Everything seems to have dissolved in this moment—all the misunderstandings, arguments, and fights that have happened between William and me. He holds me, kissing me tenderly, and for that long while there is nothing else.

But then William speaks. “It could be like this, you know. It could always be like this.” He sighs against my hair. “I want it to always be like this.”

I say nothing, allowing my eyes to flutter closed. I want it to be like this, too, but I don’t want to be the one to point out that we still have obstacles—that things are not always going to be as perfect as they are in this moment.

Before I know what’s happening, William is whispering again in my ear. “Justine. Justine, we’re here.”

I sit, blinking rapidly. “We’re here? They never even came to check on our tickets—”

William interrupts with a chuckle. “They did, but you were asleep. Out like a light.” He grins. “I’d like to think that perhaps I had something to do with that…”

I can’t help but smile, shaking my head.

“I will say, this dress is my favorite of yours so far.” He lifts a suggestive brow and pulls my hands into his. “Though, I suppose we have some time to see if I can find another favorite.”

I sigh as he lifts my hand to his lips, kissing the top of it before turning it over to kiss my wrist.

“All right, Prince Casanova,” I say, gently pulling my arm away, “are we going to stay on this train all day? Or did you have something else planned?”

His grin seems impossibly wide. “Oh, I’ve been thinking of all manner of things I’m going to show you. The first of which is my suite in the palace, where I don’t plan to let you leave for days.”

A giggle escapes me as he lifts me up, kissing me as he carries me out of the compartment. He sets me down when we enter the more crowded passenger car and start attracting attention.

At least we aren’t fighting in front of the Montovian people. Still, it’s odd to me that Montovians are so old-fashioned as far as public displays of affection compared to the people of Rosvalia. The crowd is still murmuring, muttering to each other about the kissing. Montovia is much more progressive than Rosvalia in many ways, at least as far as the rights of women are concerned, but so much more intolerant of affection.

William pulls my hand into his, giving it a small squeeze as he smiles down at me. “Are you ready?”

I give him a small nod, and we leave the train. The sun is bright, and judging by its position in the sky, it’s still early morning. It’s hard to believe I slept all night, but perhaps William was right. Maybe it is because he satisfied me—because I finally let myself be free with him. It’s the first time in a long while that I could just let things be.

I sigh to myself. I will likely never admit it to William, but he does satisfy me in a way I’ve never been satisfied before. And it isn’t only the sex, which so far has been more than amazing. There’s something else between us. Something deeper that I can’t quite put my finger on. Perhaps it’s the passion behind everything—we fight passionately, so it makes sense that our lovemaking would be equally passionate. But that doesn’t quite ring true, either. I’m not certain I can name whatever it is that I’m feeling deep inside me. I only know that I want to be with him now, and I long for him when we’re apart.

Wait. I long for him?

That doesn’t seem right. I know I was in love with James. At least I thought I knew I was. But I don’t remember having these sorts of feelings for him. What James and I had was something different, something…less mature, maybe. I remember longing for his attention, for his approval. But I don’t recall longing for him, necessarily.

But my past is of no matter now. William seems to be over his jealous spell, at least for the moment. I’ve come with him to his home country, a place I’ve only visited a few times in my life. Of course, the last time was for the weeks-long charade of his brother’s search for a suitable wife, and I didn’t see much of the country on that trip. Mostly, I saw the inside of the palace walls and a bit of the gardens. It seemed like if I should take the risk of leaving my own suite, I would run into someone unsavory—or at least someone I didn’t want to see. Those weeks were some of the most difficult of my life, and they certainly didn’t get any better when Andrew announced his love for another on international television. And they seemed to get even worse when William announced our betrothal.

Everything that happened in Montovia seems like a million years ago, even though it’s only been a few months. And as William holds my hand, it seems like even longer ago. Perhaps none of it matters. Perhaps—just perhaps—I was meant to go through those trials to find this man.

Tears well in my eyes at the thought, and I quickly blink them back.

“What is it?” William’s eyes have gone wide, and he stops us inside the train station, turning me to him.

I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

“It’s certainly something. I don’t… You don’t cry for nothing. I…” He frowns. “I’m sorry for my atrocious behavior the past few days, Justine. I honestly don’t know what’s come over me.” He stares down into my eyes for a moment. “Actually, that’s a lie. I know exactly what’s come over me.”

I’m not exactly sure what’s come over either of us, but I sniffle back whatever it is that was welling inside me for a moment. “And what is that?”

He grins. “I think I’ll save that proclamation for somewhere other than the train station.”

“Proclamation?” I can’t help but smile. “You have another proclamation?”

He tilts his head. “Another?” A wry smile comes to his lips. “Ah, we’re back to the surprise betrothal again. Will you ever be able to forgive me for that, Princess?”

Something about the way he says princess this time makes me smile. “I’m not sure, Your Highness. You might have to make it up to me. Again. And again.”

The growl that comes from deep inside him is barely audible before he pulls me into his arms. He dips his head to my ear. “Your wish is my command.” He pulls back just enough to look down into my eyes. “And if we weren’t in Montovia’s train station, I’d make it up to you right here.” He looks down. “While you’re still wearing my favorite dress.”

I laugh, and slap playfully at his chest. “There will be plenty of time for that later.” I don’t know what’s happening to me, but I can’t seem to stop smiling. “But speaking of dresses, I should probably stop somewhere and get something else to wear.”

He lifts a brow. “Where we’re going, I guarantee you won’t need a dress. I plan to have you naked in my bed for at least three days. If not longer.”

“Well, Your Highness, I suppose you should take me to the palace then. I’d very much like to get out of this dress.”

He growls again, and nearly pulls my arm off as we head for the exit.

We can’t get to the palace quickly enough. He calls a car, and we’re there within another few minutes. William kisses and fondles me in the back seat of the car, and I swear, if there wasn’t a driver sitting just in front of us, we’d probably have another go at each other before we arrived at his home.

And he can’t seem to wait for me either. As soon as the car pulls up to the entry, William pulls me out by the arm. We both run for the door—it’s almost as though we can’t get to his bed quickly enough.

As we reach the entrance, the door is opened for us. A short man I recognize as the king’s valet stands at the threshold. He gives us a shallow bow. “Your Highnesses. I hadn’t realized you’d been summoned back to the palace.”

William gives the man a look that could almost be interpreted as a sneer. “Nice to see you, too, Stephan. If you’ll excuse us—”

“Your Highness, Princess Justine.” He interrupts William without even acknowledging him, staring at me. “I’m certain your father, King Maximilian, will be happy to see you.”

“My…what?” My eyes go wide, and I’m not sure I understand what he’s saying.

He smiles, looking between the two of us. “Why, didn’t you know? Your father is here at the palace. He’s been staying with us for the past several weeks.”