“No, thank God. I’d been taking pictures with it at the old clock and had slipped it into my pocket.”
“Well, that’s one piece of good news,” Nikolai said.
With Becca’s wallet stolen and his dwindling cash supply, they’d have to be careful spending money. Thankfully, they’d both already paid for their lodging.
“So where are you guys from?” Claire asked, staring at Nikolai.
“We’re from Chicago. How about you?” Becca asked, trying to pull Claire’s attention away from Nikolai.
“We’re from Mankato. It’s in Minnesota,” said Brian, a tall guy with dark hair who looked too young to be traveling alone.
“But I’ve been an exchange student in Germany for the past year,” Claire added, looking at Nikolai again. “Which is why these guys came over. You look really familiar to me.” She aimed her comment at Nikolai.
“Yeah, I get that a lot,” he said, covering his face again with the ice bag.
“He does have that common kind of face, doesn’t he?” Becca said.
“No, I’ve seen you somewhere. I’m sure of it,” Claire added.
“Do you guys want to join us tonight? We’re going to a pub near the river,” Brian said.
“Thanks, but I think we better stay here and regroup,” Nikolai said, looking at Becca with meaning.
“Yeah, thanks for the offer. Have a good time,” Becca said.
“If you’re sure, I guess we’ll catch you later,” Claire said, as their group moved toward the door.
“Do you think she recognizes you?” Becca slid closer to him on the couch.
“I don’t know. She sure was trying to place me. I hope you don’t mind that I told them no for dinner.”
“No, of course not.”
“I’m not sure how to say this, but I’m pretty low on cash, and with you losing your wallet, I think we need to be really careful.” He hated that he couldn’t take care of her. She must think him a poor excuse for a prince.
“Are you kidding? Don’t worry about it at all. I’m good with ramen noodles.”
“With what?”
“For someone so worldly and smart, you can be pretty dumb,” she teased. “You know, if I had to, I could call my dad, or Vicky, to send money, but I’d like to avoid that at all costs. I really don’t want them to know I lied. Maybe we could panhandle or become street performers to earn money.”
“That would be bad. I am certainly not a performer, and I can’t even imagine my parents’ reaction to that!”
“I think it might be good to shake up the palace once in a while.”
“Easy for you to say,” he said, his heart heavy.
Later, they called the after-hours emergency number for the U.S. Embassy and made an appointment to get Becca’s passport replaced. The embassy person insisted she file a police report so they could make the robbery official. Nikolai thought Becca should call her father or at least Dylan, but she refused. She didn’t plan to call them unless she absolutely had to.
After Nikolai cleaned up and changed shirts, they walked to the closest police station. Two officers walked past them and entered the building.
Nikolai touched Becca’s arm. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll wait out here. Including me in the mix might raise questions we don’t want to answer.”
“Good idea. Hopefully this won’t take too much time.” Becca entered the police station feeling like she could be arrested at any moment for aiding and abetting the escaped Prince of Mondovia.
She explained to an officer that she needed to report a theft. He directed her down a corridor to another room. She couldn’t believe she’d been mugged in a foreign country she wasn’t even supposed to be in. She could already picture her dad’s scowl of disappointment if he found out. She’d seen it directed at Dylan many times.
After filling out confusing paperwork that asked where she was staying and where she was robbed, she left the police station.
Outside, she found Nikolai on a nearby bench waiting patiently. He stood and smiled at her. She’d never grow tired of looking at him.
“Sorry it took so long. They wanted to know practically everything about me down to my last tetanus shot.”
He looked at her, confused. “You’re kidding, right?”
“Yes.” She leaned up and kissed him. “After all that questioning, the officer said my passport and wallet are long gone and not to expect them to turn up. What a waste of time.”
“I’m sorry. I should have stopped the mugger.”
“Stop blaming yourself. It’s not your fault.”
“Let’s get out of here. There’s been an officer near the building who passed by me, entered, and then came back out.”
Becca spotted the man. “You mean the one on the phone?”
“That’s the one. It feels like he’s been watching me. I’m probably paranoid.”
“Let’s not take any chances.” She slid her hand into his, and they headed back to the hostel. On the way, they bought cheap takeout for dinner from a small restaurant and climbed to the hostel’s rooftop patio to dine alfresco.
The neglected patio featured a couple of clusters of outdoor furniture edged with rust and an occasional potted plant, struggling to survive. Still, it was a beautiful night and they enjoyed the privacy. Somewhere not far away, they heard the strains of live music as it drifted up from the street.
Becca retrieved the burgers and fries and set them on the paper takeout bag. “This smells so good and reminds me of home. I have to admit, I miss eating American food.”
“I won’t argue. You Americans have some good food.” Nikolai popped a fry into his mouth. “I know you were traveling with your dad and stepmom, but you never told me about your mom. Is she remarried, too?”
Becca paused. “No. She died.”
Nikolai looked stricken. “Oh God, I’m so sorry, Becca. I didn’t know.”
“It’s fine. There’s no way you could have known.”
“What happened? If you don’t mind talking about it.”
