Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Hugo barely held back his eye roll. His life had been a whirlwind for a solid three months now, and yet he still had time to see his mother every day. She was the one who was buzzing from place to place and couldn’t make time for him.
“Normally, if you were my daughter, this would be where I had a talk with you about your wedding night,” she continued, oblivious to Hugo’s thoughts. “If your father hadn’t passed on, I’m sure he’d be having a talk with you.”
Panic rushed through Hugo, leaving his entire body bathed in a cold sweat. Dear gods no! He could not have a sex talk with his mother. He would die of mortification before he could marry Everand.
“Please don’t,” Hugo choked out in a stiff, urgent tone.
“Are you sure? I might not understand all that goes on between two men, but—”
“No! No! It’s okay. Unnecessary. Completely.” With each word, Hugo’s voice got higher and higher in pitch. He didn’t want to tell her that any speech she might have prepared was unnecessary because he and Everand had been going at it like rabbits in the wild every chance they got.
She stared at him, her gaze questioning. After a second, she nodded, allowing Hugo to breathe. “Very well.”
“Was there anything else? I don’t want to keep you from getting ready.”
Her smile returned, and she squeezed his hand with both of hers. “I wanted to say how proud I am of you, and I know your father would be as well. Yes, I wanted you to marry well so that you would be well provided for and could help your brothers, but I never wanted you to marry a prince. This life…” She sighed and put her hand on his cheek. Tears glistened in her eyes, and her smile trembled. “This is going to be a hard life, my darling boy, but you are so strong, brave, and brilliant. No matter how hard things are, you will shine.”
Hugo closed his eyes and swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat. He hadn’t expected his mother to say such wonderful things. “I will shine only because I have Everand at my side.”
“You make each other shine. That is the magic of your love.” She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his opposite cheek and then sat, wiping away her tears. “No more of this nonsense. It’s bad luck. I must hurry to get fitted. Please, go check on your brothers to make sure they’re staying out of mischief and getting ready.”
He wanted to go find Everand and enjoy a few secret moments with him, but his mother had a point. He needed to see his brothers prior to the wedding. Not because he thought they might be up to some mischief, but simply because he wanted to hug them one last time as their brother and not the crown prince’s consort.
With an extra spring in his step, Hugo hurried out of the queen’s parlor and down the hall. The palace wasn’t as intimidating as it had once been, and he was learning his way around it so that he no longer needed guidance from a servant.
“Who let you out of your cell?” a harsh but familiar voice barked.
Hugo stopped and grinned at the sight of Captain Ryze stepping out of a room.
“Captain Ryze!” Hugo said with a laugh. He approached the Wulian officer with his hand extended.
The captain stiffened and bowed. “It’s good to see you, Your Lordship.”
Ah. Yes. That’s right. He was a duke now, about to become the prince’s consort. No more handshaking.
Hugo tucked his hand behind his back, not wanting Captain Ryze to feel awkward, though he doubted it was possible for the man. “I take it that your trip with King Victor went smoothly. Are you and he comfortably settled?”
“Yes, King Victor is pleased with the accommodations.” Captain Ryze’s lips quirked into a lopsided smile. “My family and I are also comfortably settled. I still cannot believe you sent my husband and wife an invitation.”
“How do you know it was me?”
Ryze needed only to level a hard look at Hugo before he broke. It wasn’t like Everand was all that aware of the captain’s family. “Yes, well…I felt sure that King Victor would bring you along on this trip, and I hated to think of you being separated for so long from them. Do you think you’ll have any free time to do some sightseeing with them?”
Captain Ryze nodded. “His Majesty has graciously offered me a little time off from my duties to spend with my family. Thank you again.”
“I’m happy to do it. I’ll see you after the wedding,” Hugo said, already backpedaling away. If he didn’t, he’d linger and begin asking about King Victor, which would lead to more questions, and he wouldn’t get the chance to hunt down his brothers.