REGINA’S POV

“Protect me?…”

Those two words seemed to trigger a strong reaction in him. He scoffed in disbelief, staring down at me.

“I was abandoned for a solid thirty years, and the only time you two bothered to look for me and miraculously find me was when the king was ailing and in need of someone to take over from him,” he leaned forward and pinned me with a fearless, challenging glare — but deep inside, I knew he was hurting badly.

“That isn’t protecting, Mother, it’s convenience. A selfish move to save your kingdom, not your son.”

“No…” I voiced, pulling forward. I almost slipped from my seat...