by Grady, D. R.
“My nickname for my brothers.”
Ah, that made sense. Sort of. “You have three brothers you call The Apes?”
She pursed her lips and nodded.
“Do you like these men?” he ventured.
Her lips curled up into a semblance of a smile. “Sometimes.”
“What do they do to you that you do not appreciate?”
Tia rolled her eyes in his direction, the beautiful orbs larger than normal and filled with disbelief. “Aleksi, they rarely do anything I appreciate.”
“I see,” he murmured, although he was pretty certain he didn’t. Why would brothers go to such lengths to bother their only sister?
“I doubt it, but that’s okay.” Tia’s voice was dry. She dug in her purse, a huge bag that for some reason scared him more than all of his contaminated wells together. Soon, she extracted her phone. After a few swipes she announced, “Here are some pictures.”
When she handed the device to him, Aleksi was grateful for the wicked idea that formed in his brain. “Perhaps you could point out each family member?” He moved over in the large seat to make room for her.
Her eyes darkened with an emotion he didn’t recognize, but that filled him with hope. Was she as affected by him as he was by her?
Because he definitely wanted something more from this woman than he’d ever wanted from another. The feelings might have been quietly growing since their university days. Perhaps that was the explanation for the explosion of need and desire he had experienced when she plowed into him at the microbiology conference. A conference he attended solely to locate a skilled microbiologist to save his water wells.
To have run into Tia Morrison had been a fantasy of his. He’d thought of her throughout the years, but had been too busy learning to run his principality from his father. Keeping the nation together after his father’s descent into senility all the while maintaining silence about the Prince’s illness had also been difficult.
But now, with his father gone and buried, and a host of problems only Tia could solve, he had to discover how to live again. Granted, his mother might balk, his advisors would advise against anything he wanted, because that’s what they did, and his people might worry about this “American” but he couldn’t, and wouldn’t, stop the locomotive he had set into motion.
Glancing at Tia’s bowed head, and drinking in her glorious smile as she pointed out each family member and offered him information on each, Aleksi realized he’d abdicate if he could just kiss her.
***
Exactly when she became aware Aleksi wasn’t listening, Tia wasn’t certain, but she was very conscious of the fact he sat a little closer to her than she was comfortable with. And she doubted he had heard a thing she said. Not all bad, but her heart raced and her palms moistened uncomfortably.
Now what?
Like she had time for this nonsense. She wasn’t interested in a relationship with a prince. Especially not one as gorgeous as Aleksi. She wasn’t even remotely good enough for him. And if he tried to convince her otherwise, she had The Apes to prove her right. Prince Aleksi was every girl’s dream prince. But she wasn’t wearing glass slippers, she didn’t have evil step sisters, only annoying brothers, and there was no way she was attending a ball on the arm of a hottie like Aleksi.
She’d trip and fall flat on her face, smash her nose, which would bleed profusely, and ruin her dress. Tia knew this, since that’s exactly what happened at her prom. It was one thing to do so in the company of her high school classmates, all of whom were aware of her lack of grace. And a totally different thing to trip in front of European royalty.
Tia suppressed a groan.
Yes, that would be her. And since she was nearly six feet tall, there was a lot of her to see falling.
Not a pretty sight.
She couldn’t walk in high heels to save her life, and sneezed if someone wore cologne. Sunk and stupid. That’s what she was. At this point, Tia realized she needed to make a pact with herself.
Since she was en route to wherever Aleksi called home, she would just hide in her lab. Provided there was a lab. That reminded her...
“Have you had people looking into the wells?”
He blinked those gorgeous dark eyes at her. So cute... Aw....
“Pardon me?”
“Has anyone been testing the wells? Or tried to figure out what’s wrong with them?”
The sexy confusion cleared and he nodded. “Of course. We’ve engaged the nation’s top scientists to determine the problem. Unfortunately, none of them are microbiologists. They know their own science...” He shrugged, a Gaelic, sexy motion that likely rippled the muscles under the suit he wore. Maybe she could talk him out of that jacket...
Tia swallowed the drool, determined not to fall under this man’s spell. She’d embarrass herself enough in the future. She was not slipping on her drool, or cracking knees with him, or whatever Lady Luck had in mind to most mortify her.
“I assume they’ve set up a lab?”
He frowned. “As far as I know. I haven’t actually visited recently, but it’s within the palace walls.”
“I expect things might get a little stinky.” She bit her lip.
“How do you microbiologists contend with the odors of your work every day?”
“You do grow accustomed to them. We love what we do.” Tia shrugged. So she had to deal with various stenches from time to time. “Yeast growing on a Petri plate is gorgeous. It looks like little stars. E.coli, when grown on EMB media, has this green sheen that’s almost breathtaking.”
He raised a brow and she grinned. “I’m a scientist. If these things don’t excite me, I shouldn’t be in this profession.” Tia refused to apologize for loving her work and being fascinated by what she did.
His eyes grew speculative and Tia wondered. What exactly was he thinking? Her inquiring mind wanted to know. Probably that she was the biggest geek he’d ever met.
