Reclaiming the Prince's Heart

CHAPTER ONE

San Vitano, an Italian-speaking country bordering eastern Switzerland and northern Italy. June 2. 6 a.m.

AS RINI EASED himself away from his sleeping, delectable wife, she caught him around the shoulders.

“Not so fast, mi amore. Tell me again why you have to go today of all days?”

He kissed her mouth hungrily. “This inspection tour can’t be put off any longer. I’m implementing some new safety rules with the chief mining engineer, Gustavo, and his assistants.”

“I realize it’s important, but this will be the first time we’ve been apart since our wedding. I already miss you so much, I haven’t been able to sleep.”

“Why do you think I made love to you half the night?” he murmured against her lips. He was so in love with Luna, he could stay in bed with her forever. “Just remember, I’ll be home at the end of the day.”

“You’d better keep your promise. I have something special planned for our six-month wedding anniversary tonight.”

He hugged her lovingly. “I wouldn’t miss it. As it happens, I have a surprise for you, too. Now, go back to sleep.”

After kissing her breathless, he slid out of bed to shower. Once ready in jeans, a work shirt and boots, he walked out the back of the palazzo to his waiting helicopter.

The half-hour trip to the King Midas gold-mining site on the Italian, Austrian and Slovenian border didn’t take long. The men were there to greet him in the front office. Together they went down into the mine to get busy. By three in the afternoon, Rini’s work was done and the men left.

Alone with Gustavo, they walked through the inclined shaft while they talked. “Is there anything else you want to discuss with me, Your Highness?”

“Gustavo, how many times have we had this conversation in the past? I’m the Crown Prince, not the King. Call me Rini.”

He shook his head. “It’s impossible to forget. Your new safety rules are going to make a big difference around here.”

“I’m glad you approve, and I’m impressed over the excellent job you’re doing. Keep me posted on your progress. Now I’ve got to fly back to Asteria. My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary tonight.”

The head mining engineer flashed him a knowing smile. “I don’t blame you for being eager. You’re still in the honeymoon stage. May it last forever.”

Rini chuckled. “Agreed.” He couldn’t wait to get back home.

They left the winze, which was a connecting shaft at the lower level, and headed for the mine portal above. Suddenly, Rini heard an earsplitting crack that sounded like a runaway train. The earth shook under their feet. It must have gone on for a minute or more. He felt dizzy.

“Earthquake.”

“It won’t last,” Rini muttered. They’d both felt them in this region over the years. The tremors continued. “Let’s keep moving until we reach the surface.” But the words had barely left his lips when there was another explosive sound like a bomb had gone off and they were both knocked to the ground with force.

Gustavo let out a groan. “This isn’t any normal quake, Your Highness.”

“You’re right. Just keep crawling toward the next shaft. I’m right behind you.”

“The ground keeps shifting—I’m terrified!”

“Hang on!” Rini tried to reach him when a wall of rocks came crashing down. Claustrophobic dust filled the interior. Rini could hardly breathe. All had gone completely dark. “Gustavo?” He called to him again. “Gustavo?”

There was no answer. The ground kept shaking and there were boulder-like rocks in front of him, impeding any progress. He kept crying out Gustavo’s name. Rini

’s heart sank to realize the manager had to be partially buried beneath the debris.

“I hope you can hear me, Gustavo. I’m going for help and will be back.”

Rini, a top mining engineer graduate from the school of mines in Colorado in the US, knew the layout of this mine like the back of his hand. It was one of the financial backbones of the Baldasseri royal family of San Vitano dating back three centuries. Rini was in charge.

He knew of another shaft leading out of the winze to an intersecting shaft. From there he could keep going until the opening of the shaft came out on the side of the mountain. Once free, he could get help. It was imperative in order to save Gustavo. Heaven knew how many other miners might have been buried in the horrendous quake.

The tremors continued, creating the rolling swell of the ground. More rocks fell. He kept going on his stomach as he clawed his way up through a winding labyrinth that led to another shaft. A little more progress and the unused shaft would lead to an opening he could see in his mind.

“You’ve got to keep going,” Rini muttered to himself. Gustavo’s life depended on it.

Another few feet and large portions of rock started falling on him. One hit his head, sending excruciating pain through his body. “Luna—” he cried her name in desperation before he knew nothing more.

* * *

Luna set the dining room table. Rini would be home from the mine soon. She couldn’t wait and wanted everything to be just right. After gift wrapping the positive result of her home pregnancy test, she put it at his place. They’d wanted to start a family. Today she’d found out the joyous news. Luna hadn’t had time to see her OB, but she’d call him tomorrow. Tonight she and her husband would celebrate!