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Lieutenant General Cordon smiled at both of them and gave a quick bow. “It’s been a pleasure.” He swung the double doors wide and announced, “King Nolan and Princess Kiera, ruling monarch and daughter of the Kingdom of Augustine …” He paused and looked at them expectantly.
Sutton bowed his head in respect and Macey curtsied, she hoped not too awkwardly.
The lieutenant general seemed to think that was enough as he continued, “May I present Sutton Smith and Macey Clifton, of Great Britain and the United States of America, respectively.”
Macey had to hide a smile at his formal introduction, but her nerves ramped up and her stomach twisted. She tried to press her glasses up on her nose, then remembered they weren’t there. Dang. She was thrilled to explore this castle, but how in the world would she live in such a formal way? She had her own suite in Sutton’s mansion and she split her time between the computer command center downstairs, training or fighting with Gage or one of the other men in the gym, or running on the beach. She came and went as she pleased, and nobody was formal with her. Ever.
Sutton took her elbow and escorted her in. She appreciated his solid, confident presence more than ever. Cordon stepped back and pulled the doors closed behind them. She and Sutton walked to the king and princess, both of whom had stood at the introduction and also stepped forward.
King Nolan was dressed in a black suit, tall and distinguished with salt and pepper hair, a trimmed beard, and a handsome face. He had summer blue eyes that she remembered from the family portrait, and which all the children had inherited. His eyes had a sadness in them that tugged at Macey. Queen Anne had died six months ago, murder or the ‘suicide curse’ depending on which source you referred to. Macey didn’t believe in curses, and from what Sutton had explained, the king didn’t either. Part of the reason Macey was here was to see if she could help find the queen’s killer with her computer and research expertise.
Princess Kiera was a beautiful pre-teen with long, dark curly hair, her father’s blue eyes, and a bright smile. She darted from her father’s side and grabbed both of Macey’s hands with hers. “I’ve always wanted a sister!” she cried out.
Macey froze between relief that the girl was impetuous and genuine, and guilt that she wasn’t a real fiancée. She towered over the child in her heels. A sister? She’d longed for a sister all her life. The girl didn’t know about the fake-fiancée ploy, so Macey needed to act accordingly.
“I’m so excited!” Kiera continued. “And you are so hot! T told me you were ‘stunningly beautiful,’ but he didn’t have any pictures of you even though you spent a whole weekend together. Do you think he’s hot? When did you know that it was true love?”
“Um, I …” Macey was in trouble if she couldn’t think of the right words to convince a twelve-year-old she thought her fiancé was ‘hot’ and how she knew she loved him. She looked at Sutton for help.
The king and Sutton were shaking hands and conferring. The king turned to her, taking her hand in his. The ache in his eyes was momentarily replaced with warmth and welcome. “We are in your debt, Miss Clifton. I know it’s a lengthy list we’re asking of you.”
“Be engaged to the most handsome crown prince on earth, disprove a fake curse, keep the prince safe from whoever is leaving death threats, and reassure your people that none of you believe in said fake curse, which Prince Tristan is proving by getting engaged to me. Easy.” She smiled at him, not mentioning he hoped she’d find his wife’s murderer when no one else had been able to.
“Easy, eh?” He chuckled and Sutton joined him. “I appreciate the optimism and hope you’ll feel at home here.”
“Thank you, sir. I mean, King … I didn’t think I should go straight for Dad.” Macey trailed off and clasped her hands together.
The king still looked amused. “Nolan is fine.”
Nolan? She couldn’t call a king ‘Nolan.’ She tried to push her glasses on tighter but touched her nose instead, remembering they weren’t there. She needed something to hide behind.
“I was looking forward to meeting with both of you and my boys about the situation, but they’re off checking on Curtis, taking him supplies, and trying to …” He trailed off, and Macey’s interest spiked. What were ‘the boys’ off trying to do and why didn’t he want her to know about it? Apparently there were secrets here that she wouldn’t be privy to. She would find them on her own if needed.
“Trying to …?” she prompted. “Please, King … Nolan,” she corrected. “I need all the information.”
“It’s just more nonsense about the curse.” He waved a hand dismissively.
“Can I show Macey some of the castle while we wait? Before Nanny Lisa finds me?” Princess Kiera begged. “Please.”
“Of course, love.” Her father smiled indulgently, but then his gaze got more serious. “Be safe.”
“Always, Pops.” Princess Kiera darted to his side to kiss his cheek, then returned to Macey’s side quicker than most people could blink. Was her father simply overanxious after losing his wife or did he have to remind the girl to ‘be safe’ for other reasons? Was this adorable princess in danger as well, and in her own home?
“We’ll all chat after your tour,” he said to Macey. He lowered his voice and muttered, “They’d better be back soon.” He turned to Sutton. “I’d love a word about your time with the Queen’s Navy. Landlocked as we are, we’ve never had a Navy, but I’m fascinated by the idea.”
Sutton waved to Macey as Kiera tugged her out of the room. Her boss would still be here for the ‘meeting,’ right? Her anxiety spiked, and she reached for her glasses … Dang, she should run down to the car and grab them. No. she took a deep breath and repeated in her head, ‘brave, bold, beautiful.’
Kiera walked her back down the main hall, waving a hand haphazardly as she labeled room after room—ballroom, dining room, receiving room, etc. She didn’t stop to let Macey admire any of them. She tugged her toward the grand staircase.
“You have to start at the very top,” Kiera declared, “and work your way down. That’s what Mum always said.” Her guileless eyes darkened momentarily, but she brightened again. “You’re going to flip out at the view! That’s what all the adults like.”
They kept winding up staircase after staircase and finally made it to the top.
“Eight levels to the castle, then?” Macey asked, a little out of breath as Kiera hurried her along a hallway.
“No, ten. Two below-stories are kitchen, laundry, a bunch of rooms that workers can stay in if they like, and a huge garage. There’s even a cold cellar that used to be a dungeon, but Mum doesn’t like me going in there.” She pulled a face. “I mean, she used to not like it … Here we are.” She pulled open a door, and they walked into a breathtaking room. “The solarium.” Kiera spread her hands wide and gestured around.
The room was light-filled with windows and glass patio doors. Even the ceiling was made of glass. Most of the windows and the patio doors were open wide to let in the glorious late-May weather. The room was spacious, with flowers, plants, even trees growing in it. Patio furniture was placed throughout the room and a large stone water feature stood at the center.
