* * *
Getting out of Latvala undetected was harder than I thought it would be. Aksel has continued to watch my every move, as if he suspects I might do the very thing I’m doing. The guards, or should I say spies, have been more discreet than usual. But I know they’re there. I see their shadows everywhere I turn. Those loyal to me have covered my tracks well, however, and I expect to be back on Latvalan soil before anyone knows I was gone.
* * *
Anger simmers in my blood for the extreme steps I must take to do the simplest things. I cannot wait until I’ve shed these proverbial chains and can move about at will.
* * *
Sander
* * *
The Girl in the Cemetery
* * *
I found Chey sitting on a stone bench in a cemetery, talking to her dead parents (probably about me). She looked lovely and slightly disheveled, nose red from the cold. It’s impossible to express what it did to my heart to see her cry and kiss their headstone as she said goodbye. I know I’m responsible for her sadness, or part of it, and also the anger that she turned on me the second our eyes met. God, she’s feisty.
* * *
She refused to come with me at first, so I threw her over my shoulder and took her away from the cemetery anyway. Rarely do I resort to strong-arm tactics, but there just wasn’t time to stand there and argue.
* * *
She raged at me. I ignored her.
* * *
I had a very small window to convince her to get on a plane with me back to Latvala, so I stuffed her into the car and ferried her to my hotel. There I explained, in as brief but honest terms as possible, what I had done.
* * *
That I had hired an actor from London to play the priest at the wedding; that I had lied when I said my vows. Valentina hadn’t signed a marriage certificate at all, but a confession of her duplicity. None of the documents were real, although we’d made them look that way. I told her of Aksel’s shocking decree, that he’d all but forced my hand into marriage. It took Chey a while to come around, to really listen to what I had to say. I know I put her between a rock and a hard place when I asked her to drop everything and fly home with me.
* * *
I asked her to trust me.
* * *
And she did.
* * *
She came with me to the airport and we boarded the private plane. Chey left her apartment, her things, her life, all on a whim.
* * *
I spirited her into Latvala and have installed her at Kallaster Castle while I prepare to dismantle my fake marriage and make a statement of my annulment. I plan to do it after Aksel officially names me heir to the Latvalan throne, which will really piss him off in the aftermath.
* * *
It’s no less than he deserves.
* * *
Sander
Chapter Sixteen
Audio Confessions
I have the tapes. Damning audio evidence against Valentina that she cannot refute. It’s her voice, plain and clear, admitting her betrayal to a group of girlfriends at a recent event.
In Valentina’s own words: “Well, Prince Dare didn’t have a choice. Who knew that such a man could be manipulated with a few well-placed decisions and limitations? I guess I know what to do when we’re man and wife.”
I have written it down verbatim from the tapes.
Someone asked, “Don’t you feel the least bit guilty about going behind Dare’s back with the king?”
Valentina replied, “Would you if it brought you the title of queen? I would have done a lot more than twist his arm to gain that. I’ll never rule Weithan Isle—but ruling Latvala will be so much better.”
There are more quips on audio of Valentina’s machinations, but those two statements alone are all the proof I need when I present my case to the public. I believe when the citizens of Latvala hear with their own ears of the plot set against me, they will be less harsh in their judgment when I annul the marriage.
I feel trepidation and relief in equal measure. Relief that I wasn’t wrong about her, and trepidation at the reaction from those closest to me. I kept the truth from Gunnar, Natalia, and Paavo, not to mention Aksel and Helina. None of the council knows, neither do any of the advisors.
New enemies will be made with the release of this tape and my intention to announce to the world that Valentina Novak is pregnant with another man’s child. But there will also be outrage on my behalf, especially when I make it clear that I believe Valentina plotted to put a bastard on the throne of Latvala.
I only care that I protect myself and my kingdom. I also want to make a statement to Aksel that he cannot and will not always win when he pits himself against me. He lost this round, but little does he know it yet.
Part of me believes Aksel will just up the ante, especially when he finds out I snuck Chey into Latvala beneath his nose. It’s a treacherous time and we will have to take extra safety precautions for the immediate future. It is my hope that Aksel will fade back, become a non-player in this game.
Instinct tells me that we’re just getting started.
