Page 70 of Fit for a King

“You’ve shown me so much this past week,” Noah said, so softly I almost missed it. “You said I showed you the people of your kingdom, but you showed me Valoria. I’ve lived my whole life in small spaces, in a house by the sea or a room under some stairs. But this past week I got to see a side of Valoria that’s vibrant, vast, and full of possibilities. Even for someone like me.”

I opened my mouth to dispute that, but Noah smiled.

“I don’t say that for your pity or sympathy, but as a fact. And if memories that make us smile are what make us dream, then I’m going to dream big. And that’s because of you. Thank you, Nicholas. For everything.”

The sentiment was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking, because the two of us knew that both of our dreams—no matter how hard we fought for them—would never be.

We were destined to be just a memory—but one we’d make sure was so full of joy that we could look back on it and dream of a happier tomorrow.

If that were even possible.

23

NICHOLAS

WE ARRIVED AT Solterra the next day, the motorcade rolling through the gates of the de la Vega summer palace as Gilbert sat beside me, having gone over our schedule down to the minute.

He wasn’t the one I wanted sitting beside me, but I didn’t have a choice, not today. I just had to suck it up and get through it.

Gabriel had given me the rundown of his conversations with Alejandro when he’d been pretending to be me, so I had a few talking points filed away. I hated being so resistant to someone who was probably a pleasant enough man, but having my choice taken away didn’t exactly endear him to me.

I wondered if it was the same for Alejandro.

He stood at the top of the palace steps dressed in a cream-colored uniform with a deep red sash, looking every inch the prince my advisors wanted at my side. The wide smile he gave me when I stepped out of the car seemed genuine, and I forced myself to at least try to seem amiable.

“Your Majesty,” he said as he descended the steps. “Welcome to Solterra.”

Though I’d never been to the palace, I wasn’t unfamiliar with Solterra, having traveled there a number of times over the years. It was always on the too-warm side for me, with lush, tropical flowers and never-ending blue skies. Beautiful, but not moody enough to feel like home.

Alejandro bowed before clasping my hands and leaning in to kiss both cheeks.

“Your Royal Highness,” I said. “Thank you for having us.”

“Please.” He waved a hand, gesturing at the palace. “For today, Solterra is yours.”

“I appreciate your hospitality.”

Alejandro’s answering smile was blinding, and it was easy to see why he was a favorite of the press. “Anything for the king. Come. You must see the gardens before lunch. My mother insists all royal tours begin there so you can admire the roses properly, and if you don’t, she’ll consider it a personal insult.”

I managed a small smile. “I would never dishonor the queen in such a way. Please, lead the way.”

As he led us down to the gardens—maybe the most stunning I’d ever seen—my mind wandered to where Noah was right now. Heading inside to prepare my room and help the Solterra staff with anything they needed, no doubt. He wouldn’t get a glimpse of the gardens or be able to enjoy a day on the beautiful grounds, couldn’t be by my side, and I felt the loss of him even as I tried to focus on what Alejandro was saying.

He was charming, maybe too charming, but it didn’t come off as fake, and I needed to remember he wasn’t the villain in this story—though maybe it would be easier if he were. He was easy to like, something Gabriel had already mentioned, but now I could see it for myself. He wasn’t all cold politeness; he was informal and bold, teasing those who walked with us and making jokes my father would’ve thought were inappropriate.

That struck me as ironic, since it had been his idea to marry our kingdoms together. What would he have thought about Alejandro if he’d been on this very tour?

THAT EVENING AS I dressed for dinner, it was with a room full of my staff and not just the one-on-one I was hoping to get with Noah after a full day of being entertained.

And I still had hours to go, because I had no doubt dinner service would be several courses taken at leisure.

Gilbert had his ever-present tablet in hand, rambling off a detailed list of the other guests that Alejandro was hosting this evening in my honor, while Baxter nodded along like he was memorizing that information for when he’d help supervise service this evening.

“Lift your arm, please, Your Majesty,” Noah said, helping me into my sash, adjusting it just right across my body.

Being this close and not being able to touch him was almost impossible, but I kept my hands to myself…somehow. His hands moved quickly, efficiently, never lingering the way they did when we were alone. I breathed in the familiar scent of him, letting it wash over me as he carefully pinned my medals to my jacket.

For a moment, our eyes met, and we didn’t have to say a word.