Free Royally Ever After (Royals of Valleria #7) by Marianne Knightly Page B

room.
    On his way down the hall, he ran into Ethan and gave him a hug and kiss on each cheek, a traditional Vallerian greeting.
    Ethan was still dressed in his Navy uniform and looked as though he’d gotten as much sleep as the rest of them, meaning none or little at all. His hair was disheveled, as though he’d run his hands through it several times, and his brows were creased in mild irritation. “Sorry I couldn’t come sooner.”
    “You’re here now. That’s what matters.”
    “Only for a while, though, isn’t that right? You want me to go to Brazenbourg? Don’t misunderstand me, I want to make sure Arianna and the baby are healthy, but I want to spend some time with Papa, too.”
    “It’s your decision, though I do feel going to Arianna is the best thing right now.”
    “For who? Is this some public perception crap again?”
    Alex’s eyes narrowed and his shoulders stiffened. They all held a soft spot for Ethan, the youngest of all the siblings, but right now he didn’t have the time or patience to coddle him. “Get your head out of your ass, Ethan.”
    “Excuse me?”
    “No, I don’t think I will. Did you stop to consider the fact that, while Papa has all of us and more besides, Arianna and Finn are essentially alone? We’re their only family, both of them. You know Finn’s the last one in his family line.” Finn’s brother Henry had been a disturbed, calculating man. Henry’s actions had almost killed Finn and Arianna, and did kill him in the end, making Finn the last one in his family line so he ascended the throne.
    “Alex–”
    “Arianna’s scared. Not just because of the baby, but because Papa’s in the hospital and she can’t even visit him.
    “Not to mention, I’m now your king.” It was the first time he’d said the words aloud, and they seemed to ring through the air like a resonant gong. “I’m the head of the family for the moment. It’s my preference that you go to Arianna, and I’d appreciate a little cooperation. However, you’re the doctor, so feel free to make up your own damn mind.”
    “Alex–”
    “Papa’s room is down the hall. Mama and Rebecca are in there with him. If you’ll excuse me, I have a Council meeting to get to.”
    “Damn it, Alex,” Ethan called as Alex walked away.
    The last thing Alex wanted to do was play politics while his father and sister weren’t well, and he was now fighting with his brother, but the Council had its own ideas as to how to run things.
    They were about to find out that Alex was not a king to be trifled with, not even as an interim one.

Chapter Six
    A rianna was on her side , watching the fetal heart rate monitor. She watched as her child’s heart rate remained steady and fast at over one hundred beats per minute.
    Finn was beside her in bed, snuggled into her back, his arm protectively draped over her and their child. He had only left her when the doctor or nurses needed to examine her or check something. Otherwise, he was sticking to her like glue.
    She didn’t mind it, not one bit.
    Finn’s phone rang and he curled away to get it, then curled back as he answered. “Marcello. How’s Gabriel?” Arianna tensed. Last they’d heard, her father was doing okay, but you never knew.
    You just never knew when things would change for the worse.
    Finn rubbed a hand over her arm, and whispered to her. “He’s doing okay, baby.” She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding and he turned back to the call. “That’s good. We’re doing okay. The pains have finally stopped, at least for now, but the doctors are still monitoring her and the baby.” A pause, and Finn released a breath. “Thanks. That’s really going to help a lot. I know you need every–”
    Another pause, and Arianna felt Finn nod at her back. “Like I said. Thanks. Oh, that’s great. Arianna will be thrilled. Anyone else? Great. No, I’m living at the hospital, but they don’t need to. I’ll get them set up at the palace. No, we