"I was with your mother before we arrived at the castle. She wanted to know everything about you. She wasn't a queen when we were together. She was just a mother worried about her son getting hurt, but knowing he had a duty to fulfill. She would be just as proud of you if you wore jeans and a T-shirt.

  He smiled, and the tenderness in his eyes wrapped around her. "You're good for me," he said.

  Wizard didn't say he loved her or that he even liked her, only that she was good for him. Was that what she wanted? A promise of undying love? She didn't know anymore. She knew that her heart ached when Wizard wasn't around, then soared with joy when he came near.

  "Are you ready to go down, sir?" Zeke politely nudged.

  "I suppose," he said.

  When Lorelei hesitated, unsure about joining the family for breakfast, Wizard grabbed her hand and tugged her beside him. She only hoped that she didn't do anything to embarrass him.

  "Are you nervous?" Wizard asked as they went down the staircase?"

  "Yes," she answered truthfully.

  "That makes two of us."

  She never thought she'd see the day when Wizard would be nervous. He always came across as self-confident and afraid of nothing.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Wizard

  Lorelei seemed so calm while he was damned nervous. These were his parents, but they were also the King and Queen. How the hell was he supposed to act? Should he bow to them?

  "Wizard?"

  He looked down at Lorelei. Damn, she was beautiful. "Yes?"

  "You're crushing my hand."

  He immediately loosened his hold. "Sorry."

  Zeke walked in front of them, leading the way. Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, he turned left. He stopped before he came to an open doorway.

  "When you enter the dining room, simply bow slightly, and address them as, Your Majesty's." He turned to Lorelei. "You only have to curtsy." He looked at them and beamed. "You'll do just fine."

  He turned and then walked the short distance to the open doorway, then stopped.

  "Prince Octavius and Lorelei, Your Majesty's." He bowed and backed out.

  Wizard stepped into the room. He did as Zeke had instructed and bowed. "Your Majesty's."

  Lorelei executed a perfect curtsy. "Your Majesty's," she murmured.

  The King and Queen rose from their seats and walked over to them.

  "My son, you look so handsome," the Queen said, then broke protocol and hugged him tightly before she moved to Lorelei. "Ravishing, my dear." Then she hugged her. "Please, come sit."

  The King smiled. "I never liked wearing any of this either," the King told him. "You get used to it after a while." Then he too broke protocol and hugged Wizard. "Over the years, I've often wondered how you had turned out, but I shouldn't have had any worries. You are more than a father could ever hope for."

  Wizard felt his chest swell. He couldn’t stop looking at them. Memories were flooding his mind. They looked older, thinner, and still haggard, but he knew time would erase what they had gone through and give them many happy memories.

  They joined his mother and Lorelei at the table, but before they sat down, the team who stayed at the castle came into the room. They bowed. "Your Majesty's and Prince Octavius."

  Wizard grimaced. He could've sworn Renegade had a twinkle in his eyes. They wouldn't be twinkling for long. Wizard had an idea. He'd read Robin Hood when he was growing up. He would only have to talk to his father to make it happen.

  "Please, join us," the King said.

  A lively discussion of how everything came about followed, and Wizard found himself relaxing. He realized his parents were pretty ordinary people. Maybe being locked up for so many years had something to do with it, but he didn't think so. Especially after some of the stories Otto had told him. He had a feeling his father broke protocol quite often.

  The King came to his feet as soon as the meal was over, and everyone followed suit. "Will you join us in the Great Chamber? I believe we have one of your countrymen in a cell, and my son tells me he did Lorelei great harm over the years."

  "Yes," Carter spoke for the team. "Then, if it is your wish, I have spoken with the American consulate, and we will transport him back to the States to be tried for crimes there. I doubt that he will ever get out of prison."

  "Yes, that sounds like a good resolution to the situation. Zeke will take you there now, and we will join you shortly."

  When Lorelei started to leave with the team, Wizard grabbed her hand again. "No, stay with me." When he looked at his parents, they watched him with curiosity. He didn't want them to read any more into the relationship, but he didn't want her to get lost in the crowd. Besides, he knew even though she was getting more used to people, they still made her nervous.

