Forbidden Crown

by Victoria Pinder

  Kristin felt her cheeks heat and this time she checked the dresses to avoid Renee’s curiosity. "Antonio and I came to an understanding."

  Renee took her hand and started to laugh. "You mean he took you to bed. Was he amazing, like his brother?"

  A giggle escaped her lips and she squealed a little. It was nice to share secrets with her friend. "So I said yes and now I'm to tell the queen what dress I will choose."

  "Tell the queen? Are you sure you are up to living this life?"

  The palace attack was unlikely to happen again, and security would be tightened. She’d witnessed the army and guards first-hand. It had thrilled her to see that Antonio had the respect of the general.

  "In Miami, the police are everywhere—we don’t even think about it. I expect I'll be fine, probably because they are around. The guards were already drawing up plans to rescue everyone when we came into the palace."

  Renee hugged her. "You are braver than anyone else I know, Kristin. I don't often say that but you might need strength tonight, at dinner. I’ll be there, but you’re on a whole other level. Oh, and wear the red one. We both know that color looks great on you."

  "Renee, I'm glad you came," Kristin said as someone knocked on the door. “Even if you did get tied up.”

  Renee answered, "Me too."

  Women came in with hair supplies and makeup boxes. They set up in chairs near the huge mirror on the wall. Kristin would dress fabulous and look the part of future princess. She was worthy of Antonio and tonight they’d tell the world that they were engaged.

  Chapter 11

  The red fabric hugged Kristin's waist. The silk felt smooth and showed her breasts in the sleeveless floor length dress but everything clung in all the right places while still giving her a sense of modesty. A knock sounded on the chamber door. She checked herself in the mirror one more time. Would Antonio like it?

  Was it Antonio? It was time for him to arrive. Surely he’d walk right in. Minutes passed and she had no idea what to do. She stared at the door and wondered if a servant might escort her to dinner like they had for Renee, ten minutes ago.

  Suddenly another knock sounded. For some reason Antonio hadn't kept his word to come and get her. She opened the door. A dark-haired man in a blue and gold uniform stood close to her. "The prince has asked that you come this way, Ms. Wells."

  All the servants she'd seen in the quarter so far were women. Her skin prickled as she slipped outside and closed the door behind her. No guard waited in the hall, as instructed by Antonio earlier. "I've not seen you before."

  "I work in service of her highness, Queen Anna Camilla."

  The man walked beside her a few steps. Kristin remembered how the maid had insisted she be in front of her and Renee earlier, as if that was proper protocol.

  Her stomach churned, indicating that something was wrong. She slowed her step and asked, "What's your name?"

  "Korba, Ms. Wells." He directed her farther down the hall.

  Her ears burned as she jumped toward the next door in the hall. "I almost forgot. Renee has my earrings. I'm going to slip into my friend's room. Please wait out here."

  She went in, then locked the door before he could say a word. Her heart raced. Antonio and his mother were looking for a Korba. She raced to the balcony and then her room. Antonio said he'd be here. She locked the balcony door and her front door.

  Antonio said he'd come. She hugged her waist and massaged the goosebumps off her arms. She called out to the green and white walls, "Where are you?"

  She went to her pocketbook and found her cell phone. Of course service was unavailable within the palace. She dropped it back in her bag, but then immediately grabbed it again. Perhaps she had Wi-Fi.

  She quickly pulled up the email used for her appointment with Antonio and sent him a message. Next, she sent one to Renee. She paced the room, hoping they’d check their messages before the dinner. Would Korba try to break in?

  Within moments, she heard footsteps and guards walk in loud formation outside in the hall. They stopped in front of her chamber. The key turned the lock and she stood, stiff and unsure.

  She saw the black leather of a shoe and immediately knew who it was. She rushed over and threw herself in Antonio’s arms despite the gold-encrusted Prince suit that reminded her a bit of an animated prince from the movies. "Antonio!"

