Page 17 of Wicked Queen

I didn’t have to finish the thought. Norris had been there during my darkest moments. He’d pulled me out of a private club nine years ago after I’d nearly killed Georgia Kincaid. He was the one who saw the truth. I wanted it to be me dying on the other end of a strap. He’d protested when my father had sent me to the warfront, but he’d put me on the plane all the same.

He couldn’t send me away now. I had to face this.

“There are other matters.” I took a drink, my throat suddenly dry. “She’ll need a security detail. Brex?”

“He’s keeping an eye on Anders,” Norris reminded me.

I’d forgotten I’d assigned him to watch my bastard brother. It was mental to think that in the course of a few months, I’d gone from one brother to two and then topped it off with the return of my sister. It was worse to consider how much they all hated me. “I’m sure they’re both enjoying that.”

“Actually, they’ve become friends.”

Of course they had. It was no use pretending that my issues with Anders had anything to do with him. Save for the fact that he’d tried to steal my wife, he seemed like an okay guy.

“Speak with him about it. We’ll need to make a decision soon.”

“There’s also the next round of the Sovereign Games,” Norris began.

“Sod the games.” I had more important issues to worry about.

“You will need public opinion in your favour. Your grandmother and uncle will be returning to London to attend. It’s an opportunity to show the Royal family is—”

“Not as fucked up as everyone assumes.”

“United,” he corrected me. “It’s what you want. It’s what your wife needs.”

“I can’t even see my wife,” I murmured. “She’s not here with me now.”

“The only way to get out of the darkness is to move toward the light.” He placed his glass on the desk, still half full.

“I can’t see any light.” Not without Clara, and she was going to leave. She had to, and I knew it. I had to be strong enough push her away, but I’d never been able to shut her out. I was addicted to her. Nothing would matter if she left.

“Keep looking, even for a speck. Follow it like the North Star and you’ll find your way home.”

“Where should I look?” I asked.

“Start where you found it before.” Norris checked his watch, frowning at the hour. He stood and buttoned his jacket. “With your wife.”

“I can’t ask that of her. I can’t—” I swallowed on the truth sitting like a lump in my throat “—keep hurting her and I will. I can’t be the man that deserves her.”

“Perhaps being the man that loves her is enough,” he said gently.

“I don’t know how to fix this.”

“The only way to fix anything is to start. Your brother is angry as well. You’ve been making all the decisions without them. You will need each other more than ever. Don’t make the decisions regarding Sarah without them,” he said. “If you want your family you’re going to have to fight for them, but might I suggest you start by talking to them?”

I grimaced, knowing exactly what he was proposing. “I guess it’s time for another family meeting.”

“Indeed.” He picked up the bourbon and headed toward the door. “You have a country to rule.”

And a family to win back.

It was harder to admit Norris was right when I received news that my grandmother and uncle would be returning to London the following afternoon. My grandmother seemed to have a sixth sense for picking the worst fucking times to visit. Probably because she thrived on drama. I’d never made my mind up about Henry. My father’s brother had been a fixture in my life as a child but I’d seen him very little since my return from Afghanistan. My grandmother had moved in with him after I’d become king, and he had taken my father’s place in her life. It was no surprise that she had a leash on him, although he did have an unusual ability to keep her in line. I didn’t relish either of them coming, though, especially with Norris’s proposed family meeting scheduled for that evening. I couldn’t risk calling it off. Not after getting both Edward and Clara to agree to come.

I’d just finished an unproductive call with one of the many MPs I needed to win back when Norris called.

“Yes,” I answered.

“Your brother has arrived. He’s gone to your private quarters.”