People rarely asked about her mom, and her dad never talked about her anymore, as if everything about her mom had just disappeared.
Becca kept her memories of her mom locked safely away in her heart. She sipped her soda. “She had breast cancer. They didn’t find it until it was really bad. She fought it as hard as she could, but she never really had a chance. She died four years ago.”
Her throat tightened as she remembered her mom, and her laugh, and how she always kept her dad from getting too serious.
Nikolai moved next to her and pulled her into his arms. “That’s so horrible.” He caressed her hair.
“Thanks.” Becca cleared her throat and fought the tears that threatened. “It’s been a long time. I try not to think about it too much. It makes me miss her even more.”
“I feel like such an ass. Here I’ve been complaining about my parents, and you’ve been growing up without your mom. I knew you didn’t like your stepmom, but I never imagined your mom died.”
“You don’t need to feel bad. Everyone’s got their own stuff to deal with. Mine is having a dad who pretty much checked out of my life when Mom died. I swear sometimes that he married Vicky just so he wouldn’t have to deal with Dylan and me.”
“I’m sure he cares about you very much.”
“I guess, but he doesn’t know how to show it. This trip was the biggest joke. It was all Vicky’s idea to turn us into one big, happy family. I’d like to be really mad at her about dragging me here, except that if I hadn’t come, I never would have met you.”
“And that would have been tragic.” He held out a fry. She took a bite.
“I can’t imagine not knowing you.” She noticed the growing bruise under his eye. “I’m sorry you got hit today. You’re probably going to end up with a black eye.” She hated the idea of her perfect prince sporting a nasty bruise.
“If I’d have stopped the thief, then I could wear it as a badge of honor, but no, I let th
e guy escape. It’s more of an embarrassment at my ineptitude.”
“Stop it! I thought you were very brave.” She leaned forward and kissed his bruise and then his mouth.
“That definitely makes me feel better.”
They finished their dinner, and later that night, they lay across from each other in their separate bunks. Becca tucked her hand under her cheek and smiled at Nikolai. Other people slept, so she didn’t dare talk. He lifted his covers in invitation.
Are you sure? she mouthed.
Nikolai smiled and waved her over. She crawled into the narrow bunk and rolled over so they lay spooned together, his arm around her waist and her arms curled around his. They lay quietly as he caressed her arm. After a few minutes, their breathing matched and they drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Becca enjoyed her new favorite breakfast meal, pancakes spread with Nutella. She and Nikolai sat in the far corner of the dining room, where he kept his back to the rest of the diners.
Claire, the nosy girl they met yesterday, stopped by their table anyway.
“Hi, guys, where are you off to today?” she asked, trying to get a good look at Nikolai.
Nikolai rolled his eyes at Claire’s intrusion, then focused on his cereal.
Becca answered. “The U.S. Embassy to try to get a new passport.”
“Oh, right. Well, afterward, if you want to join us, we’re going to the Prague Castle today.”
From the way Claire stared at him, Becca was pretty sure that the invite was meant for Nikolai. Becca suspected she had guessed his true identity.
“Thanks, but we’ve got other plans,” Nikolai said dismissively, wiping his mouth and slipping on his hat.
“Okay. Well, have a good day then.” Claire wandered off, clearly disappointed.
“Could she be more subtle? Jeez.” Becca collected her breakfast dishes.
“I’m pretty sure the cat’s out of the bag with her. Let’s clear out before she comes back.” He put his dishes in the bin. “Before we go, I want to check on my bike and make sure it hasn’t been hauled away like in Melk.”
Out on the street, they rounded the corner and Nikolai stopped abruptly. Becca ran into him.
“What?”
Nikolai stared at a man across the street and slowly stepped back. “Let’s not worry about the cycle right now.”
Becca followed. “What’s going on? Who was that man?”
“Probably no one. I didn’t get a good look at his face, but the way he’s standing there, it’s like he’s watching, or waiting for someone. He was no average chap hanging out and having a smoke.”
“Did he see you?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
“Do you think he’s paparazzi? If he is, how did he find us so fast?” She wanted to go back and see this guy for herself, but didn’t dare.
“I don’t know. There were people taking pictures yesterday when your bag was stolen, Claire definitely may have recognized me, and there was that cop last night. Anyone of them may have ratted me out.”
Becca didn’t like the stress etched upon his face. “Maybe we better leave.”
“Not a bad idea. I’m so sorry. We have so little time left together, and I don’t want it ruined by the damn press.”
Even though they’d been given these extra bonus days together, Becca couldn’t stop the sadness of knowing she’d soon be saying good-bye.
Nikolai must have sensed her mood, for he suddenly reached for her hand. “Before we go to the embassy, there is someplace I want to take you.”
After a leisurely walk, they ended up in a quiet neighborhood away from the chaotic crush of Old Town. Nikolai led her around a corner to a small bridge with a tall wrought-iron fence that overlooked a canal.
“Oh my gosh, look at that!” Becca pulled him forward. Each of the iron fence spindles was covered with dozens and dozens of padlocks. Clusters of people were taking pictures of the oddity.
