The Dragon Prince's Forbidden Affair novel Chapter 82

-

The next day Gray was staring out the window. "Dad, when are we going to see Aqua and Cade?"

"Soon, they're both settling into their new homes."

"Everyone has a new home." Gray sat down in one of the chairs. Everything must have been changing so quickly through Gray's eyes. We've never had to adjust so much before.

I was getting another call from King Peter. They didn't want to accept their lost. I ran everything at the castle, I'm sure me quitting has affected everyone who works there. They haven't put a warrant out for my arrest, and it was probably because they wanted me back. I didn't feel guilt, I knew they'd get a new adviser soon. I can't get my childhood back and neither can Cade. We grew up aiding princes and being prepared to advise them. I don't know who I am outside of that.

Lynn wasn't the first woman I've ever wanted to marry. The first was a woman who worked at the castle. It was hard to meet woman who didn't work at the castle. We dated when we were young and when I got serious about her Peter didn't approve. My wife had to be approved. I was only sixteen when I dated her, but I knew we'd last, and I'd want to marry her. Peter wanted to stop the relationship before it got to the point of marriage years later.

I was interested in a few different women but none of them seemed like someone Peter would trust. When I met Lynn while flying around I knew Peter would trust someone like her. She wasn't my first or second or third choice, but I knew I'd end up loving her. I catered to Peter in every aspect of my life.

The only time I really made a choice by myself for myself was with Mae. If I had met her again before Lynn I wouldn't have cared about Peter's disapproval. Or maybe I'm afraid to admit I would. Loyalty to King Peter was all I had known.

I stepped outside the room and finally answered my phone. "I'm not coming back so leave me and my family alone. I'm not taking orders from you anymore."

"Fine... I just wanted to say, I appreciated all the work you've done for me. I won't forgive you for leaving or breaking our families apart. It's a big mistake and our kingdom will suffer for it. The guilt is on your head, but I appreciate your years of service. You're still my best friend." He hadn't spoken to me like that in a decade.

"Bye Peter."

A week later while Gray was at Lynn's I let Mae come with me when I took Polly and Kaya to the park. "You're adopting them?" Mae asked.

I watched the kids run around. "I don't know yet. It's not like I have to work so I'd have time for them." I made so much money working for the royal family that I was practically set for life.

Mae wrapped herself around my arm, it was adorable. "That's a little better but I haven't seen your father in thirty years. What if he doesn't like me, what if he blames everything on me?"

I stared down at her. "Yeah thirty years." I looked away. "I hope this isn't rude but... human's age faster compared to us. But you still look about as old as I do..." She didn't look like a forty-year-old human woman.

Mae laughed. "Witches can age slower. Not all that much slower but I was able to add maybe thirty more years to my lifespan." It was pleasant surprise. I'd get around thirty more years than I thought I would with the woman I loved. "I also use potions to appear even younger..." She blushed. "I was afraid you wouldn't look at me the same if my age showed..." She was so beautiful; age couldn't change that.

I kissed her forehead. "That would be stupid Mae, I don't care if you look older than me. But to answer your question I don't know what my father will think of you. It's hard to tell with him but I don't see why anyone wouldn't like you."

Mae smiled. "Then Gray should like me right?"

I chuckled nervously. "That's different... don't worry about that either." I didn't plan on introducing her to Gray for a long time if I could help it. My secret life with Mae has been colliding with other aspects of my life for the past three months. I wasn't sure what the future held for us, but I was excited to finally be with the woman I loved most. Mae was finally a part of my family.