Page 25 of His Forever Princess

She realized he held a computer tablet in the space between them, a passage from the proposal highlighted.

No. She closed her mouth over the initial response that wanted to escape.

She wasn't all right. Things were still uncertain between her and Gideon. They'd cleared the air of some of the hurts between them, but nothing had been resolved. Not really.

Now she smiled tightly. "I have some unfinished business with my husband."

Something shifted in Ronald’s eyes. An expression there and gone so quickly... but one that made Alessandra wonder whether Gideon had been right. Surely Ronald didn't have romantic feelings for her. He'd never breathed a word.

There was something stiff about his smile. "You've been married a long time. He must understand what the crown demands of you."

He changed the subject, smoothly moving to show her the changes suggested after her administrative assistant had faxed over her penned-in edits from the plane.

But she couldn't focus on his words or the tablet. Instead, she found herself staring out the window.

He must understand.

Gideon had always understood the demands on her time. Wasn't he the one who had been playing on the floor with Maggie and Tirith when Alessandra had been late to celebrate his birthday? The girls had obviously had an elaborate celebration in mind, the room had been covered in streamers and balloons. The girls had screamed for her when she'd arrived. He'd glossed over the fact that she'd been in meetings all day across the border in their neighboring country.

She could still remember the tired lines around his eyes. Bea had been a toddler, demanding and needy. And yet Gideon had come to her and held her close, kissed her cheeks as the girls watched. He'd told her she was the only gift he ever wanted.

In those early years, they'd agreed that they didn't want nannies for their daughters, not if they could help it. Gideon had spent many exhausting days watching the girls, caring for them, while Alessandra did her duty for the crown. Often, he'd stood by her side at some gala or evening event. She was the only one who'd known how tired he was.

And then when Maggie had been so broken after the kidnapping, Gideon was the one who'd spent years of his life helping her heal. Alessandra was ashamed to admit now that she'd used her work for the crown to hide her own grief and fears and inadequacies.

She hadn't been strong enough to help Maggie. He had.

And he'd never asked for anything different. He'd never asked her to drop an event, even when the girls were sick with the flu and he hadn't slept in two days.

He understood the crown's demands. And he'd always put Alessandra and the girls first.

He was doing it again, even now.

He'd been shot. Given up a week of his time to protect her. She knew he would lay down his life for her.

And she'd gotten in the car with Ronald to work on this proposal. It was important work. It would impact her people and their lives.

But what about her life? What about Gideon's?

Hadn't he given up enough?

She felt an irrational fear that the second SUV would peel off and head back toward the airport. That Gideon would be gone before she had a chance to speak to him again.

Ronald must've given up on having her attention, because he'd gone silent. Finally, they arrived at the castle. She was out of the car before her bodyguard could open the door.

Gideon exited his car and frowned at her for that. Didn't she know better?

But before she had a chance to go to him, to talk to him, an aide was at her side, pointing her toward the arched entrance. And Eloise, who was waiting just inside.

There was no refusing the Queen. The Queen rarely sought her out. They were both busy with their respective duties.

Alessandra barely had a chance to send an apologetic glance over her shoulder. Gideon’s expression was shuttered, closed off. And then another aide stepped between them, and she lost sight of him.

Eloise jumped into an in-depth discussion of the proposal, one that Alessandra didn't dare drift away from. Her sister was demanding and impatient. And ultimately the ruler and protector of their kingdom.

Time passed as aides took rapid notes on their computers. Supper was brought in.

By the time Alessandra excused herself, it had grown late.

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