“There must be hundreds, maybe thousands of locks. Why are they here?” She examined the colorful locks more closely and discovered that many had names painted or scratched onto them.
“They’re called love locks. People put them here to profess their everlasting love.”
“That is so awesome.” She touched the thick cluster of colorful padlocks and envied the people who so openly professed their love.
“I thought you might like it. I read about it on a flyer at the hostel. Do you see any open spots?”
She checked the spindles, and ran her hands over the locks so tightly stacked. “Not really. There’s so many.”
Nikolai’s voice softened. “I thought we should add one of our own.”
Becca spun around. Nikolai held a brass-colored lock. “This is what I was getting at the hardware store.” Becca’s heart fluttered. She didn’t know what to say.
She hoped he felt as strongly about her as she did about him. She gazed into his eyes, one marred by the black-and-blue bruise he earned trying to defend her. “Yes, I’d like that.”
His face melted into a smile. “This way, when we’re not together anymore, we’ll always know that this lock is here as a reminder of what we’ve shared.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He swept her into his arms. “I love you, Becca.”
“Oh, Nikolai. I love you, too.”
He kissed her sweetly. Becca could never remember a happier time, yet the fact that they had to say good-bye in a couple of days loomed at the back of her mind.
He released her. “So where are we going to put it?”
“I don’t know, but I guarantee that we’ll find a place.”
They looked up and down each spindle, trying to move the locks to eke out just enough space to hook their lock. Finally Nikolai found a spot.
“Over here, at the top. If I slide this one over, I think I can fit it.”
Becca held the other locks to the side, feeling as if this were a sacred act. Nikolai slid their lock into place.
“You put our names on it.”
“I did.” He smiled.
“Not afraid of being discovered?”
“With you? Never.” He clicked the lock closed, pulled out the key, and handed it to her.
“What do I do with it? Save it?” she asked.
A woman nearby who watched them spoke up. “No, you throw it into the canal, so your love can never be unlocked.” She smiled.
“Thanks. I like that,” Becca said. “Ready?” she asked Nikolai.
“Go ahead.”
She kissed the key and tossed it high over the fence and into the water below. “There. Now you’re stuck with me forever.”
“I’d be okay with that,” he said.
“Would you like me to take your picture?” the woman offered. “You should have a photo of this moment.”
“Thank you, that would be great,” Nikolai said.
They posed with their arms around each other in front of their lock. At the last second Nikolai removed his cap and ruffled up his flat hair.
The woman snapped two pictures. “There you go.” She handed back Becca’s phone.
“Thank you so much,” Becca said, showing the picture to Nikolai as he slipped his hat back on. “Look, you can see your black eye.”
“Great. I forgot about that.” He laughed. “We better stop for some sunglasses soon so people don’t think you hit me.”
Becca raised an eyebrow. “I know you think you’re funny, but you’re not,” she teased.
A small crowd had gathered to look at the locks. She overheard a girl talking to her friend.
“I’m telling you, that’s Prince Nikolai. And that’s the same girl who’s with him in the picture in the paper.”
Becca’s gut lurched. He’d been recognized. Heck, she’d been recognized, too.
“You’re totally right!” her friend said, snapping a picture.
“We better get out of here. Come on.” Nikolai took Becca’s hand and quickly slipped through t
he crowd as word of his identity spread.
22
Nikolai breathed easier when they put a couple of blocks between them and the crowd on the bridge.
They arrived on a street with one foreign government building after another. He spotted a three-story building with an American flag flying high above.
Becca gazed up at the fluttering flag. She’d been away from home for so long, this was a welcome sight. “I must say, seeing the U.S. flag here in a foreign country makes me proud to be an American.” She squeezed his hand.
He felt the same pride in his own country, despite all his problems. The U.S. flag reminded him of how very far away Becca lived, and that the chances of them staying connected would be nearly impossible.
“Do you want to come in, or would it be better for you to wait here?” she asked.
Nikolai noticed a figure on the corner across the street. He looked at the embassy doors, back to the familiar man, and frowned. “You go ahead. I think I better wait here.”
“Are you sure? It might take a while. You could go to a café, and I’ll call you when I’m ready.”
“And risk you getting lost in Prague? No. I’ll be waiting right here.”
“Okay. Wish me luck.”
He kissed her. “Good luck.”
As Becca disappeared into the embassy, Nikolai saw his father’s chief security officer, Visar Shaban, walking across the street toward him.
“Good morning, Your Royal Highness,” he said as he approached. “Are you enjoying your holiday?”
Nikolai tried to appear confident on this uneven ground. Here he stood, unshaven, with a bruised face, and little money.
Normally, he only encountered Visar at the palace, Nikolai’s domain, or at high-level security events when it was Visar’s duty to remain unseen.
“Hello, Visar,” Nikolai said evenly.
“I trust you are well,” the stoic man said, popping a candy into his mouth.
“You didn’t need to come. I planned to return home in a couple of days.” Nikolai watched the traffic go by.
“Ah, that is where you are wrong. The king is dismayed with your recent notoriety and wishes your return to Mondovia. Immediately.”
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