The Princess Has Amnesia! (Crown & Glory Book 5)

by Patricia Thayer

  “Princess Anastasia, you’re alive,” one of the men called when he spotted Ana. He bowed then started toward her.

  Jake reached for his gun and pulled it out. “Just hold it right there, gentlemen. I need to see some identification first.

  “My God, man. We should be the ones asking for identification. Do you realize who this woman is?”

  Jake nodded. “I do. And that’s the reason I’m taking precautions.”

  When the leader saw that Jake wasn’t going to back down, he pulled a plastic military ID from his pocket and handed it to him. It identified Captain Ben Trent from the Royal Navy SEALs.

  Everything looked on the up-and-up, but something still didn’t feel right to Jake. He lowered his gun and slipped it into the front of his jeans as he eyed the three men, not liking the odds. If he had to, he could take out two of them, but the third would be a problem.

  “I’m Jake Sanderstone, FBI,” he lied. “I know I’m out of my jurisdiction, but the princess was in need of a temporary bodyguard.”

  “The princess is the only survivor of the crash?”

  Jake nodded. “Ana,” he called over his shoulder. “Do you recognize any of these men?”

  “No,” she said.

  It was Ben Trent who spoke, “The princess and I have never officially met. I have never been assigned to the palace or the royal family.”

  Jake wondered what exactly were these men’s duties. “I would think that the Penwyck government would send more than three men to search for their princess.”

  Trent looked nervous. Not so much that the average person could notice, but Jake saw his jaw twitch. “I have to insist that you release the princess,” Trent said. “The king and queen have been terribly distraught since the crash.”

  “I’m not holding the princess,” Jake insisted. “She’s been here because we’ve been unable to get down the mountain.”

  Ana walked to Jake’s side. “Have you been in touch with my family?”

  The men exchanged glances, then one reached in his suit’s zipper pocket and took out his ID. “Yes, Your Royal Highness.” He bowed and handed her his card. “The queen is worried. The whole country is in mourning, thinking you perished in the crash.”

  Curt Johnson was the man’s name, Jake noted, unable to shake the uneasy feeling. Was it personal, or was there really something wrong here? He still wasn’t convinced they were sent by the Royal Elite Team.

  “I might have died, but Jake found me and brought me back here.”

  “Can you tell us what happened?”

  Ana shook her head. Everything was so confusing. “I haven’t been able to remember much since the accident.”

  Ben glanced from Ana to Jake. “What do you mean? Your memory is gone?”

  Jake didn’t like Ana giving away so much information. “She’s gotten a lot of it back.”

  “Do you remember what caused the accident?”

  “I hadn’t remembered any of the crash until yesterday,” she said. “But I believe it was the weather. Rory’s last words were that they were going to try and land the plane.”

  “Do you think you could take us back to the plane?”

  “I could,” she said, her back straightened. “But Jake would be better able to get you there. Besides, I have no desire to go back.”

  Jake stepped in. “I think our first priority is to get the princess home. You can bring a team back to go over the crash site.”

  “I’m afraid we can’t wait that long.” Curt suddenly reached out and took hold of Ana.

  Jake reacted at the same time, but the other two men grabbed him. He was fighting them off when he heard Ana scream. He whistled for Max, and the dog immediately jumped Johnson, the man holding Ana, and he was forced to release her.

  “Run, Ana. Get the hell out of here.” Jake took another punch in the jaw that sent him backward, but he countered with a roundhouse kick that drove Trent to the ground.

  With only seconds to recover, Jake ordered Max to go after Ana, then dove after his gun, but had it kicked away before he could reach it.

  Jake used his martial arts training, but these men were just as skilled in combat. He managed to get in a few licks. He grabbed Trent’s collar where he discovered the black sword tattoo. It didn’t take long before the rebels had Jake outnumbered and subdued.

  “You’re going to be sorry for this.” Trent said as he pulled a gun and aimed it at Jake’s head. Jake didn’t care about his own life, he just prayed that Ana had gotten away and found a place to hide until help arrived.

