Page 109 of Royally Matched
There’s a sudden bang that reverberates through the hallway, sending my already rapid pulse into overdrive. I pull Sofia against me as a man in a neat dark suit and tie, an impassive look on his square jawed face, walks toward us.
“Jason,” Sofia says, her voice unusually high as she raises her chin in her characteristic way. “Are you looking for me?”
Jason gives a short bow, his eyes darting between us. “Your father, the King, has sent me to find you, Your Royal Highness. You’re needed at the reception.”
“Of course. Thank you,” Sofia replies. “I was just… err, talking with Marco about a few things.” Her face flushes pink.
There was a lot more going on than just talking.
“Of course, ma’am,” he replies smoothly as he gestures with his arm toward the door leading into the throne room.
“I’ll talk with you later, Marco,” she says.
“Talk, sure,” I reply with a grin.
“Actually, the King has requested both of you join him and your mother, ma’am,” Jason replies.
“Why me?” I ask, surprised.
“I’m not privy to that information, sir,” he replies.
Sofia slips her hand into mine. “Don’t worry. We can face them together.”
I capture her gaze, this wonderful, smart, beautiful princess who loves a guy like me with the same depth, the same ferocity I have for her.
“That sounds like a plan to me, myPrincipessa.”
Chapter 30
Sofia
To my surprise, Jason doesn’t lead us back to the reception. Instead, we follow him through the palace’s snaking corridors to my parents’ rooms.
“Did you tell your parents about the scroll?” Marco asks in a whisper.
“I didn’t want to, not after you and I?—”
He squeezes my hand. “I get it.”
I think of the scroll and how, if it's authentic, it could change the trajectory of my life forever. AfterMonteluce, I made the decision that I would deal with the scroll and its potential ramifications once I had my head clear.
Only that hasn't happened.
“I wonder why your parents want to see us both right now. Do you think they know about us?”
“That was my first thought, but how could they? Maybe they know about Enzo?” I offer.
“What about Enzo?”
“Didn’t he tell you? He’s fallen in love with someone called Sigrid.”
Marco’s eyes grow huge. “Are you serious? Huh. Amelia’s harebrained plan worked for both of you.”
“Apparently it worked for both of us,” I say, and we share a smile.
Jason knocks on the door and Father calls, “Come!”
I shoot Marco a look of encouragement as we step inside together and my eyes land on my parents, sitting side by side on one of the elegant silk sofas.