I am nervous as fuck, which isn’t like me.

But it is time for her to know. Everyone else does, and the secret is getting harder and harder to keep, especially since I noticed the paparazzo in the hall of the hotel when I got my girl.

It’s going to be impossible to keep her out of the media’s eye - another reason I decided to spoil her.

I fully intend on keeping her by my side at all times, but that means she’ll be scrutinized by the media, and I want her to feel confident. As beautiful as she is, she should have no doubts about her appearance, and if someone makes her doubt herself, I’m going to knock their fucking teeth out.

“Cassandra,” I finally say, looking into her pretty grey eyes. “Do you know my last name?”

“No,” she confesses, shaking her head. “You never told me.”

“Well…” It’s my turn to swallow the lump in my throat. Will this change everything between us? Fuck, I hope not. “Look, Cassie. I’m just going to come right out and say it since there’s no easy way around this.”

She looks so fucking scared it makes me want to pull her onto my lap and make things all better. Her eyes are wide and terrified as they lock with mine, and I wonder whether I should keep my secret for a while longer… But she needs to know. Especially since I have plans for her in the next few days.

“Cassie,” I repeat her name. “My last name is Winchester. I’m from the royal family. In fact, I’m a prince, and I’m next in line for the crown.”

She pales as I go on and I panic, more and more words spilling from my lips while I desperately hope she won’t leave me now that I’ve revealed my true identity.

“My father is the king. I’m an only child, and this is just… I know it’s unexpected, and I know you’re probably freaking out, but… I had to tell you before things went further than they already have. I need to be honest with you, princess. I need to… Fuck, I need you. I don’t want you to leave.”

My hands hold on to her and her pretty slate grey eyes find mine, searching for something in my gaze.

“You’re free to go, of course,” I finally go on. “But I’d fucking love it if you stayed with me, princess.”

Everything’s clicking for her. She finally understands why I’ve been calling her princess, why I was surrounded by all that security personnel in the airport, why the cameras have been clicking.

She looks a little scared, but not betrayed, which I’m taking as a good sign. Maybe she’ll stay with me… Maybe she’ll do what I need so badly and tell me she wants me just as much as I want her.

Fuck, my cock is throbbing at the thought.

“Cassie,” I say again.

She’s still fucking silent and it’s tearing me apart. I need her to say something… Tell me she’ll stay or announce she’s leaving, just put me out of my damn misery.

“Cassie, are you going to stay?”

Her little hands squeeze mine and my heart lurches when she smiles, a small smile but it’s there nonetheless, and fuck, it means everything in the world to see it on her lips.

“I’ll stay, of course…” she whispers, and I pull her against me, her lithe body shaking against mine.

“You don’t know how much this means to me,” I tell her. “You… you belong by my side, princess. I’ve known it since the moment I saw you in the airport.”

“I feel it too,” she whispers once I pull back, and her eyes are warm and loving, the prettiest sight in the fucking world. “I don’t want to leave, so if you’ll keep me, I’ll stay…”

“Of course,” I nod. “I knew I would have to tell you soon enough, hence all the clothes… You’ll be in the public eye now, Cassie. I want you to look polished. They can’t have anything bad to say about you - not that they would, because you’re fucking perfect. But I just wanted to make sure you felt comfortable.”

“I understand,” she says with a sweet smile, and then a yawn takes over and she stretches out lazily on the couch. “I’m so sorry, I’m just a little bit tired. It’s been a long day…”

“It has,” I say with a grin. “Which is why we’re having dinner here, with the view of the Tower out of our window. Tomorrow, I’ll show you more of Paris.”

She gives me a curious look but I don’t elaborate. Instead, I raise her into my arms and she squeals as I carry her over to the enormous bed. Everyone’s filed out the room now, so it’s just us and the countless amount of shopping bags and packages waiting for her.

“Princess needs her beauty rest,” I tell her gently as I set her down amidst the cushions. “I’m going to let you rest for a little while, I’m sure you’re exhausted. I’ll be back to have dinner with you at eight… Be ready for me, my princess.”

Her eyes are already closing, and I leave a fleeting kiss on her pouty lips before she drifts off to sleep.