  “Don’t shoot him, yet,” Curt yelled. “He’s going to lead us to the plane.”

  “Like hell,” Jake taunted, then got a kick in the gut for his wise mouth.

  “You will, or we’re going to hunt down the princess.” Trent gave him a sinister smile. “And then we’ll have a little fun. Perhaps you’ll be willing to talk now.”

  They yanked Jake to his feet just as he heard a sound from overhead. Helicopters. One…two…no, four were coming over the ridge. The men released Jake, ran for the Range Rover and raced off down the road.

  Unable to land, the helicopters hovered overhead as a rope ladder was dropped out the side and rangers climbed down to the ground. Several of the men ran off toward the vehicle.

  Another ran toward him. Jake recognized the colonel’s insignia on his jumpsuit. “I’m Colonel Pierce Prescott, Penwyck Army. These men are Royal Rangers. Are you all right, Mr. Sanderstone?”

  Jake nodded as he wiped the blood from his swollen lip. “I don’t have time for the niceties, Colonel,” he yelled over the sound of the rotor blades. “Ana is out there by herself.”

  The man looked confused. “Ana? You mean Anastasia? She’s alive?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying. I sent her off when the Black Knights showed up.”

  By a handheld radio, the Colonel gave orders for two of the helicopters to track down the Range Rover. Jake was already on his way up the ridge. He wasn’t sure in what direction Ana had gone, but he was sure he was going to find her.

  Twenty minutes later, a trembling Ana huddled in the grove of pines. Somehow she’d made the climb to the crash site, knowing that Jake would have to bring the men here.

  She didn’t want to run off, but Jake had made her go. What were they going to do to him? Oh, God! What if they’d killed him because of those stupid diamonds?

  Ana glanced around the debris. She had to find some kind of a weapon. She suddenly remembered that while Rory had carried a gun holstered under his suit jacket, he also had a reserve in his bag. She ran to the midsection and went inside. The sight of the twisted metal triggered her memory, nearly making her sick. She pushed aside the horrific flashback, knowing she couldn’t let anyone else die. She hurried to the bench seat and pried open the bent lid. When she finally was able to lift it, she found Rory’s travel bag.

  Ana pulled it out and began digging through the clothes. Her breath caught when she came in contact with the cold metal. With a shaky hand, she drew out the pistol, then reached back in the bag for the magazine. She checked to find a full clip, then clicked it into place.

  She inhaled a deep, long breath, hoping to give her strength. “Come on, Max, we need to find a place to hide…and wait.” She glanced toward the graves, silently thanking Rory, not just for the gun, but for teaching her how to shoot it.

  She hid behind the trees, facing the trail. She wanted to make sure she had a good view. Her father had taught her to face her enemies, not run from them. “Or you’ll be running all your life…” she whispered the familiar words as if they were a prayer. They were from King Morgan Penwyck.

  A smile broke through her terror. She remembered. Her father was sick. He was in a coma, fighting for his life. A tear rolled down her face as more memories flooded her head. Her mother was beautiful Queen Marissa. Megan, her sister, was married and expecting a child. With each acknowledgment, Ana’s excitement grew. Meredith, who would be married soon, too. And she had t
wo brothers, Owen and Dylan. She gasped, recalling the kidnapping attempt on her sibling. “Mother must be so frightened about me.”

  More tears escaped her eyes as she thought about never going back to Penwyck, never seeing her family. She wiped them away, to clear her vision. Jake said she needed to take care of the kids at the orphanage.

  Oh, Jake. Where are you?

  A strength she never knew she had erupted within her. No, she wasn’t going to let these men do this. She couldn’t let them take everything away from her. The Black Knights were trying to destroy her family. “Come, Max. Jake needs us.”

  The dog barked and followed after his mistress. She hadn’t gotten very far when she heard her name being called.

  “Ana! Ana! Where are you?”

  “Jake! Jake, I’m over here.”

  Max barked and ran off just as Jake appeared over the ridge. Crying and stumbling through the brush, Ana finally ended up in his arms.

