I nodded my head. With his hands on me, I probably would have agreed to go streaking down the hall. There was something special about the way his eyes met mine, the way his hands felt on my skin. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I realized that it was because he saw me, the woman, not the princess. I never thought that would happen, and the feeling was intoxicating.

THIRTEEN

SELENE SLEPT MOST of the time I was in her room, but the few times she was awake did a lot to ease the pain in my heart. I’d been thinking—when not distracted by David’s gorgeous eyes—that I needed to cut back her schedule. She wasn’t a young woman and maybe it was time for her assistant to take a step up.

“Would you like me to cancel the appointments for tomorrow?” Tabitha was sitting on a stool in the corner of the cramped room.

“Are there any in the area?” I looked over at the other woman. David and Chadwick had left an hour or so before, but not until they absolutely had to. Victory Hall opened to the public tomorrow and David had to be there no matter what else was happening.

“There is a school art program visit, which is about half an hour away.”

“What time?” I looked at my watch. It was getting late.

“Just before lunch. Selene’s notes mention eating with the head of the department.” Tabitha tsked under her breath.

“That would be the L’vere School. I really shouldn’t miss that.” I sighed. “The clothes that you had brought from D’Lynsal will be appropriate for that engagement.”

“I tried to cover all bases.” She smiled at me, and for the first time I realized that she wasn’t just pretty, but someone who could turn heads.

“You did wonderful,” I said. “Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” She looked up at me. “I hope that I can fill Selene’s shoes while she is recovering.”

“They’re big shoes. Literally. Her feet are huge.” I laughed, but Tabitha’s smile was small. “Truly though, you’ve done a great job for having this dumped on your shoulders.”

She beamed at me. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” I picked up my bag from the ground and stood. “What’s the press situation right now? Are they still packed outside?”

“The last I checked, there were still a good many. We could try leaving out the back.” Tabitha stood and collected her own stuff.

“I think that would be a good alternative for tonight.” Leaning over, I kissed Selene on the head. “Sleep well and don’t drive the staff crazy while I’m gone.”

“I’ll call for another member of the staff to sit with Selene while you are gone tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” I followed Tabitha out of the room.

“It’s a shame that she has no family.” The words were flippant, and guilt slammed into my chest. My steps hesitated and I almost went back to the room. Someone who had devoted her life to me lay in a hospital bed. The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that she wouldn’t forgive me for letting down the schoolchildren.

“She has a family,” I retorted, and resumed walking. My steps were a little faster and heavy. “Selene has been part of my family for as long as I can remember.”

“I meant blood relatives.”

“Blood doesn’t make someone family.” I frowned. “Love is what makes a family.”

“Of course.” Tabitha didn’t look up from her phone as she typed out some long message.

I shook my head. I knew that Selene’s dedication to my family had been part of the reason that she’d never had one of her own. When someone kept the same schedule that we did, they were afflicted with the same problems—sometimes even more so. It was almost impossible to meet someone who would understand what we did and how much time it took.

We followed the guards to a rear entrance, and before the door had even opened I could hear the commotion outside.

“How did they know?” I looked at Mike, my security guard.

“I’m not sure, ma’am. It’s possible that they staked out all of the entrances.” He shrugged. “I’ll never understand these people.”

“Agreed.” I shared a small smile with him. If there was one thing the media managed to do for our stalked group, it was to unite us against a common enemy.

“Perhaps you should say a few words,” Tabitha suggested.

“The words I want to say would not be very polite,” I mumbled.

“Just a quick bit.” Tabitha strode out of the doors, leaving me to follow in her wake.

She stopped, blocking my way to the car, and turned as if waiting for me to make a statement. I ground my teeth but flashed a smile.

“Thank you all for your concern over Selene. I’m happy to report that she is recovering and I have the utmost faith in the staff here.” I looked around at the cameras quickly. “I’m sure that she will be astounded by all of her well-wishers when she wakes in the morning.”

There were chuckles all around and I used that to my advantage. Mike’s large bulk cleared the path by sheer presence and I climbed into the car as quickly as possible.

Tabitha smiled at me as she slid into the seat next to me. “Perfect.”

“I don’t need you to tell me if I say the right or wrong thing,” I snapped.

Her head jerked back with my words. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I just meant that you gave them exactly what they needed.”