Page 42 of Guarding the Princess
“Ryker!”
Charlotte’s in motion, running toward me, a huge smile splitting her beautiful face. Five feet away she launches herself in the air. My muscles unfreeze and function before my brain does, grabbing hold of her as she slams into me, knocking me back. Her legs lock around my waist and she squeezes me until I’m afraid I may never breathe normally again. The unique scent of her envelops me and if I’m not careful I might cry in front of the very person who banished me in the first place.
“What—how—” Charlotte grabs my face, her eyes wide. Her gaze darts around as if cataloguing any changes since she saw me three days ago. It feels like forever since I got to touch her soft skin.
I beam at her shocked face. I did it. I found her. And now I must warn her and keep her safe.
“Charlotte—”
She smashes her lips to mine, and as much as I want to blurt out what happened, the touch of her mouth obliterates all thought. She touches me and it’s just me and her alone in a world of our choosing. Nothing else matters.
A throat clearing beside us breaks through, pulling her from me as she blushes. Her eyes never leave mine though I can feel her parents staring us down.
“Mr. Duke. I believe we need to have a word with you.” The Queen speaks, but this time, I won’t jump to do her bidding. She has answers I need first.
Ignoring her mother, I speak directly to Charlotte who wraps her arms around my neck and looks perfectly comfortable staying wrapped around my waist all day long. I certainly have no complaints.
“You’re in danger, sweetheart.”
“And you,” she interrupts. “I saw the tapes. I saw them drag you from the palace.”
Thank goodness she knows I didn’t just leave her. The anxiety that’s been gnawing at the lining of my stomach the last three days disappears in an instant.
“I think your mother has some explaining to do.”
Charlotte’s jaw drops open and I hear the Queen gasp.
“There he is! Grab him!”
Shouts distract me from Charlotte’s round eyes. I look left. Guards push through the ballroom doors and run toward me.
17
Charlotte
“Stop!”
I jump down from Ryker’s waist, reluctant to leave his embrace just yet, and throw my hands out as if one small princess can stop four armed men. Apparently that’s exactly how things work for royalty as all four men slam to a halt, so close their angry breaths fan my face. I’ve never been more thankful to be a princess where a single word holds power.
“Your Majesty, he’s an intruder who got in through the back entry on a catering truck.” Neither the lead guard, nor any of the others, look familiar, but then again I have been away for a long time.
“He’s with me.” Mother steps up beside me and lays a hand on my shoulder.
At her claim, the guards back off several steps. When Mother nods reassuringly to them with a small smile, they all file out of the ballroom, leaving the four of us once again. I don’t waste any time, turning back into Ryker, wrapping my arms around him, and laying my head on his chest.
Mother swivels to stand in front of Ryker and me. Ryker tightens his hold on me and I remember his claim right before the guards arrived. Could my mother have had something to do with his kidnapping? Anxiety grips my stomach and holds on tight. Father comes up behind her, that patient smile on his face. Ryker can’t be right. My parents would never do that.
“Mr. Duke,” Mother addresses Ryker. “I apologize for your treatment last time you were here. It’s come to my attention you were forcefully removed by someone in my palace, without my permission. Now that we’re aware of your whereabouts, I assure you we’ll turn our investigation to finding out who did this to you.”
“No need, Mother,” I interrupt. “I know who did it.”
I feel Ryker whip his head down to look at me. “You do?”
I nod. “In all the craziness, I forgot what Magnus told me the night you disappeared. He said he saw you go out the front door with your duffle bag. But the tapes show you being dragged out the back entrance with three men in suits. Magnus is responsible.”
Father jumps in. “Yes, I remember him saying that. I was there. How odd that he would lie.”
Mother frowns. “I know he’s always wanted the throne, but this seems a little extreme. How would kidnaping Mr. Duke help him secure the crown?”
