Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

“Luna—when you told the guard you hoped Rini had escaped, it made him think.”

She blinked. “What are you saying?”

“A day after the earthquake there was talk of a stranger who was brought into the town by a motorist on the highway. He’d discovered a man wounded and lying at the side of the highway. Our station was called. We responded and took him to the local hospital. So far no one has identified him.”

Her heart leaped. “Is he still there?”

More talk ensued. Carlo turned to her. “As far as Zigo knows, he hasn’t left, but the man spoke a strange language neither he nor the officer understood.”

A strange language? That didn’t sound like Rini. Still, this could be something of vital interest for all of them. Maybe it was one of the miners from San Vitano who’d managed to get out. Maybe one of them knew a different language.

“Zigo says they are looking for anyone who might know him. The man had no papers on him, no way to identify him. When you told Zigo you were looking for your husband and hoped he’d escaped the cave-in, it got him thinking, and—”

“And he thinks it might be Rini!” she cried out for joy, interrupting him.

“Zigo didn’t say that, especially when the man didn’t respond to any languages other officers had tried with him. But he felt your distress. Don’t get your hopes up, Luna.”

“I can’t help it.”

“I know,” he said in a kind voice.

Luna couldn’t imagine the stranger being her Rini. She bit her lip. “I’m thinking it’s one of the miners from our country. I can’t even imagine how wonderful it would be to find one of them alive. Ask Zigo if we can see him.”

After the inquiry, the answer came back that they could proceed directly to the hospital. She and Carlo got back into the car while Zigo gave instructions to the driver, and said he’d alert the staff. He eyed Luna with compassion before waving them off. A few minutes later they arrived at the hospital.

Thankful for the cooperation, they hurried inside and were met by a woman who showed them to the second floor. They were taken inside an office and told to wait.

After she left, Luna grasped Carlo’s arm. “What if it’s one of the miners? He could tell us what happened in the mine. He’ll be able to tell us about Rini.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’d give anything for the tiniest bit of information about their last moments.”

“Let’s pray for that much good news, Luna. But remember they said he didn’t speak a language they understood.”

“I know.”

Before long, a man of probably sixty joined them. He spoke to Carlo at some length. Finally, he turned to Luna and spoke to her in Italian.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Principessa Baldasseri. I’m Doctor Miakar. I understand your husband has been missing since the earthquake. If this man is the Crown Prince of San Vitano, the government will be anxious to learn what you tell us and cooperate with you any way they can.”

“Thank you so much.?

?

“Right now he’s under sedation and sleeping. I had to operate on his arm, which is badly infected. He was so agitated, I was forced to give him something to calm him down. He should be awake within ten or fifteen minutes. Come with me so you can see if you recognize him.”

With her heart thundering, she and Carlo followed him down the hall to an examination room. He opened the door.

Her eyes flew to the black-haired man in his late twenties lying asleep on the gurney, dressed in hospital greens and socks. His head was turned away. An IV had been hooked up to fight the infection in his arm.

She walked around the bed to see him clearly, then almost fainted.

“Rini—”

Carlo grabbed Luna’s arm to support her. In a shaken voice he said, “It is His Royal Highness. You were inspired to come to Rezana, Luna.”

“My beloved Rini.” She couldn’t believe it. He was alive! Rini had come to her in her dream! Joy radiated through her. “He didn’t die. God has heard my prayers.”

She’d never seen him with ten days’ growth of beard and disheveled hair. Nothing could hide the pallor of his gaunt complexion. He’d suffered weight loss. Her gorgeous six-foot-three husband normally weighed two hundred and ten pounds. But none of it mattered because she’d found him and would take perfect care of him until he was well and restored to his former dashing self.

As she leaned over with the intent to kiss him, the doctor cautioned her not to touch him. “He needs the sleep. That will give us time to talk. Come back to my office.”