He spoke the words into my ear, his breath warm on my skin.
It was just what to say to make the moment even more special.
“I love you, too.”
I turned, gazing into those steely eyes.
I had no idea what the future would bring. There was still so much to figure out. Hell, I didn’t even know where we’d be sleeping the next night. One thing was certain, however, with him at my side, I could handle anything.
Chapter 46
Luc
“Are they looking at me?” Ava leaned over the table at the inn’s dining area, her eyes wide. She spoke in a hushed whisper.
“Of course, they are. And why wouldn’t they? You’re the princess.”
The Armstrong was legendary in Lausanne for its delicious coffee and pastries, so the first floor was packed. And as word spread around the neighborhood that none other than the princess herself was there, more and more people streamed into the place, all of them trying to steal surreptitious glances at the woman who could one day be their queen.
“I feel like an idiot,” she said, barely touching her bear claw and latte. “This is the first time some of them are seeing me and I’m dressed like it’s laundry day.”
I laughed, spooning a bit of my oatmeal. “Sounds like you already forgot the lesson of last night.”
At first, she was confused. Then, when she realized what I was talking about, her eyes flashed.
“Oh yeah! Wait, what am I doing here just sitting around? No offense to my present company, of course.”
I raised my hand a bit. “None taken.”
“OK, let me do a little getting-to-know-the-people. Keep my seat warm for me, alright?”
“My pleasure, Princess.”
Ava sprang out of her seat, hurrying over to a group of what had to be a few dozen people, all of them packed into the interior of the Armstrong. Faces lit up left and right as the citizens of Lausanne realized that their princess was coming to greet them in person.
I watched, sipping my coffee near the fire, as she worked her magic on the crowd. She chatted and joked, laughter breaking out here and there. I noticed Ava paid extra special attention to the little girls before her and understood that she’d learned the lesson well of being a good role model.
After half an hour or so, and many hugs later, she broke from the group and came back to me. The owner of the Armstrong dispersed the crowd, reminding them that even princesses deserved a quiet breakfast now and then.
“Wow,” she said, her eyes wide as she sat back down, letting out awhooshof breath. “That was… is that what it’s always like? I mean, that was so much fun getting to know people. But it was intense.”
I smiled, pleased to see how much she’d enjoyed being among the people.
“It’s like that at times but only when you want it to be. If you wish, you could be like your father and stay at the palace. If you’re anything like your mother—and I know that you are—you’ll be taking every chance you get to see Edoria and her people.”
She pursed her lips, a thoughtful expression forming on her face as she considered something.
We finished our meals, taking more coffee up to the room as we prepared to discuss the possibilities of whatever was next.
“I don’t know if I want to leave this place,” she said, turning away from her bag as she packed. “I’ve only been in Edoria for a short time, but with every day that passes I feel like this could be my home.”
“That’s because itisyour home.”
She dropped onto the edge of the bed. “But Seattle is my home, too. Hailey, the truck, my life over there… I just don’t know what to do. Not to mention the little fact that I kind of burned the bridge with my father last night.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. See,Iburned the bridge last night. Alaric—he’s a hard man to know sometimes. But he’s still your father, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he loves you deeply.”
“OK, say he forgives me. What then? Do I leave my old life behind? Do I leaveyoubehind? I can’t.”