Page 66 of His Runaway Princess

Amalia looked over to see one of the twin princesses from Eyjania. She didn’t know them well enough to tell them apart, but this had to be Genevieve, right?

Ryker replied with a groan as he shifted a bit. “I don’t remember you having permission to do either a couple of years ago, but you did it anyway.”

The anger on her face melted away as she laughed. “Touché. I’m glad you’re going to be all right, even if I will have to break inanothernew team member.”

Amalia relaxed a little bit. The older princess had always seemed so glamorous and unknowable, even for her as the heir presumptive.

“Amalia, have you met Her Royal Highness, Princess Genevieve of Eyjania?” Ryker shifted in his bed again. “Ma’am, I think this is my wife, Her Royal Highness, Princess Amalia of Øyanord.” He held up his other hand as the Eyjanian princess started to say something. “I said think because I really have no idea about the legalities of all of these obscure laws and what they mean for us. If she’s not my wife already, then she’s my fiancée.”

A glower returned to the princess’s face. “You know you don’t have to call me ma’am and all that anymore, right? If the rumors are true, you’ll outrank me before long.”

Amalia exchanged a glance with Ryker before responding. “What rumors?”

“That for reasons I’m not quite clear on, your mother is going to be removed from the line of succession and the thought is that your sister won’t take her place as the heir. She’ll take herself out of the line because, given the totality of the circumstances, you’ll do a better job than she could.”

The princess sat in one of the hospital chairs and propped her feet up on some of the mechanisms underneath the bed and shrugged. “At least, that’s what I hear. If it’s true, you’ll be married to the heir apparent and eventually prince consort. That outranks me by a lot. I’m just...” She looked up and ticked something off on her fingers. “Number three. For now. It’ll be four sooner than you think.”

“I heard.”

What had he heard? Was Queen Katrín expecting another child? Amalia didn’t remember hearing about an announcement.

“See? Way higher on the list than me. No more ma’am or any of that nonsense.”

Ryker kept a straight face. “I make no promises, ma’am.”

“Smart aleck.” Princess Genevieve rolled her eyes.

He broke into a grin. “I learned from the best, ma’am.”

This time she threw her head back and laughed. “Yes, you did. But I expect you to heal quickly and make all of this legal and official. Then I can tell everyone I knew the future prince consort before anyone else did. I’ll totally use it to increase my cool factor.”

“You don’t need anything to increase your cool factor. You’ve always been the cool princess. Just ask your sister.” Ryker closed his eyes and seemed to deflate.

The other princess popped up out of her chair. “That’s my cue to let you get some rest.” She squeezed his free hand. “I mean it.”

He didn’t open his eyes but did nod. “I know.”

Princess Genevieve started for the door, but stopped to rest her hand on Amalia’s shoulder. “If you ever need any tips on how to deal with this bloke, let me know.” The look in her eyes softened. “You’ve got one of the best.”

She left before Amalia could reply.

And they were alone.

Amalia stood and leaned over to kiss Ryker’s cheek as she briefly tightened her hold on his hand.

He didn’t let it go, but also didn’t open his eyes. “Stay. Please.”

“Are you certain?” She didn’t want to leave, but didn’t want to stay if being there would make it harder for him to rest.

“I don’t want you to go anywhere.” He managed to look at her. “Ever.”

* * *

Sleeping came easierwith Amalia’s hand in his.

It still didn’t come easily or deeply. He would probably need better pain medication for that, but even though they were in a secure location, Ryker didn’t like the idea that he’d be less aware of what went on around him.

He wouldn’t even be able to respond with anything but a vicious press of the call button, but that didn’t matter.

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