Chapter 13: Carrie
I watched until Erik disappeared out of sight before I started to move again, the uneasy feeling surrounding my heart not easing even after his apologies. Something was wrong, and Erik was being sent to attempt to fix it.
What, I wasn’t sure, but I worried all the same. I had never seen him like this before, so worried, yet looking so much like the royal he was.
With a sigh, I walked down the hall toward Jeanie’s suite, hoping that I could drown my sorrows in some junk food and good ole bestie talk. She would understand. Plus, I wanted to discuss with her the conversation that Erik and I were having before we were interrupted. The way he was making it sound was that he was about to propose.
I snorted as I turned yet another corner. Was I really thinking that? I mean, we hadn’t been together that long, we hadn’t. I stopped in my tracks, however, as a new revelation took over my thoughts. Why did it matter how long we had known each other?
I loved him.
It hadn’t taken me months to figure out that Erik was the man, the prince, I had waited my entire life for. He had literally swept me off my feet in the short time I had been here and seemed, at least, to be in it for the long haul.
I looked around in the hallway, taking in the sights that had become familiar to me in these last few days. Could I live here? Could I make this my home? I had lived in the noisy, gorgeous city that was the big apple for most of my adult life, so much so that it flowed through my blood as if I had been born there.
To leave it would be a sad affair indeed.
Oh, I so needed to talk to Jeanie! Heading down the hallway, I made the last turn to our suites, nearly running into the person I was looking for. “Hey Carrie,” Jeanie said, her eyes sparkling. “How was your date?”
“Cut short, unfortunately,” I answered, looking at the handsome man at her side. “Are you about to go out?”
She nodded, gazing up at the guard that I had seen sneaking out of her room yesterday morning. “Liam here is going to take me out on the town. It’s his day off.”
“Oh,” I answered, giving them both a bright smile. “Go, have fun. It’s a lovely night out.”
Jeanie peered at me, her smile fading. “Is everything alright Carrie?”
I waved a hand at them, pushing past them before she could question me further. I didn’t want to ruin her fun. One of us should be enjoying themselves. “Have fun! Don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do or that will get you thrown in jail.”
“At least we have connections,” Jeanie laughed as they continued on their way. “Have a good night friend.”
I didn’t respond, heading for my suite. It wasn’t going to be the night I had envisioned, not at all.
***
Three hours later I gave up trying to go to sleep, gathering my phone and slipping it into my robe pocket just in case Erik reached out to me. I had watched tv after a long, hot shower, but nothing would compute into my brain that was full of worry for Erik. I didn’t know what he was getting into, but I could only hope that he would stay safe and would be back asap.
Opening the door to my suite, I wandered down the quiet hall, pausing to listen and Jeanie’s door before moving on. She was still out, no doubt enjoying every flipping moment. I was happy for my friend, wishing I had the guts to just throw caution to the wind and say what the heck.
I guess I had done that by coming here.
Turning the corner, I nearly ran into another hall wanderer. “I’m so sorry,” I said immediately.
“I should not have been looking at my shuffling feet,” the king chuckled, steadying himself on the nearby wall. “These slippers, they aren’t made like they used to be.”
“I just, I can’t sleep,” I blurted out before he could answer. “You haven’t, um, heard from Erik, have you?”
He shook his head, his kind eyes on me. “I have not. Come, let us go raid the kitchens. I find the best way to relieve worry is to eat.”
I laughed and followed the king to his original destination, the spacious kitchen empty to be nearly midnight. As if he had done this multiple times over, the king walked over to the subzero freezer and pulled out some ice cream, picking up a few spoons along the way. “I’m sure you are wondering where my guards are,” he said as I watched him perform familiar tasks.
“I would hope that you would get a moment’s peace every once and a while,” I answered as he motioned for me to sit at the large workstation in the midst of the kitchen.
“You’re correct Carrie,” he said, handing me a spoon. “I do enjoy some privacy. But word has gotten out about my nightly visits to the kitchen and not only do they have a camera installed in here specifically to watch an old man enjoy his midnight snack, but they have also started stocking the freezer with multiple cartons. I believe they are on to me.”
“I would believe so, sir,” I laughed, taking a small scoop out of the carton and popping it in my mouth. No one was ever going to believe that I was eating ice cream out of a carton with the King of Maltan.
He sighed, taking his own spoonful. “I guess nothing is a secret anymore. I’ve warned Erik that his life is likely to be the same once he officially takes over as king. He’s not as concerned as I was.” The king then looked over at me. “He’s fine by the way. I wouldn’t have sent him there if I was at all concerned with his safety.”
I looked at the older man, seeing Erik’s features in his. “I, thank you.”
He winked. “You’re welcome. I like you Carrie, and I believe my son likes you as well.”
I blushed and looked down at my spoon. “I-I like him as well. I’ve enjoyed my time here, your majesty.”
He laughed. “I believe you should start calling me Paul.”