Page 3 of Redemption of a Prince

“That’s great,” Nanny told her. “They’re still working. “How’d you know the middle names?”

“I follow the royal family pretty closely,” Nikki told her. “She’s fascinated me since Prince Gideon started dating her. A commoner marrying into the royal family. The twins both married aristocrats.”

“I wonder who will be the next queen,” Sal mused. “I haven’t heard about Prince Ezekiel dating anyone since I was like twelve.”

Just thinking about Ezekiel sent an ache through Nikki that she didn’t care to dwell on.

“And we have a winner!”

The other team had entered their answer second, but what if they were looking for something different?

He turned to Nikki’s table. “Team Twelve!”

Nikki squealed as the team hugged then headed up to the stage to get their awards.

Once the short ceremony and accolades from the other participants who were still around ended, the six of them sat down for the dinner they’d also won.

Over the next hour, Nikki got to know her teammates. They all exchanged numbers. She thanked them for helping her brush up because she needed to tap into her trivia knowledge.

They rest of them decided to stick around longer, but Nikki needed to get home. She promised to keep in touch.

She left the pub and held up her hand to hail a cab.

Across the street, the New Ancora Symphony must have let out. People streamed from the building. That would make it harder to get a cab.

A limousine glided to a stop in front of the concert hall. A blonde woman in a glittering dress suddenly appeared and climbed in. Nikki didn’t get a good look at her.

But she did see the man with her. His brown hair and beard. Black overcoat. White scarf.

Shoulders meant for a royal mantle.

A head made to wear a crown.

But when their eyes met across the busy street, all she saw was sadness.

* * *

It had been nearlya decade and a half since he’d seen her, but Prince Ezekiel still felt like an awkward teenager coming face-to-face with the consequences of choices he’d made.

An auto pulled to a stop in front of Nikki, and their eye contact was broken.

Zeke climbed into the limo and a member of his security team closed the door. He buckled his seat belt, ignoring the gushing of Gen.

“Symphony isn’t usually my thing. Evie likes it better, but I needed to get dressed up. I brought some sequins and sparkles, but Levi is traveling dirt roads while we’re in New Sargasso.”

“I’m happy to accompany you.”

She tipped her head back and laughed. “You lie! You’re happy to stay out of the limelight for what you consider to be frivolous reasons. Supporting a charity or a state function or something equally important is fine, but this is just accompanying a married guest who’s not even here on official business and indulging a whim of hers.”

“You’re right. It’s not my preference.” He adjusted his scarf. “But I do enjoy good music.”

“Me, too.” She looked over at him. “I’m hungry. Please tell me we can stop somewhere and get something good to eat.”

“I’m sure we can get a reservation at one of my family’s favorite restaurants.” He reached for his phone, but Gen stopped him with a hand on his arm.

“You don’t understand. I don’t want some fancy dinner. I want to find a taco stand or an American food cart with foot-long chili dogs.”

Zeke blinked. “You want a chili-dog? I don’t even know what that is.”

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