The weight of his stare caused my breath to stagger. The intensity was overwhelming as if I were my husband’s lifeline. No, he wasn’t my husband.
It was my last thought before he wrapped his arm around my waist and his lips collided with mine. Unlike the last time we were in the gazebo, this kiss was passionate, strong, and enticing. As our heads turned one way and the next and our lips sought one another’s, I forgot that this was wrong.
My hands reached up to his shoulders, my fingers through his hair. He pulled me closer, my breasts flattening upon his chest. I felt the tempo of his pulse through the tips of my fingers as the heat between us caused sparks to ignite into flames, sweeping through me like a forest fire in dry underbrush.
When we came up for air, I took a step back and away, my chin falling to my chest.
Roman reached for my chin, bringing my gaze to his. “That is why you should leave.”
“You’re right.”
A smile blossomed on his lips. “The queen basically instructed me to go upstairs and bed you.”
“Did the king intervene?”
“No, I rebuked her and stormed away.”
His response made me smile. “That was very Roman.”
“Will I see you before you leave in the morning?”
I shook my head. “It wouldn’t be natural.”
“I’d like to walk with you back to the apartments.”
Again, I shook my head. “You are what I wish Roman could be, but you’re not him. I’m married.”
He took a step back. “You’re right, Princess.”
“I wish I wasn’t.” I took a deep breath. “He does occasionally call me while he’s away.”
“Are the lines secure?”
“I think.” I shrugged. “I don’t know. It would still be nice to receive a call, to know you are safe and things are well. We can maintain the façade in case anyone is listening.”
“Don’t worry about me.”
“I already am,” I said, taking another step back. With a quick curtsy, I smiled. “Good night, my prince.”
He bowed. “My princess.”
“You will return to Molave City,” Roman declared as soon as our call connected. At only nine in the morning, it wasn’t what I expected.
It had been two weeks since I’d made the two-hour trip to Monovia, to Annabella Castle. While my husband and I spoke with some regularity, with my technology still shielded and the concern that our calls were overheard, I was at a loss for what was happening in Molave with Roman or the government issues at hand. Despite the previous unrest being resolved, the king requested that I stay safe within the castle walls.
As with all royal requests, it was a mandate.
For fourteen days, I’d wandered the hallways and tended to what remained of my gardens upon the grounds. The sweltering summer heat while on our Eurasia tour was long gone. While the calendar only warned of autumn, soon the snow would begin to fly, especially in the higher elevations.
“Your Highness?” I responded.
“Today.”
“Is there a problem?”
His curt response caught me off guard. “Only that you’re questioning me. I’ve instructed the guards at Annabella. No traveling in unsafe cars. You will travel in the royal fleet.”
I looked down at my dressing gown. With no one but Lady Buckingham and the rest of the castle staff in my presence, I lacked the motivation to rise and dress. “I will alert my mistress.”
“Send a text message when you leave Annabella.”
The fear of nonsecure phone service made me choose my words carefully. “Roman, will I see you?”
“Yes, we need to speak—in person.”
The little bit of breakfast I’d consumed churned in my stomach as the phone in my hand went dead. There was much I could infer from Roman’s tone if it were truly Roman. The impostor was usually steadier and less abrasive. That meant that either the real Roman was back or that my impostor was concerned.
Both options filled me with equal portions of dread.
Pushing the button on the table in my library, I waited until the door opened.
“Your Highness,” Geoffrey said, clasping his hands behind his back after the bow of his head.
“Tell Lady Buckingham I request her presence.”
Geoffrey nodded.
“And Geoffrey, alert the guards my mistress and I will be traveling to Molave City as soon as we can collect our things.”
“The prince already called, Your Highness. They are getting the fleet together.”
Roman called the guards before he called me?
“Good,” I said with a nod.
Minutes later, there was a knock as Lady Buckingham entered the library.
“We’re going back to Molave City,” I said after her usual salute.
“I was told.” Her expression showed the concern her words didn’t say.
“I don’t know,” I replied, answering her unspoken question. “Roman just called and told me to come. Do you know more than I? Are there troubles again?”
“Not that I’m aware of.” She shrugged. “Nothing out of the ordinary.”
“I will dress, and we will go.”
“Do you have any idea how long your presence will be required?”
“I don’t know anything other than Roman sounded…he sounded concerned. He insisted that we travel in the royal fleet.”
“Concerned,” she mumbled before meeting my gaze.
“Lady Buckingham,” I addressed her in a rare rebuke. “Roman Godfrey is the prince. For that reason alone, he will receive our respect.”
Bowing her head, she curtsied. “I apologize, Your Highness. If you’ll accompany me to your suite, I’ll assist you in dressing for the day. I’ll also instruct the maids to pack your things.”
As Lady Buckingham tended to my makeup and dressing, my thoughts were consumed with the strange concoction of equal parts anticipation and apprehension.
“There is something,” she began to say, speaking softly.
There was a quality to her tone that made the small hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention. “Go on.”
“I was just made aware of a search conducted here at Annabella.”
My eyes opened wide. “When?”
“While we were in Molave City.”
“By whom?”
“Deputies of the Ministry.”
My eyebrows knitted together. “Here?” The new Roman came to mind.
Did someone suspect I knew?
No, I didn’t know of him when I traveled to the palace for Rothy’s birthday. I didn’t know, but by his own account he was there in Molave City.
I tried to recall returning to Annabella Castle. “Nothing was out of the ordinary.”
“No, Your Highness. I’m telling you because perhaps you’re being called away so another search may be conducted.”
Standing, I let my focus roam around my private parlor. “There is nothing here.”
Lady Buckingham nodded. “I wasn’t told what they were seeking or even where they searched.”
An hour later, sitting with my mistress in the back seat of one of the reinforced royal vehicles, I had a new thought. Keeping my volume low, I asked, “Could it be routine, and we were never made aware in the past?”