Unfortunately, her inquiring mind seemed bent on landing her in as much trouble as possible. Paired with Lady Luck, and she might as well give up, because she wouldn’t like the outcome.
Tia sighed. That closet sounded better and better. The ante upped when Aleksi flashed that million dollar smile and slanted his dark, sexy eyes at her.
And why did she keep using the word “sexy” to describe him? She’d used the word so often she lost count. Tia pursed her lips.
This Aleksi obsession had to stop. She needed a new hobby. A new sport. Something.
Maybe she’d take up extreme co-ed hiding.
***
When the plane landed, Aleksi leaned forward in his seat to better watch the emotions that crossed Tia’s face in an overwhelming display. Her mouth opened in an o, and her eyes widened, but he also saw a little fear. Now why was that?
He wanted to kiss away her fears, but feared he’d end up contributing to them.
“Welcome to Rurikstan,” he told her and took her hand, because he wanted to touch her.
“T...thank you.” Her eyes remained on the scenery outside the plane window.
“We are pleased to host you,” he said and her eyes left the window to peer at him suspiciously. “That is a loose translation of the traditional Rurikstan greeting.”
One blonde eyebrow rose, and her eyes swept him up and down before she turned back to the window. That went better than he expected.
“What is the tall building in the center?”
“That is our government building. The rounded roof beside it is my home.” He pointed.
Her eyes followed his finger and she nodded. “It looks beautiful.”
“We believe so,” he replied.
“Where exactly are we in the world?”
“Rurikstan is nearly right in the center of Europe.” He drew out a map and showed her specifically.
“Is Rurikstan a country?”
He frowned. “No. We are a principality, not a country.”
“Like Monaco?”
“Yes. They, too
, are a principality.”
“Isn’t tourism their big draw?”
“Yes.”
“And what is Rurikstan’s claim to fame?”
“We are a leading supplier of precious gems, minerals, and other natural resources.”
“What kind of gems?” Tia cocked her head in an enchanting manner.
“Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, all of them. And many minor types as well.”
“So mining is a big portion of your income?”
“Yes. We rely on mining.” He thought about how many people would suffer without the precious things they drew from the land. Aleksi shuddered to think what would happen to his people.
“So your scientists are mostly geologists, engineers, and gemologists.”
“Correct. We have little need for microbiologists. Or at least we did have little need.”
Tia nodded, but didn’t say anything. Her eyes were downcast, so he couldn’t read her expression, and lines appeared between her eyebrows. Her shoulders drooped.
“What is wrong, Tia?”
She started and turned quickly to look at him. “Nothing,” she lied. He knew she lied because there were shadows in her eyes that hadn’t been there moments before.
He used a finger to tilt her chin toward him. “Want to try that answer again?” How American he sounded.
She grimaced and then their eyes connected. “I hope I can find the answers your people need.”
Ah, fear. “I too, feel that way. I want you very much to solve our problematic wells.”
“What if I don’t, Aleksi?”
“What if you do, Tia?”
“What if I can’t figure out what’s causing your people to get sick?”
He sighed. “Tia, right now, you are our only hope. If you can’t find out what is happening, I doubt anyone can.”
She sucked in a deep breath and he thought he saw resolve chase out the fear. Tia nodded her head, once, but firmly before their eyes met again.
“I will do whatever I have to. We’ll make your people well again.”
“That is all I ask.” But he liked the new determination he saw in her eyes. He didn’t doubt Tia’s skills in the laboratory.
He only doubted his ability to keep his possessive hands off her.
Chapter 4
Rurikstan didn’t compare to her imagination. The old world charm the place exhibited, and the well kept homes and streets far surpassed everything she thought she might see. The homes were mostly made out of stone, lining brick and cobbled streets. Planters bursting with flowers abounded, although she noticed quite a few of the flowers looked wilted and some were browned beyond redemption.
The only thing missing in the picturesque place were mothers pushing baby carriages, kids playing, older folks conversing while seated on the stone and wooden benches scattered about the city. But none of those people were in evidence. There seemed to be a shroud hanging over the city, like they were all expecting the very worst.
Tia frowned as she watched the scenery. Where there should have been bustling, busy life, instead there was... nothing. The still living flowers, shrubs, and trees had an ominous brown tinge. Something was definitely wrong.
“There are no people,” she murmured.
Aleksi leaned forward and peered out the limousine window next to her. He shook his head sadly. “They’re all occupied with keeping their families healthy. They don’t have time to play any longer. Plus they have to take care of those who are sick.”
Deep lines etched his face, and Tia realized how greatly his people needed her skills. How much depended on her discovering what was making his people sick. Aleksi had sought her out because his people desperately needed a solution.
“No one in your family has been affected?”
“Not so far. No one in the palace has displayed the same symptoms.”
This could be a challenge, Tia thought.
The car swung into a circular drive in front of an elaborate building worthy of royalty. Tia clearly defined it as a palace. This must be Aleksi’s home. She thought about the dingy dorms they had lived in at school, and then the apartments many of them rented off campus later. After being used to the palatialness of this residence compared to what he’d lived in during school, Tia wondered how he had coped.
