“I love you, Sebastian,” he said into my hair. “Even when you are impossible. Especially then.”
“I love you too.” It came out raw. True.
We stood like that for a moment. Father and son. No crowns. No cameras. Just two people trying not to drown in the same river.
When we let go, he kept one hand on my shoulder, steadying me the way he used to when I was small and stairs were tall. “Akintola will be here later,” he said, voice returning to its line. “He will brief us on the marches. Viktor has my full authority. Do not test his limits today. Test mine if you must.”
I nodded. “I hear you.”
“Good.” He smoothed my lapel like that could keep me whole. “And Sebastian… if you need to speak to me as a man and not a king, you can. You do not have to disappear to be brave.”
Something eased behind my ribs, a knot I had been holding since rain and sirens and thirteen. “Thank you.”
He gave a small, watery laugh and blinked hard, then tried for gruff. “Go before I embarrass both of us.”
Apollo and I left his study and headed toward my rooms. The afternoon sun slanted through tall windows, turning marble to gold. Staff moved through their routes. Guards held their posts. Everything normal.
Everything except me.
17
MUDDY PAWS
SEBASTIAN
Footsteps echoed down the corridor behind me.
Not Viktor's. His were ghost-quiet, trained into silence. These were deliberate. Confident. The sound of someone who believed they belonged anywhere they walked.
“Your Highness.”
I stopped. Turned.
Duke Marcel stood ten feet away, dressed impeccably as always. Charcoal suit that probably cost more than most people's cars. Silver hair swept back from a face that had aged well, all distinguished angles and practiced warmth. He smiled like we were old friends instead of what we actually were.
Strangers bound by duty and my father's trust.
“Duke Marcel.” I kept my voice pleasant. Neutral. “I didn't know you were visiting today.”
“Last minute decision. I had business in the city and thought I'd stop by.” He gestured down the corridor. “Walk with me? I'd like to speak with you, if you have a moment.”
It wasn't really a request. Men like Marcel didn't make requests. They made suggestions that felt like obligations.
“Of course.”
Viktor materialized at my shoulder. Silent as always. Present in that way that should've felt oppressive but somehow didn't. Marcel's eyes flicked to him, something passing across his face too fast to read.
“Mr. Volkov. Always vigilant, I see.”
“It is my job.” Viktor's voice was flat. Professional. But I felt the tension radiating off him in waves.
“Indeed.” Marcel's smile didn't falter. “Though perhaps we could have a private word, Your Highness? Just for a moment. Surely even princes are allowed conversations without audience.”
I glanced at Viktor. Saw the muscle jump in his jaw. Saw the calculation happening behind those winter eyes.
“It's fine,” I said quietly. “Just a conversation.”
Viktor held my gaze for a beat longer than necessary. Then nodded once, sharp and final. “I will be here.”
