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PROLOGUE
Stefan gasped for breath, the pain drawing him inside himself. It was too much to bear. He didn’t have much time left. Blood poured from the wound in his heart, sizzling as it hit the carpet. It burned within him, the silver-dipped knife rapidly draining his life force.
What a fool he’d been. He should have known, should have suspected that his murderer would want him out of the way.
He crawled to his nightstand, wincing as his heart began to pound erratically against his rib cage. He fought to breathe, aware of the meaning of the soft gurgling bubbling up in his throat. Not much time left. Hurry!
He pushed the speed dial button on his cell phone, praying that Duncan would pick up. The sound of a Scottish brogue filled him with relief.
“Duncan,” he gasped.
“What’s wrong?” Duncan’s worried voice sliced across the line.
His hands had gone numb. Using his last remaining strength, he gasped, “No time. Find Harlee…my daughter. She has to know. Go to Robert, he…he knows where.”
“Harlee? Who the hell is Harlee? Stefan? Are you all right? Answer me!”
Collapsing, he was unable to summon the strength to hold the phone long enough to say any more, though he wished he could have revealed his killer. Damn. He prayed Duncan understood what he wanted, that Duncan would do what was necessary to find and protect Harlee. Numbness settled over his body, white light blinded him and the wrenching pain evaporated. A lifetime’s remorse at having missed out on the pleasure of knowing his daughter washed over him.
You kept her safe, and that’s all that mattered.
A soft voice called to him, despite the number of years since he’d last heard the sweet tones. Amelia appeared in front of him, a beautiful specter he’d waited a lifetime to see again. Her soft hair blew around her, teased by an unfelt breeze. She was still as breathtaking as the day he’d lost her twenty-five years ago.
Come to me, Stefan. I’ve missed you.
So many regrets, no time to atone for his mistakes. If only he could do things over again, this might have turned out differently. Then Amelia might not have died and Harlee would have grown up with them.
I love you, Amelia,” he whispered as light filled his body. Suddenly all those regrets meant nothing and the past slipped away. He knew only euphoria now and an eagerness to be with his love. Our daughter will be queen and you and I will be reunited.
He gasped his last breath just as the door to his bedroom opened.