  He hugged her, then kissed her fast. She felt protected in his arms. "I got your message. Are you okay? There’s nobody out in the hall."

  Her heart still raced, but she closed her eyes and remembered how close she'd been to following the man behind the hostage attacks to who knows where. She rocked on her feet. "Korba came to get me. I locked myself in."

  He massaged her shoulders. "Where were the guards?"

  Good question. She swayed, but balanced against his arm. "I don't know."

  "I'll find out." He held her until she calmed. Then he offered his hand and motioned with his head toward the door. "This way."

  She stared at the two men now stationed in the hall. She wished she remembered the faces of the ones from earlier, but her memory was a blur. "Don't you want to call the guards over and ask?"

  He shook his head and led her away. Once they were in the next hall, he whispered so only she heard him. "I trust Babik, but I think another general is in league with Korba. Let's get you with the rest of my family. You’ll be safe."

  "Why didn’t you come earlier as you promised?" The question came out of her lips before she had a chance to think. Her face felt hot, but she stared ahead.

  He took a deep breath and then put her hand on his heart. "You're right. I promised I would. Then nothing might have happened to my gorgeous fiancée. My mother had me go find her guest and then I had to bring her to my mother who then never stopped talking to me. I should have left them earlier and come straight here."

  "If you had then maybe I'd have fallowed Korba without questioning. So I'm glad you came now." She unlaced her fingers off his chest and pressed her lips together. Renee had said Sophia was beautiful. She swallowed. "Who is Sophia?"

  He reached out and took her arm to direct her to the door. "No one important and now is not the time for her. Let's go find Babik and then go to dinner."

  She tugged her hand back and stood taller. Sophia must be important—Kristin had to know so she crossed her arms. "Who is she?"

  Antonio's jaw clenched and he closed the door he had slightly opened, speaking just to her. "Someone my mother has been throwing in my path since I was thirteen. We don't fit."

  If his mother wanted this woman not only as Antonio’s wife, but princess, and someday queen, she had to be more than just acceptable. The last thing she wanted to be was surprised or jealous at dinner. She dropped her arms to the side, but her foot tapped the plush carpet that ran in the hall to protect the hard wood underneath. "Why not?"

  Antonio puffed out his decorated with metals chest when he took a deep breath. "Honestly, she's more like a sister and I'm not attracted to her in the slightest."

  Her shoulders dropped with relief—she hadn't known she was so stiff. She lowered her head. "So I shouldn't be jealous?"

  His shoes came into her view and she glanced at him. "Absolutely not."

  A second later, he lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes. Her eyelids fluttered closed and her lips puckered. Then his descended upon hers and she kissed him.

  With him, she had everything.

  The moment he ended the kiss, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. "I wish we could skip dinner and be alone."

  She hugged him and then straightened his tie. "We promised your mother. Other than beefing up palace security, I'm happy to stay. With you.”

  He nodded and walked with her through the palace, though as more and more military people were stationed, she understood this was the guard’s quarters. Antonio's hand laced with hers. "General Babik!"

  "Your Highness!" The general stopped mid-step and asked, "How may I help you, Sire?"

/>   "The guards were missing for a time, near my fiancée’s door. Korba tried to get her to go with him.”

  Babik's face went white. "The captain of the guards will be placed under review. I will find out what happened."

  "Good."

  Kristin tightened her hold on Antonio’s arm, feeling a cold stare. She discretely looked around, but it wasn't anyone near her. All the guards had their eyes respectfully averted.

  "I'll report the moment I know something. I suggest you go to dinner, Your Highness. Your mother has cameras ready," Babik said.

  Antonio stood, poised for a fight, if needed. "I want men loyal to you to guard my family, including Kristin."

  Babik said, "Absolutely."

  Kristin still felt someone watching her. Goosebumps grew on her arm as Babik said, "We will find out who in the army cannot be trusted."

  Antonio closed the circle between the three of them. He tapped Babik on the arm. "Good man. We know Korba is in the palace. I want him found."

