Page 24 of Redemption of a Prince

He chuckled. “Of course. I think it was my grandfather who had it installed when his mother fell and injured herself on the stairs.”

“I see.” She stopped at the top and started across the cat walk where she could see down into the first floor on both sides. “How many floors is this place?”

“Four.” He stopped near her, his hands behind his back as she looked down into the two-story gallery below. She faced the rear of the house where windows looked into the gardens outside. “Do heights bother you?”

Nikki shook her head. “No. Why?”

Zeke smiled at her. “You’ll see.”

* * *

It wasn’tthat Nikki had any reason to distrust Ezekiel, not really, but his comment about heights worried her a bit.

He played tour guide as they walked to another staircase, leading this time to the front of the house and the third floor.

In the center of the house on the third level was a two-story ballroom. The front of the house had a second gallery or foyer area. Several double doors leading into the ballroom were open, giving her a look inside, but they didn’t stop.

Zeke simply told her what it was.

To the side was a fairly innocuous door. Zeke held his thumb on a sensor nearby. “Your print should already be entered from the palace. It will let you access this wing and other parts of the house where you’re allowed. Please don’t try to force your way into any area your thumbprint doesn’t open.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand.

“I don’t think you would, but it’s part of the standard disclaimer we have to give everyone. Please remember to close each locked door when you go through it as well.”

The wide hallway was much homier than the palace. The next staircase going up wasn’t nearly as ornate as the other ones. This area was clearly part of the family’s portion of the house and not meant to be seen by the general public.

At the top of the staircase, Zeke pointed out the different doors. All of them went to unoccupied guest rooms.

Then he opened the last one. “This will be your quarters while you’re here.” He stood to the side to let her enter.

Nikki walked past him and gasped when she walked in.

Several floor-to-ceiling windows offered an amazing view of the mountains and valleys outside. She hurried over, tossing her things onto the lounge as she did.

“This is amazing,” she told him. The snow-covered trees continued as far as the eye could see. A glance down told her why he’d asked about heights. The gardens were a good four stories down.

She took a step back.

Ezekiel chuckled behind her. “It is a bit disconcerting, isn’t it?”

“A bit,” she admitted.

“Your bedroom is through here.” He opened both of the double doors that led into another room.

A fire crackled cheerfully in the fireplace at the focal point of the sitting area across from the bed. More of those incredible windows graced two walls, but this time, a wrought iron staircase caught her eye.

“Where does that go?” she asked him.

“Why don’t you go see?” he replied.

She glanced at him to see the smile on his face.

At the top of the stairs, Nikki’s jaw dropped. The turret room held cozy chairs and blankets, bookshelves and an unrivaled view, even better than the one below.

“This is amazing,” she called back down to Ezekiel. “Please thank your mother for suggesting I would enjoy it.”

“I’m sure you could tell her yourself, but I’ll be happy to pass along the message.” His voice carried up the stairs.

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