  As soon as the men left, he pulled his father aside and discussed what he needed as his mother took Lorelei under her wing. His father thought his idea was good and would see to it immediately.

  "I think you have an ulterior reason for wanting me to do this," his father said.

  "Well, yes, sort of."

  "There's a lot of you in me. I'm glad to see it."

  They made their way to the chamber. The King looked around the large room. As he'd requested, some of the elders and what townspeople could squeeze inside had gathered. His father explained that later, some of their relatives would probably arrive. They had been in exile since his imprisonment, but for now, there were only about a hundred or so people and the team.

  Everyone sat or stood along the fringes when the King took his throne. "The country is ours again." There was a loud cheer from the people. "Our eldest son has returned, and we have been set free. He could not have done it without Carter James and his men. Please rise and step forward."

  The team looked unsure, but they came to their feet and walked closer. "Please kneel," the King said.

  They looked even more confused as the King came down the steps to where they were. He drew his sword and touched Carter's shoulder with the tip. "I Knight you, Sir Carter James." He moved down to Ty, then Cutter, Kanon, Renegade… Until they were all knighted. "From this day forward, you will be known as Knights of the Royal Counsel of the highest order and our most trusted advisors. You will always be part of the royal family."

  Wizard couldn't stop his smile. Renegade frowned at him. That should stop the smirking. He wasn't going to allow them to treat him any differently. They went back to their seats, but the King stayed. There was one other matter of business he needed to take care of.

  "Zeke Cline, please step forward.”

  Wizard saw him jump just a little when his name was called. He nervously came forward.

  "Kneel."

  Zeke dropped to one knee.

  "You started everything fate decreed when you rescued my son and Lorelei. For this, I will be eternally grateful. From this day forward, you will be known as Sir Zeke Cline, protector of the royal family. For your heroism, I give to you and your family land and cattle so that you will always rest your head at night in the land of your countrymen and that you should never go hungry." He touched Zeke's shoulder. "Rise, Sir Zeke." Wizard saw the tears in his eyes as he came to his feet. Their gazes met, and Zeke bowed slightly. Wizard returned it with a nod out of great respect for his friend.

  “I’m humbled by your generosity, Your Majesty. I played such a small role, though.”

  “Spoken like a true hero.”

  Otto was swiping at his tears as his son went to stand beside him.

  The King turned toward one of the guards. "Bring the prisoner in."

  They could hear Nash loudly complaining long before he got to the great hall.

  "The King will have your head for this. I've never been treated with such disrespect." He looked up as they brought him inside. His gaze moved from the King to the Queen, then fell on Wizard. He immediately tried to back out of the room, but the guards grabbed him by the elbows and brought him inside.

  Nash was disheveled, filthy, and his jacket missing. His hair was sticking out at all angles, and a streak of dirt was running down one cheek. He didn't look quite so privileged now.

  "May I ask what your business is with me?" The King said, but Wizard had already explained the situation to his father. His father just wanted to drag the moment out. Maybe they were a lot alike.

  "My business is with King Rufus," Nash stuttered.

  "He's dead."

  Nash's eyes flittered from the King to Wizard to Lorelei. "Then I'll just be on my way." He started to turn to leave, but the guards grabbed him again, turning him back around.

  "The punishment for treason is execution," the King said. “You were going to betray my son, the Prince, to my cousin Rufus.”

  Nash's face lost all color, and he turned as white as a sheet. "But… But…" The guards had to grab him to keep him upright.

  "Except he's not our subject," Wizard spoke up.

  "That's right! I'm not! I'm an American citizen."

  Wizard turned to Lorelei and nodded. She stepped forward.

  "But you are now wanted in America for kidnapping, human trafficking, running a prostitution ring, along with buying, selling, and distributing drugs. You're going to prison for a very long time."

  "But… I love you…" he stammered.

  She shook her head. "You have no idea what love is. You treated me and the servants horribly. Now you'll know what it feels like."

