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He was grateful his family had not remained in the country to see the shift, for his energy had to be devoted to this, to her, and he did not have time to waste answering their questions.
Someday, he supposed, they would have to talk.
What mattered now was Annick.
And it distracted him from the tearing weight in his chest over the distance between himself and his Queen.
It was essential. There was nothing else to be done.
He had used not only the political connections that he had through his brother-in-law, but also business connections that he had through his other brother-in-law and best friend. If he could truly call anyone a friend.
Dante must have sensed his black mood, and those sentiments, because it wasn’t long before he showed up at the palace unannounced.
“And where have you left my sister?” Maximus asked, looking at his friend.
“At her new castle. With her pony. She’s very happy.”
“You indulge Minerva.”
“I live to indulge Minerva. She was not indulged enough in her life, and frankly, neither was I. Between the two of us, we live an extravagantly spoiled life. She has books and libraries and runs her charity. I have access to her body whenever I want...”
“You seem a smart man, Dante, and yet you have not picked up on the fact that it is not a good time to test me in any regard.”
“Oh, no, I did. It is only that I want to know why. Black moods are typically reserved for me.”
“No, it’s just that I usually hide mine.”
“Fair. What is going on? I don’t blame you for tearing a swath through the world after that attempt on your wife’s life. But what I do want to know is why you’re behaving in quite this way.”
“It’s none of your business.”
“Isn’t it? I am your oldest friend. Your only friend. Don’t think I haven’t watched you fake your way through life all these years. I know that you changed when Stella died. And I might not know all the particulars of it, but you lost yourself. You became only that shallow playboy. Though you were never only that. This... This is actually more the real you. You being an asshole, that is.”
“A very good friend you are.”
“It’s true. So tell me. What is it that’s going on?”
“She brought me here to protect her. This is not a love match.”
“Well, I say bullshit to that. It’s obvious that she loves you.”
He gritted his teeth. “She does.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I can’t love her.”
“You can’t love her? This is your version of not loving somebody?” Dante chuckled. “I’m surprised literal heads haven’t rolled over this. You’re on a warpath, my friend. If this isn’t love, what is?”
“Justice,” he bit out. “Nothing more than justice.”
“Is that so?”
“You’re reading into things that are not there.”
“Why not love her?”
“Because it’s too dangerous. I let my guard down with her. She was nearly killed because I...because I spent the night with her hands tied over her head driving her mindless with pleasure, and then she said she loved me and I was consumed in my own feelings, too much so to pay attention to what was happening.”
