Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
AURELIA
I’d had the foresight to keep the lease on my apartment while I’d been living at the castle. Walking through the door should’ve felt like a return to normal—familiar, grounding—but unease settled in my chest almost immediately.
Something was wrong.
A lamp sat a few inches off from where I’d left it. A book on the coffee table was angled just slightly differently. Subtle things, easy to dismiss, yet impossible to ignore once noticed. My skin prickled as the realization sank in. I wasn’t safe here. Still, I had no choice but to stay the night.
By morning, my decision was made. I gave notice, packed what I could, and placed the rest in storage. Within hours, I secured a room at a small bed-and-breakfast under an assumed name, paying cash. Paranoia demanded discretion, and I no longer argued with it.
My thoughts, however, refused to quiet. Dalek’s sudden withdrawal gnawed at me. I couldn’t accept that love—our love—had simply vanished. Something was wrong. I felt it deep in my bones. Needing answers, I called his father, Prince Tomas, using the private number Dalek had once given me.
A stranger answered.
“I’m sorry, but he’s unavailable at this time,” the man said coolly. “He’s away on royal business and cannot be disturbed. Please be advised your number will be blocked from future calls.”
The line went dead.
My stomach felt uneasy and a chill went up my spine. Too many strange things were happening all at once to be mere coincidence.
I wrote down the names of the people I’d interacted with and discovered that most were either no longer in employ at Dalek’s home or had blocked my calls. This cost me a couple of weeks’ time as I searched for ways around the barriers, growing more isolated with each failed attempt.
Only two names remained untouched: King Alexsandar and Prince Maxim.
I’d had a brief interaction with both. They were my last hope.
Calling the King’s palace, I’d been informed that Maxim was currently in America overseeing one of their royal properties and would be hard to reach. However, King Alexsandar’s personal number worked, and I was actually shocked when he picked up.
“I’m sorry to call you directly, Your Highness. However, I have deep concerns regarding Dalek that cannot be expressed over the phone. May I request an in-person meeting at your earliest convenience?” I held my breath waiting for a reply.
“Your fears are warranted. I’ve been unable to reach my brother. Dalek has become completely unhinged, meddling with our plans for Maxim. Can you drop by for lunch with me and my wife in two days’ time? I’ll leave a pass for you at the gate.”
A feeling of hope spread through me. “Absolutely, Your Highness. I’d be honored to join you both. Hopefully, together we can make sense of all this.”
The wait nearly broke me.
I was unable to keep much food down. I kept looking over my shoulder, wondering if anyone was following me when I went into town. Plus, strange things kept happening—one flat tire after another, certain businesses that once welcomed me, now refused to allow me in their establishments, and so on.
It felt deliberate. Personal. Like someone was unraveling my life thread by thread.
A couple hours before my meeting with the royal couple, I received a cryptic voicemail message from a doctor I didn’t remember seeing.
“You may not remember me, Dr. Ruzika, but I’m Dr. Vincovich, I tended to you during your food poisoning incident.
I’d taken a sample of your blood to ensure there wasn’t anything more concerning.
I’ve been trying to get into the castle to speak with you, but have been turned away each time, citing you’re no longer living there.
I recently remembered Dalek refer to you as a psychologist, so I hope I’m not being too forward by calling you personally, but I have news.
Please call me at your earliest convenience. ”
My hands trembled as I returned his call. “This is Dr. Ruzika,” I said. “Please, call me Aurelia.”
“Thank goodness I finally got through to you. I needed you to know that the sample of food we’d been given showed high levels of neurotoxin in the shrimp and scallops. Fortunately, your body reacted quickly, expelling most of it. Only trace, non-harmful amounts showed in your blood work.”
A cold knot formed in my stomach.
“However, we ran the extra blood we took through a variety of tests and discovered congratulations are in order. Your HCG levels were elevated. You’re pregnant.”
My world tilted. I nearly dropped the phone.
“I—I can’t be,” I whispered. “I’m on the shot.”
“When was your last injection?”
I pulled up my calendar, and dread crept in as I scrolled. Four months ago.
“Oh… shit.”
“You’re overdue,” he said gently.
“Yes. I always set multiple reminders before it wears off. They were dismissed.” My pulse thundered. “I didn’t do that.” Had I done this without thinking? Had Dalek or someone else messed with my calendar app? What was going on here?
Silence stretched between us.
His voice was gentle, as he offered, “I’m the royal doctor for the king and queen. If you’d like, I’d be happy to do an ultrasound to see how far along you are.”
Fear rooted me in place. I was pregnant by the man I loved, but he no longer wanted me.
“Aurelia?” he prompted. “Are you still there?”
“Yes. I’m just… processing.”
“I take it this wasn’t planned.”
“No. It wasn’t.” I swallowed hard. “When can we meet?”
“Would today work? My schedule is pretty flexible.”
I let out an audible sigh. “Today is not good. I’ll be at the palace having lunch with the royal family, and I’m not sure how long that will entail.”
Dr. Vincovich let out a soft laugh. “Actually that works out perfectly. I’ll be doing well checks for both the king and queen, along with some of their staff today. If you could come to the palace an hour or two prior to your lunch, we can get things sorted out.”
My mouth answered before my mind could catch up. “Yes. I’ll be there.”
The call ended, leaving me staring at the phone in my hand.
I pressed my palm to my stomach, emotions tangling into a knot of fear, hope, and disbelief. I was carrying Dalek’s child. Would I even be allowed to tell him?
My life had reached a crossroads, one where every path forward felt dangerous, and turning back was no longer an option.