Welcome to the Cassadines: Book II of Kismet

Chapter Fourteen

***Destiny?***

Nikolas knocked once and entered the room serving as Stefan's office. "Father, do you have a moment?"

Stefan's face broke into a smile the way it always did when one of his sons was around. He beckoned to Nikolas with his hand. "Come in."

The two men hugged. The power of his father's loving embrace charged Nikolas. Despite the passionate night he spent with Dawn, his spirit remained restless. Of course, holding her in his arms and bringing her to release soothed his soul in countless ways. If he could spend more time with her, he felt that the rest of his disjointed life would fall into place. But he knew that was out of the question. She had her training and whether he wanted to or not, he had to shake off the feeling of limbo that cloaked his every thought and movement.

So, he came to his father for advice. Stefan was a man who always had the solution to any problem. Nikolas hoped it would be the same in this circumstance, too.

"This is a pleasant surprise," Stefan said as their hug ended. He pulled his eyeglasses off and held them loosely in his hands. "I spoke with Andrèsj earlier. He told me that you, he, and Zander were reviewing our enemies' financial reports."

"We finished." Nikolas handed the compiled data to Stefan. "They are listed in order of wealth. There are few who have more than enough resources to finance Aunt's disappearance."

Stefan's eyes narrowed as he put the glasses back on and glanced at the list. "I see the Melbournes are at the top of the list. I wouldn't have considered them an enemy. Who listed them?"

"I did," Nikolas replied. "I remember they weren't pleased when we left Greece. Their disapproval was recounted in several of the society pages."

Stefan frowned. "You remember that? That was almost six years ago. You were so young."

Nikolas' mouth curved to a faint smile. "You taught me to always be informed. Youth is a condition. It isn't an excuse."

"You listened," Stefan said, a pleased expression on his face.

"I listened to everything. Even though I wanted to pursue other interests, I knew that as the future leader of our family I had responsibilities." He swallowed hard and looked away from his father's piercing stare. Shoving his balled hands into his front pockets, he moved the picture window and looked down at downtown Port Charles. "Neither of us knew my studies would be a waste of time."

"They were anything but that."

Nikolas heard Stefan move behind him. He felt his father come and stand just to his left. Stefan's energy reached out to him, offering comfort that Nikolas wasn't sure he should accept.

"I am not fit to do or be anything but the prince."

A hand closed over his shoulder and squeezed until Nikolas met his father's eyes. Stefan's voice was low and determined. "You can do or be anything you wish. Zander hasn't made his decision. He may choose to relinquish the throne to you. "

Nikolas shook his head. "He won't do that."

"Has he said as much to you?"

"He doesn't have to," Nikolas replied. "I can see it in his eyes. The idea of all that power... It's getting to him. He wants it and he knows he can have it. He'd be a fool to give that up. Zander is no fool."

"Perhaps, I can reason with him--"

"No, Father," Nikolas said, shaking his head. He closed his hand over Stefan's and held it tightly for a moment. "I am not the rightful heir and it would not be fair to drive Zander out. My path...isn't clear to me now. I suppose it will be revealed to me in time."