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Zelda…
29
Backup
Zelda
Being stuck waiting in my suite is torture of an entirely different kind. I have my phone at least, so I’m able to text Ava and know she’s okay. She’s in her suite with guards stationed all around. She and I are under lockdown on Rowan’s orders until the palace is secured.
Logan alternates between pacing the balcony and standing in the hallway just outside my door. I run my fingers over the heavy blue velvet of my costume, thinking with a sigh how Cal was supposed to help me out of it. Damn Wade Paxton.
“I’m going to change out of this costume,” I call in the direction of the balcony where Logan currently stands watch.
He doesn’t reply, and I leave the sitting area to go into the bedroom to slowly remove the elaborate getup. It’s heavy, and I could use some help with the buttons in the back, but I’ll figure it out.
After a series of twists and stretches that would make a contortionist proud, I’m out of the heavy thing. I toss it on the small sofa and walk over to the closet. It’s a warm night, and I take out a filmy cotton dress with crisscross spaghetti straps. It’s loose around my middle, and I don’t bother with shoes. Standing in front of the mirror, I start the process of removing pin after pin as my hair drops around my shoulders in large curls.
“So much for the masquerade,” I say mostly to myself.
“We checked every guest as they came in.” Logan answers, causing me to do a little jump. “Sorry,” he says quickly. I thought you knew I was here.
“I guess I did,” I say, trying to keep my hands from trembling. “I-I wasn’t really sure where you were.”
It’s stupid to act awkward around Logan. He’s been with Cal and me for so long, and he helped to save me. We’re friends for chrissake.
He takes one step from the balcony into my sitting room. “I wanted to apologize.” Looking down, he clears his throat. “If I made you uncomfortable earlier. I guess I expected you to stay in the palace.”
For a moment, I pass my eyes over this fellow. He’s very tall and a bit bulkier than Cal. He has short dark hair and a light scruff on his jaw. A dark brow pulls severely over blue eyes. He’s very handsome. He should stay here and find a lady of his own.
“You don’t have to apologize,” I say, giving him a kind smile. “And I hope you change your mind about resigning. Cal needs you. You and Freddie and he are a team.”
Clearing his throat, he runs a hand over his mouth. “We were a team. Lately… I’ve had trouble engaging.”
I’m still not quite sure I understand. “Maybe you need a little break?”
He only does a half-smile and turns to face outside. I look over to the wet bar and think how if Cal were here we’d share a nightcap, discuss the evening, tease each other and fall in bed to have sex or search for a movie to watch… or both.
“It’s difficult not to be angry with him,” Logan quietly confesses. “I would never have let you be taken.”
“Excuse me?” My sharp tone causes him to look back at me. “Cal gives me my freedom. He knows I don’t like feeling trapped.”
“Sometimes decisions must be made for your own protection. Like right now. You have to stay in this room until we’re sure it’s safe.”
My lips press together. “Look, I appreciate what you’ve done for me, your part in my rescue…” An edge is in my voice. “But you will not criticize Cal to me or blame him for what happened.”
“I’m sorry,” he says quietly. “I didn’t mean to make you angry.”
“Logan,” I exhale and walk to where he stands at the edge of the balcony. “We’ve all been through a hideous ordeal. Perhaps a little time away… perhaps you could meet someone to share your time with—outside your official duties here.”
“Right.” His smile is bitter, and I get the distinct feeling my encouragement backfired.
“I hope I didn’t overstep or invade your privacy by saying that.”
“Please don’t patronize me.”
“I would never!”
“You are more than an official duty.” His eyes burn with something new… and just as fast the shutters close. His tone returns to formal. “Forgive me. I take my position here very seriously. It’s impossible not to feel I would have handled things differently.”
