Royal doctors and nurses descended upon him, checking his vitals, drawing blood, and taking readings. They changed his IV bags, gave him something for the pain, and he drifted entirely out of consciousness.
When Angelo woke, he saw his father and his mother. The queen looked worried and sad. The king looked incensed. “Do you know what they’re saying about you?” he demanded.
“It’s good to be back home, Father. How have you and Mama been? Is Nadia well?”
King Aryan ignored his son’s query. “Those Mirean bastards have all but accused you of torturing their prince, taking pictures of the abuse, and then leaking them to the media. I demand an explanation.”
“It’s all Blackheath,” Angelo said, wanting to get all of this over with. “That English Duke’s son. He did those things to Yuri. And worse. He took pictures without Yuri’s consent. Then, for his own reasons, he released the pictures to the world. He’s also the one who stabbed me.”
“Why on earth would he do such things?” the king demanded. “It makes no sense.”
“My guess is that he wasn’t properly disciplined as a child,” Angelo quipped. “What he needs is a good spanking. Or a punch in the face.”
“Not from you,” the queen snapped back. “If this man is indeed responsible for your injury, then he shall be dealt with, but not by you. You need to concentrate on getting better.”
“I have plans for you, son. Big plans,” the king added. “I need you completely healthy. The doctors tell me that may be possible in a week or less. See to it.”
Angelo wanted to laugh, but he knew it would hurt too much. Only his father would expect him to recover on a strict schedule. He decided he would ignore his father, as he often had during his life, and focus on what was truly important. “Where’s my mobile?” He needed to contact Yuri as soon as possible.
His parents looked at each other, then his mother said, “We thought it best, for the time being, to take away distractions that might be upsetting. When you’re stronger, you can have it back.”
“I’m of age in this country as well as the one you stole me away from, Mama. You’ve no right to take away my possessions.”
“I’m the king,” Angelo’s father said. “I say what is right and what is wrong.”
Internally, Angelo rolled his eyes. He’d have to figure out some way to get his mobile back, but that could wait until later. His parents were right about one thing. He did need to recuperate. Angelo would recuperate better, however, if he knew Yuri was safe.
The next morning, his sister Nadia burst into Angelo’s room and marched over to his side of the bed. “This,” she spat at him, “is bullshit.” She was beautiful and stylishly dressed, but she looked terrifying in her rage.
“What?” Angelo wasn’t a stranger to making his sister angry, but he hadn’t pulled a prank on her in ages. Whatever she was angry about, it wasn’t his fault.
“Was this all part of some elaborate plan? What I can’t figure out is if you used Prince Yuri, or if he was in on it. He was always such a sweet boy, but doing this without his cooperation would’ve been difficult.”
“Nadia, what the ever-loving fuck are you talking about?”
She glared at him. “Father is going to declare you his heir, not me.”
“What?” Angelo tried to sit up and his abdomen was not happy about it. “He can’t do this. You’re the heir, not me.”
“According to Father, he and the council can do whatever they like. He apparently has decided the trade agreement with Mirea isn’t worth your sexuality. He’s got Mama looking for brides and everything. Our attorneys are already battling it out with their Mirean counterparts. Father said there is a sultan who is interested in having me for a bride. It’s a nightmare. It’s got to be. I’ve been raised to be Queen of Tanzhir. Not some sort of harem girl.”
That was quite a bit to digest. “We’ve got to stop him.”
Nadia looked at him sadly, her anger drained. “I don’t know how. The paperwork is being drawn up as we speak. As soon as you’re well enough, father will make the announcement with you by his side.”
“So not today. We still have some time. Good. Which do you think would be worse for our father: a female heir or a son with a male spouse? I think the first option would be more palatable. You’re not a lesbian, are you? That would make things harder, probably, but—”
Her cheeks darkly colored, Nadia said, “I’m not a lesbian. Why on earth would you think that?”
“Good. One less complication. So all we need to do is get me out of the palace and then out of the country somehow.”
“Angel, what are you proposing? If you leave, Father will just find a way to bring you back.”
Angelo grinned at his sister. “Me, and my husband.”
Nadia gasped. “You can’t be serious. This is your chance to get out of the betrothal. Why are you doing this for me? Not that I’m unhappy, exactly, but…”
“I don’t want to be king. What I want is Yuri. That you do want to be queen is a happy coincidence and means it’s more likely you’ll help me without a fuss.”
Her mouth dropped open. “So you’re not doing this for me, are you? What is Prince Yuri to you, Angel?”
“My betrothed,” Angelo said, smiling at his sister.
“Oh my god. You’re in love with him. What the hell? When did you become gay? I know our father seems to think you were somehow contaminated by the prince’s gayness, but that’s not a thing.” She paused and frowned at Angelo. “Is it?”
“Not that it really matters, but I’m not gay and I am
