Page 55 of His Runaway Princess

“Are you all right?” Ryker wrapped an arm around her shoulders as they stood next to the railing.

“I told you about last summer,” she said quietly, not wanting to alert Ginny to her ongoing fears.

“Right.” Ryker wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his side.

It bothered Amalia that it bothered her so much. She’d always loved watching the whales swim and play. She’d loved being on the ocean, even if swimming couldn’t happen in the water around her homeland. Not without a dry suit. Even in the summer, water temperatures remained too cool to be unprotected.

She and Ginny had experienced that the hard way. A shudder ran through her as she remembered how cold she’d been the year before.

Amalia blinked. Could that be it? She looked up at Ryker and spoke softly enough her sister couldn’t hear. “Do you know if they looked into the captain from last year - or at least the organization he was part of? Could the stalker have been part of that?”

“I’m sure they have, but they haven’t told me specifically.” He rubbed his hand up and down her arm. “They’re on the job. They know what they’re doing.”

“I know.” She leaned her head against him. “I kind of wish they’d utilize your experience more.”

He chuckled. “I feel the same way, but I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not my job at the moment. If anything were to happen, I’d protect you in a heartbeat, but it’s not my job to keep threats away anymore.”

An alarm went off on his phone. “That’s our signal to head back.”

It took about thirty minutes before they were actually ready to eat, but they decided the wind was a bit too much to sit out back.

When they took their seats around the table inside, Amalia could tell her sister’s nerves were getting the better of her.

She and Ryker did their best to keep the conversation going and not delve into anything serious. They didn’t need to talk to each other about it, just knew it needed to be done.

As they finished eating, Ginny took a deep breath. Ollie reached over and took her hand.

After another deep breath, she spoke. “I’ve made a decision about my place in the hierarchy, and I wanted you to be the first to know.”

Amalia blinked. Even though she’d suspected that to be the reason for the invitation, it still surprised her.

All that remained was to find out what decision Ginny had come to.

* * *

Ryker watchedAmalia trying to hide her apprehension as she waited for Ginny to tell them what decision she had come to. He reached over and covered her hand with his own.

Ginny took a deep breath and looked at her husband. “I’ve spent the last year trying to learn everything I can about Øyanord, to understand my heritage as an Øyanordian and the heir. I’ve learned so much.” She stared at the table for a moment before looking up at Amalia, tears glistening in her eyes. “I’m growing to love the people and the country, but there’s no way I’ll be ready to take over for Grandfather in the next decade.”

Amalia tightened the grip on his hand but didn’t speak.

“When Grandfather goes in front of the joint session to make the announcement about Mother, I will abdicate my position in the hierarchy. You have spent your life learning to lead our people. It’s only right, for many reasons, that you be the one to wear the crown.” One tear after another flowed down Ginny’s cheeks. “It does make me somewhat sad, but most of what I feel is relief.”

The grip Amalia had on his hand increased until Ryker feared the circulation would be cut off. “Are you certain? That’s a huge decision to make. You don’t need to make it yet. Grandfather isn’t stepping down, and he’s in excellent health. It can wait.”

Ginny shook her head. “I’ve discussed it at length with Grandfather and Mother over the last year. Once Grandfather made the announcement about Mum, we decided that it would be best to make it at the same time.” She wiped her cheeks. “It’s the right decision. It’s the one I expected all along, but I did go into it with an open mind.”

“Are you absolutely sure?” Amalia pressed her sister. “You can’t change your mind if you step down now. If your announcement is that you’re still considering and learning, no one would fault you.”

Ryker couldn’t be certain, but he suspected Amalia just wanted to be certain her sister had no regrets later.

“I know, but this is the right decision.” She looked over at her husband. “Ollie and I have discussed itad nauseumbesides praying about it. Mum and Dad have, too. So have Bekah and Josiah and everyone else who understands what’s going on.”

It took a second for Ryker to remember that Ginny likely referred to the parents who raised her asmum and dadand that her adopted sister had married Prince Josiah of Eyjania.

A smile and look of peace covered Ginny’s face. “It’s the right choice, Amalia. I know it is. The peace just saying it out loud is incredible.” She reached over and squeezed Amalia’ free hand. “And you will be an amazing queen. You are the right choice for the people of Øyanord.”

With a deep breath, Amalia glanced at Ryker. The peace on her face equaled her sister’s. “I will be honored to serve when the time comes.”

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