Page 25 of Forbidden Crown

He massaged her shoulders. "Where were theguards?"

Good question. She swayed, but balanced against his arm. "Idon'tknow."

"I'll find out." He held her until she calmed. Then he offered his hand and motioned with his head toward the door. "Thisway."

She stared at the two men now stationed in the hall. She wished she remembered the faces of the ones from earlier, but her memory was a blur. "Don't you want to call the guards overandask?"

He shook his head and led her away. Once they were in the next hall, he whispered so only she heard him. "I trust Babik, but I think another general is in league with Korba. Let's get you with the rest of my family. You’llbesafe."

"Why didn’t you come earlier as you promised?" The question came out of her lips before she had a chance to think. Her face felt hot, but she staredahead.

He took a deep breath and then put her hand on his heart. "You're right. I promised I would. Then nothing might have happened to my gorgeous fiancée. My mother had me go find her guest and then I had to bring her to my mother who then never stopped talking to me. I should have left them earlier and comestraighthere."

"If you had then maybe I'd have fallowed Korba without questioning. So I'm glad you came now." She unlaced her fingers off his chest and pressed her lips together. Renee had said Sophia was beautiful. She swallowed. "Who isSophia?"

He reached out and took her arm to direct her to the door. "No one important and now is not the time for her. Let's go find Babik and then go todinner."

She tugged her hand back and stood taller. Sophia must be important—Kristin had to know so she crossed her arms. "Whoisshe?"

Antonio's jaw clenched and he closed the door he had slightly opened, speaking just to her. "Someone my mother has been throwing in my path since I was thirteen. Wedon'tfit."

If his mother wanted this woman not only as Antonio’s wife, but princess, and someday queen, she had to be more than just acceptable. The last thing she wanted to be was surprised or jealous at dinner. She dropped her arms to the side, but her foot tapped the plush carpet that ran in the hall to protect the hard wood underneath. "Whynot?"

Antonio puffed out his decorated with metals chest when he took a deep breath. "Honestly, she's more like a sister and I'm not attracted to her in theslightest."

Her shoulders dropped with relief—she hadn't known she was so stiff. She lowered her head. "So I shouldn't bejealous?"

His shoes came into her view and she glanced at him. "Absolutelynot."

A second later, he lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered closed and her lips puckered. Then his descended upon hers and shekissedhim.

With him, she hadeverything.

The moment he ended the kiss, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. "I wish we could skip dinner and bealone."

She hugged him and then straightened his tie. "We promised your mother. Other than beefing up palace security, I'm happy to stay.Withyou.”

He nodded and walked with her through the palace, though as more and more military people were stationed, she understood this was the guard’s quarters. Antonio's hand laced with hers. "GeneralBabik!"

"Your Highness!" The general stopped mid-step and asked, "How may I helpyou,Sire?"

"The guards were missing for a time, near my fiancée’s door. Korba tried to get her to gowithhim.”

Babik's face went white. "The captain of the guards will be placed under review. I will find out whathappened."

"Good."

Kristin tightened her hold on Antonio’s arm, feeling a cold stare. She discretely looked around, but it wasn't anyone near her. All the guards had their eyes respectfullyaverted.

"I'll report the moment I know something. I suggest you go to dinner, Your Highness. Your mother has cameras ready,"Babiksaid.

Antonio stood, poised for a fight, if needed. "I want men loyal to you to guard my family, includingKristin."

Babik said, "Absolutely."

Kristin still felt someone watching her. Goosebumps grew on her arm as Babik said, "We will find out who in the army cannot betrusted."

Antonio closed the circle between the three of them. He tapped Babik on the arm. "Good man. We know Korba is in the palace. I want himfound."

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