Page 97 of Loyally, Luke
What business did he know that used those initials? St.Clare? Wasn’t that Ellie’s last name?
Did princesses havelastnames?
He groaned. He was in way over his head.
But the email wasn’t from Ellie.
It was from her dad.
Was it okay to call a king “Dad,” or did he immediately warrant the name “Father”? His head started to ache.
And then the realization hit him. The king of Skymar had sent him an email? Why would... The press! And the implications for Ellie!
His face went cold. This was much worse than the principal’s office.
“What is it?” Pete’s voice broke through Luke’s mental chaos. “You look like you just got hit in the stomach.”
“Not sure.” He opened the email and skimmed across the few short lines.
Thanks for the meeting... grateful for your thoughts...
Luke froze.
There is a current situation I’d like to discuss with you. If you are open to meeting with me, I can have my secretary contact you to set a time within the next few days. I feel in-person would be best. I shall be residing at Carlstern Castle leading up to the Donors’ Banquet at Cambric Hall. It is an hour drive from Crieff. Would you have available transportation to meet or should I send a car?
Gratefully,
HRH Aleksander
“What is it?” Pete had moved from his place on the couch and attempted to peer over Luke’s shoulder, but since the man stood several inches below Luke, he wasn’t succeeding.
Luke swallowed through the lump in his throat and released a sigh. “Do you think Carlstern Castle has a dungeon?”
***
Text from Ellie to Luke:Hi, Luke. It’s Ellie. Nessa contacted me and told me about the reporters in Crieff. I’m sorry for involving you in this way.
Luke:How did you get my number?
Luke:Not that I mind. It’s just, I think I would have remembered if we exchanged numbers because... well, I had to fight the urge to ask you for yours about twenty times before I found out about the whole princess thing.
Ellie:I’m one of the royals of Skymar. I have my ways of getting the information I need.
Ellie:However, all I really had to do was ask Holton.
Luke:Clever. And I’m not sure how to react to such power. It might be a little intimidating.
Ellie:I adore the idea of being intimidating. You ought to see me when I shoot pistols with Father.
Luke:Ellie, if you’re trying to create emotional distance between us, you shouldn’t mention shooting pistols to me. It only makes you more attractive.
Ellie:What would you do if I told you I’m currently taking your advice and watching Hacksaw Ridge?
Luke:You’re not playing fair right now, Princess.
Ellie stared down at the phone, almost able to hear him say what he’d just written. The ache that began the moment he responded to her first text branched throughout her chest. Her breath shook from her effort to control her emotions.
She knew what she had to do, but everything within her rebelled against it. Was Maeve right? Could she spend time with him as friends just to make the best of what they had left?
