Page 18 of The Heart of the King

“Jasmine?”

The voice cut through the fog as she struggled to wake up later.

“Jasmine!” This time the voice sounded harsher.

“What?” she muttered and pulled the blankets around herself.

“We’re leaving for our first public appearance in about fifteen minutes.”

She sat straight up and knocked the top of her head against someone’s chin.

“Ow!” they said in unison.

“Are you all right?” she asked as she reached up to rub her head.

“I think so.” David sat on the bed next to her. “I don’t think there’s any lasting damage.”

“That’s good.” She blinked. “Did you say we’re leaving in fifteen minutes?”

He nodded. “Twenty at most.”

“Where are we going?” She swung her legs over the side of the bed. “Somewhere casual? Nicer? Business? Are my suitcases here?”

“We’ll be arriving at my home that isn’t the palace. It’s owned by the crown but used by the heir apparent as an adult. It’s protected by my staff, not my father’s. We’ll exit the vehicle and walk inside, holding hands. We won’t wave at the cameras. They’ll be outside the property, looking in. We won’t live there long, or you’d have a briefing on where they are and when you can expect to have people watching. You will when we get to the palace later this week.” He closed his eyes and groaned. “Also, we have a wedding to go to in a couple of weeks in New Sargasso, but we can talk about that more later. Right now, we need to get moving. Your suitcases are in the other bedroom up here.”

“Thanks.” Jazz hurried across the hall, trying not to focus on the part where cameras would be looking at her regularly. “What are you wearing, David?” she called.

“Slacks and a button-down shirt with a jacket over it.” Stewart walked into the room. “I usually help him with what to wear, but I’m not much of a female stylist.”

She stared at her open suitcase. “Are skinny jeans too dressed down?”

“I don’t think so.”

“A nice top and leather jacket.” She pulled them out of the suitcase. “And I’ve got a nice pair of boots in the other suitcase. Does that work?”

“Sounds good to me.”

She turned back to the bed. “Can you get out then? I need to get dressed and get my make up at least started. How long is the drive?”

“About half an hour.”

“I can finish hair and make-up in the car.” She snapped the shirt a couple of times in the hopes that it wouldn’t be too wrinkled. With the jacket over it, likely it wouldn’t be too noticeable. Her hair would be up in a bun. Again. It was too much to deal with otherwise right now.

The door closed as Stewart left. She quickly changed and opened the door when she finished so they would know they could come in. She used the mirror over the dresser to apply make-up. There hadn’t been any to take off. It would be basic, but at least she wouldn’t look like a ghost.

“Three minutes, ma’am.” Stewart came in and started to zip up her suitcase. “Where are your boots?”

She used the brush on her forehead then put it back in her makeup bag. “The other suitcase.” She pulled her lip gloss out of the bag then zipped it up. She opened the other suitcase and pulled her boots out, stuck the makeup bag in, then sat on the bed to pull her boots on. Stewart closed the second suitcase while she zipped the boots.

“Are you ready?”

Jazz took a deep breath then nodded. “I think so.”

A serious look crossed his face. “Forgive me for being so forward, ma’am, but I have a feeling you are exactly what this country needs.” He tapped the side of his nose where a nose ring would go and grinned. “And I think even more so, you’re what the prince needs. Someone who won’t be a yes man - or yes woman - and stand up to him when needed, but also be a support for him and a defender. He hasn’t gotten drunk like that in a very long time, but I think it just might be the best thing he’s ever done.”

He picked up both suitcases and left the room.

Jazz stared after him. Was it possible that the same was true for her?

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