  "Remove this trash from my presence," the King ordered.

  Nash was crying and begging as they took him away.

  "Thank you for letting me do that," Lorelei told him.

  "It was your right to be the one to let him know what was going to happen."

  The Great Hall began to empty. Carter came up and bowed slightly. "We'll be leaving shortly, your highness. If you should ever need our services again, don't hesitate to contact us." He turned to Wizard. "Prince Octavius, it has been an honor working with you and calling you friend."

  Wizard could've sworn there was still a twinkle in his eyes. Maybe he knew what he was going through. Carter was the son of a prominent senator and had never buckled to protocol. It would seem Wizard didn't have as much of a choice, though.

  Wizard looked around the Great Hall and then at the thrones and knew the empty one was for his brother. He wished to God he knew what had happened to him. He remembered the little boy that always looked up to him and who grabbed his hand when he got scared. Wizard felt as if there was a missing piece, and he had a feeling it would only change when he found Ezra.

  As everyone began to leave, Ty came up to him. "I guess this is a big change for you," he said.

  Wizard smiled. "That's an understatement."

  "You're one of the lucky ones who found loving parents. That doesn't happen very often."

  His words made Wizard wonder what Ty’s family life had been like, but he wouldn’t ask. It was Ty's choice if he wanted to say anything or not. Strange, but he felt as if Ty wanted to say something. "What is it?"

  Ty shook his head. "It might not be anything, but I saw a man once with that same symbol on his chest as you have on yours."

  Wizard's pulse began to beat faster. "And?"

  "Like I said, it might not be anything, but at the time, I thought it was very unusual, and the artistry of it was different from anything I'd ever seen. The man was working on a fishing boat. That was a few years ago. I'm not sure he would still be in the area."

  "There's a chance that he's still alive. I'd hoped, but…" His father was talking to some of the townspeople, and his mother and Lorelei were conversing about dressmaking. "I'd like to keep this between us for now. I don't want to get my parents' hopes up until I know something for sure."

  "As you wish, Prince Octavius." He grinned.

  "Thank you, Sir Knight."

  Ty frowned. "That was a dirty trick, by the way."

  Wizard laughed. "Yes, it was."

  After Ty left, giving him all the information about the unknown man who wore the same tattoo, Wizard's gaze moved to Lorelei. She looked up, and their eyes met. When she smiled, his heartbeat sped up a little.

  He realized at that moment he didn't want her ever to leave him. But would she still be waiting when he put whatever was between them on hold and went in search of Ezra? Or would all this be too much for her?

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Ezra

  “Damn, I love it here!”

  Ezra jumped off the boat and onto the dock, slapping the boards with his booted feet. The dock quivered beneath him. He drew in a deep breath, hands on his hips. The fresh aroma of the day's catch filled his nostrils as seagulls squawked out that a ship had just docked. He laughed as the birds swarmed, hoping to grab a tasty morsel.

  He’d once brought a date down to the docks. She'd immediately turned up her nose—snooty as hell. He could do without a woman like that. And he had. This was where he belonged. He didn't care that he lived in a one-room house with a bathroom he barely fit inside. Hell, he could shower and do his other business, so that was all that mattered.

  Brady slapped him on the back. "You going to stand here all day, or are we going over to the bar? Remember, you're buying the first round."

  Ezra laughed. Brady was his best and oldest friend. "Damn right. I could use a cold one about now. You sure your wife won't be mad that you went to the bar rather than straight home?"

  “Nah, with a baby on the way, she’s started watching all these videos on how to take care of it. I told her she would be a natural.” He frowned. "Hey, whatever came of that man trying to contact you? Wasn’t it something to do with your family?"

  He shrugged. "Yeah, some detective. Who the hell knows what he wanted," he said as they headed toward their vehicles. "Something about a long-lost brother."

  "Ezra, go steal a cookie when the cook looks the other way."

