“Olympia?”
His voice is already as familiar as my own. I stiffen, gaze locked on a large lily pad. A dragonfly flits around its sprawling white blossom, and ripples spread around the plant.
“Your Highness.” I should stand. I should put my freaking sandals back on, but I can’t even seem to turn my head. Every inch of me is rigid, my heartbeat thumping loud in my ears.
There’s a long stretch of silence, broken only by distant splashes of fish on the lake. Then the jetty creaks as the prince strolls to my side.
“I came here a lot as a boy.” He sits gracefully as I watch him from the corner of my eye, never mind his tailored clothes. “You have good taste in hiding spots.”
“I’m not hiding.” Another lie to add to the pile. An obvious one, too, but Prince Alden doesn’t call me on it. Instead he hums, lifting an arm to point across the lake.
“I used to jump in over there. See the rope swing tied to that tree?”
I dart a doubtful glance at the prince. That skinny rope and that gnarled old branch held this sculpted man’s weight?
“As a child,” Prince Alden clarifies. “Not anymore. Although…”
I huff a laugh, twisting my skirt in my hands. “I can’t imagine you have much time for rope swings these days.” The prince grunts in agreement, and it’s such an undignified noise that I smile.
“Ah, there it is.” When I look over, blue eyes watch me intently. I fall into them, deeper than any lake. “I’ve been hoping for your smile, Olympia.”
Olympia.
I love my twin sister, but I’m so mad at her for this. I’ve made my own choices, I’m responsible for this mess too, obviously, but still… I hate the position she’s left me in.
“Your Highness…” I open my mouth to tell him everything. To confess that I’m Beatrice, not Olympia. The unwanted twin. The boring, quiet one.
“Alden,” he cuts in gently. “There’ll be no rank between us in our marriage, sweetheart. We’re equals.”
Nope. He’s a Greek statue come to life, wandering these grounds in tailored clothes, and I’m a dirty little liar.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I manage. “But there are some things you should know—”
“Wait a moment. I don’t care what you’ve done before today, Olympia. What matters is the future. We should look forward. Together.”
Yup. That would definitely be reassuring for my wild sister to hear, if only she were on this jetty in my place. Does Prince Alden include last minute flings with scuba instructors on his list of things he’ll forgive?
“You’re a good man, Prince Alden,” I rasp. “I’m afraid I don’t deserve you.”
Neither does my sister.
But the prince smiles at me, so sunny and broad, and takes my hand as naturally as breathing.
Strong fingers encase mine. His hands are strong but elegant, his thumb tracing idly over my knuckles.
Something splashes near my foot. “There are fish,” I say weakly.
Prince Alden leans closer, peering over the edge of the jetty, enveloping me in his soap and parchment scent. I fill my lungs, and it’s still not enough. It may never be enough. “So there are.”
I should pull my hand away. Should tell him everything. “It’s beautiful here.”
The prince stares at me. “Yes, it is.”
And oh god. He’s leaning in, the jetty creaking. Oh god.
If he knew my real name, I’d grab handfuls of this man’s shirt and never let go. I’d tug his mouth down to mine and kiss him hungrily, kiss himhard, pouring every ounce of my longing into the place where our bodies meet.
If Prince Alden were engaged tome, I’d push him down to lay flat on this jetty then straddle hips and rock myself against his hard form until we were both crying out at the puffs of white cloud high above.