Page 92 of Keep Me

“Go bring our girl home. I need to keep my fans happy and she helps with that.” Cuddy chuckles, fist-bumping me before jogging back to the stadium with Noah.

I turn to face my friends, ready to get on the road. “I need my passport…” I trail off, suddenly feeling unprepared for this.

“Get in my car. We’re going to get everyone’s passports. We’re leaving in two hours. My jet will be ready by then. I know it’s a bit long, but it’s the best choice we have at entering the country undetected by avoiding the mainland airport,” Elio informs us as we walk to his car.

“Why is it going to take so long? Theo asks.

“For a domestic flight, it’d be shorter, but my crew needs more time to prep to fly over water into a different continent,” Elio explains while opening the car door for Jasmine.

Once we’re in, it hits me that I don’t have a ring for her. Nothing about this wedding will be traditional, but I need to have something to put on her finger from me.

I pick at the seam on my weathered glove as I think it over, trying to come up with an idea. My fingers tug on the black leather laces while memories of teaching Cami how to throw and catch a baseball come to my mind.

Let’s just hope she says yes.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Camille

Being back in Lorsica is weird.

I know how to speak countless languages, and that is still the only word I can come up with. Weird.

Everything still looks the same, but while it seems as though nothing’s changed, I have.

The last time I was here, I was scared, unsure of who I wanted to be. But now, I know who I am. I’m no longer afraid. I created a life in Colorado with friends and a man I love, and even got my dream job in the process.

Well, I was creating that life until I was forced back here.

Once I landed, I was rushed into the palace’s SUV, covered with bodyguards to avoid photos taken by paparazzi. Before I even made it to the palace, my father’s right-hand man informed me that I had scheduled appointments to “freshen up” before I could see my parents.

And so it began, the slow, unwanted shedding of who I really am. Gone were my ashy blonde hair, brightly-painted nails, and ripped jeans. They were replaced with dark brown hair, white nails, and a cream pantsuit.

They even took away my phone so I wouldn’t be able to get into contact with anyone.

My stomach twists as our car winds along the curved path toward the castle, and it sinks once that wrought iron gate is in front of us. The driver flashes his pass, and the silver gates leading to hell part before us.

My leg bounces incessantly as the lush garden catches my eye, leading us right to the back entrance of the gray-colored brick manor I used to call home.

“Princess,” one of my guards says and I flinch at the name, having grown accustomed to only hearing it from Ryker’s deep voice. “The king and queen are expecting you in the drawing room for tea.” The guard places a hand on my back and guides me inside.

I yank it off me, causing his eyes to widen as he takes a step back. The itch to run as soon as the door closes behind us becomes strong, especially when the high ceilings, pale blue walls, and white linoleum floors come into view.

Muscle memory is a wild thing because my legs take me exactly where I need to go, while my mind is barely able to take it all in.

“Princess Maribel,” the guard announces my presence as he opens the door, the name making my knees tremble.

I curtsy, then flick my eyes up to my parents for the first time in four years.

King and Queen De Beaumont.

They appear older than the last time I saw them. My father now has a beard that’s a mix of gray and brown, while my mother’s hair is the same mix. There are also worry lines I’ve never seen before, the sight making me wonder what’s been going on since I left.

I’m at a loss for words, my lips parting then closing. But my parents ignore my lack of greeting.

“Maribel!” my mother says in disbelief, a hand to her chest as she takes me in.

My father waves me over to the couch, motioning for me to sit across from them. “Daughter, come sit. We have much to talk about in so little time.”

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