“Absolutely.” He straightened with renewed confidence. “I also specialize in nighttime patrol techniques. I could provide professional security services for one evening. Special rate.”
I set down my glass and crossed my arms. “What’s the fee structure?”
His eyes lit up. “One cup of hot tea plus sofa privileges.”
I tapped my chin thoughtfully. “Royal protection services must be expensive. This little apartment can’t afford premium rates.”
–
‘New customer discount.” He held up a finger. “Tonight only ninety-nine cents.”
Laughter bubbled up before I could stop it. “Ninety-nine cents? That cheap? Is there something wrong with the service quality?”
The sound of my laughter seemed to break through his act. His own smile emerged, genuine and slightly embarrassed.
‘Okay, you caught me.” His voice grew softer. “I just… I’m not comfortable leaving you alone.”
The sincerity in his tone made something flutter in my chest. “Today scared me. If I’m not here and something happens again…”
My resolve wavered for a moment. The concern in his blue eyes was real. But I forced myself to stay firm.
“We have the mink link now. If anything happens, you’ll know immediately.”
He put on an exaggerated pitiful expression. “But I’ll lie awake all night worrying. Then tomorrow I’ll be exhausted during important state meetings. I might fall asleep and cause an international incident.”
I laughed despite myself, placing my hands on his shoulders to guide him toward the door. “Come on, enough with the puppy dog eyes. Time to go home.”
His feet dragged dramatically as I pushed him forward.
The fate of diplomatic relations rests on me getting proper sleep.”
Im sure the kingdom will survive one night.” I opened the front door. “Out.”
As he stepped into the hallway, his expression grew more serious. “Wait – give me your mother’s necklace. I’ll take it to the restoration specialist first thing tomorrow morning.”
My chest tightened. I went to the bedroom and retrieved the silk pouch containing the broken pieces.
I placed the small bundle in his palm.
Caelan’s fingers closed around the pouch. “I’ll guard this with my life.”
The solemnity in his voice caught me off guard. I searched his face, seeing nothing but absolute sincerity.
‘I believe you.”
He leaned down and brushed a soft kiss against my forehead. The contact sent warmth spreading through my entire body.
‘Goodnight, Sabi. Lock the door behind me.”
‘I will.”
I watched him walk down the hallway until he disappeared around the corner.
Sunlight streaming through the bedroom window pulled me from deep sleep. I blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling, momentarily disoriented.
My phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Scarlett’s name flashed across the screen.
“Hello?” My voice came out rough with sleep.
“Thank God I finally reached you! I tried calling you last night but your phone was dead!” Panic colored her words. Are you okay?”
I sat up, pushing tangled hair out of my face. “I’m fine. Just got home late and forgot to charge it.”
‘I knew I should have insisted on calling you a cab. Did you run into any trouble walking home?”
My stomach clenched as last night’s attack flashed through my mind.
‘Nothing major. Just some… stray cats. Startled me a bit.”
Technically not a lie. The attacker was definitely a predator.
Scarlett’s voice brightened with obvious mischief. “Well, speaking of surprises – I’ve got major gossip to share! About a certain king we both know.”
“What kind of gossip?”
The juicy kind that requires face-to-face delivery. I need to see your expressions!” She paused for dramatic effect. “Coffee at Luna’s Caf? in an hour. Don’t even think about saying no.”
Before I could respond, the line went dead.
I stared at my phone, a mix of curiosity and dread churning in my stomach.
I slid into the leather booth across from Scarlett, who was practically vibrating with excitement. Luna’s Caf? buzzed with the usual morning crowd, but she looked like she had news that could power the entire city.
“Good, now I can finally spill!” She leaned forward conspiratorially. “Last night, Caelan called me!”
My stomach dropped. I focused on stirring sugar into my coffee. “Did he?”
“You should have heard his voice!” Scarlett dropped her tone to mimic his deep baritone, complete with barely controlled panic. “Scarlett, where is Sable? Is she safe right now?”
I couldn’t help looking up. “He really said that?”
“That’s not even the best part!” Her hands gestured wildly, nearly knocking over her cappuccino. “He sounded like… like a husband worried sick about his wife! The tension, the anxiety I could feel it through the phone!”
Heat crawled up my neck. “You’re exaggerating…”
I swear on my grandmother’s grave I’m not!” She held up her right hand like she was taking an oath. “And when I mentioned you were walking home alone, he gasped actually gasped then hung up on me!”
My coffee mug froze halfway to my lips.
‘So. Scarlett’s eyes sparkled with mischief. He found you, didn’t he?’
I nodded, still not meeting her gaze.
“AND?!” She nearly launched herself out of her seat. “What happened? What did you talk about? Did you hold hands? Kiss? Make out in some romantic spot?”
“Scarlett! My face felt like it was on fire. “It wasn’t… it wasn’t like that…”
“Like what? Romantic? Passionate?” Her grin turned predatory. “Come on, spill everything. How far have you two gotten?”
I fumbled for words. “It was just… normal concern. Nothing special.”
“Normal concern doesn’t make a king search the entire city at midnight!” Her voice carried across three nearby tables.
Scarlett suddenly leaned closer, eyes narrowing as she studied my expression. “Wait a minute… when you mentioned him just now, your mouth twitched upward for exactly 0.3 seconds.”
My hand flew to my lips. I did not…”
Her laughter filled the space between us. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop torturing you. Let’s talk about today! What should we do?”
She dramatically collapsed forward onto the table. “I’m so sick of the usual eat-and-shop routine.”
I thought for a moment, then inspiration struck. “What about-“
‘Horseback riding!” Scarlett suddenly sat bolt upright, eyes lighting up with excitement.
I blinked in surprise, then felt my smile grow wider. “God, how long has it been since we’ve done that?”
“At least five years! Remember when we used to sneak off to the stables and get caught red-handed by the instructor?”
The memory hit me like sunshine. “You told him we were there to observe equine behavioral patterns’!”
And he made us muck stalls as ‘immersive observation experience’!” We both dissolved into laughter.
A familiar gleam appeared in Scarlett’s eyes. “Plus, horseback riding is the perfect sport to showcase a man’s… natural appeal…”
I gave her a suspicious look. “What scheme are you cooking up now?”
An hour later, we stood at the entrance of Blackwood Equestrian Center. Rolling green fields stretched toward distant hills. The familiar smell of hay and leather brought back childhood memories.
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