I have some business to tend to before I can get back to my princess, so I leave her safely tucked into bed and walk outside into the hallway.

Carter is already waiting for me, wearing that unreadable expression of his.

“Has my father called?” I ask him tersely, and he nods.

“Three times,” he says, and I sigh inwardly knowing this means trouble.

Since we were photographed in the airport - and I’m assuming later on in the hotel as well - he must know by now I’ve found my princess. But he won’t like this… he won’t like it one bit.

My father, the king, is an old-fashioned man. He’s convinced I should marry royalty since I’m a blue blood myself, but I have no fucking interest in actual princesses when my girl tastes better than any royal would. I’ve already decided I want Cassie, and nobody will convince me otherwise. Now there’s only one thing left to do - get my father to be on my side… And that’s never been easy.

I call my father and wait for the line to connect.

“Yes?” he answers grumpily, and I already know I’m in for a world of trouble. “I’ve been waiting for your call, Ajax. You don’t even bother calling back these days.”

I’m so fucking tempted to tell him it’s because he’s been pressuring me, but I bite my tongue and refuse to say a word.

My mother died in childbirth with me, and I never knew her. My father never remarried, and this is something we see eye-to-eye with. He’s always said there’s no point in looking for a wife when he already knows my mother was his soulmate. He’d rather spend the rest of his life a widower than try to fill the void that can never go away. I agree with him, actually - especially now that I know my soulmate is on the other side of the door.

I can’t wait for him to meet Cassie, but at the same time, I’m fucking nervous. Dad has a sharp tongue and can come across as rude… I’m just hoping he behaves around the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.

“Hello, Dad,” I finally manage to get out. “I assume you’ve seen… the news?”

“If you mean that young girl you insist on dragging along with you,” he harrumphs, “Then yes, I have seen her, and I don’t like it one bit. She’s not a royal, Ajax! You know you need to marry someone from a royal family. I want an heir, son… I’ve been waiting for so long for you to bring a girl home. I don’t have much time left…”

He’s being dramatic as usual. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with him, yet he insists on telling me he’s pretty much on his deathbed and time’s running out for him to meet my bride.

“Well, I have some good news,” I retort. “She’s the one, Dad. I know I’ve been messing around, I know you’ve lost some of your faith in me… But this girl, this girl is the real deal. She’s the one I’m going to end up with, I swear to God.”

“Language,” Dad reminds me, then grunts something I can’t hear. “True love, eh? You really think she’s the one?”

I can hear the doubt in his voice but I don’t really give a shit. Of course I know she’s the one. I knew the moment I saw her, I just have to convince her that it’s true… Of course, I don’t mention this small fact to my father. It’ll be better for him not to know - and after all, by the time he meets Cassie, she’ll be as infatuated with me as I am by her.

“Yes, I do,” I reply firmly. “I guarantee it.”

“Well,” Dad grunts. “I might as well meet her then, right?”

“Of course,” I try to sound placating. “Just give us some time to spend together.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve had about enough time,” Dad muses. “If you’ve already decided she’s the one for you. How about this. Bring her to the charity ball at Versailles tomorrow. I’d like to meet this princess of yours.”

My blood freezes in my veins and I repeat, “Tomorrow? Isn’t that a little too soon, Dad?”

“Not if you’re so convinced she’s the one,” he replies, and I can hear the humor in his voice.

He thinks I’m lying. He thinks I’ve made up some story and she’s just one of my conquests. But he couldn’t be more wrong, and I’m going to prove to him that she belongs on the throne right next to me. I just have to make sure Cassandra feels the same way about me… And I’m sure she does. She’s been so open to me, so fucking receptive. I can’t wait to make her mine and show my father she wants me as badly as I want her.

“Alright,” I say easily, even though my heart is pounding with nerves. “I’ll bring her tomorrow. You’ll love her.”

“I’m sure,” he replies with a chuckle. “See you tomorrow, son. I’m excited to meet this enchanting young creature. I must say, the pictures make her look stunning. I hope they do her justice.”

He ends the call and I stand in the hallway feeling more than a little lost.

I’ve just gotten myself into a real mess, haven’t I?