Page 35 of Redemption of a Prince

Could the power have gone out?

That seemed more likely.

Though she wondered why a royal residence didn’t have massive generators hiding somewhere outside.

Maybe the guest quarters weren’t on the list to automatically have the generators kick on.

A few lights were on outside, but not many. Emergency lights, maybe? Fortunately, one was positioned just outside the window to her room. The first thing she did was dig her portable charger out of her bag and plug her phone in. It would take a few minutes to have enough power to turn on.

Meantime, she layered some thermal leggings under regular leggings then a pair of yoga pants. She felt ridiculous, but was already warmer. Some thick socks went over the thin ones she already wore. Three layers of shirts later, she was ready to slip on some shoes and try to find warmth.

Her phone turned itself on when it had enough power. A message from Ezekiel told her to make her way downstairs toward the kitchen. She thought she knew how to get there. Wasn’t it near where they’d had dinner the first night?

She managed to get a text message through to Ezekiel that she was on her way down.

Her first thought was to take the elevator, because she was so cold. But rational thought took over before she reached it.

Instead, she hurried down the stairs and toward where she thought the kitchen was located.

Another text came back telling her to go to a flat off the main kitchen and how to get there.

She followed the directions and found the door cracked open.

“There you are.” The crown prince wore a thick robe over his pyjamas. He must not have changed like she did. “I was going to send someone to get you if I didn’t hear from you soon.”

He wouldn’t have come himself? It probably wouldn’t be proper, but Nikki would have preferred it. At least she knew him.

“It’s so much warmer in here.” She felt it start to seep through her layers.

“This flat and the monarch’s quarters automatically switch to generators,” Ezekiel explained. “There’s plenty for the rest of the house,” he went on. “But it’s not automatic.”

The house manager took over. “First, we need to take stock of the situation, then decide how much of the house needs to be heated to a livable temperature. Right now, there’s nothing for either of you to do. There are two bedrooms in this flat, one for each of you. Go get some rest.”

Nikki started to protest, to tell him there had to be something they could do to help, but Ezekiel took her by the elbow.

“Never argue with Toby. He’s right. There’s nothing we can do until after sunrise when we can assess what happened and what the damage might be.”

She let herself be led across the sitting room. “What’s the best guess?”

“That the potential for snow ended up being ice and lots of tree limbs are down, maybe even some trees. We’ll have to wait until daylight to find out, and even then it may have to wait if we get more precipitation.”

They stopped in front of a door as another shiver ran through Nikki.

“You can stay in here. There’s a fire already going and plenty of blankets to help you warm up,” Ezekiel told her.

“Thank you.”

“There’s an electric blanket on that bed,” Toby called from the other room. “You’ll warm up quickly.”

“That’s amazing. You’re the best,” she called back.

“I’ll see you later,” Ezekiel told her. “Don’t worry about an alarm or anything. If we need you before you wake up, we’ll get you.”

Nikki looked up at him, surprised to see the kindness and compassion in his soft blue eyes. Not that she would have thought he didn’t care, but not like the look on his face indicated.

He opened the door for her. She had to walk close to him to get into the room. Just that mere movement warmed her more than it should have.

They might have had feelings for each other once, but that was far too long ago. Too many events came between them.

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