Page 4 of Royal Rebel

“You don’t have to be on your best behavior with me, Amelia. I’ve never been what one would call a stickler for the rules. You can lean back against the couch, slouch a little, and even give me a real smile later on in the night.”

She seems shocked with what I’ve said. “I’m aware of how people react to me, and I know what we’re about to embark on isn’t normal, but we have to be partners in it, Amelia. The only way we’re going to do that is by getting to know each other.”

“I agree, Tristan.” She leans back a little against the couch, seeming to relax slightly.

“How scared are you?” Deciding to go for the jugular first thing, surprisingly I want to know more than anything how she’s feeling.

Her eyes move down to her hands. “Terrified. I’ve been training for this since I was a teenager, but you’re larger than life, if you don’t mind me saying so.”

Other people have described me using the phrase before, but I’m not sure I like her referring to me in that way. “I’m just a man. A man trying to figure out how to run a countrywhile dealing with all the expectations that go with it. I’m sorry you’ve been dumped into this too, but I have to admit I’m happy not to go this alone.”

She surprises me by reaching over and entwining my fingers with hers. As our flesh touches there’s a sizzle of attraction, just like there had been earlier. We obviously have chemistry, and that makes me dread this less. “I’ll be whatever you need me to be, Tristan.”

“Is that what they trained you to say?” I don’t mean for it to come out the way it does, with a touch of disgust.

“No, that statement is one hundred percent me. I’ve watched you from afar for a long time. Read the articles about you, snuck glances when you’d come to our residence. You’ve always seemed so sad, like you need a friend. Someone in your corner. Like you used those women because you weren’t happy.”

How someone who’s never met me before can see my truth I’ve tried so hard to hide, I’ll never know. Because she’s right on all her observations. “Now I’ll just have one.”

“You will.” She sits up straighter, her neck extending with a regalness I hadn’t expected. “You’ll be faithful to me.”

She phrases it as a gentle command, not a question.

“And you to me as well.”

“Well we have something in common already.” She gives me a smile, and this one goes to her eyes.

“What will be your platform?” I ask hours later. When I glance up at the clock over the fireplace, I see that we’re about to go into the wee hours of the morning.We’ll have to get some sleep soon. Her introduction will be at ten sharp. My father doesn’t allow for lateness.

She takes a dainty sip of the second glass of wine I poured her an hour ago. Her eyes are bright, possibly feeling some of the effects of the alcohol. But she’s done what I wanted her to do. She’s dropped her guard, relaxed, and started treating me like a normal person.

“To me, it doesn’t matter where you come from. You should have an education, you should be given that opportunity. Just like mandatory service in the military here, I believe that if you’re required to serve us, perhaps we should be required to serve you. The United States offers financial assistance to the people of their nation who serve in the military, we should do the same, if they so choose.”

“That’s an interesting thought, I can’t wait to see you debate it.”

She takes another sip of her wine, and she looks at me over the rim of her cup. Her eyes are dark, dangerous, focused. “I’m ready, Tristan,” she says just before the liquid washes down her throat.

“I do think you are.” I swallow roughly from the heat her gaze ignited within me.

“And of course,”—she wipes at the moisture on her lip with a pink tongue I long to take into my mouth—“I’ll work with you on the mental health aspect for the people of the country. I’ve been watching your speeches on it. You’re very passionate about it.”

“I am.” I clear my throat uncomfortably. “After I was in the accident with my mother, no one thought to send me to someone to speak about my feelings. It caused me to act out, and it wasn’t until a few years ago that I, of my own accord,sought out counseling and realized why I do some of the things I do.”

She reaches over, grabbing my hand. “Together, we’ll make a change.”

With everything in my heart, I hope she’s right. This place hasn’t been a home for a long time, and it’s my deepest desire to make it one again. The clock on the mantel strikes two, and I know this night has to come to a close.

“We should go.” The regret is deep in my voice. “In eight hours, we have to present you to not only our people but to the world.”

“I do need to get some beauty sleep.”

“I don’t think you need sleep for that. I think it’s inherently natural for you.”

Her cheeks darken to a pink I would like to see all over her body as I get up and go to the desk in the room. Once there, I open one of the drawers, reach in, and take out what I’ve been thinking about for most of the night. Holding the box, I walk back over to the couch and have a seat beside her again.

“I’m aware that you feel as if you weren’t given a choice when it comes to me, but I want you to know, you do. If after meeting me, sitting with me for these hours and talking, you don’t feel comfortable, please tell me.”

“Tristan, I’m nervous, that’s who I am, but I’m not nervous about you. Not anymore. I’m a good judge of character, and I think given some more time, we can become not only friends, but more.”

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