"I do not," Elizabeth argued.
"Um, yes, you do. You make a face every time you talk about marriage. I, on the other hand, would not wait one more minute for that man to put a ring on my finger." Maya wiggled her ringless left hand.
Elizabeth looked at Maya and rolled her eyes. A very unprincess-like gesture. "I don't think it is good for either Watson or I to feel like we are being pressured into marriage. Even if it is something that will likely happen. Eventually. Soon."
"Wow. Your enthusiasm is overwhelming," Maya said sarcastically, but then continued with a more serious tone, "You know, Elizabeth, at some point you are going to have to stop feeling guilty about winning the genetic lottery. You did not cause the tragedy and you don't owe anyone anything. You are a princess no matter what you decide to do about Watson's proposal. No one expects you to marry Watson like some weird penance to prove to everyone that you care about this country. You've given up enough. Your family has Watson as an ally, but they don't need him as a son-in-law if that is not what you want."
"I know. It's just that…" Elizabeth let her voice trail off. She did not feel like finding the words to explain her thoughts about Watson and marriage. It was hard to explain how heavy the burden of her crown felt most days.
"Just what?" Maya asked. Elizabeth heard the concern in her friend's voice.
This was not the first time they had had this conversation. Maya had been with her since the beginning of the Astorias assent to royal life. When Elizabeth stepped off the plane from Honduras, Maya was there. She helped Elizabeth through all of the bumps and bruises of her first year as princess. It did not take long for them to form a friendship, but even as close as they became, Elizabeth had never confided in her friend about Callum.
Maya played a critical role in helping Elizabeth refocus from the dual disasters of the bombing and Honduras. Eventually, with Maya's help, Elizabeth threw herself into her work as a member of the royal family focusing on the good that she could do for others. Maya had even made the suggestion for Elizabeth to plan the new hospital wing, a project that has become an obsession for Elizabeth. The project was the best way for her to still be a part of the medical world even though she abandoned her dream of being a doctor. Elizabeth knew she was blessed with so much, and she desperately wanted to show the country that she was worthy of the love and trust they gave to her. She knew in her head that marrying Watson was the next logical step in her life. Now, all Elizabeth needed was her heart to catch up.
"I have to marry someday, and I doubt there is anyone better suited for me or the kingdom. And, I like him." Maya made a face.
Elizabeth spoke with more conviction, "I do like him. I love him."
"Who are you trying to convince? You or me?"
Maya smiled then let the subject rest as she bent down and pulled papers from the briefcase on the floor by her legs.
As Elizabeth's dark blue stretch Mercedes adorned with official flags, guaranteeing them the right-of-way at intersections, turned onto the high street road that would take them from the west to the east side of the city, Elizabeth leaned her head against the cool windowpane losing herself in the panorama of her beautiful country. Something that never failed to soothe her nerves.
The car passed one of her favorite vistas. The afternoon light painted St. Mark's, a gothic stone cathedral that dominated the skyline, in a swathe of russet and gold. The Black Sea, which bordered a third of the city, played hide and seek as her car passed by office buildings. Its dark blue ripples of water tossed the light back and forth in a hypnotic rhythm. A few blocks later they passed a series of small eighteenth century row houses painted in vibrant colors with each window decorated with late spring blooms.
The scene framed in her car's rear window could be found on the cover of most picture books or tourist brochures about her country. But nothing was quite like seeing it in person. Elizabeth could not help but find peace in the scenery. It was a beautiful country and one that she was proud to serve. This country deserved her undying devotion. And, if handsome prince charming Watson was part of that package, who was Elizabeth to argue. She sighed and accepted the fact that she would not come to any conclusions about her future in the car, and took the leather portfolio embossed with her family's royal crest Maya handed her. They went over the daily correspondence that begged for her attention and the agenda for the meeting with the American delegation which started in half an hour.
Callum knew the minute Elizabeth was close. Elizabeth and her brother had arrived for the luncheon they were hosting for the delegation and the room buzzed in anticipation of meeting members of the royal family. The massive door that dwarfed all who walked through it opened and Callum could see a group of people standing just outside of it.
Although his view of Elizabeth was blocked by the prince and Philip Matthews, the head of the American delegation and a pompous bureaucrat, Callum could see her slim ankles and high-heels. He felt adrenaline pump through him. This was it. He refused to lean back in his chair to get a better view. She would walk in his line of sight soon enough.
Callum looked around the room and counted six tables of eight scattered in a zig-zag pattern around the blue and white room in a formal yet intimate setting. He had been seated with seven junior aids from the American and Conwyn delegations at a table furthest away from where the prince and princess would sit. It was the diplomatic equivalent of the kids' table, but Callum did not mind. It gave him a good vantage point to observe the rest of the room.
Callum arrived in Windsor after midnight. His team had set up in a small farmhouse Edward had procured, while Callum checked into the five-star hotel where the American delegation was staying. After studying the briefs and intelligence reports through the night, Callum had to admit that the links between Altyn Poltinnik and Elizabeth were questionable. Whoever made contact with AP had to be someone in Elizabeth's close circle of friends and personal staff. Someone who could access her cell phone without anyone noticing.
