Page 29 of Once Upon A Royal Christmas
It was so much easier said than done, and Nick wasn’t looking for a relationship…with anyone.
But wasn’t he getting ahead of himself? All he was contemplating was a walk. It was Christmas. He had an entire kingdom to worry about, with the added bonus of a cartoon character tossed into the mix.
There would be no leaping.
“When was the last time you took a leap, dating-wise?” Nick asked, cocking an accusatory eyebrow.
“This conversation isn’t about me,” Jaron countered.
“Right. That’s what I thought. I should go,” Nick said, rising to his feet.
Jaron stood, mirroring his movements. “So you’re good?”
Nick nodded. “Perfectly fine, thanks.”
Jaron regarded him for a moment and Nick felt like a specimen under a microscope. He should’ve kept his feelings about the princess to himself.
Not that he had any actual feelings for her. He didn’t even know her.
So why are you in such a rush to get to the castle’s side gate?
“Very well. I’ll see you later in the royal box,” Jaron finally said.
Nick said his goodbyes, left the press office, and nearly plowed into Emilie in the process.
“Watch it, Prince Charming,” she said, stumbling backward in a pink sweatshirt and her favorite pair of ripped jeans.
“Sorry. I’m in a hurry,” Nick said.
“You’re already dressed? Before me? This is a first.” She crossed her arms. “Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
He shifted from one foot to the other as the bells on the cathedral began chiming on the hour. He needed to get outside. Now.
“I’ve really got to go, Em.” He stalked past her, toward the corridor leading to the castle’s side gate. The hallway stretched long before him.
Emilie scrambled to keep up with him. “Can’t you just tell me how you liked—”
He held up a hand. “Whatever it is, we’ll have to talk about it later.”
“But…” She chased him for a few more strides until giving up with a huff.
The church bells kept ringing as a pair of grand double doors came into view. The footman standing guard beside them jolted into action when he spotted Nick rushing in his direction.
“Your Royal Highness.” The footman nodded as he heaved one of the doors open, holding it wide for Nick.
“Thank you,” Nick said, sweeping past him.
Snowflakes swirled against the darkening sky. Nick could just see the arms of the clock on the cathedral’s great spire ticking into place. He picked up his pace and made it to the castle gate with half a second to spare.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Once a Beast, Always a Beast
Gracie felt like Cinderella on her way to the ball.
It was silly, really. The gown that swished around her legs as she made her way toward the castle in the distance was the same dress she wore every single day back home—the frothy, over-the-top cupcake of a ballgown that had seen more kiddie birthday parties, charity events, and children’s hospital visits than Gracie could count.
It wasn’t the gown that was giving her serious Cinderella vibes at the moment, though. Nor was it the castle, despite its grand turrets and spires topped with glittering gold leaf. When Gracie had landed in the faraway kingdom of San Glacera and first spotted the palace nestled among the jagged, snowy Alps, it had seemed as if she’d been dropped inside a snow globe that had been given a good, hard shake. Everything was so beautiful…a frosted Christmas dream.
