King Alejandro appeared at the entrance to the living room. “Cassie!”

Cassie rushed into his outstretched arms. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Welcome home.” He pulled back to look at her. “You lightened your hair.”

“It helped me blend in for the first couple weeks I was in Meridia.”

“Come in, and sit with me. I want to know how you have been. Did Prince Garrett treat you well?”

“Despite the reason for my visit, I had a lovely time in Meridia. Garrett and Janessa were very hospitable.”

“As well they should be. We have been allies for generations.”

“I’d like to think we’re both allies and friends.” Cassie followed him to the couch and sat beside him. “How are you feeling?”

“Better now that you’re home.”

Cassie gathered her courage and forced herself to speak what was on her mind. “When were you going to tell me about the cancer?”

Cassie sensed her father’s surprise and saw him put his mask in place. She swallowed the tears that wanted to surface, determined to exhibit the strength she suspected her father needed from her right now. “Please don’t hide the truth from me. I’m your daughter. I have a right to know that . . .” She trailed off and amended her words. “I have a right to know.”

“I didn’t want to worry you. You have so much on your plate already.”

“You should have told me,” Cassie insisted. “Like it or not, I am your heir.”

“I know.” He took her hands. “I should have realized you would figure it out eventually, but I hoped we both had more time to pretend things were normal.”

“We can’t pretend anymore.”

“No, we can’t.”

Cassie pressed on. “It’s time for you to let me share the burdens of leadership. I want to learn from you. I don’t want to rely on what others tell me about you.”

“I agree.”

“You agree, yet you told relative strangers about your illness before you told your own daughter,” Cassie said. “Why would you do that?”

“Who are you talking about? The only people who know about my illness are my doctors and your uncle.”

“You must have told someone else because Levi told me.” Cassie saw the confusion on her father’s face.

“You’re talking about Levi Marin? The man who was assigned to protect you in Meridia?”

“That’s right,” Cassie said. “I think King Eduard told him.”

“King Eduard doesn’t know.” Alejandro’s eyebrows drew together. “How did Levi know about my illness?”

“Obviously, he found out somehow. Regardless, I wasn’t happy to hear my father has a terminal illness from someone I barely knew.”

“I truly am sorry for that.”

Though she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the answer, she forced herself to ask the question. “What have the doctors said? What is your prognosis?”

“A year, give or take, is what they’re telling me.” His hand squeezed hers, and he fell silent for a moment. “I wanted to wait until January to hand over the burden of leadership to you, but I’m afraid we may need to move up that time line.”