she really want me yielding any sort of political power? I chuckle to myself. I can see the headlines now—‘American Rock God Singlehandedly Destroys Centuries-old Montovian Monarchy.’

Yeah, they really don’t want to be giving me any power. I consider myself a decent guy, but even I know that my impulse control is…low.

Once we’re safely in the car, the chauffeur begins the drive through the city. The last time I was here, I was honestly too nervous about meeting Sophia’s parents to pay much attention to my surroundings. This time, I peer out the windows, studying the quaint and colorful buildings. It’s really hard to believe that people live like this in real life. The buildings have trim of every color—red, purple, bright blue, green—and there are decorative designs cut around many of the doorways and window shutters. We pass through several large squares with fountains in the middle, down winding roads with full gardens in the median, and past elaborate gazebos overgrown with flowering vines.

We also pass a number of cozy-looking taverns, which I’m definitely going to check out later. And several restaurants that send amazing smells through the open window. It would take months to explore all the cool little places in this city—which is good, because I have no idea how long we’re going to be here.

I reach over and take Sophia’s hand. She’s lost in thought, staring out the window on the other side but obviously not actually seeing anything. When I squeeze her fingers, she looks over at me with a faint smile.

Did you miss it? I ask her, gesturing to the city out the window.

I never think I will, but I always do.

I’m not surprised. And her answer only confirms what I knew since the first time her father laid his compromise at her feet—that Sophia would never be happy if she had to give all of this up.

Which is why I have to make sure she and her father come to an agreement, I think. I’d force myself to walk away from her before I ever let her walk away from her family.

I look out the window again, thinking of what her brother William said to me back at the hospital. He was the one who convinced Sophia to come back here—I’d like to think I helped a little, but I know better—after all, he had a private chat with me, too. He made it clear that it’s up to me to convince the king that I’m worthy of his daughter. It’s up to me to win him over.

It still makes me laugh. Has William even met me? Obviously, if he’d been around to see me with Nicholas, or with Andrew, he’d know this is an uphill battle. I can’t help it—when people start getting all snooty and acting like they’re better than me, I can’t control myself. I dish it right back at them. Just because these people were born into a royal family doesn’t mean they have the right to be assholes. And I’m not obligated to let them order me around. Honestly, the whole lot of ‘em would be much more likable—and probably a lot damn happier—if they just lightened the fuck up a little.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I have to laugh at myself. I’ve been in this country for less than an hour and I’m already getting worked up. I can only imagine what it’ll be like living with these people over the next days or weeks or months—always having to bite my tongue, to let myself be insulted and then bow and scrape and pretend like it’s such an honor just to be in their presence. Ah, fuck me, this is going to be rough.

But it’s going to be worth it, I think, looking at Sophia again. Just remember that you’re doing this for her.

And I, for one, am still perfectly willing to accept her father’s offer as is—let’s be real, I’m never going to fit in with her family. Seriously, God help me if I ever start acting like any of her brothers. All that hoity-toity bullshit would drive me fucking insane. Yeah, I get that they’re rich and powerful and blah, blah, blah…but I’m rich, too, and I guarantee I have a lot more fun than they do.

The car is climbing up the hill to the palace, now. I’ll admit—it’s still a pretty damn impressive place to live, but who the fuck needs that much house? Half the time my apartment feels too big for me. What does anyone need three thousand rooms for?

Yeah, I’d make a pretty damn awful prince. I can’t even get myself excited about living in a castle.

But beside me, Sophia’s face has lit up. I don’t even think she realizes it, but there’s a glow about her again—a light that’s been missing since I woke up in that hospital bed. Her cheeks are rosy, her eyes bright as she stares up at the towers above us, the flags flapping noisily in the wind.

Fuck, I love her so much. If living in this place makes her look like that all the time, then I’ll suck it up and live here, too. As long as they let me set up a rock studio in one of the twenty-seven hundred extra rooms, of course.

When we reach the front of the palace, her brother William is waiting for us. Definitely better than Andrew, who was our welcome party last time we visited. Still, I slide my arm protectively around her waist as we leave the car and walk toward him. I don’t completely trust anyone in her family, not after everything we’ve been through.

William has only smiles for us.

How was your flight? he asks his sister.

Great, she says, slipping out of my grip to give him a hug. I try not to get prickly about it.

William turns to me next. And how are you feeling? Glad to see you’re fully clothed this time.

You and me both. Without even thinking about it, I roll my shoulders, and a dull ache throbs through my chest. It’s so faint these days that half the time I think I’m imagining it, but the scar I see every time I take of my shirt is plenty of a reminder of what I’ve been through. I’m doing great, Willy boy.

William chuckles and tries to turn it into a clearing of his throat.

I see your sense of humor is still intact, but may I suggest toning down the nicknames while you’re here? he says. I don’t mind, but a couple of my brothers…

A couple of your brothers could learn to lighten up a little, I say. Life’s too short to get worked up about stupid little things like that. Now that I’ve miraculously come back from death, I consider myself an authority on life advice.

William shakes his head, still trying unsuccessfully to hide his amusement. Just a suggestion, he says, leading us up the front steps. Trust me, it will make all of this a lot easier—if not for you, then for Sophia.

He’s a sharp one, this Willy. He knows how to get me where it actually matters—Sophia.

I’ll try, I say, though my tone makes it clear what I think of that idea.

Neither Willy nor Sophia responds, and when I glance their way, I catch them exchanging a look.

What the hell is that about?

Is Father waiting for us? Sophia asks as we head through the huge, curved door.

He’s actually in a meeting with the Senate right now, William says. And Mother was detained at the school—they want to expand the campus, and she’s helping draw up an agreement to allow them around some of our normal building regulations. But she wanted me to let you know that she expects to see both of you at dinner.

Of course, Sophia says.

Your suite has been prepared for you, of course, William says, and the kitchen knew you’d be arriving around now. If you’re hungry, I can have them send something up.

Sounds perfect, Sophia says.

I agree, I chime in. My stomach is rumbling.

Good. We’ve reached the end of a long hallway, and William stops, turning to Sophia. "I took the liberty of putting together a list of…professionals for you. Most are already on retainer. All you have to do is say the word and they can be