Page 11 of The Spy

Lucan got a call from Thailand in the middle of lunch so he excused himself from his table. Complications kept him busy through lunch, late into the evening. The ball had been going for an hour before he could finally step into the room.

Nico and Trane had texted him multiple times telling him all the dances Ferdinand had claimed, urging him to hurry. He pushed through the crowd. And then he saw her.

* * *

Anna feltthe weight of her crown pressing into her scalp, but she kept smiling and greeting friends, relatives, citizens of Spain, and area royals and dignitaries. Her father walked by and rested a hand on her shoulder as he passed. He had his own group to greet and console even though he ought to be receiving the same. She had opted to bring back an old Catalan tradition to physically crown the monarch, but the weight was making her second guess this choice. She had hoped that the offering would help to unify her country.

Lucan had come to the coronation. She smiled. Barely. And then he’d disappeared. She saw him walk out with a phone to his ear. She shook her head. They were crazy to think two people with such diverse, conflicting responsibilities could ever be together, especially if they couldn’t be in the same room, or even country, long enough to have a conversation.

Slow music started, a classical rendition of an old Chicago song her parents used to sing and dance to when she was a child. Emotion filled her and surprised her with its strength. She clutched her heart and gasped for air.

“What is it? Are you well?” Ferdinand hovered above her, supporting her as he could. He really was a dear man. She was grateful for his presence. Her breathing slowed, and she took a full breath, the knot in her chest loosened and she stood tall once more. “Sorry, I don’t know what happened just then, but I’m much better.”

“Shall we dance?”

Anna was about to accept and step into his arms when the deep timbre of Lucan’s voice said, “I’m sure you won’t mind if I step in? I’ve only just arrived.”

Her eyes flew to his face.

His grin made everything else in the room fade away. “May I?”

She placed her hand in his and he wrapped the other behind her back and whisked her away. “What? You’re here.”

“I’m here.” His eyes spoke so much more than he said.

She couldn’t believe it. Dancing in his arms. Her whole body tingled. Even the air shimmered and dimmed around the edges. Then she realized she was holding her breath. “Oh Lucan.” She didn’t dare ask how long he would stay, afraid it was the same as ever.

She moved closer to him. “Remember that training when we had to spar with each other?”

He groaned. “Which one?” He raised an eyebrow. “The one where I clobbered you?”

“There was never such a time.”

“Oh no?”

“No. We were practicing flipping over our assailant?”

His eyes sparkled with a knowing light. “And you didn’t want to hurt me.”

“No, and can you blame me? What girl wants to be responsible for the cracked skull of her boyfriend?”

“And so you thought it better to twist my arm to near breakage?”

“It was rather embarrassing for you.”

He shook his head. “You are a wonder. I prefer to think about who won the Eagle award in our second semester.”

“That’s a good memory for you, being the last semester you ever won that award.”

“I moved on to the simple accolade of top of class.”

Anna loved bantering with him. It felt so much like their training days when all they had to care for was each other.

Lucan led her out onto the balcony. “So how does the crown feel? Nico says ours digs into his head.”

“It does, it’s gonna leave a mark.”

“Let me take a look.” He gently shifted the heavy piece on her head and immediately she felt relief. “Oh that’s wonderful. Much better, thank you.” Her eyes widened as she looked up into his.

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