  Ezra shook his head to clear it. He’d been having brief flashes for as long as he could remember. He’d once asked his father about them, but Cyrus told him he’d never had a brother and not to think like that. Funny, but his father had always seemed nervous when he mentioned a memory. Who knows, maybe he thought Ezra was a little crazy. He brought his attention back to the present when Brady began to talk again.

  “You probably have family somewhere. Maybe you inherited a bunch of money. Ever think about that?”

  “Yes, no, doubtful.” He roared with laughter as he answered all three of Brady’s statements.

  Brady frowned. "But you don't know about the rest of your family, do you?"

  "You know as well as I do that Cyrus was the only family I've ever known. If anyone else had wanted to see us, they could've. We weren't that hard to find." His gut clenched as he thought about his father. He was sixteen when the accident happened. That's when his dad walked out in front of a car and was struck. The dumb son of a bitch had been looking at his phone. Ezra warned him so many times the damned thing was a distraction and to be careful.

  For a moment, Ezra couldn't breathe. Finally, he took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. He would never forget that day. Damn, his stomach still churned, picturing Cyrus lying in the hospital bed. He'd been incoherent. He kept trying to explain that he wasn't his father. He was only supposed to keep him safe. He apologized for not telling him the truth sooner. Then he slipped into a coma and never woke up. He died the following day.

  He knew Cyrus had been talking out of his head. They’d been looking at adopting a dog the day before. The last one had died of old age, and Cyrus said he missed having one around to keep him company when Ezra was out on the boat. Somehow, that had all got jumbled up in his mind. Damn, he missed him.

  He climbed into the front seat of his pickup and headed toward the bar. Brady would follow in his vehicle. They'd been on the water since four that morning, and he probably should head to bed, except he didn't have to work tomorrow and felt like blowing off a little steam.

  Maybe he’d hook up with that hot redhead who waited tables. Damn, she was a firecracker in bed. She was a little older, but that just meant she knew the score. No strings attached. Just one hell of a good time.

  He drove to the bar and pulled into the parking lot. It was crowded tonight. Typical for a Saturday night. Except there was one car that stood out. If he wasn't mistaken, it was a Bentley. What the hell would someone driving a car like that be doing at Mabel's bar? Maybe they liked to go slumming.

  "We going inside, or are you going to stand out here all day?" Brady asked as he came up beside him.

  "Going inside. I was looking at the fancy car." He nodded toward it.

  Brady whistle. "How would you like to have one of those?"

  "Too fancy for my blood."

  "I don't know. You could sell it and buy you a nicer pickup. The last time I rode in yours, I ended up with a spring stuck in my ass."

  Ezra laughed, another loud, booming sound. "You always have something stuck in your ass."

  Brady frowned. "Do not!"

  "Come on, I'll buy you that beer." He slapped him on the back, almost sending him flying through the door. His friend needed to toughen up.

  "I think you should buy me two beers," he grumbled. “And no fights tonight!”

  “Who, me? I’m a pussycat.”

  "Pussycat, my ass. By the way, Brenda says you need a haircut."

  “Not happening. I like my hair. The ladies like it, too.”

  “Whatever.”

  They went inside the smoke-filled bar. Ezra stood just in the doorway, scanning the room before going any farther. Music blared a lively country song from the jukebox. Several couples were twisting and shaking their bodies to the fast beat on the small dance floor.

  The tables were all full. His gaze paused on one. Two men sat at it nursing longnecks. They looked out of place—too polished. Ezra wondered if they were the ones who owned the fancy car.

  Not that he cared as he strode up to the bar and grabbed a stool. He grinned when the saucy redhead sashayed over to him and Brady.

  "Hey, handsome, what can I get you?" Her words were raspy from too many years of smoking. Her hair was the color of red that you just knew came from a bottle. Kind of brassy. She always wore one of those push-up bras and never buttoned her shirt all the way. She displayed plenty of cleavage, her shorts were so short the cheeks of her butt were visible, and she had the sexiest legs he'd ever seen, long and lean. They could wrap around a man's waist and pull him in deeper and make him feel everything he was meant to feel. He knew that for a fact.

 

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