  “Thank, God. You’re safe.” He pulled her tighter.

  “I am now,” she said. “Since you’re here. I was so afraid…” She drew back and examined his battered face. “Oh, Jake, you’re hurt.”

  “It’s nothing.” He shrugged. “Oh, God, Ana, I thought…if they’d gotten you…” His dark eyes locked with hers. He was unable to hide his concern or how much he cared for her. Then as if realizing what he was doing, he glanced down at the gun in her belt.

  “Where did this come from?”

  “It’s Rory’s,” she explained. “I remembered he kept an extra gun in his bag.”

  He slipped it from her jeans. “I don’t think you’re going to need it now. Reinforcements have arrived. Didn’t you hear the helicopters?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve been too busy, running.”

  “You don’t have to run anymore, Princess Anastasia.” The familiar voice caused her to turn around.

  Ana blinked at the man, then recognition hit her. “Pierce. Is that you?”

  The dark haired man grinned. “I thought I better come after you myself. Your mother is worried.”

  Ana went running into the man’s arms. “Oh, Pierce, I’m so glad to see you.”

  Jake wanted to beat the man to a pulp.

  “Looks like you got yourself into some trouble,” Pierce said. “But you managed to survive.”

  “The plane went down in the bad weather. It was Jake and Max who found me. And I wouldn’t have endured if he hadn’t taken care of me.”

  “I didn’t do that much, just got her out of the elements. She had a slight concussion.”

  “But Rory died…” Ana said, her voice sad. “He made sure I was well padded for the crash. Jake buried him and the pilot under the tree.”

  “He was a good man,” the colonel acknowledged.

  “I want to bring Rory back home, Pierce. I think he would want to be buried at Marlestone House.”

  “Of course. It may take a few days, but we’ll take him home, Ana.”

  Pierce took one look at Sanderstone and recognized the man’s jealousy. And after witnessing the searing looks between the two, the colonel didn’t doubt that something had happened during their isolation and it sure as hell wasn’t platonic.

  “Well, the first thing we have to do is let your mother know you are safe.” Pierce visually checked Ana. Her hair was a mess. She was dressed in baggy jeans and shirt. He laughed. “You look like a waif, but I’m sure the queen will take you any way she can get you.”

  Ana turned to Jake. “Oh, Jake, we’re safe and we’re going home.”

  He shook his head. “No, Princess, you’re going home where you belong. I’m staying here.”

  “Surely you’ll come back with me just for a few days,” she said. “Meet my family. My father and mother.”

  The colonel spoke. “Why don’t I let you two have a little privacy?” He walked back to the wreckage and talked with one of his men.

  Jake turned to Ana. He saw the pain and hurt in her eyes and had to look away. This was going to be harder than he’d thought, but it was best for everyone.

  “Look, Ana. We both knew this was going to happen. That you’d be rescued and return home.”

  “But…I thought…when the time came you would decide that we belonged together.”

  It had been Jake’s dream, too. But that’s all it was. A dream. “Do you really think I’d fit into your lifestyle? I am a commoner and you’re royalty. I wear flannel shirts and faded jeans. I drink beer and drive a truck.”

  “You also love horses and dogs.” She moved closer to him. “But none of that matters if you care about me.”

  He puffed out a breath. This was killing him. “You want a home and family. I don’t do that.” He’d stopped wishing for that years ago.

  “Oh, Jake. You do could those things best of all, if only you would trust.”

  He couldn’t let himself weaken. He needed to send her away. “I learned to trust myself. In the long run, that’s all I’ve had to depend on.”

  “You could depend on me.”

  “You’re high-maintenance. Our lifestyles are so far apart, Princess.”

  “We managed to get along these past two weeks.”

  “I’ve been up here a long time.” His gaze went to her mouth. “And you were pretty tempting. But if I need a woman to warm my bed, there are a lot of them out there that don’t want a commitment.”

  Ana’s face flushed. “I didn’t realize I was so much trouble.”

