Page 45 of The Prince's Castaway Baby

My body suddenly feels like it’s not my own. All this could be happening to somebody else instead of me and I wouldn’t even notice the difference. One part of me feels light and panicky. But the rest of me is floating away, detaching from the reality that seems to be taking root inside me.

I can’t stay here like this. Instead, I walk back out into the living room where Ella is waiting, and we sit in silence as the seconds tick past, staring at the stick on the table.

Eventually, Ella says, “That’s two minutes.”

It’s not really a question, but I understand what she’s asking anyway, so I nod slowly, looking away as she reaches forward to pick up the stick. She looks at it and takes a sharp breath, and before she even utters a word, I know exactly what she’s going to say.

“Oh my God, Billie. You’re pregnant.”

CHAPTER 23

JENSEN

ONE MONTH LATER

Fortunately, being Sólveigan means that I’m good with the cold. I don’t often go as far north as we are right now, but my family does have a palace inside the Arctic Circle, so I know better than most just how important a good coat and thick layers can be.

Dr. Schröder was kind enough to invite me along with him and a couple of other scientists on an expedition to the Arctic, and I was so happy that he asked. I’ve never been allowed to do something like this before, especially not when I’m fundamentally just extra baggage.

One of the scientists, Professor Laurent, is from France, and she hasn’t stopped complaining about the cold since we set sail. I’m finding it all quite funny — you’d think that someone who dedicated their life to studying the Arctic and its wildlife would be comfortable with the idea that it’s more than just a little cold up here.

We also have the captain, a man named Jackson, and I can’t tell if that’s his first or last name. He’s a good guy. Very loud. He’s a scientist too, from what I can tell, but his research stories allseem a step away from a boat-disaster story, which somewhat fills me with dread.

Professor Laurent hates him.

There’s another guy with us who’s some sort of biologist or geologist or biogeologist. I’m not even sure if that’s a thing, but I’ve barely had a chance to talk to him because he’s hidden away in his cabin since we launched.

We’ve been at sea for three days, and I’ve got to say, my stomach is not too happy about all this time we’ve been spending in choppy waves. I’ve never been one to get particularly travel sick, but this trip is testing my stomach to the max.

Mostly I am just a figurehead here, but it seems like everyone’s happy to have me here because I am actually interested in the work and I’m bringing in a ton of publicity. And publicity in this world means money, and money means you can do whatever you want.

And in the case of these scientists and me, sitting on this boat in the Arctic Sea, waiting to try and see a handful of birds or a seal, money is what we want.

“It’s freezing,” says Professor Laurent, slipping into the tiny lounge space where I’m sitting reading.

“Is it?” I say. “I hadn’t noticed.”

She rolls her eyes. “You think you’re funny, don’t you?”

I shrug. “People have been known to say so.”

“Well, they really shouldn’t have — because you’re one of the least funny royals I’ve ever met.”

“Thanks,” I grin. Mostly I am trying to wind her up, and it is astonishingly easy to do.

She sniffs in disdain, frowning even harder. “Beh. I think it’s going to rain today.”

“Good job we’re inside, then,” I say, not looking up from my book.

“What would it take for you to view something non-optimistically for a change?” she tuts, folding her arms and staring me down. “Have you never wanted to complain aboutanythingin your life?”

A challenge. I slide a bookmark into my book and squeeze my lips together as I think. “Hmm. I don’t know. I mean, what have I got to complain about really? I’ve got an easy life — everything I ever wanted or could want.”

“It’s all right for some,” she mutters, and I ignore her.

“Everyone’s always nice to me because they think I’ll give them something. I want for nothing. I could have it a lot worse.”

“Yes,” she presses, “but has there never been something that made you unhappy? Never something that you’ve wanted more than anything and not been allowed to have? Have you neveryearned?”

---