Chapter Two Hundred-Thirty-Six
As Amelia lay in Niko's arms, a ringing sound caught her attention. Niko's private line. With the crisis surrounding Alexei, every call sent her heart racing with anxiety.
Niko reluctantly released her, pressing a last kiss to her shoulder before rolling out of bed to answer. Amelia watched him, admiring the strong lines of his back as he spoke in low, urgent tones.
"Father," he said, his posture immediately stiffening. "Yes, I understand."
Amelia sat up, pulling the sheet around her. From Niko's expression, something significant had happened. She hoped Alexei was okay.
"When?" he asked, his knuckles whitening around the phone. "And you're certain?"
The muscles in his jaw tensed as he listened. "I see. Yes."
When he hung up, he turned to face her, his expression unreadable.
"What is it?" Amelia asked, dread pooling in her stomach. "Is Alexei worse?"
"No," Niko said, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "Alexei's condition was fine."
"Then what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Niko crossed the room and sat beside her on the bed, taking her hand in his. "That was my father. There's been a... development in New York."
"What kind of development?" Amelia's mind raced through terrible scenarios.
"Alexei was photographed this morning leaving Keira Warner's apartment."
Amelia frowned. "But isn't he in the hospital?"
"Yes, well it seems that Alexei doesn't follow doctors' orders," Niko explained, his voice tight with frustration. "And apparently left the hospital without security and went straight to his assistant's residence."
"Why would he—" Amelia began, then understanding dawned. "Oh."
"Yes. Oh." Niko stood again, pacing the length of their bedroom. "The American tabloids have already started running with the story. A kidnapped prince and his assistant, rescued together, then photographed trying to leave her apartment at dawn..."
"They're suggesting a romantic relationship," Amelia concluded.
"More than suggesting. They're having a field day." Niko ran a hand over his face. "Father is livid."
"Surely this isn't the first time Alexei's been linked to a woman in the press," Amelia reasoned. "Why is your father so upset about this particular instance?"
"Because of the circumstances," Niko said. "A royal kidnapping is an international incident. For Alexei to be caught in a compromising situation with the woman who was kidnapped alongside him... it's not just another scandalous headline. It's a nightmare."
Amelia wrapped the sheet more securely around herself as she stood to join him. "What does your father plan to do?"
Niko's expression tightened. "He's demanding Alexei return to Wystovia immediately."
"And if he refuses?"
"That's not an option. Father made it clear this is a royal command, not a request." Niko's jaw set in a hard line. "And there's more."
"More?" Amelia placed a gentle hand on his arm.
"Father has decided Alexei's behavior has become too unpredictable, too damaging to the crown." Niko's voice lowered. "He's demanding Alexei think about marrying Miss Warner."
Amelia's eyes widened. "What? That's... that's extreme, even for your father."
"He believes it will contain the scandal and transform a potentially damaging story into a royal fairy tale." Niko's gaze met hers, troubled and conflicted. "And it serves another purpose."
The realization hit her with painful clarity. "Securing another potential source for heirs." That cut deep.
Niko flinched almost imperceptibly, but she caught it. The silence between them stretched, loaded with implications neither wanted to address.
"Your father didn't suggest this approach just because of the scandal, did he?" Amelia finally asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's because I haven't been able to conceive."
Niko turned to her, his expression softening. "Amelia, no—"
"Please don't lie to me," she interrupted. "After everything we've been through, I deserve the truth."
Niko hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "My father mentioned... it might be best to have other options. But that doesn't mean—"
"He's hedging his bets," Amelia said flatly. "If I can't provide an heir, perhaps Alexei's future wife can."
"Amelia, please understand—"
"I understand perfectly." She turned away, unable to bear the pity she feared she might see in his eyes.
Niko's hand caught her shoulder, gently turning her back to face him. "My father's motivations don't reflect my feelings. Whatever his planning, this doesn't change anything between us."
"Doesn't it?" Amelia searched his face. "For nearly three years, we've been trying to have a child. Every month brings more disappointment, more pressure. Now your father is maneuvering to secure alternative heirs. How can you say nothing has changed?"
"Because I don't care about any of that right now," Niko said, his voice dropping lower as he pulled her against his chest. "Let's just deal with this issue with Alexei first."
Amelia closed her eyes, letting herself be held, wishing she could believe him completely. "What's going to happen now?"
"Alexei will return home. Father will present his ultimatum. And knowing my brother, he'll fight it every step of the way. Unless he really loves her, which would surprise me."
"And what about Miss Warner? Does anyone care what she wants?"
Niko sighed. "My father believes the lure of a royal title will be sufficient incentive for her cooperation."
"That's remarkably cynical," Amelia observed. "Not every woman dreams of being a princess, you know."
A ghost of a smile touched Niko's lips. "Something I've learned well from you."
She allowed herself a small smile in return. "What will you do if Alexei refuses?"
"Support him, if I can. Though my influence with Father is limited in these matters." Niko pressed his forehead against hers. "But right now, I don't want to think about Alexei or my father or succession plans."
"What do you want to think about?" she asked softly.
"You," he murmured, his lips finding hers in a kiss that quickly deepened. "Only you. Maybe when this is over we should get away for a few days."
As his hands slid down her back, guiding her toward the bed once more, Amelia tried to silence the doubts circling in her mind. King Theodore's actions spoke volumes about her perceived failure as Crown Princess. No matter how tenderly Niko held her now, the reality remained, her inability to conceive had triggered contingency planning at the highest level.
But as Niko's body covered hers, his touch erasing thought itself, Amelia surrendered to the moment, pushing tomorrow's worries aside. For now.
Even as her body arched to meet his, however, a small part of her mind began to calculate. If Alexei did marry this Keira Warner, if they produced children before she and Niko succeeded... where would that leave her? Where would it leave them?
That little nagging voice that said Niko would be better off without her was getting louder.