Page 16 of Crown of Thorns
Truthfully, I don’t know anything about Gabe, Dahlia’s protection officer. Unlike, my protection officer, Leo, who she fancies herself halfway in love with him. When I watch them closely enough, I spot the little glances, here and there between them. There’s clearly an attraction there, one she has every intention of acting on and one he has no intention of going anywhere near. If he’s a bad guy, then I’m thankful he won’t engage in an affair or more. But if he’s to be trusted… then I can’t help but feel a little sad for them both.
Missing out on love, or any joy this life might bring, because of some misplaced sense of duty, just seems so wrong. But then again, it’s that same misplaced sense of duty that holds me here, plucked from my quiet life for a greater purpose. A picture and name in a dossier, one in a handful of appropriate royal wives that Rhys was told to choose from, kind of like the Lands’ End catalog of brides. If I let myself think about it too long, I become angry and bitter, and I’m determined not to end up like the dowager queen if I can help it. My goal is to stay alive long enough to find freedom. You know, the power of positive thinking and all that.
An attendant whisks open the doors to the private circular drive where a dark town car waits for us. Leo pulls open the door and Dahlia slides in before me. Justas he moves to close the door, I thank him with a smile that he returns. He and Gabe are following in the car behind us to provide more security for the King’s fiancée and the Princess Royal.
As the car begins to move, Dahlia and I pull practiced smiles so that we look as happy as we should. Truthfully, it’s easy in her company. We wave to those standing outside of the gates, for whom watching royal movements is akin to religion, and then travel down the winding hill toward the harbor.
“I wonder if there will be any cute sailors about,” she says quietly.
“Oh my gosh.” I laugh. “Don’t you dare. We’ll both be punished for sure if you go back to your old ways.”
“Not all of us are getting a good shagging on the regular.”
“I can’t believe you just said that.” My face burns bright red.
“Even if it is my brother giving it to you.” She winces through a laugh. “You’re positively glowing. It makes me wonder what you’ll look like when you’re pregnant.”
The harsh reminder that my future is not currently my own to decide wipes the levity and embarrassment from my face all at once. It also steals the breath from my lungs. Dahlia misreads the look on my face and her eyes go wide.
“You’re not knocked up, are you?” she whispers.
“N-no,” I answer. “I’m not.”
“Thank God,” she says. “That would muck up all the good that’s about to come about. Could you imagine? The world would be shocked if you had the king’s baby out of wedlock. Actually, it would be the last thing you’d do because it’s treason to mess with the hereditary line.”
“Really?” I gasp.
“Yes,” she explains. “You could be put to death for tampering with the future of the crown. Rhys loves you but even he couldn’t save you from that.”
“Oh my God.”
“Not even him,” she adds.
The flash of a camera snaps me out of my internal battle. Dahlia winks at me letting me know we’ll talk later, but now it’s time to put on a show. “So, how many seamen do you think are in this contraption?”
I bark out a laugh. “Ohmigod. Don’t say ‘seamen’ again.”
“It was an honest question,” she replies with wide, faux innocent eyes, making my smile all the more real as we pull through the gates of the naval harbor.
“Who are we meeting again?” I ask. It’s not actually my event so I don’t have many details. I’m just here to smile and show everyone I didn’t really run away while supporting Dahlia in her patronage. And of course, support the king and crown.
“Some stuffy, old admiral,” she says. “He’s rude and uptight and absolutely hates that I’m the Captain of the Royal Navy.”
“Well then,” I say as the car pulls to a stop. “Let’s go kill him with kindness.”
“I wish I were you,” she says.
I look at her before the door pulls open. “Well that makes one of us.”
Leo and Gabe are there on either side of the town car, each holding out a hand to us so that we can exit like ladies. I place my palm in Leo’s and alight.
“Thank you,” I whisper, already turning away from him. It’s my duty to be seen today and his not to. He’s here to make sure anyone who wants me harmed doesn’t get the chance.
A man about my age in a formal uniform with ropes around his arm and medals spread wide on his chest steps before us. He bows his head slightly before greeting us. “Good morning your highness,” he says to Dahlia before tipping his head forward quickly and reaching out a hand to shake mine.
I smile at him and take his hand. I can appreciate his effort, we’re all in uncharted territory here. “Good morning,” I reply.
“Allow me to introduce myself,” he says. “I’m Lieutenant Adam Davies, Equerry to Vice Admiral Conner Andrews. I’ll be escorting you today.”
