by Emma Lea
I looked to Benjamin, a cold dread filling me. “What does that mean?”
He looked at me with something like sympathy. “We can’t protect you anymore, Your Highness.”
“You’re kicking me out?”
“It’s the only way,” Von Bartham piped up from the laptop. Not helping, Von Bartham.
“Surely there is something—”
“I really like you, Jamie,” Benjamin said. “You have been an asset to our team, but we all knew that this day would come. You can’t serve as a guard when everyone now knows that you are the crown prince of Kalopsia and Merveille can no longer hide you. Like it or not, you need to face this, head on.”
Two emotions warred within me. Excitement that I would finally be able to stand and hold my head high and let the world know who I really was, and fear. Absolute fear that as soon as I stuck my head out of my hiding place it was going to get shot off. I wanted to be the man who saved his country from the evil overlords, but I also wanted to live to see my next birthday and I wanted…Meredith. I wanted Meredith. I wanted her beside me. I wanted her fighting alongside me. There was no way that was ever going to happen now. I would be lucky if she even ever spoke to me again.
Chapter 15
Meredith
I had barely gotten in the tub before there was a persistent knocking on the bathroom door. I wanted to ignore it but with everything that had happened today I knew I couldn’t.
Huh. I just discovered one of the perks of being a countess. I could tell everybody to just leave me the heck alone and not bother me.
But I wasn’t a countess yet.
“What is it?” I called as the knocking started up again.
“A security meeting has been called,” Collette called through the door. “Andrea and I are here to dress you.”
“They want me to dress as Alyssa?” I asked, puzzled.
“Ah…no. We just—”
“Then I can dress myself,” I said, standing up and letting the water sluice off me. It was a shame too, because I was enjoying my bath. The water was that perfect temperature of hot enough to give that satisfying burn without being so hot that it scalded.
I dried off and stepped out of the ensuite and into the bedroom. Collette and Andrea were waiting for me.
“I told you I could dress myself,” I said.
They looked at each other before Collette spoke up.
“Lady Bingham told us—”
I sighed. I should have known my mother would be trying to control me from afar. I would even wager to guess that these two reported back to her on everything I did. My mother should have had a career in espionage. She could have ruled the world.
“Fine,” I said, exasperated.
I really didn’t have it in me to argue with them. I also didn’t want to get them in trouble. My mother wouldn’t accept any excuse for her orders not being carried out. It was just easier for all concerned if I just gritted my teeth and put up with their ministrations. One thing was for certain though, I would be hiring new maids once I left the guard and took up my title. The last thing I wanted was for my household staff to be loyal to my mother and not me.
Instead of my regular plain black pants and black shirt, Andrea and Collette dressed me in a pair of skinny jeans and a silky green top. It was not what I was expecting at all. I thought that if they were working for my mother then they would be putting me in demure floral dresses and twisting my hair up into complicated chignons. The wedge sandals and chunky jewellery were a surprise and not very practical, but I liked them. They left my hair down and only applied the barest hint of makeup. Maybe I would keep them after all…if they could promise to be loyal to me and not my mother.
I walked out into the suite, but it was empty. Cody and Jamie must have already left for the meeting. I nodded to the guard that was posted outside the door of the suite and then headed back down to where Benjamin had set up his headquarters. I knocked once and the door opened. Cody, Daniel, Scott, Aiden and Carlos were all inside and turned to look at me when I walked in. I couldn’t see Jamie, but I could hear raised voices coming from the other room.
“That is unacceptable!”
That was Jamie’s voice. I could hear a lower murmur which sounded like Benjamin but I couldn’t make out the words. And then there was a female voice who I could only assume was Danika. I clenched my jaw. Where had she been when all this went down? We had definitely been compromised and the only one who had the intel to pull it off was one of us. I trusted the other guys with my life, but not her. She had the opportunity to be the mole, my only question was why? And what was she doing here? Why hadn’t they arrested her?
The door to the other room flew open and Jamie stood there looking like he was ready to commit murder. His eyes tracked around the room until they landed on me and some of the tension eased out of his body. I wanted to go to him. I wanted to slide my arms around him and hold him until the rigidity that had him so wound up was gone. I wanted to comfort him. I wanted to make sure he was okay. He still had a small bandage covering the cut above his eye, and I wanted to know that he didn’t have any other injuries.
We stared at each other across the room and I could almost feel the way his breathing slowed. The slightly crazy air about him eased the longer we looked at one another and if I couldn’t go to him and hold him, I could at least know that just my presence was enough to calm him. I tipped the corner of my lips up in a small, encouraging smile and he seemed to relax further.
There was movement behind him and I saw her. Danika. I felt my face change. The soft, relieved expression on my face hardened as I made eye contact with the woman I didn’t trust and who I thought was completely responsibly for the events of that afternoon. I made a move to stand. I wanted to confront her. I wanted an explanation for what had happened and what part she played in it. I had no doubt she was involved somehow and I needed everybody to know that they couldn’t trust her. But before I could make a move, Benjamin came through the door.
