Page 52 of The Problem with Princes
Tyrone stands up when I come into the room. He gives me an appraising look. “You look beautiful.” I can’t help but wonder if it is just to get him out of trouble. If it is, it’s working, because I forget for a moment that I’m mad at him.
“I’m so embarrassed you had to wait.” I shove everything into my open suitcase on my bed and slam the two sides together, yanking the zipper closed. I’m grateful I had at least packed up everything else before I showered.
I slide the suitcase to the floor and jerk the handle upward so I can pull it along. Then I drape the handles of my duffle bag over the handle and let it sit on top of the suitcase.
Ty walks toward me and leans in, pressing a kiss to my cheek. “I hope you slept well.”
Is he specifically not mentioning making me move to the palace? He has to know I’m irritated by thehigh-handednessof it. “I slept pretty good, I guess. How about you?”
Sander waves us to move faster.
I hurry and yank my jacket off the chair and give one last look around as I sling my messenger bag over my shoulder. Had I forgotten anything? I glance at the plugs, making sure I have my cell phone charger. The room looks devoid of anything that doesn’t belong there.
Tyrone steps forward. “Here, let me get these for you.” He takes hold of both suitcases and rolls them toward the door.
“You don’t have to do that. I can take them myself.” I’m not feeling particularly inclined to let him be gentlemanly, just yet.
He ignores me and opens the door to the hallway. One of Sander’s men steps into the doorway and takes the bags from Ty. “Put those in the car.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Ty turns back into the room. “Do you have everything?”
I nod, clutching at the straps of my messenger bag. “Yep. I think I’ve got it all.”
He slides his hand along the small of my back. “Then let’s go.” While his face does not show any tension, I can feel the rigidness of his body.
Sander speaks, but it must be to his men through his earpiece because he turns away from Ty and me. I’m guessing the new threat is being passed along and the men will be even more attentive. Oh, yay.
* * *
Tyrone startsthe car and pulls away from the curb. “So I was thinking…” His focus is on the road.
I swivel in my seat as much as the seatbelt will allow. “About what other plans you can make for me?” I fix him with a scowl.
He sighs. “Listen, I’m sorry about that. I’m used to making decisions quickly. I didn’t really think about how you might feel about it. I’m sorry.”
His words say he is sorry, but I don’t hear as much regret in his tone as I’d like to. “But it’s not as if you have much of a choice. You are a material witness in an attempt on my life. Sander will make you stay regardless.”
“So it’s like I’m under arrest?”
“No. You can move about Atraxia as you wish.” He pauses. “Except that it isn’t exactly safe for you to do anymore. We’ll keep to the palace grounds.”
I turn back and face forward, knowing if I speak now, I will say things that I’ll regret.
He reaches over and touches my hand where it sits next to my leg on the seat. I pull it away and drop it into my lap. I’m acting like a baby, and I know it.
“Hey. I’m sorry, okay? Please don’t be mad.” He drums his thumb on the steering wheel. “I am looking at this as a wish come true. Neither one of us wanted our time to come to an end, right? This is a good thing. Now we can spend more time together and get to know each other even better.”
I close my eyes and take a long, slow breath. I have two options here. I can be angry and have a miserable three days, confined to the palace. Or I can push aside my irritation and try to enjoy the extra time I have with Ty. Had I not been dreading leaving him just yesterday? And as Ty pointed out, I don’t really have a choice in the matter. So I guess I’ll take door number two.
I glance over at Tyrone, and he gives me a strained smile. “And hey, maybe when you leave on Wednesday, I can fly with you back to DC.”
I bite my lip and look out the front window without seeing anything. He wants to go to DC with me? Yesterday I would have jumped at the chance, but right now I’m not the president of the Prince Tyrone fan club. “Let’s just see how the next couple of days go, okay?”
I turn and look out my window recognizing places as they fly past. I love Atraxia—I have from the moment Texie and I first arrived. So why am I so angry to be spending some extra time here? And staying in the palace, no less?
Maybe it’s because the way it was handled bears too much resemblance to when I dated Tanner. He always made plans for me and just expected me to fall in line. I’ve since become overly reactive when I feel like someone is trying to control me.