The driver exited the car and opened the door for them. Tia climbed from the long vehicle, aware of Aleksi’s hand at the small of her back. She couldn’t remember walking anywhere with a man’s hand on her back. It was an interesting, if slightly disconcerting experience.
“My mother will be awaiting us in the main parlor.”
She darted a quick look at him as fear cascaded down her spine. “Your mother?”
“Yes, she lives here.”
“Shouldn’t we clean up first?” Tia desperately wanted to shower and clean off the dust of travel. Sure, Aleksi owned his own plane, and the plane had been quite comfortable, but that didn’t alleviate the fact that she still would have felt better showering and changing out of her rumpled clothing.
“We don’t need to. After you meet her we can freshen up before supper, which is customary.”
Wonderful, I have to freshen up before dinner. What have I gotten myself into?
He guided her through a series of hallways and Tia watched carefully. How embarrassing to get lost while she was in residence. And she’d learned that he expected her to live in his home. Any trepidation she might have entertained of them living together dissolved upon seeing his home. The entire state of Montana could live here.
The butler preceded them down the hallway and threw open the right door that made up one half of the ornately inlaid doors that must lead to some sanctuary. Tia swallowed and allowed Aleksi to steer her into the room. She had enough time for the panicky thought, Wealthy, dignified, understated – don’t knock anything over, before a woman, slender, elegant as the room, and with her nose aloft, rose from a chair near the unlit fireplace.
When she turned to look Tia over, Tia received the absolute impression that this woman didn’t plan to play nice. “So, this is the little biologist you found in America,” she said, and her nose seemed to climb higher. Tia wondered how the woman could breathe with her nose so high in the air.
The way she pronounced America made Tia wonder if she’d dipped her nose into something foul. Of course, Tia also received the impression she was rather foul. Lovely. What an excellent way to set off her time here.
“Mother,” Tia heard the warning in Aleksi’s voice, “this is Dr. Tia Morrison. She’s a renowned microbiologist who is here as a favor to me. Tia, this is my mother, Princess Gracia.”
The woman’s eyebrow did the climbing this time, but the effect was quite similar to her peering down her nose at Tia. Aleksi’s mother still didn’t appear to approve of Tia, or her rumpled clothing. Of course, what possessed her to wear linen trousers and matching shirt to travel in was beyond her.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Tia said, purely for her own entertainment.
Gracia? She nearly snorted. If this woman held any grace toward her fellow beings, Tia would eat Nick’s nastiest baseball cap.
I could take you down in a matter of seconds, skinny butt, she decided as she assessed the woman. The problem would be which wrestling hold to use once she smacked the woman’s supercilious, arrogant self against the authentic Persian carpeting.
Aleksi’s mother, Gracia, Tia snorted to herself again, eyed Tia like she’d just crawled out of a sewer. Tia was sure she didn’t smell that bad. She entertained herself briefly with naming a few of the bacteria responsible for the sewer stench.
The princess didn’t offer her hand but nodded her head oh so briefly in Tia’s direction. “Nice to meet you, I’m sure,” she drawled with a very proper, quite European accent.
Tia was rather surprised the woman’s lip didn’t curl up in disgust. “I’m sure, but don’t worry, we probably won’t spend much time together,” Tia murmured.
The woman looked o
ffended. “Why ever would you say that?”
“I came here to fix a problem, so I imagine I’ll be spending a lot of time in the lab.” Tia’s mother would never treat a guest this way. Of course, if your house spanned three city blocks and you had more servants than sense, maybe you could get away with poor manners.
With a mental shrug, Tia glanced at Aleksi, who stood glaring at his mother. “Perhaps we could freshen up now? I’m feeling the long trip and would dearly love a shower.”
He winced. “We haven’t rigged the system yet in order to shower.”
“What?” She stared at him, not comprehending.
“Because we know the water is a problem, we have to boil all the water we use. That’s been true for washing, as well as cooking and drinking.” His cheeks took on a faint tinge of red.
“Maybe I’d better skip supper and head right to the lab,” she said, frowning at him. A wave of sympathy washed through her as she stared at his obvious discomfort. To live in a place you loved, with people who were your responsibility and not know how to protect them had to be a terrible burden regardless of your position.
“There’s no need for that. Our plumbers are planning to install filters that should eliminate most of the palace problems.” Aleksi’s voice was more confident now. “In the meantime I’ll have someone bring water to your room.”
“Someone has to carry water to my room?”
“We do have indoor plumbing, of course, but we cannot use it until the filters are in place,” Gracia said. She all but sniffed.
Tia thought about ignoring her. The woman was definitely not going to improve her stay in Rurikstan.
And here she thought Aleksi himself would prove to be her main problem. Really though, she didn’t intend to spend a lot of time with either of them. Right now she figured she had a job to do. The sooner she finished the job, the sooner she could race home to the ignominious comfort of the Apes. It was her turn to wince. The rest of her family was quite nice and they would welcome her home.
“We fully expect you to dine with us,” Aleksi said firmly. “There will be plenty of time for you to become acquainted with the lab tomorrow. Besides, no one will be there at this hour. You need to clean up and eat.”