  Babik's gaze softened as he looked at her for a moment. Did he resent that she, an American, would marry the prince? "Korba's sister who works in the laundry might be the link. I will let you know."

  She swallowed. "Babik, be careful. I feel like someone is watching me right now."

  He looked around then nodded. "Of course, my princess."

  "Not yet." Kristin felt a coldness inch up her spine. Until the danger was over, she had no idea what to do. Settling insurance claims hadn’t prepared her for this.

  Antonio led her out of the military barracks and back into the main palace. They walked down a hallway with gilded frames and she started to feel better. Surely nobody would be out to get her in front of a bunch of cameras. Warmth returned to her face. "So, we're off to dinner?"

  "In a second." He stopped her.

  She felt the cold metallic phone in her hand and asked though she knew the answer, "What's this?"

  "It's not the ring I promised. I've not had time to go and get one."

  "Understandable!" She smiled at him. “There was no need.”

  In her room, she'd felt his body near hers and her hands had grazed his suit. She had no memory of touching a phone. He'd been all muscles and soft wool. "So where did you get this?"

  He crossed his arms. "I took this when you spoke to Babik, on our way out of the barracks." He took it back and then programed the phone. "I'll upgrade the phone tomorrow, but I'm the first number on speed dial. I'd have come to you faster if you called, but you were smart to email me."

  She took the phone back and held it to her chest. "Sounds perfect. This was the first time in my life without a working number." Then she shook out her red dress and headed into the hallway. She offered her arm and asked, "Dinner?"

  "Let's." He took her arm. They walked together and saw the moonlight through the huge windows and then they heard the chatter of people outside on a patio.

  Antonio brought her into a dining hall that could easily sit fifty people at the long table, though for this occasion it was six white and gold settings near the door with Queen Anna Camilla at the head. Marco and Renee sat on the left next to a beautiful blonde with her hair designed in an up-do that would take hours. The blonde must be Sophia, who sat next to the queen.

  The other side was untouched and must be for her and Antonio.

  Antonio let her hand go and hugged his mother.

  Renee looked at her with concern. "Marco insisted I stay here when I saw your message, he said that you were safe with Antonio."

  "We're okay." Kristin used the top edge of the seat near her to hold on and stay steady. She wasn't sure why but the room felt icy in here too.

  The queen then said, "You're courageous." She lifted her chin and stared right at her. "It must be one of the things my son finds attractive in you. You look good in red, it complements your pale skin."

  Kristin was probably overreacting. She glanced around the room, but saw no danger. The queen was polite and courteous. She bowed her head and let go of the chair. "Thanks. I went through a lot of the dresses you sent to find something I liked that still maintained a modest cut."

  The queen then shrugged and shook out the flawless green chiffon skirt of her gown. Once she was done, she said, "It's teasing the public, but we must announce your wedding to the cameras outside on the patio first. I’ve planned the ceremony for three days from now. Son, where is your grandmother's ring?"

  Three days was fast. Antonio blushed and seemed taken aback. "I don't have it."

  "I have it, Your Highness." The other woman in the room said and took it off her finger.

  Kristin held her breath and stared at Sophia. She had blonde ringlets in her hair, and cool blue eyes. The small woman must be a foot shorter than her, but she handed the ring to Antonio as he said, "Sophia?"

  Something inside Kristin gnawed at her.

  "Antonio,” Sophia said. “I'm happy the computer led you to someone who has made you so happy."

  "Computer?" Kristin asked out loud.

  Sophia tried to give her the ring. "The world-wide search for a bride he conducted." Kristin refused to take it and Sophia placed the ring in Antonio's palm. "Through IT? Your mother handed me the ring to try on months ago and I forgot about it until tonight. I tried to see you earlier, Antonio, to give it back, but, well, we were taken hostage. I am thrilled for you."

  Antonio found her from her job application, not the equivalent of royal match.com. She tapped her fingers on her arm and demanded his gaze. "What world-wide search, run by IT? Was it my application that brought you to Miami or something else?"

