Kingmaker (Ace of Queens #5)

Pt.30 She's no you

Chapter 30

1 Month Later

Ella re-read the same paragraph in her science textbook for the fifth time as her mind wandered. Ever since Maksim had left, she was homeschooled at the palace as a way to stay out of the public eye. It wasn't a difficult decision for Ella to accept. She didn't have the energy to answer people's questions about where Maksim was or if all the rumors about him being spotted all over the world was true or not. Her heart ached every time anyone spoke about him and seeing his face all over newspapers and magazines wasn't easy for her to digest.

As Ella tried to focus on her work once again, her attention was drawn to the open doors. Owen and Alec rushed past conversing in hush tones. As Owen passed, his eyes briefly connected with Ella. It was too quick to tell anything, but the shades of worry weren't hard to miss. Then a few minutes later, Exton walked past the door in the same rushed manner.

"You're giving me anxiety," Clare said as she looked up from her book.

"Sorry," Ella apologized as she looked back at her book. She knew Clare could still feel the stress ball inside of her but she tried her best to calm down.

A few minutes later, when Ella noticed Clare's eyes bouncing to the door, she knew her anxiety wasn't baseless.

"What is it?" Ella asked as Clare stared at the door.

"Something is going on with Mackey,"

"What's going on?" Ella's heart leaped up. "Is he hurt?"

Clare shook her head, "No.....I can't tell. I just know that mom and dad are upset with him."

Ella suddenly stood up pushing her chair back. She shut her books and grabbed her phone.

"Where are you going?" Clare asked looking up at her in confusion.

"I have to go see what's going on," Ella didn't stop to explain any farther as she rushed out of the room and headed for the Queen's office. Her heart pounded in her chest as she remembered all the headlines she had been reading about the prince. All the partying, the girls, staying out all night.

Maksim had never made it to Juniper. On his way to his family home there, he hopped onto a different flight and disappeared, sending his parents into a frantic search for him. Ella was an emotional wreck when she found out. The fear of the mercenaries and the protesters kept her up for days until news of Maksim in Denmark surfaced. She worried she may have made the wrong decision but Xavier and Rye assured her Maksim needed to learn to grow up and take responsibilities.

But so far, his behavior was anything but responsible. Overnight his public image had gone from Prince Charming to spoiled trust fund frat boy. The public were just as divided. Some people, especially the girls, all went mad over Maksim's new personality while the older generations were concerned. The palace had not announced yet that Maksim was no longer the Mavi's heir. Mainly because it wasn't true.

The day Ella's parents had left and Xavier sat with her in the family room to discuss his plans, Ella wasn't sure what to say.

"I can't reject him," Ella gasped when Xavier told her what she needed to do. "No, I can't do that. I..... I can't......"

"Ella," Xavier said calmly. "Please, I know you are a very logical person and way more mature than Maksim. I need you to listen to my words very carefully."

With a rapid heart that fell apart with every beat, Ella listened to the old king as he explained what would be happening. She held her breath as Xavier assured her Gemma and Caspian's magic would not let a single harm come to her bond with Maksim.