He sat at the desk in his room, staring moodily out at the sea and trying to catch up on all the work he’d been neglecting the last several days while trying to avoid Serenity. He wanted her too much to be close to her before his engagement had officially ended, and as long as she was in the palace, he knew she was safe.
For now, he needed to work.
His charities and personal expenses were completely funded by his business enterprises—mostly investing in international companies that created industry in third-world countries, as well as a few more lucrative ones with his friend Warren Blake. Due to the expertise of his team, there had been plenty of people to pick up his slack as he focused on how to help Serenity. But as the prince, he still needed to look over all the reports and sign papers to keep things going.
The sun was starting to set when he heard her voice through his open window. Unable to resist the lure of it, he closed his laptop and went out onto the balcony. She was on her balcony as well, sorting through an array of small, colorful dresses on clothing racks lined up the entire length of it. Jade was there too, of course, helping her. It was Jade that saw him first and got Serenity’s attention, nodding up at him.
She came to the end of her balcony so they were at a comfortable distance for talking and said, “Are you having fun watching us work? Why don’t you help us take all of these down to the harbor and give them away? Talia has promised to bring more girls to get them.”
“You’ve talked to her?” he asked, surprised. As far as he knew, Serenity, Jade, and Ben had barely stirred from their work for the last few days.
“Ben wanted to see the sights and meet some of the girls we were sewing for. Don’t worry. Several security officers went with us.”
“What a great guy he is.”
Serenity put her hands on her hips. “He is actually. Stop sulking and come help.”
“I’m not sulking,” he argued, but she just gave him a disbelieving look. Maybe he was at that. “Alright, I concede your point. Give me a few minutes.”
When he went downstairs and knocked on their door, it barely opened before an armful of dresses was thrust at him.
“Here you go,” Serenity said, cheerfully. “Carry them down to the car, please. There should be one waiting for us.”
“It would be my pleasure.” He bobbed his head at her with courtly grace. But Serenity was too busy gathering up her own pile of dresses to respond. The things he put up with from her.
The family limo was pulled up in the courtyard, but even with all that room, the four of them and two security officers had a tight squeeze with the crazy amount of dresses stacked up around them and on their laps.
“How many dresses did you lot make?” he asked, astounded.
Serenity gave him a self-satisfied smile. “Fifty-two.”
“Fifty—the three of you made that many in only three days?”
“We’ve got skills,” Jade said, chuckling.
Ben grinned. “And an easy design. Really, it was remarkable how quickly they came together, but then, my darling Serenity is a genius you know.”
“She certainly is,” Alexios said, narrowing his eyes at Serenity. Not because he didn’t agree with Ben, but because she was keeping this ridiculous game going. It had only taken one look at her while the two of them kissed to know without a doubt that she was not even a little bit in love with him.
Fortunately, it was a very short drive to the harbor. When the driver parked the car on a broad shoulder overlooking the steep drop down a short cliff to the water, the security officers got out first and did a scan of the area. Alexios looked out the tinted windows, surprised at how many people were gathered around. Then a girl in a familiar bright-blue dress ran up to the car, calling, “Serenity! Serenity!” with a heavy accent.
Serenity got out immediately and hugged her. All at once a crowd gathered around her, taking pictures. Reporters, he realized. And even though he knew it would only make the situation more difficult for his security, he couldn’t leave her out there to face the onslaught alone.
She had turned around, shielding Talia with her body, but when she saw him by her side, she seemed to relax. “What are they doing here?”
He shook his head. “I don’t know for sure, but let’s get these dresses given away and get you out of here.”
Jade and Ben had emerged from the limo with the dresses. Once the crowd realized what was needed, they stepped back, creating a circle around them while dozens of little girls were let through to come and get a dress. The girls all stood around as Serenity and her team matched the sizes as best they could. Each girl beamed brightly, politely thanking the team for the gift and sometimes giving Serenity and Jade a hug. Not all of them looked underfed or in need of help, he was glad to see, but all of them were thrilled to get a dress.
It was incredibly touching to watch, especially the warm reception Serenity received from his people. In different circumstances, he would have been enthusiastic about the whole experience. Instead, he felt a sense of dread.
Photos of a famous New York designer making dresses for the girls of Thissa was going to make international headlines. What had started off as something rather small and sweet had taken on enormous and potentially disastrous complications. If the press found out she was also designing the wedding dress of the future Princess of Cristonia, Daniel Travers would very likely figure out exactly where Serenity was.
***
Much to Alexios’s frustrations, the grateful parents whose girls had received dresses were not content to express their thanks with mere words. They had decided to have an entire feast in Serenity’s honor.
For the rest of the evening, Alexios stayed close to her side as they sat on the beach, eating grilled fish and toasted cheese and bread with olives. It was a simple meal, but full of the flavors of his homeland. These people didn’t have much, but when they all came together, their generosity resulted in a feast that was a bit overwhelming. The wine flowed freely, and soon there was music and dancing as the sun set. The fires used to cook the meals illuminated the festivities, but as time went on, the beach fell into darkness just beyond the fire’s glow.