  Jake wanted to take all the cruel words back. He clenched his fists, fighting to keep her from convincing him into believing they could make it.

  “I guess I better leave then. I’ve already overstayed my welcome.” She started to walk away, then stopped. “Just one more thing, Jake.” Ana stepped toward him and slipped her arms around his neck. She raised up on her tiptoes and placed her mouth against his.

  Jake tried to resist, but he couldn’t. With a groan, he jerked her against him and deepened the kiss. He savored the softness of her body, her heart beating with his. His tongue moved against her teeth, then slipped inside to taste her sweetness one more time. For the last time.

  Finally he released her. Seeing her mouth wet and swollen from their shared passion, he nearly reached for her again.

  “You’re just going to let me go?” she whispered, her voice shaky.

  Dammit, didn’t she realize this was for the best. “You were never mine to keep, chère.”

  “I’ve never been any man’s but yours Jake. And no other woman will love you the way I do.”

  He was dying. “You only think you love me, Princess. In a few days you’ll forget this ordeal.”

  She smiled and his heart tripped. “I will never forget you, Jake. Just like you’ll never forget me. And I dare you to try.” Tears suddenly welled in her eyes. “Goodbye, Jake.”

  She turned and walked steadily toward the colonel. Then Prescott put his arm around her shoulder and began their journey back to her past life.

  One of the rangers came toward Jake. “Sir. We have a medic aboard the helicopter to look at your wounds.”

  “I’m fine,” Jake answered. “It’s just some cuts and bruises.”

  “You could have internal injuries, sir.”

  He had internal injuries all right, but nothing a doctor could fix. He looked on silently as Ana disappeared from his view…and his life.

  But never from his heart.

  Chapter Eleven

  Ana rode Fair Lady along the deserted beach, the chestnut thoroughbred kicking up sand beside the water’s edge. The sea breeze was unseasonably warm and felt good against her skin as it blew her hair from her face. And for a short time, during the early morning ride, Ana forgot her misery. But even being atop Lady hadn’t given her the solace she once had. When life was simpler.

  It had been a week since Ana returned home. The loneliest week of her life. Most of her memory had returned and she had tried to go on with her life as usual, but what was once normal was no more. Going to Marlest
one House without Rory had been the hardest thing she’d ever done. The second hardest had been explaining to the children he wasn’t coming back.

  She found it hard to believe that her friend was gone. Who could she talk to? Her sisters were involved in their lives, one expecting a child, the other preparing for a wedding.

  Her father was still in a coma. She prayed every night that he would get better. Since her return to Penwyck, she and her mother had grown closer, but she hadn’t been able to confide in her, or anyone, about Jake.

  Ana tugged on the reins and slowed Lady to a walk to cool her down. The animal reared back, wanting to race again. Her thoughts went to Maisie and Toby and she smiled, wondering if they missed her. Was Jake taking good care of them? And how would they all manage to survive the winter in the mountains? How would Jake survive?

  Anger rose within her and she hoped he was as miserable as she. Swinging her leg over the horse, she jumped to the sand. “Stubborn man,” she hissed. “He doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

  “Most men don’t.”

  Ana turned around to find her mother walking toward her. “Mother, I didn’t see you.”

  “I don’t think you’ve seen much these days.”

  Queen Marissa was a beautiful woman. Even dressed in slacks and a sweater, with her hair pulled away from her face, she looked years younger than her age. “I know your ordeal was horrific, Anastasia. I also wonder if you’re telling us everything. Pierce told me about your Mr. Sanderstone—”

  “He’s not mine.” She rubbed Lady’s muzzle. “What did he say about Jake?”

  “Not much, but as your mother, I was concerned about you being alone with a stranger for weeks.”

  “No need to worry, Mother, Jake was a perfect gentleman.” Tears filled her eyes. “Very much the gentleman.”

  Marissa smiled gently. “That is reassuring. But I have a feeling that you and this man have…formed a closeness.”

  Ana studied her mother. “Not as close as I would have liked.”