Page 74 of Consume Me

“We’ll keep looking,” Georgia said fiercely. She elbowed Brex and he nodded in agreement.

“I know you will, but there might be an easier solution.” I took a deep breath, uncertain how they’d react. “They’re only interested in me because I’m King.”

From all the clues we’d pieced together that had become obvious.

“We can’t do anything about that, Poor Boy.” Brex looked at me like I was off my nut.

“Can’t we?” I said grimly.

“Are you talking abdication?” Smith wasn’t one to mince words. “I’m no fan of the throne—present company mostly excluded—but I don’t see how that solves our problems.”

“Who would take the throne?” Georgia asked. “Sarah? She can’t handle it.”

I shook my head. I hadn’t told them the truth about her father yet.

“Edward?” Brex asked. “That would be throwing him into the deep end.”

It was an issue I hadn’t really considered. If Clara and I renounced our claim to the throne and our children’s claim, the line of succession would have to pass to someone. But MI-18 knew that Albert wasn’t Sarah or Edward’s father, and I had no doubt that fact wouldn’t stay secret for long.

That would leave the throne to Henry. I wasn’t sure he would appreciate it. There was also legitimising Anders, who would hate me forever.

“I think you have a lot to think about,” Smith said. “Let us worry about Windsmoor.”

Taking that off my plate was the least I could do.

Ducking back into the suite, I found Clara curled up asleep with Elizabeth. I watched my wife and daughter for a moment. Would I be protecting them by turning over the crown? That was what really mattered. Parliament could sort out who to name as the bloody monarch.

The trouble was that I knew it wasn’t that simple.

Norris was sitting vigil next to William’s incubator and I joined him.

“Something on your mind?” He knew me too well, which meant there was no reason to beat around the bush.

“I told Clara I want to abdicate. It’s the only way I can think that will protect them.” I looked over to my wife and daughter’s sleeping forms.

“But you’re not sure it will be enough,” he guessed. Norris had a way of seeing through to the heart of the problem. The truth was that the line of succession wasn’t what made me hesitate.

I nodded. “I have resources now that I won’t have if…”

“But those resources failed you,” Norris added quietly.

“I’m not angry.” I really wasn’t. Not at my team. Not at my people. Not even myself. We’d been out-maneuvered. It was a simple fact and one I needed to face. I didn’t have the energy to be angry. I was too tired.

“I know, but it puts you in an impossible position.” He studied me for a moment, then glanced to my son. “He’ll have your life. Your daughter will. It’s a life of duty but also privilege.”

I knew that better than anyone. I’d fought it for so long that I’d begun to wonder if I’d ever really accepted my role.

“There are many things we don’t control in life,” he said. “Our parents, for one. Your parentage took a great deal of choice from you. I don’t think you’ve ever forgiven them for that.”

“Maybe I haven’t.” My tongue was dry in my mouth. Was that the real obstacle that had stood between me and my father for all those years? Had I blamed him for something neither of us could control? “Will my children feel the same?”

“Only if you doom them to.” Norris shook his head. “Albert was a hard man. He protected people by driving them away. He put up walls instead of building bridges.”

“Sounds like someone I know,” I muttered. I was more like him than I cared to admit. I’d pushed Clara away again and again, deciding what was best for her. I’d acted without consulting my family. I’d distanced myself just as he had.

“You have something your father never had.” Norris looked to Clara. “A woman who loves you more than you can love yourself.”

I felt the same way about her. “I don’t deserve her. Is that how my father lost my mother?”