Considering who she was, he figured there were at least a dozen people who would have unfettered access to the princess and her things. He needed to identify who they were and which one of them had connections to AP. But to do that, he had to get close to Elizabeth and figure it out for himself.
If he asked too many questions, he was afraid he might spook the AP link. Callum needed that link alive and talking so he and his team could figure out where the vials of Argent were hidden and get them off the street before some nut job decided to use them against innocent men and women.
While sitting through mind-numbing morning meetings about the base opening, Callum tried to think of an alternative plan, one where he and Elizabeth could stay on opposite sides of the palace, but Edward was right. Callum was the only one that had a chance of getting close enough to Elizabeth in time to stop the sale of the bioweapon. Once it was sold, they had little to no chance of finding it again before someone used it or threatened to use it. Either situation would be devastating.
The only way he could begin to understand who or what he was up against would be to push past the defenses she would put up the moment she saw him again. He hoped there was enough goodwill left between them for Elizabeth to let him back into her life. At least for a few days. All he needed was enough time to stop the sale and then he would be gone again. He could handle it. So could she. Four years was a long time. Long enough to move on. Honduras was just a blip on the radar. That was all. He had almost convinced himself that this would be a mission just like any other then she came into his view and all the lies he had just told himself crumbled like dried leaves in November.
A slim man dressed in old-fashioned livery walked through the doors and belted to the room, "Their Royal Highnesses, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Stefan, and Assistant to the Deputy Under Secretary for European Affairs, Philip Matthews."
Callum took a deep breath and stood with the rest of the men and women in the room. For Callum, the moment she walked in to the room, everyone else dis
appeared. There was only Elizabeth. She wore her light brown hair in a tight twist that sat at the nape of her neck. He wondered if she had kept it long or if she had it done in a more mature style. Callum hoped she kept it long. He remembered how it hung past her shoulders and he would mindlessly play with it as they sat on their couch and read.
Callum appreciated the way her grey suit flattered her perfect figure. Her jewelry was simple and understated, but Callum had no doubt that just one of the pieces she wore was worth more than he made in a year. In general, she wore her new role well, he thought. Almost too well.
Callum watched as she was introduced to the delegates at the head table. Her movements were graceful. Her smile perfectly timed. She leaned in and shared brief words with everyone she met. The men and woman gushed and grinned, but Elizabeth maintained her quiet pose.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?"
Callum forgot that someone was standing next to him. He must have looked confused, because the young woman repeated herself.
"The princess. You're staring at her. It's okay, everyone is. She's beautiful. And nice, too. Or so I hear," the woman babbled.
It took a second for Callum to switch focus from the shock of seeing Elizabeth to the chatty young woman next to him. He had met Natasha Midfield, a young Foreign Service officer on her first assignment, at the beginning of the morning meetings. She was young, blonde, eager, and willing to please. Usually Callum's type, but not today.
"Yes, very beautiful," Callum admitted hoping the conversation would end there.
Natasha shrugged a shoulder and gave him a flirty smile. "Rumor is she is about to announce her engagement, so I would not get any ideas, Major Evans. I, on the other hand, have no plans if you want to go exploring after the ballet tonight."
Callum raised an eyebrow.
"Exploring around the city I mean." Natasha giggled.
Oh, Callum understood exactly what she meant. "Thanks, but I have other plans. Maybe next time."
Natasha looked disappointed, but quickly turned her attention to the man sitting on the other side of her. Callum turned his attention back to Elizabeth and waited for the moment when she saw him. He ran multiple scenarios in his head. Would she scream and throw things? Looking at her walk around the tables with a natural grace as she greeted everyone at the luncheon, he bet she would hold in every emotion she felt. She appeared completely in control of every gesture and every smile she made. Would she jump in his arms and hug him? His favorite of the options, but the least possible in his estimation. What if she did not recognize him? Ice-cold fear sliced through Callum at the thought.
He remembered when she wore every emotion she felt on her face. Embracing life as if there was no promise for the next day. He searched the Princess for any sign of the young woman he had once known. The face and body were the same, but the easy smile that lit her from the inside, the wild gestures she would use as she spoke, the fire and passion that boiled right beneath the surface were gone, doused with elegance and poise.
Guilt stabbed at his heart. Had he done that to her? Callum reminded himself that this was just a mission. He was not here to reignite any fire or make her eyes sparkle with happiness again. That was some other man's job now. He needed to identify AP's source in the palace, find the vials, and leave. That's all.
As the prince and princess moved toward his table, Callum could hear the introductions Philip made for each of the American delegates. He swallowed hard and locked his emotions down. He knew he would see her today. He prepared for it. Visualized it as he had been trained to do. Then why the hell were his palms sweating like some kid saddling up for his first rodeo?
The afternoon light that streamed in from the large windows at one end of the room highlighted her brown hair making some strains looked like spun gold and others looked like they were kissed with fire. Women around the world paid big bucks to try to get that hair color, but for Elizabeth it was all-natural.
A piece of golden brown hair fell out of her tight hairstyle as Elizabeth leaned over to shake hands with a young man in a wheelchair that sat at a table diagonal from Callum. His hands ached to put it back into place. She gave the man one last smile then turned her attention to the table where Callum sat.
