Page 10 of Her Royal Rebellion

She met my eyes and I saw longing that matched my own. If only she would say it. Tell me to take the chance. One word from her and I’d give it all up.

“I don’t know, Logan. I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.” She blinked away more tears. “I’m terrified, actually. I can’t marry a man I don’t love.”

I didn’t want that for her either. I could live with knowing she met the man of her dreams and they ended up together, as long as I knew she was happy. That was enough for me. But I couldn’t stand by and watch her be forced into a marriage. I wouldn’t let it happen.

“I’ll do everything I can to make sure that doesn’t occur.” That was the only promise I could make. If someone was disingenuous or made her uncomfortable, I’d find something on them to get them removed. I’d plant information if needed. I might not be able to stand up to the king on her behalf, but I could work on things from behind the scenes.

“Logan.” She said my name like a prayer. I studied her face, fixating on her lips for far too long. I’d dreamed of kissing her for a year now, and she was so close. With what her father had planned, this might be the last chance I ever got.

I couldn’t do it. Not while she was so upset. I wouldn’t cross that line unless I knew she wanted me to. I couldn’t take advantage of her emotions.

“Isla, I promise. I will do everything in my power to protect you. Always.”

Her gaze dropped and she nodded before tightening her arms around me. We held each other for several minutes. Silently memorizing everything about this moment.

“I should get back to my station.” I didn’t want to move, but I knew it would raise questions the longer I was in here. Someone was bound to notice. Nothing happened in the palace without someone seeing.

She nodded and leaned away from me. “Thank you, Logan.”

I straightened and smiled at her, trying to remain strong for her.

“What about your meeting? What did your sergeant say?”

That discussion felt a lifetime ago, though it was only that morning. “He was just checking in. Nothing important.”

My decision was made for now. I would stay here for as long as Isla needed me. I couldn’t even consider the possibility of leaving her right now. I had to be here to make sure she had someone on her side.

I stood and walked out without looking back. I couldn’t. I knew if I saw her broken expression, I’d stay. That wasn’t what was best for either of us. I resumed my position in front of her door as thoughts poured into my head. What if I told her how I felt? What if she felt the same? We could go to her parents and tell them. We could put an end to this madness before it even began. Sure, I was just a Marine, but Serena was the future queen of the country and she wasn’t even Lochish. If they approved of her, they would eventually feel the same about me. I knew the king and queen. They liked me. They would adjust to the idea.

That would mean I would have to end my active service. I couldn’t continue as her guard, or accept the special task force if we were to marry. I’d give up the only life I ever knew. The only dream I’d ever had, for her.

This was insanity. We were friends and had private moments when we opened up to each other, but she really didn’t know me. She didn’t know about my childhood or very much about my family.

Did that matter? Was all of that necessary to know how you felt about someone?

Not to me.

We would have time to worry about that. We would have our whole lives to share every detail.

I rubbed my hand over my face. If the king and queen wanted potential suitors to come there must be a reason. We had to figure that out first. I needed to know what I was up against. Hopefully, Shane could find out more about that before I was relieved from my post.

I wanted to get a hold of the list of expected guests as soon as possible. We had the ability to run background searches, we’d be required to since they would be guests at the palace, so I could gather as much information on each ‘suitor’ before they arrived. Knowledge was power, and in this situation, we needed every advantage possible. I wanted to figure out what was in it for each man that arrived. I wanted to know their weaknesses, their goals, what motivated them and get them away from Isla as soon as possible.

She might have to go through with this act to appease her parents, but she wouldn’t be doing it alone. I’d make sure she was armed with the ammunition she needed to clear out these men. If she could give the appearance that she was willingly going along, and the men simply didn’t measure up, that could buy us time.

I was going to save her from this. It was my responsibility to keep her protected. That meant I had to protect her heart as well, and I took my job very seriously.

5

Isla

“Are you sure you want to attend? I can make an excuse.”

I appreciated Carolyn’s offer, but I couldn’t put off my duties forever. At some point I was going to have to leave my room and return to the real world despite how badly I wanted to hide. My eyes kept flicking to the paper peeking out of her folder. This morning, she’d showed me the official announcement sent to the other monarchy countries from the King’s office. It said I was entertaining suitors and looked forward to making new acquaintances.

It was all lies. They even had a picture of me and my parents from an event a few weeks ago, the three of us smiling and waving like we were welcoming the world to our front door. It made it seem like I was on board, like I was a hopeless fool that needed my parents to arrange for strangers to come and meet me. It sounded more innocent than me looking for a husband. Almost like I was in search of some new friends. Males only of course.

It was bizarre and I almost asked Carolyn to release a statement on my behalf letting the world know I wasn’t a desperate little girl who needed her parents to do things for her. I knew that wouldn’t go over well with my parents. Dad would say I was unwell. Soon I’d end up locked away in some long-forgotten castle.