She knew she shouldn’t let the past constrain her future. And even though she had no real future with him, there was here and now. And she didn’t want to lie to him any more. ‘Because I’ve had my trust broken before.’
He waited, watching her. She knew she didn’t have to explain it to him if she really didn’t want to, but he was patient and quiet and somehow compelling.
‘You’re right,’ she growled. ‘I’m not really worried about the cameras or all the crowds or the online commentators. It’s my three cousins.’ She breathed out. ‘I shouldn’t have invited them.’
‘You don’t see them much?’
‘I haven’t seen them in years.’ She didn’t want to tell him how weak and vulnerable she’d been. And it wasn’t all their fault, right? She probably hadn’t made enough effort and they couldn’t understand her and it had been too easy for her to shut down.
‘I know no one is perfect, but they pretty much are.’ She glanced at him quickly, offering superficial detail. ‘And I wasn’t. I was like a troll in the elven realm. They were a party of extroverted sporting elite. I liked reading in the corner. We just couldn’t relate.’
He blinked, his expression perplexed. ‘But how did they break your trust?’
She’d forgotten she’d admitted that first. She swallowed. ‘With words.’
It wasn’t a lie—it was very true. But it wasn’t all of the truth.
‘They’ve all accepted the invitation. They’re here,’ he said after a while. ‘I’ve put them up at the hotel, rather than the palace. I’ve already issued a personal request that they don’t speak to the media but I can’t muzzle anyone completely. If they get seduced by the offer of an exclusive with a news agency—’
‘I know.’ She licked her lips nervously. ‘I know you can’t control everything.’
Of course they’d accepted the invitations. Who could turn down a flight in a private jet to attend something so high profile in the incredible country of Triscari? Even she hadn’t been able to turn down his offer.
‘I’m sorry I can’t,’ he murmured. ‘I’m sorry they hurt you.’
She stiffened, holding back that yearning opening within with every step he took closer towards her. She didn’t want his sympathy. She didn’t want to think about any of that.
‘But I’m not going to do that,’ he added. ‘I’m not saying anything I don’t mean to you. When I talk about our inevitability, Hester, I’m not trying to flatter you. I’m just being honest.’
The trouble was his honesty was so naturally charming, so instinctively seductive. And while he was arrogant and confident, she didn’t think even he really realised his potency. He was used to it, wasn’t he? Flirting and having affairs. She just wasn’t. She didn’t think she could handle him.
‘There are still only two kisses in our contract,’ she breathed, clinging to that flimsy fact.
She had to keep him at that wafer-thin distance. He couldn’t change the agreement before they’d even signed the marriage certificate.
‘Trust me, I know.’ He remained close for the merest moment more. ‘And for what it’s worth, I think you’re going to slay them all tomorrow.’
Truthfully all she wanted was to slay him.
Fairy tales indeed.
CHAPTER SIX
HESTER SWAYED GENTLY as the glass carriage carried her along the castle route with its cobblestones and beautiful flower-strewn path to her waiting prince. The fine lace veil covering her face softened her focus so the vast crowds waving and watching blurred, but they were all there hoping to catch a glimpse of her—Prince Alek’s mysterious bride.
She’d slept surprisingly well in the large wooden castle. Fiorella had arrived there too late in the evening for them to catch up and then Billie and her team had arrived first thing, along with an army of dressmakers. So she’d had no chance to talk to Fiorella—they were both too busy being beautified for the wedding. This was good because when she’d first spotted her soon-to-be sister-in-law, she’d veered dangerously close to hugging her. And Hester didn’t hug anyone.
Before getting ready this morning she’d read only a few of the news stories about her that had been printed over the last few days. They’d not had that much time to dig up too much drama, but there was enough to make her shiver. But, worse, the real truth was there—some whispered of Alek’s requirement to marry. That he’d picked someone biddable and shy and inoffensive. ‘The bland bride’, some bitchy bloggers had labelled her.
The romantics on the other side, however, wanted to believe the fairy tale and drowned out that truth with the fantasy. Their outing to the hospital had silenced many doubters and the body-language experts had had a field day. Apparently their light touch and laughing smiles showed ‘intimacy and genuine love’ between them.
And her moment with that distressed boy had somehow been leaked—still images taken by a long-range lens through a window while one of the teachers had spoken on condition of anonymity and talked of her natural affinity with the children…while Alek was apparently smitten and protective. Hester had put the tablet down, unwilling to read any more.
‘We’re almost there. Deep breath, Hester.’ Fiorella smiled. ‘This is going to be amazing.’
Contrarily Fiorella’s soft reassurance sharpened Hester’s nerves. Too late she realised the princess had been abnormally quiet all morning. Was she worried—or pre-occupied? ‘Are you okay Fiorella?’
‘Okay?’ The princess’s deep brown eyes widened and curiously a rush of colour swept into her cheeks. ‘You mean about the wedding?’
What else would she have meant? Fiorella’s gaze dipped but before Hester could ask more, the carriage slowed and then stopped.
‘You’re the best person in the world for