Sander
* * *
Kallaster Castle
Chey’s reaction to Kallaster Castle has allowed me to see my home through new eyes. I had grown used to—and possibly taken for granted—the immense great hall, towering turrets, medieval fireplace, and hall of portraits depicting many of my ancestors. I grew up running through the stone walls of this keep and exploring the grounds inside the bailey. We have kept the castle in good shape, architecturally speaking, preserving the high wooden beams and outer battlements as much as possible. Much of the castle is in its original state, up to and including relics of an age gone by. Armor, swords, tapestries. Chey’s awe and wonder are infectious, although I’ll never truly feel the same amazement she exudes so effortlessly.
Despite the danger of Aksel and Helina discovering her presence in Latvala, I am happy to have her here. It was the right move to bring her home and I don’t regret my decision for a moment. As whimsical as it sounds, I think Chey belongs here. Kallaster seems more alive with her walking its halls. She treats the staff like the humans they are, rather than objects to order around at will. I can’t help but compare Chey’s treatment of my people with Valentina, who often snaps at the employees and generally looks down her nose at anyone not of royal rank.
I can see myself growing old with Chey at Kallaster. At some point, subconsciously, I think I realized that she complements me, that I respect her independence and fire for life. I wouldn’t have all but kidnapped her from Seattle if I hadn’t known that someday I want to make her my wife.
Sander
Chapter Seventeen
The Man Who Will Never Be King
* * *
Ever since my wedding to Valentina, Paavo has been moodier than usual. I believe he took Aksel’s words to heart about ascending the throne should I not fall in line and do my princely duty. Maybe he thought he really had a shot, though he should have known I would not give up my birthright so easily. We have not spoken until earlier today, when he approached me wearing a pensive, brooding expression.
* * *
He informed me that although I ceded to Aksel’s will, he would be waiting for me to make a mistake. In that event, he said he was ready to take the throne and rule better than I ever would. Paavo seems sure all of a sudden that he was meant to take my place, a laughable notion if there ever was one. It has all gone to his head, I think. He’s thought too much about what that kind of control can give him.
* * *
I wonder what he’ll think in a few days when I annul my marriage. Will he automatically assume he still gets the throne?
* * *
Let’s hope he’s not that foolish.
* * *
The last thing I want to deal with is a sulky brother who thinks he should ascend a throne he does not deserve.
* * *
Sander
&nb
sp; * * *
A Chess Game
* * *
Sometimes it feels as if life is nothing more than a giant chess game. I make a move, someone else makes a move, and we all begin again. No one ever wins; it’s just a constant strategic battle to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
* * *
I plan to make my next move in a little less than three hours.
* * *
In front of the press, cameras rolling, I intend to put the king and queen in check.
* * *
Only time will tell if I am successful or whether my decision will spectacularly backfire.
* * *
Sander
* * *
Ruthless
* * *
I did not mince words at the podium today when I snatched Valentina’s role as my wife from beneath her feet. I explained my actions and backed them up with audio of Valentina crowing to her peers about her manipulation. There were gasps of shock from the audience—I even heard Aksel suck in a breath, proving he had no idea what my plans were. I wish I could have taken pleasure in Valentina’s blanched face and blatant distress, but I am not that man. Which is not to say that I wasn’t relieved to provide evidence of her betrayal and am glad she is no longer in my life. I sure as hell didn’t gloat about what I had to do, what my position required me to do, so perhaps she’ll learn a valuable lesson from all this.
* * *
I doubt it, but one never knows.
* * *
My outraged father made more threats, of course, once we were behind closed doors. I let him know that I had provided evidence of his meddling to specific outlets that would immediately air them should he try to yank my position out from under me again. I told him to go back to his usual lies and deceit, to rule his kingdom as he saw fit.
* * *
It is not the way I will rule it later, when he’s dead and gone.
* * *
He had the gall to call me ruthless. I almost laughed in his face.
* * *
Perhaps I am, but he is far more ruthless than I will ever be.
* * *
Sander
Chapter Eighteen
The Fallout
* * *
As predicted, the media storm surrounding my announcement and Valentina’s removal has been fierce. Tabloids and regular news outlets are running the story nonstop, the reporters desperately jockeying for interviews with everyone involved. I have declined all requests—what more is there to say? I won’t sit on camera and lament my broken farce of a marriage just to get airtime. Let them all stew and engage in conjecture. They would do the same with or without more news from me, as they always do.
