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“You would?”
“Yes, and you should, too, if you still love her.”
“To what end? I can’t change the future...”
“Who says you can’t? You’re the king.”
“I’m not that kind of king. I don’t want to break with tradition.”
“No, you’d rather have your heart broken.”
Juan Carlos sighed. She was right. He would never love another the way he loved Portia. Right now, he physically ached for her.
Maria continued, “Think of it this way. You’ll rule with more clarity and fairness having Portia by your side. You won’t be stung by bitterness and regret and live an empty life without her.”
“But the people expect—”
“A ruler they can admire and look up to. If you make it clear to them that this is for the best, they will rally behind you, my friend. And as the newly reigning king of a lost monarchy you have the luxury of not needing a parliament to vote on changes you might want to make in your dynasty.”
A slow smile spread across his face. “I hadn’t thought of that.” And just as the notion elevated his hope, another thought brought him down again. “No...it’s too late after the way I walked out on Portia, without believing in her. She may not forgive me.”
Maria scooted closer to him, the sparkle in her eyes grabbing his attention. “But she may. And I think she will. She sacrificed herself for you. Don’t you think you owe your relationship one more chance? If you don’t try, you’ll always wonder and you’ll live to regret it.”
Did he still love Portia? Yes, very much, and the more he thought about Maria’s argument, the more he began to believe she could be right. He couldn’t throw away something so precious to him without giving it one more try.
A light flashed in his head as he began to formulate a plan. Finally, after these past few days of living in a depressed stupor, he was waking up alert and seeing things much more clearly. He had the power of the throne behind him. He hoped it would be enough.
“Maria, I’m going to need your help.”
“I’ll give it gladly, Your Highness.”
A knot formed in the pit of his stomach. “A lot will be riding on this,” he warned.
“I know. But I have enough faith in love for both of us. Alex says I’ve taught him something about that.”
Juan Carlos nodded. If only he had that same faith. He leaned forward to kiss Maria’s cheek. “Thank you.”
“What is it exactly that you’ve taught me, sweetheart?” Alex stood at the threshold of the study, catching Juan Carlos’s lips leaving Maria’s cheek.
“How important trust is, Alex,” Maria said slowly, straightening her position on the sofa, “when it comes to matters of the heart.”
Alex gave them a nod as he entered the room. “It’s true...once upon a time my fist might’ve met with His Majesty’s jaw seeing him kiss you. But now, I only see love shining in your eyes for me.”
A chuckle rumbled from Juan Carlos’s chest. It was a good sound. One he hoped to make more often, after Portia was back where she belonged.
* * *
The sound of her Nikes pounding against the treadmill echoed off the gym walls. Sweat beaded up on Portia’s forehead as she gazed out the window of the high-rise. She was offered a view of distant mountains and below, a city waking just after dawn. It was a good time of day to work out, before the world came alive. She had about thirty minutes before the gym would crowd with businessmen and women coming for their daily fix. She’d be gone by then, away from any nosy members who’d try to talk to her, get to know her. Many people recognized her, but thankfully she was old news as the other royal couple—the Brits—were in town for a charity event and all eyes had turned to them.
It was a lucky break and she valued the bit of anonymity it afforded her.
“Oh...kay, Portia,” Jasmine said, shutting down her machine. “I’ve had enough.”
Portia continued running at a six-mile-per-hour pace. She had one more mile to go. “You’ve barely broken a sweat.”
“You’re insane this morning.” Jas used her towel to wipe her face as droplets rained down from her eyebrows.
Portia slowed her pace, allowing her body to cool down. “I know. But this is the only time I have to work off my...”
“Sexual frustration.”
Portia swiped at her friend’s butt with her workout towel. “Shh...no. Stop that! Just frustration in general.”
