Royal Surrogate 3: Royal Surrogate, #3

By Renna Peak and Ember Casey

One earth-shattering secret will change Montovia forever…

 

In the explosive conclusion to the Royal Surrogate trilogy, Renae's harrowing ordeal at the hands of the treacherous Stephan is finally revealed. Just when she thought she could embrace her new life as a royal with Caspar and their newborn son, shocking truths come to light that threaten to tear their family apart forever, and the entire future of Montovia hangs in the balance. 

 

Brace yourself for a mind-blowing finish where no one is above suspicion, shocking secrets are finally laid bare, and love is put to the ultimate test. You'll never see the ending coming in this page-turning, turbulent conclusion to the Royal Surrogate series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Casey Peak Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Apr 15, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224504916

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Caspar

I’ll admit I wasn’t looking forward to my cousin Andrew’s coronation. We’ve come all this way to the capital of Montovia to witness was to be the spectacle of the century, and so far, I can only think of going home.

Tonight, though, is only the beginning of the week-long festivities.

We began the evening in one of the large ballrooms with a rather large crowd of people I mostly didn’t know, but it isn’t long before a smaller group of us has moved into another ballroom, and music is blaring from a hidden sound system.

When does the debauchery start? my cousin Sophia yells into my ear. Leopold said there was to be much lasciviousness and debauchery, but so far this is the same as it always is. Just my drunk brothers and cousins.

I don’t have a chance to answer before William is beside me. When is the real party starting? Does anyone know? And why is this music so damn loud?

Sophia laughs. You really are getting old.

He shakes his head. I have permission to party tonight, and I’m not going to waste my chance.

Yeah, right, Sophia says. Where is your dear wife?

Off doing queenly things. She and the twins are shopping for dresses—girl stuff. Justine gave me a few days off. William gives a sly smile. So let’s get this party started.

I don’t believe you, Sophia says with a laugh. What are you going to do, old man? Start a conga line? Do the limbo? She does a little shimmy with her body.

Leo said something about Monte Carlo, he says, rubbing his hands together. Justine said if I don’t bring shame to the nation of Rosvalia, I’m free to do as I please tonight.

As if Monte Carlo is where all the debauchery happens, Sophia says, rolling her eyes.

"As if your husband is going to allow you to participate in debauchery, William replies, throwing his arm around her neck. Face it, Sister. We’re just a couple of lame married folks now."

I’ll face nothing, she says, ducking under his arm. My husband is still a rock star. He still parties.

Then where is he? William asks, lifting a brow.

He… She frowns. He has a headache. He wanted to stay in tonight.

William howls with laughter, slapping his leg before Sophia punches him in the shoulder.

Shut up, she says. I will never admit to getting old. My brothers and cousins, on the other hand. The lot of you… She turns to me, pointing. "How are you, dear cousin? Renae must be about ready to burst⁠—"

She’s interrupted by a loud crash from the opposite corner of the room. The music stops, and the room is deadly silent for a long moment.

I’m fine, I’m fine, Andrew calls, rising from the floor.

The new King of Montovia, everyone! Leopold announces. The room fills with raucous laughter, and the music starts again, though it doesn’t seem as loud this time.

What are they doing over there? Sophia asks, standing on her tiptoes and cranes her neck. That must be where the debauchery is. I’ll see you chaps later. She heads for the other side of the room.

How have you been, Caspar? William asks. It seems like forever since we’ve spoken.

I don’t have the chance to reply before my brothers approach.

You’re wrong, Benedict says.

Xavier grumbles something obscene under his breath.

Just admit it, Benedict says smugly. You’re wrong. I’m right. And now you owe me.

The only thing I will admit is that I will break you like a twig if you so much as⁠—

You are the sorest loser. Benedict shakes his head, turning to me. Isn’t he the sorest loser, Brother? Aside from you, of course.

Ha ha, I say. What are the two of you going on about?

Tell him, Benedict says. Caspar can settle this for us. He turns and motions to our cousin. Or William. Even better.

Xavier grumbles something again under his breath.

Xavier fell asleep the day they taught Montovian history in school, Benedict says.

"The day? William laughs. You only had a day of Montovian history? What are they teaching the young ones in Wintervale? We’ll need to have Andrew investigate this at once."

Benedict chuckles. Well, the day they taught the lineage, anyway. Xavier and I were playing a little… He clears his throat. Game.

Oh, a drinking game? I ask.

Perhaps. My brother grins. Anyway, when we got to Edmund, I corrected him because Edmund had an older brother and was not actually the first in line to the throne. Benedict gives us a smug smile. "And I know this because I, unlike some people, paid attention in history class."

"You, unlike some people, are a fucking asshole," Xavier grumbles.

So Xavier told me I was wrong, and I told him that I wasn’t, and⁠—

I interrupt. You made a bet.

Precisely. Benedict smiles. Perhaps you could confirm, William? Not that we need confirmation. I already took our brother to the library upstairs and showed him right where the first Prince Leopold was in the lineage before he died. Our first cousin once removed. William’s uncle. Tragic really.

William nods. "He was my father’s older brother. It was tragic⁠—"

Oh, I meant Xavier’s lost bet, but I’m sure his death was tragic, too. Benedict grins. Xavier has offered to clean the toilets on my estate for the next year. He nods grimly, then grins. With his tongue.

I agreed to nothing of the sort, Xavier mumbles, glaring at our brother. I admit I was wrong about the lineage. I never made such an atrocious bet⁠—

Xavier will have to miss the coronation, unfortunately. I have at least twelve toilets on my estate, and he’ll need to get started right away.

"Like a twig," Xavier says.

Some things never change, do they? William turns to me, ignoring my brothers as they walk away, still arguing. Except that you’re about to become a father.

I can’t help but grin. Every time someone brings it up, my entire body feels as though it comes alive. I’m going to be a father in such a short time—in no more than a few weeks. I’m going to get to hold my son, cuddle him, teach him to be a man. And I get to share all those things with Renae. Become our own small family.

I can’t wait.

William seems to read my mind. It really is as great as you’re thinking. Don’t get me wrong—diapers are awful. The midnight feedings… He sighs. But it’s all worth it. To see those tiny grins. Have those little fingers hold onto yours. He shakes his head. Maybe I can talk Justine into having another⁠—

He’s interrupted by a clanging sound, and we turn to see Sophia sitting on Leo’s