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“You had private quarters the last time you were here. You weren’t a guest in someone else’s quarters, and especially not the royal residence.”

“True.” He let go of her and took a step back. “Forgive me. It’s just that I’ve thought of you every night since I saw you last. I don’t care if all we do is sit and talk all night. I just hate to let you go to your room, leaving me in my room, both of us all alone.”

“I feel the same way, but, I’m not ready to make whatever this is, common knowledge, Bart. I need a little more time.”

Bart sighed. “Then perhaps breakfast?”

“It will be an early one. I have much to oversee in the morning, and even more to set in motion. I usually take a quick breakfast in the morning, then get right to it.”

“Tell me what time and I’ll be waiting. Do you eat in the dining room?”

“I do. I’ll be there for 4:00 A. M., if you’d care to join me.”

“I’ll be there. Unless you decide to come visit me later tonight. Then we can both go to breakfast together.”

“And how would I convince the guards to let me in after everyone is asleep?” she asked laughingly.

“I’ll tell them you are a personal friend of mine and you can come and go as you please.”

“I really don’t want everyone to know where I spend my nights.”

“Au’revele is sleeping in the nanny’s room in the nursery tonight to be closer to Vivian. Remember?”

“Yes, but I think perhaps she’d mind me tiptoeing through her living room while she sleeps.”

“I don’t think she’ d know.”

Mirilla feigned shock. “You tempt me to do unspeakable things!” she teased.

“You can do whatever you like, I’ll say it was my idea and I called for you.” He leaned over kissing her again. “At any rate, my room is the closest to the small downstairs kitchen. It shares a common wall with my bedroom. Do you know where it is?”

“I do. I’ve been in the East royal residence many times. But don’t be too disappointed if I don’t come tonight. It would be taking a chance of being seen.”

“Then until tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

She kissed him back, then backed away a few steps down the service hallway, not wanting to take her eyes off him.

“I’ll make sure the guards know that you are allowed in to visit me at any time. Just in case,” he teased.

“You’re going to get me in so much trouble,” she laughed, shaking her head.

“Makes it even more exciting,” he said.

“Goodnight, Mr. Bartholomew.”

“Good night, Ms. Mirilla,” he mimicked her formality, and watched until she’d moved so far down the service hallway that he couldn’t see her anymore.

Huffing a sigh, he returned to Quin and Vivian’s quarters, nodding and smiling at the guards at the door as they parted to give him access to the door. Hesitating before closing the door, he looked back at both of them. “You know Mirilla?” he asked on a whim.

“We do,” one of them answered.

“If I’m here, and she requests entry, please grant it. She’s a personal friend of mine.”

They both simply nodded. He was the Chairman of the Unified Consortium Defense, and wasn’t to be argued with.

“Thank you,” he said, proceeding into the royal residence and closing the door behind himself.

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