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“Second, I know you will do the best job of watching over her.” He studies me for a moment, then leans forward and pokes the bicep I flexed earlier. “Can you imagine Jessup or Smith trying to keep up with her?”
I laugh, picturing the gray-haired guards who prefer desk duty trying to follow behind the vivacious princess. “Can’t say that I can.” I pause. “Is there a thirdly, or are your thoughts completed?” I can’t help teasing my old chum, who is known for his logic and lists.
“Why, yes, in fact there is.” But instead of laughing along, the furrow between his eyebrows deepens. “I know you love her like a sister too, and that I can trust you to respect her and keep her safe.”
I swallow hard. “Right. Of course.” Turning from the prince and pretending to inspect a book of Kentonian fairy tales on his shelf, I fight to keep my facial features neutral.
Because yes, I do love Princess Chloe Huntington. But what my best mate doesn’t know is that I definitely do NOT love her like a sister. Never have, never will.
Not that it matters.
I lift my chin. “When do I leave?”
“Right away. Who knows what trouble she’s already getting into.”
It’s not as if she’s a child, though her family tends to treat her like one. Chloe’s nearly thirty, after all, and she’s long since outgrown her reputation as the partying princess. In fact, I haven’t seen her even so much as buzzed since that night four years ago when I stumbled across her in the palace garden, so inebriated she could hardly stand.
But though I’m honest with my friend about a lot of things, I don’t dare speak up on this matter. If I do, Topher’s bound to hear the conviction in my voice. Bound to uncover my secret.
And then he’d never let me be her bodyguard, even for a few weeks.
It’s probably a terrible idea, really, but I find that I can’t say no. Don’t want to say no, not when it means a chance to just be near her after so many months apart. And Topher’s right. I don’t trust anyone else to keep her safe. Tia was one thing, but we don’t have many female guards (King Johnathan is a wee bit old-fashioned in that regard), and definitely not one who’s available on such short notice.
So, looks like it’s on me. I’ll just have to put up extra precautions. Don’t talk to her overly much. Keep things light. No joking or teasing as we’ve come to do. If I simply focus on the job at hand—keeping her safe—it’ll be fine. Brilliant, even. A lovely vacation from the monotony of these palace walls.
I nod my head. “Right, then. Guess I’ll go pack a bag.”
Topher places a hand on my shoulder, blowing out a breath. “Thanks, mate.” The guy carries the weight of the world—or at least, the country—and his family’s safety is everything to him. “I’ll rest easier knowing she’s with you.”
As I head for my room, his words bat around in my head. I know what he meant, but can’t help wishing I could take them another way. That she could actually bewithme. That I had the right to hold her, to keep her, to cherish her up close … forever.
But being with her likethatis impossible. I’ve taken an oath as a Huntington family bodyguard, and it’s for life. At least, if I want to honor my family name. To rebuild it from the ground up. Because it’s literally against the law, however ancient, for bodyguards in Kentonia to get married.
But that’s not the only thing standing in our way. Even if the law was abolished, even if she somehow—miraculously—loved me back, even if Topher didn’t depend on me and I didn’t owe him my father’s life … being with me would be the worst thing in the world for Chloe.
And I would never do anything to harm her.
What I want doesn’t matter so long as she’s safe and secure.
three
CHLOE
“This place is completely adorable.” I turn inside Something Blue, the wedding shop Rhonda owns just off Main Street.
Different sections of the store, the walls of which are adorned with framed photos of happy brides and grooms, nearly all of them posed with toes in the sand, have displays dedicated to a variety of wedding decor. Tiaras, shoes, garters, invitations, pens, bachelorette party sashes—for such a small storefront, it’s got it all. That, combined with the smell of eucalyptus and lavender, makes my heart flutter and squeeze.
This is my happy place, especially when I think about all the planning that goes on within these walls.
“Isn’t it?” Standing beside the front picture window, Lucy twirls the ring of keys her friend Elisse gave her last night. The late morning sunlight streams in and pools on the ground at her feet. “Rhonda’s been in business for about ten years now. Before that, we really didn’t have anyone planning weddings.”
“Really?” I run the silk petals of a flower arrangement between my thumb and forefinger. “This town seems the perfect place for weddings. It’s got so much character, and it’s away from the big cities.”
Lucy shrugs. Dressed casually once again in jeans and a three-quarters flannel shirt, she’s still got on her name badge from the restaurant after working the morning rush. I know she’s got to return soon for lunch service. “We’ve been trying for years to grow our economy. The festivals help raise awareness but there aren’t a lot of places for people to stay. Besides, people are just kind of forgetful, you know?” She says this with conviction, likesheknows even if I don’t.
I can’t say what I’m really thinking—that being so small, so anonymous, is a blessing. Maybe not for the businesses, but for the people. “Well, I know one thing for sure,” I say. “I will never forget my time here, nor the amazing people I’ve met.” Because where else can you go and get a stranger to let you into a wedding shop when the owner is away? Someone who doesn’t know you’re royal and is simply doing it out of the kindness of her heart instead of hoping you’ll do her a favor in return, that is.
Lucy waves a hand in the air as if swatting a fly. “I may not have a love story of my own, but I enjoy watching others’ come true.”