“Serenity!”
Alexios looked down as Talia ran up to Serenity and grabbed her hands, urging her to dance. Serenity spun in circles with her before falling to her knees on the sand and pulling her into a hug. Alexios watched with a fierce longing in his heart. She would make such a good mother. But if he couldn’t figure out a way to set everything to rights, it wouldn’t be to his children.
Talia beamed up at her and grabbed at the gold key Serenity always wore on a chain around her neck. It flashed in the firelight as the little girl ran her fingers over the worn surface.
“It says no regrets,” Serenity told her. “It helps me remember to be brave and follow my heart.”
Alexios caught his breath. It so perfectly answered why she was such a vibrant, passionate woman.
When Talia ran off again to play with her friends, Alex could restrain himself no longer. He bent down and took Serenity’s hand, pulling her to her feet and leading her into the darkness away from the crowd. When his security officers followed, he waved them back. He had no intention of anyone witnessing what he intended to do next—including Ben. He knew their engagement was a sham, but he wasn’t interested in having that conversation yet.
“What are you doing, Alex?”
“Don’t you want to get away from all of that for a moment?”
“Not really. I was enjoying it.”
“Well, I wanted to talk to you, and now that you’re the angel of the island, that’s a bit hard to do.”
“Angel? Stop it.”
“I’m serious. You’ll be lucky if they don’t elevate you to sainthood for this.”
“It was just some dresses. I’m not putting food in their belly or knowledge in their minds like you do.”
“It’s the kindness that matters most. And besides, I would think you, of all people, would know the
effect a dress can have.”
He couldn’t see her smile with the moonlight only dimly illuminating her face, but he could hear it in her voice. “I suppose I do.”
“Yes,” he added, his voice dry. “Your dresses have power. With a dress, you singlehandedly persuaded Lydia to continue our engagement just when I’d convinced her to break it off.”
“Alex, what are you doing?”
“I would think that would be obvious, darling. I intend to take up your motto of no regrets.”
“You can’t. We can’t.”
“To be perfectly honest, I haven’t figured it out yet myself, but I am determined. There will be a way to balance marrying you with doing my duty, and I will find it. So, my lovely one, how will you design your own wedding dress? I’m giving you early warning that you’ll need one very soon.”
“But for my marriage to Ben, you mean.” Her voice was firm, determined, but quiet.
He grasped her arm and pulled her to a stop, moving around to face her. “No I don’t. Your engagement is a sham.”
“How do you know?”
He cupped his hands under her elbows and urged her closer. “You forget that I know precisely how you kiss someone when you want them—and that was not the way you kissed Ben the other day.”
And to prove it to her, and maybe to himself because it had been so long, he wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her sharply against him. It was too dark to see her features, but his lips knew the way to hers as surely as the waves know the way to shore.
With the surf softly hushed behind them and the beautiful, indelible night hiding them from the world, he kissed her almost ruthlessly until he felt her relax and respond. The moment she gasped and leaned closer, he slowed and softened the kiss, lingering over the physical communication of feelings that went to his core.
Her hands shifted up his arms, coming to rest around his neck as she threaded her fingers in his hair and put her bare feet on top of his. He loved the way it felt to be touching head to toe, feeling her eager quest to get closer, to have more as she rose up on tiptoe. He tightened one arm around her waist as he brought his right hand up and braced it behind her head as he deepened the kiss. Serenity met him kiss for kiss, even demanding more. She pulled back slightly, but only to catch her breath. He took the chance to sweep his mouth from her lips to the silken skin of her neck and tug gently on her earlobe. “Serenity, my love—”
“No, Alex,” she cried pulling back with a sound that was half-gasp, half-cry. “We can’t. As much as I want to…”
She ran from him then, and he let her go.
He knew it wasn’t the right time to move forward, he just hadn’t been able to resist. And he didn’t regret it.
Her emotions had been so palpable in that kiss that he knew she loved him too, and the knowledge of it was like a balm to the desperation of his soul. That would not be the last time he held her in his arms. And next time, she would be there to stay.
Chapter Fourteen
After the devastating, earth tilting kiss on the beach, Serenity had run away.
She hated that she always seemed to be running away. From Daniel. From Alex.
From herself.
When they’d first met, they’d been infatuated and falling in love. Their kisses had been passionate and seemingly full of promises. This kiss, however, had been a lightning storm that broke her open and exposed the truth she’d been trying to hide from herself since arriving in Cristonia. But seeing him here—his roots, his family, his flaws and struggles, and his willingness to sacrifice his happiness for his people had deepened and matured the first beginnings of love into the inescapable, forever kind.
Which meant she was sentenced to a future of heartbreak. No matter what Alex wanted—and she completely believed that he wanted to find a way for them to be together—she couldn’t be that person. She finally knew what Alex had always known. His country needed him. She knew he would spend his life improving the lives of his people and increasing his small nation’s security and prosperity.