“Take a seat,” he said.
I thought Jamie would come and sit beside me, instead he stayed next to Benjamin. Danika would have too if Benjamin hadn’t given her a look. She took a seat, but Jamie remained standing beside Benjamin and my stomach clenched. I didn’t like this. I didn’t like this at all.
“We have some information about this afternoon’s…attack,” Benjamin said. “The target was not the prince.” Benjamin and Jamie shared a look before Benjamin turned back to the assembled group. “Not Prince Will at any rate.”
“I don’t understand,” I said, looking between Jamie and Benjamin. “They were after a prince, but not Will? Then who were they after?”
Jamie and Benjamin shared another look and Jamie sighed.
“Me,” he said. “They were after me.”
Cody scoffed. “What would they want with you?”
“There is a small island nation off the coast of Greece called Kalopsia,” Benjamin said. “Ten years ago there was an uprising and the young prince was smuggled out of the country in order to protect him.”
“And the attackers thought you were this prince?” Daniel asked, his eyes on Jamie.
Jamie gave a short, sharp nod. “Prince Christophe James Alesandro Kostopolous.”
My stomach turned over as I heard Jamie say the name. The name I knew. The name that was now also mine. His eyes didn’t leave mine as he spoke, but it didn’t help me comprehend them. Jamie had told me I was a princess who was rescuing the prince. He was the prince. I had married a prince. My mind was about to shut down and I had the sudden and intense need to run from the room or go up and punch him or something. I needed to move. I stood and Jamie made a move to come to me, but I quelled him with a look.
“I don’t understand,” Cody said, stopping me from leaving. “Why would they think you were this prince?”
“Because I am,” Jamie said without taking his eyes off me. “I am the exiled prince. I was brought into Merveille for protection and hidden from the
world.”
No. No, no, no, no. This couldn’t be happening. I remember the first time Jamie came to my house when I was younger. I remember the shy boy with the haunted eyes.
“My mother and sisters were killed. I watched them being murdered and could do nothing to help them. My father was falsely accused and then tried in a corrupt court before being imprisoned. A priest helped me escape.”
“Father Felipe,” I said softly and Jamie nodded. His eyes still hadn’t left mine as he told his story.
“He brought me to Merveille and Lord Bingham and King Edward agreed to hide me.”
“Alyssa knows,” I said. “Freddie knows. My father knows.”
Jamie nodded.
“All this time?” He nodded again and I looked to Benjamin. “And you knew too. You knew and didn’t tell us.”
Benjamin nodded. “It was safer that way. We had to protect the prince from exposure. Nobody would think to look at one of the royal guard and think him an exiled prince. When we formed the team to accompany Alyssa to the States for school, it was the perfect way to keep him hidden.”
“But you didn’t tell us,” I said, my voice rising. I may have screeched but I would deny it if anyone accused me of it. “All this time we had no idea? Don’t you think that was something that we, as a team, should have been aware of?”
“We felt it more prudent to keep the knowledge contained,” Benjamin said.
“More prudent?” I said and shook my head. “You didn’t think that having him among us would endanger the queen?”
“That was the reason we felt it better not to tell the team. If they knew Jamie’s real identity then their loyalties would be divided. By keeping his identity a secret, everyone was able to focus solely on Alyssa, as it should be.”
“And you,” I said, turning back to Jamie, “you didn’t think it was something to share with your wi…team mates?”
“I was under orders.”
“But you are a freaking prince! I don’t think Benjamin has any authority over you.”
“Meredith, please,” he said, taking another step toward me. I backed away, holding my hands up in defence. He stopped and his face fell. “I am a prince in exile. I have no authority. Merveille took me in and hid me when I had no one and nowhere to go. Of course I was willing to submit to the authority of Benjamin and Von Bartham and the queen. I owe them my life.”
“And what about me?” I asked softly. “Don’t you think you owe me?”
“If we could get back to the issue at hand,” Benjamin said.
I turned away from Jamie and squeezed my eyes shut. I would not cry in front of everyone. They were tears of anger and frustration but there was no way I was going to appear weak in front of my team.
“The attack this afternoon was an attempted kidnapping by a resistance group who are determined to restore the royal family of Kalopsia.”
“Do we know who they are?” Carlos asked.
I turned around and caught the look Benjamin gave Danika.
“We do,” Benjamin said.
Danika stood. “I am part of the resistance. It was my job to get intel to the team so they could execute their mission. We never had any intention of harming the prince. We just want to see him on the throne and the usurper General Anastas imprisoned for his crimes. Our country is straining under the weight of a despot and we are desperate. The people want their prince back and now is the time to strike when the general has lost the support of his financiers and the people. I won’t apologise for my actions. I believe in my cause.”
“The problem now, however,” Benjamin said through a hard jaw, “is that Jamie’s identity has been leaked to the press. We can’t contain this. Jamie has been outed and Merveille needs to distance herself from the fallout.”
