33. 33

33

Edi e

I don't know what Kalle says to the rest of the family about me staying the night at the castle, but I'm out of bed and into my car before any of them have made it out of their rooms. Kalle gives a grumble as I untangle myself from under his arm but I tell him to call me when he wakes up. I'm tempted to kiss him goodbye, but I don't think I would leave if I did that.

The sun is bright as I drive away and the sight of it after the intensity of last night, not to mention three days of rain, does amazing things to my mood.

Or maybe it's just Kalle.

There's a heady sense of anticipation when I think of seeing him next. And also a healthy amount of fear.

I've had relationships before, and none have really worked out. I've had my heart broken, and it wasn't pretty. Greg Kaan when I was eighteen. Kyle Dugan at twenty-four. And five years ago, Derrick Anders broke our engagement after eighteen days. He proposed to me, said he wanted to spend his life with me, and then he up and changed his mind. That was a bad one. Kalle was pretty angry about that, on my behalf. He had words with Derrick, and while I'll never know what he said because he refuses to tell me, Derrick did end up moving to Newfoundland a few months later.

I've had my heart broken, but not by Kalle. They weren't Kalle; we didn't have the connection or the history, and I didn't lose a friendship like his. If Kalle and I… if it doesn't work, then I have so much to lose, and the thought terrifies me more than any thunderstorm.

Can you handle this?

I don't have a choice now because we crossed a line last night—

Technically, early this morning, and it was several lines—

And there's no way I'm going back to holding hands.

But still, Kalle is going to be king, which means the woman he marries will be queen. And he's already asked me. If next time I see him things go as well as I think they will, I doubt that will be the last time he asks the question.

Kalle says he wants me to be queen, and if I want him, that may be a possibility.

And it's something I can't begin to process.

When I get into town, I head straight for Coffee for the Sole, only to find almost every person in town seems to have the same idea. The line up is out the door and as I take my spot I'm greeted with questions about the king.

It's like they know I just came from the castle.

It takes time for me to finally get inside and have my order taken. I see that it's all hands-on deck this morning.

Including Daphne Luute.

"Morning, Edie." Silas, the owner of Coffee for the Sole, and the best barista in the world, already looks ragged this morning. "Usual? "

"For me," I tell him. "But do you know what Odin and Camille like?" I glance at Daphne who drops her gaze.

"Are they already back? That was quick—the king." He nods. "They came back because of the king. Are you sure he's okay?"

"There will be more news today, but I think so."

Daphne moves away, adding sweetener and a pump of espresso to the coffee she's making.

"I had to hire her back," Silas says in a low voice. "But it's only for the summer."

"Poor kid." I watch Daphne and see that some of the light has disappeared from her and there's a new slump of her shoulders. "You can't pick who you fall in love with."

Silas raises his eyebrows. "That's very forgiving of you. Do you know if the castle feels the same way?"

"They will eventually. And with what the king just went through last night, making the life of one girl miserable won't be a priority. It shouldn't be anyway."

"You're right." Silas hands me a tray with three coffees. "On the house today."

"Then so is your next beer," I tell Silas to have a good day and nod to Daphne as I leave. There are many more questions before I can make my way to the door.

The air is crisp and cool, with a hint of warmth from the sun.

It's going to be a beautiful day.

Battle Harbour deserves it.

I make a quick stop in my apartment, then check the bar before I head to the airport to pick up Odin and Camille. Dillon wanted to stay with Kalle, so I said I would get them.

I'm just not sure what to tell them when they ask why I'm doing pickup for the royal family.

I watch the private plane taxi to a stop and try to think of an explanation that doesn't involve me giving too much information about what went on last night with me and Kalle. Even though the way I smile when I think of him is going to give it all away.

It doesn't take long for Odin and Camille to appear on the steps, and I wave. "Edie!" Odin exclaims as they cross the tarmac to my car. The surprise is evident in his voice. "Is Kalle—"

"He's busy at the castle." Or asleep, I honestly don't know. "I offered to pick you up because everyone is… a little busy."

"I'm sure." Odin loads the suitcases into my trunk and one in the backseat because I have a compact car. "Have you seen him? Heard anything else?" he demands as Camille gives me a quick hug hello.

"Duncan stayed at the hospital last night and there's been no word that I know of," I report as we get into the car, Odin in the front with me. "I think that's a good thing."

"I wish I'd been here," he frets.

I meet Camille's gaze in the rearview mirror as I pull away from the airport. "I don't think you could have done much," I tell him carefully.

"That's what I told him," Camille explodes from the backseat.

"I hate leaving all this to them. I'm the one who steps up, the face of the castle because no one else wants to."

"Odin?" Camille leans forward. "Are you changing your mind about abdicating?"

I suck in my breath. If that's true—if it's even possible—Kalle will be …

"They're doing fine," I say in a firm voice. "Spencer delegated and everyone has their roles and is preparing to step up. There's a press conference this afternoon, the statement went out…" I turn to Odin. "They're doing great, all things considered."

"Kalle?"

"Kalle," I reassure him and Odin hisses in relief. I can only imagine the guilt and worry he's gone through trying to get home as quickly as he can, not knowing what will be waiting for him when he gets here. "Everything is under control."