We quickly enter an electronics store buying Daniel the newest iPhone, which is paid for in cash. He uses his alias, James Malcolm, to register the phone and his address in the states. We leave the store less than half an hour later and enter a clothing store like Macy’s. Although Daniel appears relaxed, I caught the way he scanned the building. He knew my size and walked through sections of racks grabbing items as he moved. We purchase a few outfits without trying them on.
He slows the pace as we leisurely stroll, arm in arm, to the car. He casually drapes his arm across my shoulders. As we pass a storefront window, I notice we look like two lovers going for a walk. He stops alongside the car long enough to kiss me soundly before depositing me in the passenger seat. He makes sure I’m secure before he walks around to the driver’s side. He pats my knee affectionately before pulling out.
The drive to the docks is as uneventful as the rest of the day. I have no idea what to expect at the docks. No sign of our pursuers anywhere. It is surprises me when we aren’t stopped at the border and questioned about our lack of passports, but then I see Daniel giving the border guard money.
Who says money can’t but everything, I think wryly.
The smell of tangy seawater hangs heavy in the air when we arrive at the cold docks. The sky no longer holds the warmth it had while we were in Amsterdam. The sun peeked out momentarily behind the rain laden clouds, doing little to warm the air.
Daniel takes his time looking for a parking space and circles the parking lot a few times before settling on one close to the water. The commercial boat yard filled with barges, tugboats, and fishing boats should have clued me for the type of boat we are taking, but it doesn’t.
“Stay here while I check the boat.” He says squeezing my hand.
I nod, watching as he walks toward the docks. His gait is sure, steady and sexy. He holds himself with such grace while the air around him buzzes with authority. A few fisher women- yeah that’s right fisher women- turn their heads and stare as he passes by. The possessiveness rushing through my system surprises me as I watch them. Part of me wants to race over and stake my claim, but the saner part demands I stay and do as I’m told.
Alone in the car as I am, I think back over the last few days. I have gone from a barely making ends meet waitress to a princess, who will be queen when her newly found father dies. The everyday humdrum life Dante and I were complaining about recently no longer exists. I fear those humdrum moments will be few and far between. This has been the longest we have been apart since we ran away together five years ago.
Could I do it? Could I be a queen? Daniel said we would do it together. Could I run a country with his help? Insecurity overwhelms me.
Daniel knocks on the passenger side window breaking my contemplations. I unlock the door as instructed. He opens it, offering me his hand. If I grab his hand now, there is no turning back. After a moment’s hesitation, I take his hand and rise out of the car ready to claim my rightful life.
Despite the new wool outfit Daniel had me change into at the store, the damp air still reaches my skin beneath. He felt this outfit was better for traveling and would keep me warmer in the cold, sea air.
“Everything is all set. Are you ready Princess Daphne?” He asks me formally, bowing over my hand in the process.
“Yes Daniel, my subject, Duke of Balwart. I think I am.” I reply with mock formality, but then say seriously, “Only if you are by my side.”
“Always.”
I wink at him, trying to lighten my suddenly frightened mind. He winks back and then laughs a full belly laugh. My insides turn to liquid at the sound and it makes me happy knowing that I caused this reaction.
“Your chariot awaits, my princess.” He bows again with flourish and ceremony. “Always your servant, Milady.”
I don’t know what I was expecting in terms of chariots, but what he leads me to is not in my wildest imaginings. The boat is large enough to land a small aircraft and does not look sea worthy in the least. There are numerous large rusting metal shipping containers, each having different markings from their places of origin. The part floating in the water is all rusted and pitted.
“Are you sure this thing is reliable?” I ask.
“You mean the barge?”
I nod.
“Yes, it runs better than it looks. Come, you’ll see.”
He tugs on my arm to follow. Once we board the barge, he takes me on a mini adventure, making turns, left then right, and then left again. I catch glimpses of the dock and sea between the aisles of shipping containers.
“This is a maze. You’re not expecting me to escape, are you?” I ask playfully.
He stops abruptly and turns towards me.
“Not ever. You’re mine now.” He replies with all seriousness.
He tugs me towards him proving his point. The kiss steals my breath away.
“Hmm.” I murmur, dazed and confused.
“This is going to be torturous, having you this close and not being able to-.” He mutters before turning back around, not finishing the thought. “Come, I want to show you the inside.”
My heart is beating rapidly from the kiss and the excitement. We come to a large metal door. Daniel slides it with ease despite the wheels grating loudly. I wince at the noise. The seagulls perched on top of the other barges take flight at the noise.
The inside is nothing like it’s exterior. The hallway is lined with polished, dark wooden doors and marble tiled floors. The walls are white washed, sparkling as opposed to the rusty brown of the deck. Although the sun is hidden behind the clouds, this area is bright and warm.
Daniel pulls me behind him past several doors until we come to the far end of a hallway. He stops in front of another polished wooden door no different than the others, but the way he acts, tells me this room is different. Daniel thrusts the door open and with a grand bow allows me to enter first.
The room is resplendent in coloring and materials. The shades of gold, brown and whites lend it a soft ethereal feel. There are three doors branching out from this living space. This space is furnished with an oversized couch, chaise lounge fit for a queen, desk complete with a sleek laptop and a dining table. A modern entertain center houses state of the art electronics. Daniel opens the smallest of the other doors to reveal a bathroom larger than my apartment.
I enter and realize I could get lost in here. The bathtub reminds me a small swimming pool with water jets and surrounding deck. The toilet is separated from the bathing area by a door. The multiple spout shower houses a corner television.
Oh, my God. A television in the shower?
The walk-in closet off the bathroom is filled with women’s clothing, shoes and hats- all in my size. I stare at Daniel bewildered. He smiles sheepishly back. In the center of the closet is a double-sided dresser filled with unmentionables and more. I step back into the main room in awe of everything.
Daniel inhales slowly, swinging the double doors inward. This room is even grander than the flat in Paris minus the view. The oversized king bed is magnificently covered in a heavy silk coverlet and pillows, like something out of a medieval story. The ceiling is lit, making it look almost translucent. The bluish light along with the painted cherubs on the ceiling give it a heavenly feel.
“Daniel, this is beautiful.” I twirl around trying to take it all in.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I would have never guessed this was here.”
“That’s the idea. No one ever knows when the king leaves the country. To the average, and not so average observer, it looks like supplies are being shipped, but when in fact a greater cargo is hidden on board.”
He smiles proudly at the deception and comes closer taking one of my hands in his.
“This is how my father was able to get your mother in and out of the country without alerting anyone.”
“You mean she was in this room at one time before she…” I ask.
“In one similar. The one she had frequented was decommissioned almost ten years ago. I thought it would cause speculation if I commissioned it again. So, I thought another one like the Juliet should be transformed. I didn’t think it would be finished in time, but my crew surpassed my expectations yet again.” He smiles proudly.
“Well, it’s beautiful. You should be proud. But what’s with the exterior?” I inquire.
“The idea is to not look like a luxury barge, which would draw too much attention.” He answers.
“Okay I get it.”
“Why don’t you take a bath and relax while I make sure everything is good to get underway?” He suggests. “Then we can plan?”
“That sounds heavenly. But plan what?”
“Your unmasking.”
I walk past him smiling weakly. He pats my rump affectionately. Yelping, I smile genuinely, looking back over my shoulder and shake the offended rump at him. He growls, making me laugh and rush off towards the bathroom. I lean against the door sighing with contentment and wonder. It is amazing how only hours ago, we were running for our lives. I was angry and scared, but now I feel a new chapter of my life is starting.