Chapter 12: Erik
“Oh my god this is so good! How are all your people not waddling down the streets by eating this?”
I chuckled as I watched Carrie enjoy the local food fare, straight from a food cart sitting on the sandy beach, the sun setting over the ocean in the distance. True to form, I had taken her to the only movie playing in the local theatre and shared a box of popcorn, enjoying the fact that no one was recognizing me or attempting to track me down at the moment.
While I could pat myself on the back for escaping my detail, I imagined I hadn’t done as good as job as I thought. They were likely lurking in the shadows, keeping an eye on me in case someone decided to take out a royal.
But I wasn’t so worried about my safety. No, I was concentrating on the woman before me, who had a look of ecstasy on her face because of a meat pie. Fuck, I hope she looked at me like that later on. My cock was already rock solid at the thought.
Carrie polished off the pie with a groan, wiping her hands on the napkin. “I thought the city was the king of all food. I would die to have one of these carts near my apartment.”
I reached for her, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her close. “What if you could stay here?”
Her eyes widened. “What?”
I lowered my head, brushing my lips over hers. “You heard me,” I said in a low voice. “What would you think if there was a chance to stay here?” I wanted her to stay. Hell, I was being selfish, and I was to the point that if I needed to take this relationship one step further, I would.
“Erik,” she breathed, something in her eyes giving me pause. “I mean, I have my life in New York. All my family, my friends, my job.”
“I know,” I interrupted, brushing her hair out of her face. I knew her entire life was across the ocean. I knew that I was potentially asking her to give up everything she knew for me, for the uncertainty of what the future held. “Trust me, I know.”
Carrie blew out a breath, looking indecisive at what she should say. I didn’t blame her. “Listen, I.”
“Your majesty.”
I closed my eyes briefly and gave her waist a squeeze before turning around, seeing two of the royal guards decked out in plain clothing standing only a few feet away. “Yes, what is it?”
My voice must have come out harsher than I realized as one of them swallowed hard, his eyes flickering to Carrie. “Your father has requested your presence back. It is urgent.”
Worried, I released Carrie and slid the ball cap off my head, ignoring the open mouth of the vendor that had just served us. My father would never bother me unless something was of the utmost importance. “Let’s go.”
“Right this way.”
I followed the guards to the waiting car, allowing Carrie to climb in before I slid in behind her. The door automatically shut, and we were heading back to the palace in an instant. “Wh-what is going on?” she asked softly as I drummed my fingers along the door.
“I’m not sure, but whatever it is, it must be bad.”
She nodded, and I did not attempt to console her, falling into action mode. Something was wrong.
As soon as the car pulled up in front of the palace entrance, I was climbing out and walking into the palace, heading toward the room that I always affectionately called the war room. My father looked up as soon as I stepped over the threshold, worry lining his face. “Erik, you are needed up north once more. There was another violent clash, and a mill was set on fire.”
I swore viciously, rubbing a hand over my face. “Anyone killed?”
He nodded. “Three workers and a member of the mill’s security team. I need you, son, more than ever, to fix this.”
I straightened my shoulders, feeling the weight that had just been placed on it. “Of course. I will leave immediately.”
He nodded, and I walked out, knowing the helicopter was primed and ready for my arrival and now subsequent departure. As I walked down the hall, I was handed my cell I had left in my suite, along with an already packed bag and the mound of files I had pored over from my last visit. “Right this way, your majesty,” Karen said as she hurried ahead, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. “I’ve already secured everything for when you land.”
“Thank you, Karen,” I said, giving her a nod. As I passed another hall, I caught glimpse of Carrie. “One moment.”
She stopped, and I walked down the hall quickly, grasping Carrie’s upper arms. “I’ve got to go, tonight. I’m, hell, I’m sorry.”
“O-of course,” she stammered, concern filtering her features. “I hope everything’s okay.”
I nodded tightly, wanting to say more but unable to find the words. “I will be back as soon as I can.”
“Be careful.”
I turned and walked back to the crew that was tailing me. “Let’s go.” This was the part of my life that Carrie did not know about, nor did I imagine she would understand. I hated, literally hated, the fact that I had to up and leave her like this, again, but this was what I had been groomed for.
This was my life.