LUCIEN’S POV

Andrea’s small hand felt warm and trusting in mine as we walked down the winding stone path toward the palace gardens.

I’d lifted him up after a few steps because his little legs couldn’t keep up with mine, and now he was perched on my hip, one arm looped around my neck, the other pointing at things like he’d never seen the palace grounds before. Every few seconds he’d gasp at a flower or a bird, his voice high and excited. It was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard.

But underneath the sweetness, tension sat heavy in my chest like a rock.

Every time he giggled, every time...