* * *
Valentina’s absence from my personal space has allowed me to breathe a little easier. I am spending time with Chey until some of the frenzy dies down and making plans to cement her position here at the castle. Her friend from Seattle will be sending her most precious things via mail so that we don’t have to keep risking flights to and from the States right now.
* * *
To my knowledge, no one realizes Chey is here and that’s the way I want it for as long as possible. We are still looking over our collective shoulders, of course, but the intense scrutiny of the media has driven everyone back to their own holdings. Father is on the mainland at the family seat, probably drowning his fury in drink. My staff members here at Kallaster have remained loyal to me and have not trickled information of Chey’s whereabouts to staff at other castles, where it might get back to Aksel and Helina. For that, I am grateful.
* * *
For now, because I don’t want to leave Chey vulnerable to an unexpected visit from family should they discover her presence, I am forgoing any missions with Mattias and the others. They’ll have to jet around the world without me.
* * *
Sander
* * *
As I Knew He Would
* * *
Aksel addressed the country via the media today and did precisely what I expected him to: he feigned ignorance of Valentina’s plot, laying all the blame solely on her shoulders. As if he was never involved at all, he threw her to the wolves and generated support for himself while he pretended to support me. Sometimes I cannot believe we are related by blood.
* * *
Not only did he act outraged on my behalf, he spoke of his pride in my sleuthing ability and championed me for not allowing a bastard to one day be king. Aksel feels powerful and relevant in this moment, I can tell by the cadence of his speech in front of the cameras. He tends toward fervency and drama when he’s at his most self-righteous.
* * *
Mattias and I watched the telecast together in my office at Kallaster and exchanged knowing looks when it was done. My brother and I are close in the way that we don’t always have to speak aloud to know what the other is thinking.
* * *
Had it come down to it, we believe Aksel fully capable of doing the same to his own children. He proved it by his decree and his strong-arm tactics with me over Valentina. Our father is wickeder than we fully realized, but now we’re aware and will proceed with caution from here. More caution than normal, I should say, because we have been cynical and wary for years.
* * *
Not just Aksel, but Helina as well.
* * *
If only the world knew the truth.
* * *
I can’t take solace in the knowledge that other kingdoms engage in this sort of behavior because I loathe the secrets and lies and manipulations on a grand scale.
* * *
All I can do is be a better king, a better person than my father ever could be.
* * *
Sander
* * *
The Old Kings
* * *
It has long been Latvala’s tradition to celebrate holidays (as the modern world knows them) by the season: spring thaw, fall harvest, winter solstice. The new year. This was a deliberate ploy by my ancestors when religious traditions took a foothold in other countries; they preferred the people to worship king and country above God. It wasn’t that my ancestors didn’t believe in a higher power, but that they didn’t want their people divided along religious lines. They didn’t prevent gatherings and celebrations; they just gave the people other names to celebrate by.
* * *
Our generation grew up this way. It’s how we’ve always known it. My father was especially averse to religious holidays, going so far as to often forbid decorations within and without the castle walls.
* * *
I have no problem with them myself, and encouraged Chey to decorate Kallaster Castle as she saw fit. Of course, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I suggested it. Garlands have been strung from just about every archway, doorway, and staircase. There are several decorated trees throughout, from the foyer to our bedroom and even the kitchen (Chey insisted). Lights drape the walls and wreaths hang on the windows.
* * *
Well then.
* * *
Kallaster has been transformed. I delight in Chey’s excitement and enthusiasm. Her joy is welcome, because I know it’s her first Christmas without her parents and I would do anything to ease her grief. She maintains a stoic veneer most of the time, but the veil occasionally slips. It’s a travesty that Chey cannot have a decent relationship with my parents to help with the passage of her own.
* * *
No, Aksel and Helina have made sure to strip Chey of even that small comfort.
* * *
Chey’s presence here continues to be a secret. For now.
* * *
Sander
Chapter Nineteen
The Storm
* * *
Chey is experiencing one of the first real storms of the winter season. We have had snow before now, but this system is a monster, dumping fourteen inches overnight. To my surprise, Chey has embraced the cold without complaint. She seemed fascinated as she w
atched the snow fall from our balcony, bouncing on her toes like a schoolgirl. It was amusing and endearing. She’s fresh and vivid and tough as nails. I love that about her.
* * *
I love many things about her.
* * *
Memoirs of a King Page 5
