Page 145 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

That should not have sent a frisson of pleasure through her, but it did.

“Sir?” Ulmer prompted as the door was opened and a fresh-scented gust of air came in, one that was sweet and cool and beckoning.

Outside, a cheer rose only to be abruptly cut off when the crowd realized it was only Ulmer. He was not the star they were waiting for.

Magnus took her hand and drew her out the door where he paused on the top step, holding her firmly in the loop of his arm as he casually waved.

“I thought—” Lexi noted that Ulmer was glaring at them from the bottom of the steps.

“Wave.” Magnus leaned down to speak next to her ear. “They love shots like this, that look like I had something to say that was so urgent and personal it couldn’t wait.”

“Something that implies we have private jokes?” She cupped his bearded cheek so she could look into his eyes with her most captivated expression. “Something that says,I’ve never been so enamored with anyone in my life?”

“Damn.” His pupils flared. “You’re good at this.”

“I know.” She smiled her cheekiest smile and gave the crowd a wave that caused them to roar. Then she and Magnus descended the stairs without hurry and climbed into the waiting car.

The windows were tinted and they had a police escort to allow them to exceed speed limits, not stopping for lights, but the road was lined with spectators, many waving Isleif flags.

“I feel like they don’t...hate me?” she suggested tentatively.

“We’ve worked very hard to ensure the prince maintains a high approval rating,” Ulmer said stiffly, attention on his tablet. “Weddings and babies are always popular. We’re hoping that news will counter any negative attention that arises from y—”

“Ulmer,” Magnus cut in, quiet and lethal. “We’re not going to play the blame game. We’re especially not going to make Lexi pay for my decisions.”

“No, sir. Of course not,” Ulmer said promptly, nodding contritely at her.

Ulmer and I play a game of tit for tat, but he won’t be able to retaliate with you. I won’t allow it.

“Ulmer?” Lexi bit her lip. Magnus could say he wouldn’t tolerate pettiness against her, but she knew exactly how cold wars and passive-aggressiveness worked. She didn’t want to be subjected to it if she could avoid it. “If you tell me what you need, I will stay on script and hit my mark every single time.”

“I appreciate that, Ms. Alexander. Thank you.” Ulmer sounded sincere, then looked to his tablet and added under his breath. “I can’t tell you how refreshing that would be.”

Lexi was given an hour to freshen up before meeting the queen.

Nothing like this had been in her plans so she was provided a small wardrobe from which she chose a three-quarter-length stony-green wrap dress. It was demure yet flattering and made by a local designer. Her hair went up in a simple chignon and she applied her own makeup in natural colors.

Before she could decide on jewelry, Magnus returned from wherever he’d gone. He held a gold coin dangling from a thick gold chain.

“It’s an old custom to offer a woman a coin as a promise, usually when a man was leaving for a raid, in case he didn’t return, especially if she had someone to provide for.”

“It’s pretty.” She caught the coin to study it. It wasn’t big, but it was surprisingly heavy, telling her it was solid gold. “Are you going somewhere?”

“After pulling this stunt? The dungeon, I imagine.” He twirled his finger.

She turned so he could affix the chain around her neck. While he was there, he kissed her nape, sending a shiver down her spine.

“Thank you for the plane.” His warm breath wafted against her skin as he nuzzled behind her ear. “I didn’t get a chance to say that.”

“Don’t—” She blushed so hard her cheeks stung.

“Now you won’t be so nervous.” There was an amused glint in his eyes. He knew exactly what he had done to her.

“You’re a menace,” she muttered as she took the arm he offered her.

Ansgar Palace was as modern as a two-hundred-year-old building could be. It was full of historic art and odd echoes and staff who moved like ghosts, glimpsed briefly before they disappeared, leaving her to wonder if she’d actually seen them.

Not that Lexi was taking much of it in. She was more preoccupied with wondering if she could enlist the queen in delaying her marriage to Magnus.

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