Any attempt they made to be together would only erupt into scandal and potentially destabilize the balance of power. It certainly wouldn’t strengthen or help anything. And since coming to love Talia and all the other little girls who had responded to her with such warm curiosity and friendliness, she was determined to do no harm.
Which was why she was going back to New York. This morning. She already had her flight booked.
Jade helped her pack with a solemn expression. She and Ben had walked back to the palace with her last night, and though she hadn’t said a word to them about what had occurred, Jade seemed to understand anyway. Ben hadn’t questioned her decision this morning, just looked at her for a long moment, communicating his understanding.
“I think that’s all of your personal things,” Jade said, looking around the room.
“Thank you. I’m sorry to leave you with all of this, but you and Ben can easily wrap up here. I’ll take lead on the dress once you’re back in New York.”
“Yeah, don’t worry about that. But are you sure about going back? I’m so worried that Daniel will find you.”
Serenity paused as she zipped up her suitcase. Her heart rate sped up uncomfortably and a shot of fear lanced through her. “I’ll be very careful. I promise. I’m going to get a restraining order as soon as I set foot on US soil. That should be no problem after what he did to the studio. And then I’m going to check on how the team is doing putting everything to rights again. Besides, maybe Daniel is on his way here and going back is actually safer.”
Jade shook her head. “I hope so. Keep in touch. And don’t hesitate to call for help.”
She looked so worried that Serenity felt bad leaving. But she had to. “I won’t. Is my taxi here yet?”
She checked her phone. “Yes. Think you can get past the guards?”
Serenity pressed her lips together. “They’d better not try to stop me.”
“You’d better get on that plane fast before Alexios comes after you. Because you know he will.”
“Stall him if you can.”
“Me? Stall a freaking prince? Have you seen how big he is?”
“I said try. And I’ve seen how well you’ve managed these royals. You’re a pro, if you’d only believe it. Now, I need to get out of here.”
They hugged briefly and turned to the door, Jade following with suitcase. But when Serenity opened it, they found Queen Mona on the other side, her hand raised about to knock.
“Oh,” she said, stepping back in surprise. Then she smiled. “I was hoping to speak with you alone for a moment, Serenity.” She noticed the suitcase as she spoke. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Yes, back to New York.”
The queen’s lips pressed together, and she walked into the room with Serenity and Jade both scrambling to get out of her way. “Alexios told me a few days ago about the danger you’re in. I’m so sorry.”
Serenity was touched. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Queen Mona waved her thanks aside. “Yes, but I want you to know that you can stay as long as you like. I admit that I was worried before about you being here…well, it was so obvious that Alexios still has feelings for you. But with your fiancé here, well, I’m no longer worried about that. And I love what you are doing for the girls with your dresses. It’s such a lovely gesture and I am hearing so many good things from all quarters. Please stay. You can do a lot of good things here.”
She couldn’t keep lying to her any longer. “Your Majesty, Ben and I aren’t engaged. I made it up so that you would stop worrying about me and Alex. The truth is, I love your son very much, and that’s why I’m leaving. Please believe me that I wouldn’t have come and caused such a disruption if I hadn’t feared for my own life. But hopefully now, everything will get back to the way it was. I’m sorry.”
Even though it was probably breaking a hundred rules of protocol, Serenity left the queen standing there. She heard Jade murmuring polite
excuses before she followed.
Walking so fast that she was practically running, Serenity made it out into the courtyard. It was raining, so she kept running, hoping that anyone watching would think it was just to get under cover. Jade caught up to her when she paused for the guards to open the gate, and they hurried to the taxi that waited just down the street. None of the guards tried to stop her, but she wished she could have left without anyone knowing. Hopefully, they wouldn’t report anything.
While the taxi driver put Serenity’s suitcase in the back, Jade hugged her and said goodbye one more time.
She felt so empty as they pulled away. Even the fear of going back and possibly facing Daniel was nothing compared to the horror of leaving her whole heart behind here in Cristonia.
They had only gone a few miles when she got a phone call. Terrified that it would be Alex begging her to come back—and knowing she was weak enough to possibly do it—she hesitated. But then she couldn’t resist.
It wasn’t the prince, however.
“Hello, Serenity.” Daniel’s voice made her stomach knot.
“You never give up, do you?”
“How smart of you to figure that out. I’m here by the way—in Cristonia.”
She closed her eyes and tried to think. He probably didn’t know exactly where she was, and if she played this right, she could probably still make it to the airport and get safely away. “How did you get here? They’ve been watching the airport and the coasts.”
“Yes, but I have a friend with a big yacht. We just sailed over from France, and believe me, they have no problem letting a rich man’s boat come into dock.”
“I bet. What do you want?” she asked, thinking it would be smart to get as much information from him as she could.
“I want you, of course. Come meet me down at the harbor.”
She snorted a surprised, angry laugh. “Why would I be that stupid?”
“Because I have a friend of yours with me. A pretty little thing in a blue flowered dress.”
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