I didn’t think my stomach could drop any further than what it had. Merveille was distancing herself from the troubles in Kalopsia and that meant we were distancing ourselves from Jamie.
“We will be returning to Merveille first thing in the morning. The queen thought it best to end the tour now and to make a statement once we reach sovereign soil.”
“And Jamie?” Cody asked.
Benjamin looked at Jamie, whose eyes were still on me.
“The prince is going home.”
I fled the room. I couldn’t take anymore.
Jamie
I watched Meredith leave, helpless to stop her. I had tried to get to her before the meeting. I wanted to explain it all to her, to tell her in private and tell her that it changed nothing between us. I wanted her to know that I wanted her as my princess. I wanted her beside me while I navigated the mine field that I was walking into. The last thing I wanted was to blindside her like this. But I couldn’t get away. There had been so much to discuss and plans that had to be made. I was no longer a royal guard, I was a prince with all the responsibilities that went along with that title.
After the meeting with Benjamin, we had met with Alyssa and Will to discuss what the next steps were. In her official capacity, Alyssa assured me that Merveille would support my bid for the throne but they would need to distance themselves from us until we had attempted to diplomatically resolve the conflict. As a friend she had offered to help me in any way she could behind the scenes. I appreciated her offers and knew that I would make use of whatever she had to give me.
From that meeting we went into another one to address the small detail of me needing my own royal guard. Danika had presented a strong case for using herself and her team. I had been against it. The woman might be loyal to me but she had caused me no end of problems - and not only by outing me to the world. She had come between Meredith and me time and again and the last thing I wanted was to drive another wedge between my wife and me. But I had been overruled. Was that even a thing now? I had given in to the superior knowledge of Benjamin and Von Bartham and Danika was now my head of security. She would assemble her team and we would be leaving for parts unknown before the day was done.
But none of that helped me get to Meredith and now she was walking away and I didn’t know if I would even get to see her before I left.
I should come clean. I should tell Benjamin and Von Bartham that Meredith and I were married. I should insist that my wife go with me to wherever Danika was whisking me off to. But I didn’t. Despite my desire to have her close to me and for her to never leave my side ever again, there was a part of me that needed her to be safe. As long as our marriage was secret, then she would be safe. The moment our relationship became public was the moment I painted a proverbial target on her back and I couldn’t do that to her. I couldn’t put her in danger even when it was killing me to let her walk away. Somehow I knew we would be together in the future. I had to believe that. It was the only thing that was stopping me from running after her and begging for her forgiveness. A little pain now would pay off in the future when I could offer her a life away from the demands of her mother. A life where she could be a warrior queen. I knew that things in Kalopsia would take a long time to settle and I would need someone by my side who was fierce. Meredith was that person. I just had to bide my time. It was the only thing that kept me rooted to the spot.
The door slammed and I took a breath before turning back to the rest of the team still assembled.
“I know I owe you an apology,” I said.
Cody shrugged. “You really don’t,” he said. He looked at the other guys and they all nodded in agreement. “We get it. We get the need for secrecy and we understand that it was never personal. This job is not easy and if we had known who you really were it would have made our job harder.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Really, thank you. For the most part even I forgot who I was. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up and I couldn’t have asked for a better teacher and mentor than Benjamin. Being a part of this team has meant the world to me. You all gave me a place to belong when I had nothing and could rely on no one. You will never know just how much that has meant to me.”
&nbs
p; “If there are no other questions?” Benjamin said. When everyone shook their heads, he dismissed them. “Wheels up in twelve hours. Check your tablets for updates to the itinerary.”
Each man stood in turn and shook my hand. I was humbled by their support. These men had become friends and I would miss them. I was about to go into a hostile situation and none of the people I trusted would be there to back me up. I would be in the hands of a brand new team who I knew nothing about. What I wouldn’t give to have these guys in their stead.
When the room was empty, Benjamin turned to me and stuck out his hand.
“It has been an honour,” he said as he shook my hand.
“The honour has been mine,” I replied.
“You have my number,” he said. “If you ever need something, anything, don’t hesitate to call.”
I nodded once, my throat thick.
“We need to go,” Danika said.
“I need to speak to Meredith,” I said, turning to her.
“We don’t have time,” she replied. “The transport is waiting.”
“Go,” Benjamin said. “I will talk to Meredith.”
They didn’t understand and I couldn’t make them without outing us. And I couldn’t do that without talking to Meredith first.
I let Danika lead me from the room. I would find a way to talk to Meredith and explain. When all this settled down, I would make a way for us to be together. If she would still have me.
Chapter 16
Jamie
I was on a boat. In the Mediterranean. The sky was blue and there was just a hint of a breeze. The water lapped gently against the hull as we sat at anchor. It should be the perfect scene for a romantic rendezvous. It wasn’t. I was surrounded by people I didn’t know, people who looked at me curiously. I felt like an exhibit in a museum. To them I was a unicorn, an enigma, something they never expected to see in their life time.