Page 7 of The Prince

“What are you talking about?”

“Is it just my beauty I have to offer? It won’t last, you know, and then what? I’m of no, use to the world?” Her lips trembled slightly. Daniel noticed before she bit them and turned away.

His heart pinged a little bit and he tempered his response. “That’s not what I meant at all.” He turned to Nico. “You summoned me here.” He held his hands out, hoping to hurry things up a bit. He would love to leave as soon as possible. Melodia may be beautiful but she was one fiery blaze and he’d had enough of her spitfire reactions for a good long while.

Nico cleared his throat. “Hmm. Sit down Daniel.”

He sat, deciding it best to stay silent so as to encourage the faster disclosure from Nico.

“I have invited Melodia here on a temporary basis to help us come up with a policy regarding the undeveloped land in Torren.”

Daniel opened his mouth and then didn’t know what to say. At last he stammered, “And you don’t feel this is something that I could accomplish?” He glanced at Melodia, then back at Nico. “Alone.”

“Of course you can, brother, but if we are going to make any headway at all with the ministers, we need to come forward with a proposal for a new law, a new guideline that governs our use of the remaining land. This can’t be just about Cliff Bluff Park. Too much money is at stake. And we need to bring in as many as we can to work in cooperation.” Did Daniel imagine it or was there a hint of emphasis on that last word? He groaned inside, but kept his face blank.

“Who else is helping us?” Perhaps he could hide with some members of the committee and Melodia could work with the rest.

“Well, so far, just you and Miss Harper.”

“Pardon me?” Daniel’s stomach sank.

“But we will be gathering more people for our team?” Melodia sounded concerned.

She should. Nico was planning to make them a two person machine.

“You may. But give it some time. I think the two of you can come up with a great starting platform. From what I understand, you both were the reason the proceedings were so favorably received.” He sat back in his chair. “I won’t deny I had hoped to build a hotel there, but I can see the wisdom in holding off. We now must convince the ministers. And I’m leaving that up to the two of you.”

Miss Harper leaned forward in her chair. “I do want to save the park.” Her eyes shone and her sincerity was obvious. “But I have several shoots and runways and other things coming up. So I will be in town only on certain weekends.”

“There’s a lot you two can do from far away, and when you are here in Torren, we can schedule our on island visits and meetings. In fact, I think it would be good if you stayed here at the palace on your off weeks, make things simpler.”

“What?” Daniel stood up. “Perhaps we might discuss this further. I see no need for Miss Harper to upset her normal routine.”

“I agree with Daniel, I mean his highness.” She looked away.

Nico looked between the two of them. “Whatever it is that is making you uncomfortable, could you put it aside until this is figured out? We have work to do, and you are the ones who convinced me it’s important, both of you. Seems important enough that we can put aside our own, whatever this is.” His eyes widened, and he stared them down each in turn.

Daniel felt the gravity of Nico’s suggestion. “You’re right. I am sorry for reacting in a childish manner to Melodia’s accusations and her tone.” He wanted to go further, but he stopped there and turned to her. “In truth, I was very impressed with the things that you said, and pleased you would care so much. And I do think it would be useful to have you close. We meet early every morning as a family and that is where many of the decisions will be made. When you’re in town, you could stay in your own suite of rooms here at the palace, and we will work by phone when you are gone.”

She toyed with a bit of the fabric on her shirt for a moment and then she looked up and said, “That is very kind. I would be honored to stay at the palace.”

Daniel breathed out in relief, though he wasn’t certain he really wanted her staying in his home. Nico’s support was heartening, and Daniel knew it would last as long as he and Melodia could be successful in creating a workable plan moving forward. But on a personal note, he didn’t know if he could work with her. She touched him in ways no woman ever had. She was stunning, beautiful in a way that filled him with joy, and she would never understand his appreciation for her. She willfully chose to misunderstand him, argued with him illogically at their every encounter, and pushed his buttons like no woman ever had. And he usually tried to keep fiery touchy personalities as far away from himself as possible. He craved the calm, the polite, the tranquil and the friendly. So far, she had been none of those things when around him.

He stood. He was going to need to prepare for this assignment. “Thank you, Nico, this is better than I had hoped. A real opportunity to save the rest of the untouched land in Torren.” He nodded at Melodia and then left the room.

As he turned the corner, a voice called him back. “Daniel. Wait.”

Melodia approached, hesitant. “I’m sorry for the way I misjudged you. From the first moment, I have assumed you were something you are obviously not.” She widened her eyes and waited.

Daniel tried to resist for about ten seconds and then gave up. He was charmed by her expression, by her full lips, her lovely eyes, but it was more than that. Her sincerity shone all about her and he wanted to pull her into his arms and chase the sorrow from her. Without thinking, he stepped closer and reached for her hand. As he raised her knuckles to his lips, he said, “Let’s start over.” He pressed his lips to her skin. Her scent filled his nose and he resisted the urge to kiss her hand again. “I’m Daniel Valdez.”

She dipped her head, a pretty blush making her otherworldly beauty seem more human. “And I’m Melodia Harper.”

Still unsure and hesitant to let this beauty get close to him, he knew they needed to be on good terms. So he smiled and tried to put his concerns about working with her aside. “When are you moving in?”

“Tomorrow.”

Chapter 6

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