Surrogate for the Alpha Prince in a Coma novel Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Lillian’s POV

Prime Beta led me from the throne room. I found I couldn’t breathe in there any longer, but even outside, even as I was led back to Grayson’s bedroom, I still struggled to breathe steadily, to come to terms with what I had just seen, what had just happened.

“I don’t know what to do,” I said, looking at Prime Beta for guidance. He seemed stoic, well put together.” Grayson must have had a plan for something like this, right?”

Prime Beta’s expression tightened.

Oh, Goddess. He hadn’t.

“He made the decision to share the truth without consulting me first,” Prime Beta said. “I imagine he decided in the heat of the moment.” His gaze watched me closely. “To protect you.”

I pressed both of my hands to my heart, which ached. “Gods. What do I do?”

“Nothing,” Prime Beta said. “For now, you must continue on as you have before.”

“How?” I asked. “I’m a pariah now. And even if I did get invited to tea parties and social events, how could I possible go mingle and laugh and eat sweet pastries knowing Grayson is in that dungeon?”

“He’s been arrested but his guilt has not yet been proven,” Prime Beta said. “Until such a thing happens, you will be safe in these halls. You may be excluded, but you must do all you can to keep what favor you can with the court, to help prove that you are good and innocent.”

“How will that help Grayson?”

“It won’t,” Prime Beta said. “It will help you.”

“I don’t care about me,” I insisted.

“You should,” he said, suddenly glaring quite harshly. “My prince gave his freedom to protect you. He’s risking his life in that cell, surrounded by people who hate him, within such easy reach of his enemies. He did all of this for you. So you will find a way to be safe, do you understand?”

Grayson had said something similar. He’d told me not to waste his sacrifice. But it was so difficult when I felt so responsible.

I dropped down, sitting on the edge of the bed. “I hate feeling this powerless.”

“If I uncover more you can do, I will tell you,”

“Thank you.”

“Until then…”

“I know,” I said. “I’ll do my best.” I looked up. “What will you do?”

“Try to find a way to save our prince,” he said.

I nodded, pleased to have his aid in this.

He didn’t stay much longer before disappearing out the door. I wasn’t alone for long though before Josie, Clara, and Benedict knocked on my door. I welcomed them in, even if the room wasn’t really big enough for entertaining.

1/3

Chapter 126

+15 Bonus

They weren’t here to be entertained.

“It’s not true,” I told them, the minute I closed the door behind them. “None of what was in those documents was true.”

“Was Jason ever in a coma?” Josie asked, her voice small.

“Yes, for a little while, I think. But he did wake up shortly after. He played that up for a while. I’m sorry, Josie I know he didn’t like keeping the secret from you.’

“He told you, though?” Josie asked.

“He kept it from me for a while. He probably meant to keep it from me forever,” I said. My cheeks heated up slightly. “I found out… by accident…” I cleared my throat. “But he pretended only to save himself. He was never planning any of the things they accused him of. Calvin brought those documents? He’s the worst liar.”

“Everyone believes him,” Clara said. “Well…”

“People were skeptical at first,” Benedict reminded her. “But when those two members of the Elder Council spoke on his behalf, things changed.”

“I bet those were the two who came to Maren’s engagement party,” I said.

“What happened there?” Josie asked, bouncing back. “We only heard that Maren made an embarrassment of herself and needed to go into hiding for a time.”

I explained to my friends all that occurred, from my imprisonment, to my hiding the fake documents, to Calvin’s scandal being revealed, to Maren’s fall. I also told them what Calvin told me today in the throne room, about Maren having lost the baby, and Calvin feeling that now he was free.

“What a whole group of assholes,” Clara said. “I thought Ophelia was bad.”

“Calvin must have used the same forgers to make these new documents,” I said. “I’m willing to bet nothing in there is true.”

“Except Grayson faking his coma,” Josie said miserably.

“And that was enough of a truth to convince my older brother to accept everything else, or to at least consider it,” Benedict said.

“But what can we do?” I asked. “I can come forward with what I know about Calvin. Maybe others will back me up?”

“It won’t be enough,” Benedict said. “You are Grayson’s mate. Nothing you say will be believed. And if anyone was going to speak up about what happened at the event, they would have done so by now.”

“There has to be something we can do,” I said.

We all looked at each other. No one had any ideas.

“We’ll think,” Benedict said. “We’ll keep our ears to the ground. We’ll play this smart. An opportunity will present itself. We just need to play it cool.”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” I said. “With Grayson in a cell…”

“He won’t be there for long,” Clara said.

“He’s a tough kid,” Benedict said. “He’ll be okay down there. And when he does, he’s not going to want to see you

2/3

Chapter 126

+15 Bohus

frowning.” Benedict placed a knuckle under my chin and lifted it. “Chin up, princess. Be strong. For him.”

My friends stayed for a little while but then they too needed to leave.

And then I was alone in the room I shared with Grayson.

His scent lingered in the air.

Scenting it, loneliness crashed into me, pushing me down, until I nearly broke. I dropped onto the bed, curling up in a ball on his side, clutching his sheets.

I didn’t cry, but I felt distinct shoot pain in my chest, feeling like I had been stabbed.

Was there truly nothing I could do to help Grayson?

I thought for a long while, turning everything over in my mind.

And then I knew.

Calvin. He had brought those forged documents. And he wanted me.

Maybe… Gods, maybe I could negotiate something to save Grayson from that cell. Despite what Benedict insisted, that Grayson could handle being in a cell, he was a prince. He didn’t deserve to be down there, even for a minute.

But Calvin…

What would he want from me?

I didn’t even want to think about it, to even consider it. But for Grayson… To save Grayson…

Before I could convince myself not to, I pushed myself up to my feet and walked to the door I had seen Ivory disappear inside with Calvin’s arms around her.

I lifted my hand to knock, but stopped just before touching the door, Calvin’s voice reaching my ears.

It was muffled by the door, but distinctive.

“How long until you can get down there and cut of Grayson’s head?”

Comments

Support

Share

3/3