  Antonio's cheeks turned slightly red and he looked down to avoid her gaze. "The application was further screening." Her heart skipped a beat, but he looked at her with those flecks of green that made his brown eyes seem brilliant. "I had a month to find a bride and it seemed the fastest way to shift through data."

  The hard facts made her accept that that love, or the beginning seeds of love, had never truly existed. Hadn’t he said so in the contract? She should have known better and protected her heart. She stepped back and shook her head. "I said I'd marry you because I felt something, not because..." Maybe she had said yes so fast because he was a prince. Either way she thought he might grow to love her, but he hadn't told her everything. She lifted her chin. "Of all this. Antonio, you didn't tell me."

  "I have less than two weeks until I must marry. What happened after we met has all been real."

  She slipped out of his hands and covered her lips. "Was it? How can it be when I was targeted by a computer program? I was a stupid fool to believe there might be more."

  She turned to leave.

  Antonio called out, "Kristin, wait."

  However, whatever else he said faded as the door closed behind her. She needed to get her head on straight and she ran down the hall. Alone. Romantic love wasn’t real. She had always known that so she shouldn’t feel this bile grow inside her that made her bitter and sad. She should have been armed and protected herself from this sense of loss. Her mother had been right all along.

  Chapter 12

  Kristin's entire body was stiff with hurt pride and her muscles banded together. The contract should have been enough of a signal to keep her heart safe. She glanced around the hallway, unsure where she was and her heart beat grew faster and faster. This was the cost of taking a risk. Allowing herself to believe in something more.

  She increased her speed despite the red satin heels, but she wasn't sure she was going in the right direction. The blue walls in the never-ending hallway, separated with oak doors that led to rooms she’d never been in, was making her dizzy.

  Her skin felt dewy again, her hairs raised as if someone was close. She called out, "Whoever is there, go away."

  A shadow stepped forward from behind a corner of the upcoming hall. She caught her breath.

  "Princess."

  Ice raced through her veins. She recognized the forty something year old man she had met earlier in the hall. "Kor
ba, I'm not a princess."

  He inched closer to her. Her spine became like a steel rod as he said, "You're an American, and the last thing we need in this country are your people to come and take us over."

  Her heartbeat was so fast she feared a heart attack, but her years of self-defense classes reminded her to keep her knees apart and ready to kick. Her hands clenched into fists. "My people? I don't know the President. There will be no tanks coming in after me—I’m nobody. I want to go home."

  He turned as if to walk with her down the hall, without a care in the world. "Then, I will drive you to the airport."

  "You will?" Her voice was an octave higher. She coughed but the adrenaline still pumped in her veins. "That's it? You're not going to threaten me?"

  He moved closer to her and invaded her space. "No. The prince must marry in two weeks. If you are gone, then we can proceed as planned and no one gets hurt."

  The hair on her body stuck straight up. She put her hand out to create boundaries. "Proceed as planned? Just leave me alone. I can find my own ride. Your country must have a car service."

  He grabbed her arm and tried to force her to go with him. "See, I can't do that. You have to disappear for two weeks, and that's exactly what we're going to do."

  "You're hurting me." She squirmed her shoulder.

  He squeezed her arm tighter. "Then come quietly."

  "Not a chance." She stomped on his foot with her heel and then brought her leg up to knee him in his groin. The slit in her red dress allowed her easy movement.

  “Ouch!” He let her go and covered his manhood. "Oww."

  She refused to wait and see if he was okay. She ran. Once she was in the hallway she took off her pretty heels and continued to run faster. She heard no footsteps behind her.

  Picking the first door, she ducked inside, then quietly closed it. Once she locked herself in a small dark closet devoid of clothes or anything at all, she ensured there was no other entryway by hitting the back wall. Safe. She dug the phone out of her bra and listened to her heart go fast as she said to herself, "Now let me call Antonio."