Chapter 43

The next morning, I’m up early, having barely slept. I take a quick shower and dress in a simple black outfit.

I head towards the cells—the same cells I’ve spent too much time in. I’ve made sure my father has enough books, snacks, and a comfortable bed.

I ask the guards to step out before I approach the cell door. I take a deep breath, my nerves going haywire.

I open the door to find my father sitting on his bed. He’s staring at me so intensely that I feel the urge to look away.

“Where’s your mother?” His voice is devoid of emotion. It scares me. I did this. I’ve added another crack to our already fragile relationship.

“She’s on her way here. She’ll stay with me.” Dad nods, his gaze never leaving me.

“Do you know why you’re here?” His jaw clenches before he slowly shakes his head.

“The attack to get me back... People got hurt, dad. I’m a queen now. I need to make my people feel safe. I can’t... I can’t let this go.”

My voice is shaking so much that it’s a wonder he even understands me. His face softens a bit and his jaw relaxes.

“Do you have the spell? You need to use it on your mother.” I step forward and place my hands on my dad’s shoulders.

“We won’t need the spell, I’m not going to let you get executed.” He lets out a hollow laugh.

“You’re not naive, Katelynn. You’re strong and sometimes too smart for your own good. Don’t let your mind get filled with fairytale notions. I’m going to be executed.”

I let my hands drop from his shoulders and take a step back, his harsh words stinging.

“I rule now. Things are different.” Dad shakes his head.

“You don’t rule, Roman does. He’s still alive, isn’t he?” I nod. “He’s the one with the crown, the one with power. Mates are only there to keep the kings in check. His word is law, not yours.” I shake my head.

“No. He won’t be taking the crown back until the full moon. I will start the trial and come up with a different form of punishment.” Dad looks at me, questioning.

“Why isn’t he taking the crown now?” I hesitate, wondering if I should tell him. I do need to talk about it with someone. And as much as I hate it, within these four walls he can’t speak to anyone.

“There was a spell... a life for a life. But something went wrong. He lost a huge part of his memories. In his mind, he’s only twelve years old. He doesn’t remember me or what happened with the king. He doesn’t want to see me...”

Dad stands up and pulls me into a hug.

“You need to go see him now. The mate bond will always find its way. You just need to try. Make him realize he loves you.” I nod, trying to hold back my tears.

“Dad, I...” He lets go of me and takes my hands.

“I know, Baby Girl. I’m proud of you, you’re going to be a wonderful queen. Now go! Go get your mate back. And take care of your mother for me.” I nod and turn around.

I walk away without looking back, leaving the cell door open.

I can’t be responsible for my father’s death, no matter what, but now I need to find my mate and bring some sense to him.

I find his room instantly. The hallway is drenched in his scent, the bond pulling me towards him.

Without knocking, I walk in. He’s sitting on a chair behind a desk. He looks straight at me. All my courage vanishes for a moment. His eyes are filled with hate.

“What are you doing here?” His voice is emotionless. I take a deep breath and stand a little taller.

“I came to see my mate. Thought you’d need a debrief about what happened in the meeting with the Alphas that you didn’t attend.”

A blush creeps up his face and I mentally scold myself. He’s still a child now.

Roman gives a barely noticeable nod.

I walk towards the desk but instead of sitting on the chair across from him, I sit on the desk itself next to him.

He sinks deeper into his chair, his blush deepening by the second.

Oh god, he’s so damn attractive right now.

“You will have the crown in two weeks. I will be your queen.” His blush turns into an angry glare.

“You are not my...” I touch his arm, tingles shooting up my hand and down my spine.

“Do you feel that?” My voice is barely a whisper. Roman’s eyes widen as he stares at my hand.

Goosebumps tickle my hand. We sit in silence for a while.

I can see him thinking.

Confusion, sadness, anger, happiness, it all floods into me through our bond.

Unfortunately, the anger wins. He jerks his arm away and glares at me.

“You have betrayed me, mate or not.” His words are venomous, spoken through clenched teeth.

“Stop being so damn stubborn! You have no memory, you have no idea what happened. You. The real you wouldn’t react this way. Or maybe you would since lately you’ve been acting like a fucking PMSing woman!”

His face looks shocked.

“Are you yelling at me? How dare you?!” I sigh and roll my eyes at him.

“It’s either yelling or kicking your ass. Choose, little Prince.” He stands up, his face close to mine. His heavy breaths tickle my face.

“I am to be king. Are you threatening your future king?” I tilt my head to the side, looking at him defiantly.

“That’s not all I do.” In one swift movement, my lips are on his.

I feel him freeze underneath me but I close my eyes and start moving my lips against his.

Slowly but surely, he kisses me back. A soft moan escapes when he nibbles on my bottom lip.

My hands find their way to his face, sliding up to cradle the back of his neck. I pull him closer, our kisses growing more intense, more desperate.

A wave of desire washes over me, drawing a moan from my lips. Roman pulls away abruptly, stepping back.

My hands drop to my sides.

“Katelynn?” His gaze sweeps over my face, assessing. I give him a nod, trying to keep my body as still as possible. I see it then—a flicker of recognition in his eyes.

“Roman?” He doesn’t answer. Instead, he strides forward, closing the distance between us in two long steps. He’s standing between my legs before his lips are on mine again.

I’d say he remembers, and damn, am I glad he does.

The door slams open.

Roman jumps back, and I slide off the desk, ready to face whatever comes next.

My magic is already coursing through my arms, primed for a fight.

“KATELYNN AMELIA MOON RIVER! WHERE IS YOUR FATHER?!”

Great, another pissed-off parent.