Prince Ezra
"Has Cloud arrived yet?" I asked Thea the moment I stepped out of the bedroom. The royal staff all immediately bowed and stood back up the moment I greeted them.
She nodded as she placed her phone and small makeup bag inside her clutch purse. "He'll arrive after we make it to the venue."
"Prince Ezra," Talia, my assistant, stepped forward, "Your attendance has been requested in Turkey within two days."
Thea's challenging eyes met mine already knowing my answer. "Tell them I'll be there."
"Ezra-" Thea immediately argued.
"It's work," I curtly responded to her.
"And you look like a ghost. Take some time off. Talia, tell them he will only be available within a week's time."
"Talia, tell them I will be available in two days time," I challenged.
"Talia, two weeks," Thea stressed. "You're running yourself into a wall Ezra. I'm not going to tolerate it."
"And you unfortunately have no say in that," I responded with a clipped tone. "Talia, two days."
Thea let out a hiss before marching out the presidential suite. Even though I knew I was very much inclined to my own schedule, I didn't entirely enjoy making her upset. With a low cuss, I quickly followed after her as my royal guards and staff quickly followed behind me.
Luckily I caught up to her at the elevator. "We have to leave together. You couldn't outrun forever."
"You're infuriating," she snapped. "Why can't you just let it be in two weeks?"
"Because this is my job."
"No you're just always running away. If it isn't with your stupid backpack and hiking boots, you're jet setting for diplomatic talks, conferences and going to fucking war zones!" She glared as we stepped into the elevator. "You know we have to go back home this weekend. You can't avoid the palace forever."
I pressed my lips into a thin line before straightening my spine, "Thea as much as I do care for you. I think sometimes it's best to keep your opinions to yourself."
"I'm not your guard anymore for you to tell me what to do," she defiantly tilted her head up reminding me very much of myself. "Why are you smiling?"
"It's cute when you try to tell me what to do thinking I'll listen," I chuckled. "I have no business being at the palace this weekend."
"Your mother asked for your presence. Is being in Turkey more important than seeing your mother?" She frowned.
I took in a deep breath and held it for a few seconds before I exhaled. "Thea."
"I'm just saying," she took my hand in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. "It gets overwhelming being at the palace alone sometimes. I can only redecorate your chambers so many times before I lose my mind. Public appearances get boring and I've gone through etiquette more times than I can count. I need you there with me sometimes. Not me flying across the world just to get your attention."
"You always have my attention," I frowned and pressed a kiss on her forehead. "It's just things are hectic after elections and I don't want the country to lose faith in me. You know how important it is that I make new connections."
"I know," she closed her eyes briefly before looking into mine. "I need you home this weekend though, done decision. You can go to Turkey in two weeks."
"Why two weeks?"
Her eyes lit up, "I wanted us to go out to the cabin afterwards."
I gave her a small smile as I felt my heart beg for me to say no. To deny her request and move on but I didn't want to hurt her. I had done enough of that for the past few months and I knew it was going to take a lot more than diamond encrusted guns to make her forgive me.
"Very well then. You've held a good argument," I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to the back of her palm. "I'll come home this week only because you asked me with such humility."
Her smile grew bigger second by second before she gave me a kiss. "Thank you Ezra. Iris will be so happy. As well as the babies."
"How could I forget the babies!" I playfully gasped. "What number is Iris on now?"
"Probably number five," she laughed, "she's enjoying being a housewife far more than she lets on."
"As if you don't want the same for yourself," I rolled my eyes.
"I can't and won't sit around all day watching children and playing dress up whilst you're walking through mine fields and negotiating with terrorist groups. I miss being in action. Being a guard was a lot more fun."
My insides nearly came up my throat the moment she said that.
She winced as if feeling my pain and looked down with her cheeks flushed. "I didn't mean-"
I cut her off with a smile. "I know. Don't worry about it."
The mood instantly dampened when we made it to the ground floor and were escorted into the limousine. The drive to the grand hotel felt longer than I knew it was but I figured it was due to the fact we were enclosed in the back of the Mercedes' with no way out.
"I heard you call out his name in your sleep."
"Thea," today she was just pushing my buttons. "Please not now."
"Then when?" She frowned tears already forming in her eyes. "I hate to see you in pain."
"I'm not in pain," I laughed. "I don't even recall the dream."
"You're allowed to grieve."
"Grieve what?" I snapped. "Something that never existed to begin with? Thea, it was barely three months. I've moved on. It's been years you need to too."
She quickly fluttered her eyelashes, willing the tears away not to mess up with her makeup.
"Look I'm sorry," I instantly held the side of her face. "I didn't mean to yell."