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Silence filled the vehicle.
How sad. Derek was always so confident, so happy. She often forgot that he’d recently lost his mother. She couldn’t imagine a world without her mom.
Leaning into him, she vowed to help him heal and to protect him and his family from Hattie Ballard. No way was this family losing someone else they loved to that murderer. Ellery might not have any fighting skills, but she was a ninja. She could be a good investigator and pass on information to Naomi, and she would fight to keep Derek safe. In the meantime, could she enjoy pretending to be his girlfriend and kissing him in this dreamlike setting?
He wrapped his arm around her, and warmth filled her.
It felt possible. The only problem would be leaving this magical place and relegating their relationship back to the friend zone after this mystical time was over.
Chapter Eight
Derek was overwhelmed with how happy he was to be home and how strong the memories of his beloved mum were in the valley and especially the castle. Surprisingly, it was a good feeling, the memories and missing his mum.
He wanted Ellery to love his family and the castle and feel comfortable and welcome here. He shouldn’t have worried too much about the welcome. They pulled through the castle gates and into the courtyard; her eyes were wide trying to take it all in. He liked seeing the overwhelming beauty of his home through her eyes.
“It’s gorgeous,” she kept murmuring over and over.
“Can you stop here?” Derek asked Ollie.
“Of course, sir.”
It would be odd not having Ollie and Braxton trailing him all the time, but nice too. Would they get reassigned if he didn’t go back to America? He hoped to only return for Ellery’s mum. If he could convince Ellery to love him this week, there would be no reason to move back to Boston. He had more hope at the moment than he’d had since he met her. She’d defended him with Malik, bragged him up, claimed he was ‘the best kisser’ and almost kissed him multiple times.
He jumped out and offered his hand, escorting Ellery from the car. She gazed around at the towering castle and the more towering mountains in the background. He wanted to show her the castle, the village, the mountains, the waterfalls, the lakes, his kisses.
The doors to the castle burst open and Kiera dashed out first.
“Yes!” she screamed. “Princess Elle is here!”
Ellery’s eyes widened. Not prepared to be Princess Elle? Kiera worshipped Ellery. Derek had stupidly told his sister in a video chat that he was going to win Ellery’s heart and make her his princess.
Kiera navigated the steps with the grace of a Ninja Warrior veteran leaping through the first obstacle of the course, springing off each step she touched as if it was spring loaded. A person of lesser athletic ability would’ve tripped and fallen. His dad, Ray, Macey, and Tristan stood on the steps behind her. Tristan’s face looked much better, but it was still red, puckered, and scarred. Derek’s gut tightened. He should’ve stayed longer after the accident, but T had insisted he was fine and Derek had been anxious to get back to Ellery.
Kiera was fifteen feet from level ground when she launched herself into the air, tucked, performed a perfect double front flip, and landed easily on the concrete. Derek considered himself an accomplished Ninja Warrior, but that same move would’ve broken one of his legs.
“Nice, Wild Child,” Malik called, striding over to hug her.
Kiera let him have a quick hug but then explained, “Ellery Monson is here!”
Malik laughed and released her. “Go see your idol.”
“Idol?” Ellery whispered to Derek.
“She thinks you’re the best warrior in the world,” Derek admitted.
Her eyes widened and her green eyes got suspiciously bright. She had fans everywhere, but her ‘adorkable’ title wasn’t always complimentary and she often got awkward with fans and in front of the camera. His sister being a huge fan seemed to touch her.
“Princess Elle,” Kiera breathed. She’d reached them and was standing before them with a respect and reverence Derek had rarely seen from his rambunctious sister. “You’re finally here.”
Ellery curtsied to Kiera. It was so appealing out of this woman who was so brave and loved to tease him. He loved her.
“Princess Kiera,” Ellery said. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“The honor is mine.” Kiera grabbed both of her hands. “Can I show you the castle? Will you be my friend? Will you marry Derek so you can be a princess for good and my sister?”
Ellery was definitely taken aback by all the questions and Kiera’s rambunctiousness.
“Now there’s the wild child we’ve all been looking for,” Derek teased, hoping to calm her down. “Give your long-lost brother a hug.”
