Page 17 of Guarding the Princess
She giggles. “Why would I? I knew you had some sort of mysterious background, but remember what I said yesterday? I love you for you.”
A tear slides down my cheek and I rush to wipe it away. “I know. And I love you too.”
“Although, if you can arrange for me to go to a real-life ball, I would totally dig it.”
I throw my head back and laugh. Leave it to Rhys to take all the awkwardness out of things and be exactly who I need. My relief lifts some of the clouds hanging over our entire friendship. Now I must continue one teeny tiny lie.
“I have bad news though. If my upcoming conversation with my mother doesn’t go well, I’ll be on a plane to Regora on Wednesday.” In reality, if my conversation doesn’t go well, I intend to run, but that’s not anything I can share with anyone. Best friend or not.
She’s quiet again.
“Wait. For like a visit, or forever?”
I cringe. “Forever.”
I hear her sigh. “Well, I can’t say I’m happy about that, but that’s what they make planes for, kiddo. I’ll get Jake to take me on a vacation and we’ll come see you in Regora. Is it cold up there all year round?”
I glance over at Ryker to see his handsome face watching me. He winks and something in me softens and bends. The iron fist I have clenched around my life releases. Not totally, but a little, and even a tiny bit sends palpable relief through my body. Everything’s going to be okay. Running away seems like the worst idea now.
Rhys and I talk a bit longer, long enough for me to see that my secret being out in the open has changed nothing for us. If anything, it’s brought us closer. When she has to go, we hang up with promises to talk tomorrow. The phone goes onto the end table and now it’s just Ryker and me.
The hand that stroked my back the whole time I talked with Rhys is now on my knee, a friendly gesture that edges into something more. My heart leaps about, and for the first time I realize what all the love stories are about. I frown. Not that I’m in love. I just understand being into someone in a visceral way. Trusting someone and having them be there to support you. It’s heady.
It’s temporary.
And just as quickly as it came, that calm feeling is gone.
“I gather she took it well?” Ryker asks me, studying my face.
“Yes, very well. Like it was nothing, actually.” I need to get my head out of the clouds and focus on what lies ahead.
“So, why the frown?”
“Just worried about my conversation with my mother. That’s the next hurdle.”
He squeezed my knee again. “I’m sure it will go fine. And what’s the worst that can happen? You go home, you take the throne, and you run things the way you want them to be. Casual Fridays or even Casual Mondays can totally be a thing. Rhys said she’ll come visit, right?”
Hanging there unspoken is the knowledge that while I’ll still see Rhys occasionally, I won’t be seeing Ryker. With the way my whole body sags at that reality, I know that outcome is the worst thing that can happen.
I don’t think, I leap. Right into his startled arms. He doesn’t hesitate, just wraps me up and lets my cheek rest against his big chest. The steady heartbeat comforts me. I close my eyes and try to remember the last time someone held me. Rhys has hugged me many times and Zeke was too distracted by his phone for lengthy embraces, but I haven’t beenheldsince I was a small child.
We stay just like that for long minutes, the apartment getting darker as the day fades into night. When I’ve lost all feeling in my leg, the one pressed up against his, I pull back. Ryker’s looking at me with a sense of wonder and affection. I have a feeling he hasn’t been held in a long time either.
“Thanks for today,Stor Kille,” I whisper.
His hand rises and he tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. “Anytime.”
* * *
“I’m not ready, Mother.” I’m trying desperately to keep my tone respectful. If I know my mother—and I do—she won’t listen to anything I have to say if I raise my voice.
“And you will never be ready if you stay in the United States waitressing. You must come home and learn to take over the throne.” I can just see her sniffing delicately and dismissing my argument without even really listening.
“Mother, we’ve gone over this so many times. I don’t want to be Queen. Why won’t you listen?” I hop off the couch and pace my apartment, wishing Ryker were still here with me to give me encouragement. He left a few minutes ago, his shift now over, saying I needed to make the call in private.
“Charlotta, enough!” Mother snaps. “Someone contacted me today to interview us about your brother. I think they know.”
Her tone and her words are a one-two punch, destroying my argument instantly. If someone knows about my brother, a publicity storm is brewing and all of us are in trouble. I squeeze my eyes shut. No. Just no. I can’t go back and face that. Anything but that.