She took two steps forward, her head tilted up, and their eyes met. Callum stood still as if any movement might scare her away. In a split second, the smile that she offered so naturally to everyone else froze on her face as if someone at stopped time. Callum lost himself in her golden eyes and knew the moment that it fully registered in her mind that he was standing in front of her. Her eyes widened with shock as a soft gasp escaped her lips. Callum was close enough that he felt a whisper of her breath against his face. His stomach tightened as if someone grabbed it in his fist and squeezed. She blinked rapidly and looked around the room as if she was suddenly disoriented.
"Elizabeth, are you okay?" her brother asked as he reached out and held her elbow in his hand.
She gave a little shake of her head. "I'm fine."
Callum knew she lied. Neither of them was fine. They would never be fine. But that did not stop either of them from pretending like they were. Her chest rose as she took a deep breath and pulled her shoulders back so she stood ramrod straight in front of him. Her eyes turned cold and she gave him a tight lipped smile as Philip introduced him.
"Princess Elizabeth, Prince Stefan, may I present to you Major Callum Evans. He is a last minute addition to our little party."
Stefan leaned forward and gave Callum a firm handshake. "A pleasure to meet you. What service are you in?"
"The Army." Callum returned the handshake and made eye contact with the prince, but as soon as was polite he looked back at Elizabeth. The fact that he was in the Army would be new information for her and he had no idea how she would react.
He heard her sharp intake of breath. Stefan gave her sister a look. It must have been enough to jolt her back into action, because she finally offered her hand to Callum.
"It is nice to meet you, Major Evans." Callum did not miss the cold tone in her voice or the added emphasis she gave to his rank.
He reached out his hand to meet hers. As soon as their fingers met what felt like electricity shot thought his body. Elizabeth removed her hand from his the moment they touched, as if she felt the shock as well. Their minds might have moved on, but their bodies certainly remembered each other.
Philip and Stefan moved to greet Natasha and the others at the kiddy table. It only took a second more before Elizabeth pasted a smile on her face and greeted the rest of the table as well. Callum assessed the crowd and it seemed as if no one noticed anything out of the ordinary. If they had, Callum hoped they would assume that the Princess was a little fatigued from the introductions, but nothing close to what actually transpired.
Elizabeth, Stefan, and Philip took their assigned seats and the wait staff began serving the food in a choreographed dance. As everyone began to eat and talk amongst themselves, Callum kept his focus on Elizabeth. Although she only played with her food, she was polite and never neglected any of her tablemates. Callum could tell she was trying her best to ignore him, but she was failing miserably. Each time she looked in his direction, her eyes asked the same question. "Why the hell are you here?" He hoped she would give him a chance to answer soon.
The lunch lasted for about an hour then Stefan and Elizabeth stood up to leave. The rest of the room stood up as well, and those next to the prince and princess offered their farewells and promises of seeing each other at the ballet that evening. Elizabeth smiled as she followed her brother out of the room, but before she passed through the huge doors that led out to the hallway, she turned her head and gave him one last icy glare before she disappeared.
Callum felt Natasha lean over to him. "I don't think she likes you very much."
So much for no one noticing.
Callum nodded his head in agreement. "Nope, I don't think she does."
Chapter 3
"What the hel
l is Callum Evans doing here?"
Elizabeth tried to keep her body relaxed even as anger bubbled up inside of her hindering her ability to breathe. She pressed her hands against the railing of the balcony hoping the coolness of the stone would offer her some relief. Stefan and Elizabeth had excused themselves from the small crowd that followed them out of the luncheon, and headed toward the family's private wing. Elizabeth walked through the main sitting room and onto the large balcony that overlooked the manicured gardens below.
"Who? That Army major we met at the luncheon?" Stefan asked as he followed her outside.
Elizabeth paced back and forth in front of her brother. "Oh, I didn't just meet him. I know him. At least I use to know him. But, now, I don't want to know him. I don't want to ever see him again."
Stefan walked over to her and stopped her from pacing by placing his hands on her shoulders. "You sound like a crazy woman, Elizabeth. Breathe. Now, who is he?"
Elizabeth knew she was panicking and appreciated the concern in her brother's voice, but she had every right to. She was not prepared to see Callum Evans today. Or ever.
"He's the bodyguard," she said.
Stefan looked at her as if he did not understand.
"From Honduras," she added.
It took another moment for Stefan to make the connection. "Oh. Ohhhh. Wow. Is this the first time you have seen him since then?" Stefan dropped his hands from her shoulders. She knew he fully understood the situation now. He had seen the wreck Elizabeth was when she arrived in Corrania after the bombing. Stefan unbuttoned his suit jacket and rested his hip on the railing.
"So why is he here?" Stefan asked.
Elizabeth came and rested her backside against the railing and crossed her arms. "I wish I knew. All I know is I don't want him here. I don't want to see him. I don't want to talk to him."
"That's mature." He gave her a warm smile to show he was joking before his tone turned more serious. "Aren't you a little curious? You could finally know the whole story. Have some closure." Stefan offered.
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