he was. An autopsy will determine cause of death.”
“Someone wants to kill the king’s heirs,” Iliana said.
“Yes.” He would have Amon follow up and see if attempts had been made on the other heirs or if any suspicious incidents had occurred of late that had been reported to the police or the royal guards.
Iliana shivered. “I don’t want the inheritance. I don’t know the king. I won’t ever know him. Why should I be given anything? And at what cost? My life?”
“You are safe with me.”
Demetrius’s phone buzzed again. Another call he needed to take. He excused himself and stepped into the living room.
* * *
Iliana thought she might come out of her skin. She was tired and cranky and felt completely out of sorts.
She had imagined spending the days following her wedding wrapped in her husband’s arms, perhaps lounging on a hot beach or swimming in the warm waters off the Hawaiian Islands. Not holed up in a hotel room in Valencia, worried about being killed because of her newly discovered connection to the king.
Iliana dialed Serena and was pleased when her cousin answered.
“How is the bride today?” Serena asked.
Serena sounded happy, and Iliana wished she had good news to share in return. “Haven’t you heard? I’m in Valencia.”
“That’s a strange place for a honeymoon.”
“Not on my honeymoon. Demetrius brought me here after he told me that my father is the king of Valencia.”
Serena scoffed. “That’s ridiculous. I knew your father and your mother. Was it a strange cover story for an elaborate surprise?”
She wished it had been a weird joke. “The king confirmed it’s true.”
Serena’s silence indicated she was as bewildered as Iliana. Iliana was relieved to know that Serena, one of the people she trusted most in the world, hadn’t been keeping the secret from her.
“I don’t know what to say about that. Are you okay? Are you sure the king has the right woman?”
“Demetrius tested my DNA.”
“That was fast.”
“He tested it before we married. He knew who I was for months.”
Serena swore, and since she rarely did, it had an impact. “I’ll call Casimir and find out what he knows.”
“Demetrius already said he told Casimir nothing about this matter.”
“That’s good news for Casimir.”
Iliana smiled, thinking of how strong her cousin had become. Since being crowned queen, she had found confidence and happiness. “Did you learn anything about the break-in at my place?” Iliana guessed the trail would lead to Valencia, if it hadn’t already.
“The police chief is looking into it. The man was a hired assassin. I assume there’s a connection to this news about the king.”
“I heard from Demetrius that another of the king’s heirs was killed. Someone wants us dead.”
“Slow down for one minute. Who else besides Demetrius knew you were one of the king’s heirs?”
A great question. Since she hadn’t known herself, Iliana didn’t have answer. “I can’t imagine.”
Serena groaned. “I cannot believe I am saying this, but you need to stay close to Demetrius.”
“Even after he lied to me?”
Iliana heard Serena drumming her fingers against her desk, a nervous habit she displayed when she was thinking hard. “Demetrius is a difficult man. I want to talk to Casimir about this, but I think Demetrius will protect you. If Demetrius is involved in this, he has a goal in mind and will keep you safe while accomplishing it.”
She didn’t want to be part of his plan, a tool to use to meet his agenda. “He only married me because I’m the king’s heir. I am so angry and confused. What is it that he wants from me?” She had hoped he’d wanted to share his life with her, but now even the thought seemed ridiculous and naive.
“He wants more than your inheritance. I saw how he looked at you.”
“He was playing a game.” More than anything, she wanted to be convinced that Demetrius cared for her, for her nagging distrust of him to be silenced.
“I can’t believe that,” Serena said. “Think about how he has behaved since you met. He has a soft spot for you, and he’s a man who has a soft spot for no one. Even if he had another motive, if he went through this trouble to use you for his purposes, then you are valuable to him. I can’t imagine you being in a safer place. The man is ruthless.” Serena paused. “Unless you think he would turn on you?”
Demetrius wouldn’t physically harm her. He didn’t have it in him. He was cold and calculating, but he wouldn’t lay his hands on her in anger. “I am physically safe with Demetrius.”
“If you want to return home to Acacia, you know you are welcome anytime, right?”
“Of course.” Except, speaking the words, Iliana felt out of place. She had lived in Acacia all her life. Her memories were only of Acacia and her parents. To think that she didn’t belong now because she was the biological daughter of someone else was wrong. But somehow, she felt shaken. As though a piece had been pulled from the foundation of her life and now everything on top was shifting and rocking.
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