A Player for A Princess

“You’re joking,” I say, catching his eye.

“I’m not.” He gives me a wry smile. “Auntie Edna spanks.”

“Well, this is all fine for conversation at high tea,” Rowan says, bringing us back around. “What are we doing about the Paxton situation?”

“As much as I hate it, I think Reggie is right,” I say. “I think if we go after him now, it will be seen as an act of aggression.”

My brother’s steel blue eyes flash, and the line of his jaw moves. He’s out of his chair and facing the windows before my uncle has a chance to speak. “It’s incredible to think he gets away with everything and we have to sit back and wait.”

“We’re not in a position to wage war with Totrington,” Reggie says. “It’s what they’re counting on—our anger leading us into a rash decision.”

“It’s far from rash,” Rowan argues. “They tried to kill me.”

“A justified, albeit hasty attack on our part; an easy win on theirs. Check, mate,” our uncle continues. “But I know Paxton. He’s a thug and an animal. He’ll be miffed when we don’t respond as he anticipates. Then he’ll seethe when he remembers our prosperity, our access to the sea. He’ll grow tired of having to ask Hampton’s permission to act… He will make a move.”

Rowan pivots slightly and looks over his shoulder at our uncle. “And when he does, we’ll crush his head like the serpent he is.”

My uncle stands and runs his hands down the front of his coat. “Be patient. It’s something your father never could grasp. The reason our country is nearly nine hundred years old is because we’re in a position of power. We don’t have to go after trouble. Trouble comes to us.”

I’m not comforted by this statement, but I agree. He’s right.

25

Reunion

Zelda

The moment Ava and I see each other, we start to cry. We’re across the tarmac, hugging and laughing and crying, and I don’t even try to hold it back.

“Oh, Zee! I’ve never been so afraid in my life,” she says, wiping her eyes, still just as beautiful as ever when she cries. “I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep,” she says. “I walked around this place thinking I would go crazy, and you were so far away… and I was so weak. And this…?

??

She gently touches my hand, but I shake my head. “Don’t.” I pull it back. “It wasn’t your fault.”

More tears flood her eyes. “I wasn’t there for you.”

“You couldn’t be there. You’d been shot.” My brow lines and I inspect her torso. “Speaking of, how are you feeling? You look amazing.” I touch her soft dark waves, I touch her face. “You look happier than ever.”

“I am—now that you’re here, I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Two weeks ago, I thought I was going crazy worrying about you.”

“I heard you had a role in finding me.” I’m holding her hand when Rowan steps up beside us.

“It’s good to have you back, Zee.” He gives me a formal kiss on the cheek, and I squeeze his forearm as I smile.

“Thank you,” I say with sincerity. “For saving me.”

He shakes his head. “Cal would have saved you no matter what. I only did my best to help him find you faster. I’m sorry it wasn’t fast enough.”

We’re at the car, and the familiar driver holds the door for us. I don’t miss him smiling at me, and I do a little curious smile back.

Once inside, driving to the palace, the brothers are embroiled in their own conversation, but Ava’s and my arms are around each other’s waists. We’re together again. It feels right. I feel the stress start to melt from my body.

“When we heard about what happened to Seth…” her voice trails off, and she shivers.

I think about the night after our casino heist in St. Croix, him leaving me alone in the market, then I think about his gruesome demise.

“He betrayed me.” He gave me to Wade Paxton for money and then he was tortured to death. We don’t even know why.