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My family’s legacy to protect is as steeped in tradition as her family’s legacy to rule. To govern.
Once I swear that oath to protect her family above all else, any romantic notions I’ve foolishly held onto will go up in flames. It will no longer merely be a bad idea because of my close relationship with her older brother.
It will be forbidden.
Remembering my place, I quickly drop my hold on her, increasing the space between us and bowing toward her.
“Your Highness.”
She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms over her stomach. “Stop it with that rubbish, Creed. We used to have spitting contests when we were kids.”
A smile cracks on my lips as I recall our younger years. Before everything became much more complicated for my best friend and his sister. Back when they were so far down the line of succession that most people didn’t even recognize them, especially outside our small country.
In the blink of an eye, that all changed.
“That may be true, but we’re far past those days. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“You’re just saying that because you lost miserably last time.”
“Maybe.” I smirk, eyes roaming her tall, slender body.
Long, golden strands of hair fall delicately around her shoulders, the billowy top she wears allowing a peak of her tanned skin. Her jeans hug her curves, making her long legs seem even longer.
Making me imagine what it would feel like to have those legs wrapped around me.
I do my best to suppress the twitching in my pants at the thought, bringing my eyes back to hers and clearing my throat.
“When did you get in?” I ask, even though I know the answer. My older brother is her chief protection officer. But I need to distract myself from my growing inappropriate thoughts.
Thoughts that can never come to fruition.
“About thirty minutes ago.”
“Are you happy to be home?”
On a long sigh, her expression falls, frustration mixed with irritation covering her face.
She looks around the high-ceilinged hallway, framed portraits hanging every few feet on the textured walls, ghosts of her ancestors watching her every move.
“Not sure I really call this place home.”
I nod in understanding. After eight years in the military, the last four working special ops and traveling all over the world, I have trouble thinking of Belmont as my home, too.
“And you? What brings you to the palace?”
“Adam called and said he was back, so I thought I’d stop by and see him. It’s been a while.” I shove my hands in my pockets. “With him splitting his time between Paris and here as part of your security detail, and my deployment with special teams, our schedules never seemed to line up.”
“Are you on leave? Or do you have another deployment coming up soon?”
“No more deployments. My latest one was my last.”
She relaxes her posture, scrunching her brow. “You’re leaving the military?”
“Not leaving. Transferring. I’ll be inducted into the royal guard at the end of the summer. I was originally supposed to be sworn in next week, but considering I haven’t had any time off since I enlisted, I figured I’d take the summer. Plus, with Adam’s girlfriend, having a baby in a few months, I thought I’d hang around here to lend him and Rory a hand before I’m sworn into the guard.”
“Right. Of course.” Her shoulders fall and she briefly averts her gaze. “Family legacy and all.”
“Exactly.”
