Chapter 11 – Sebastian #2
Now that we’re officially out of hiding, I’ve been invited to Switzerland as part of a global summit with other world leaders and members of royal families. I’ve put off responding, but maybe that’s what I need.
Movement at my feet startles me, and I find the rodent otherwise known as Arthur playfully scampering around my feet.
Reaching down, I scoop him up in my arms before he can cause more trouble, and he settles into my chest, nuzzling me affectionately.
“Why aren’t you in your cage?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
The children never leave him that way, and within a few days, this thing has now come to roam the palace as he likes.
“No more mischief,” I tell him. “And stay the hell out of my study and office.”
He makes some sort of chirping noise, and though I’m remiss to admit it, he’s kind of cute when he looks at you with his tiny beady eyes and twitchy nose.
If only my mother had seen him. She would have freaked out and gone screaming from here.
I take the long route, walking past the back windows to find Zayer and Sabrina outside with Emily, playing croquet of all things.
I set him down and say, “Go play with them.” Then I head straight for Bellamy’s father’s room, tapping softly on the door when I reach it.
“Come in,” she calls out in a singsong voice that thaws some of the ice that has been re-forming around my heart since my mother stepped foot in the palace. The door opens with a small creak and I find the two of them are watching television together on the other side of the large suite.
“Am I disturbing?”
She shakes her head, her contagious smile lighting up her face. “Not at all. What do you think, Dad? Should Sebastian come in and watch with us?”
He looks up at me with a smile, his eyes soft and round. He’s had his shower and seems to be in good spirits. “Actually, I’d like to go for a walk,” he says, and Bellamy instantly springs to her feet.
“Then let’s do it. It’s nice outside.”
“Are you sure? It’s always cold in Boston this time of year.”
Her smile slips an inch, but she holds it as best she can. “You’re right, it is. But it’s beautiful in this part of Messalina today. Come on.”
“Actually, Sabrina and Zayer are outside playing croquet with Emily. I’m sure they’d love you to join them.”
“Croquet,” he tests the word on his tongue as if he’s never heard it before, but he lets it go, taking Bellamy’s hand and following both of us out to the garden.
I’m relieved the children didn’t see my mother.
I had planned on her staying through dinner and spending the night and thought she’d get to spend time with them then.
Now my children will grow up without knowing their grandmother, and though I know that was the right decision, part of me mourns it too.
I breathe in deeply, taking in the crisp, cool air that fills my lungs.
Bellamy helps her father into a chair and comes over and stands beside me, her expression questioning.
“Later,” I tell her.
Her hand rests on my chest as she stares up at me. “I take it it didn’t go well?”
“No, it didn’t go well, and I’m sure you’ll be relieved to hear you’ll never have to see my mother again.”
Bellamy frowns, her hand sliding up to cup my cheek. “That doesn’t make me happy. She’s your mother.”
“Not a good one, and she more or less hasn’t been my mother since I was fifteen.”
“If you’re not happy, I’m not. She was…”
I smirk. “You can say it. Someone might as well.”
“Fine.” She giggles lightly. “She was a bitch, but she’s also your mother, and as someone who lost their mother when I was young, I can tell you, living without one sucks.”
“Not in this case. It’s for the better.”
Her arms wrap around me, and her cheek presses to my chest over my heart. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I sigh. “I’ve been invited to Switzerland as part of a global summit with other world leaders and members of royal families.”
“Oh?” Her head pops up and her eyes meet mine. “When is that and how long will you be gone?”
“It’s next week and you’re coming with me.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, but I don’t miss the unease that brings. “I am?”
I glance over at her father, who is contentedly watching the children run around and play, even clapping when they hit the ball through the posts. “If you feel your father is well enough for you to do that, then yes, I’d like you to. It’s only three nights.”
She gnaws on her lip. “Can we decide when it’s closer?”
“Of course.” I place a kiss on her lips only to immediately pull back when suddenly I feel something slither past my ankles.
“Arthur!” Sabrina exclaims, her eyes wide with amusement. “Come play with us.”
“I think he likes me,” I grumble.
“I think he does.” Bellamy is laughing, her mirth unable to be contained.
The ferret darts away from me and toward Zayer, who squeals in delight, passing him a ball and trying to play with him.
“My turn!” Sabrina declares, picking up her mallet with determination. Only just as Sabrina goes to strike the ball, Arthur races across the lawn, causing Sabrina to shriek with laughter as he dashes between her legs mid-swing.
“Arthur!” I chastise, trying to suppress my own laughter. “You’re supposed to be watching, not participating! You nearly tripped my princess.”
“You do realize you just reprimanded the ferret, right?”
“Quiet, woman. You heard nothing.”
“Maybe he wants to join my team,” Sabrina suggests, grinning as she chases after him.
“I still can’t believe I allowed you all to talk me into keeping him.”
“You’re not fooling me. I can see it in your eyes. You’re starting to like him.”
I grunt.
“Though, to be fair,” Bellamy continues, grinning at the children, who have both abandoned the game and are busy playing with their new pet, “he does make things more entertaining. And look at those smiles.”
“Yes, I see them. Why do you think I allow him to stay?”
“Softy.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “That is never a word anyone would ever think to use with me.”
“Only if they don’t know how beautiful your heart is.”
I drag her tighter into my chest, my muscles finally starting to unwind, even as I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. That the secrets of our past will continue to cast shadows over our future, threatening to tear apart the fragile ties that hold our family together.
And what will I do when that starts to happen?