It was so easy to slip into a routine in the royal palace. Antoine had urged her to consider her time in Aegiria as a vacation, but before a week had passed, Gloria felt as though she’d stepped into a new life. A good life. A life she didn’t want to leave.

“Are you ready?” Mack asked, popping his head around the bathroom door as she touched up her make-up before lunch.

She finished brushing lip-gloss across her bottom lip, pursed her lips, then turned to him with a smile. “As I’ll ever be.”

“You look gorgeous,” he said, offering his arm as they headed out to the palace hallway.

Gloria started to laugh, but stopped herself. “You know, I feel gorgeous today.” And why shouldn’t she? The sun was shining, she was on the arm of an actual prince, walking through a real palace on the way to an informal family lunch. The light sundress she wore swished around her legs—legs that had spent more than their fair share of time wrapped around a certain, actual prince’s waist in the recent past. All of it was more than she ever could have dreamed of.

“Are you sure I’m not imposing,” she asked as they turned the corner into a dining room with an exquisite view of the city. “This looks like a family affair.”

Mack grinned, shifting to hold her hand informally instead of escorting her. “It wouldn’t feel right without you.”

It was such a simple compliment, but it left her heart turning cartwheels in her chest. There was probably some kind of major breech of protocol in the way Mack led her to the table and held her seat out for her. She was certain Aegirian secret services had probably run a thousand background checks on her in the last few days. But none of that mattered as long as Mack wanted her there.

She was wanted. That knowledge settled around her like a breath of fresh air. No more failing flight exams and being told she couldn’t reach for the dreams of her childhood. No more feeling like an outsider in her own family. As strange as it was, as she glanced around the table at the other princes and their girlfriends, and William’s sons, who had just arrived from America for the final rash of wedding activity, she felt as though she were a part of something that mattered.

“I’m so glad I’m not the new girl at the table anymore,” Emma, Prince Arne’s new girlfriend, whispered to Gloria as servers in palace livery served a stunningly beautiful, traditionally Scandinavian selection of open-face sandwiches to each person at the table.

“I still can’t believe I really belong here,” Gloria whispered back. “Although I’d like to think they’ll let me stick around for a while.”

Emma laughed, sharing a look with her that said she felt the same. “I’ve learned so much about Aegiria in the short time I’ve been here. Coming from such a large country myself, I’m always amazed that smaller nations like this still exist.”

“Exist and thrive,” Gloria agreed. “And on a fish-based economy.” She still couldn’t say that without grinning a little.

“Plus some off-shore banking,” Emma added with a significant flicker of her eyebrow. Gloria nearly choked on the sandwich she’d just taken a bite out of. “Yes,” Emma said, catching her surprise. “My friend, Tracy Minhall, has been doing some digging into Aegiria and its finances.”

“I’ve met Tracy. I didn’t realize she was a friend of yours.”

“We’ve known each other for years,” Emma said. She took a bite of a sandwich, and when she’d swallowed, she went on with, “She started out investigating what makes Aegiria tick and how it’s survived intact for so long. It turns out that, kind of like Switzerland, their banking system has a strong reputation for discretion, although the royal family has been championing efforts of a few people to bring more transparency to the whole thing.”

“Fascinating. I didn’t realize.”

“I didn’t either,” Emma said. “I’m sure Tracy could tell you much more about it, since part of her research has been about the way the aristocracy works and how they support themselves. From what she’s said, a few of the oldest Aegirian noble families could stand to lose money if the Queen goes through with transparency or tax reforms. Families like the Lindqvists, the Appelgrens, and the Langlotzes live far too extravagantly for the amount of old money Tracy figures they have coming in, but nobody knows what they’re doing now to make the kind of cash they have now.”

“That must be exciting research.” Gloria’s pulse sped up. “I just saw the Lindqvist estate the other day. Mack said something about Marcia Lindqvist formerly being engaged to Prince Alek?”

“Exactly. I’m sure between the broken engagement and the possibility of financial reform, that whole family, and a heck of a lot of others, is freaked out about the future.”

“Are the two of you talking about financial reforms?” Dr. Hayes asked from the seat on Emma’s other side.

“I’m just learning more about Aegiria’s banking industry,” Gloria told him with a smile. William looked particularly charming that day in a tuxedo that was far too formal for a lunch of open-faced sandwiches, but since the official royal wedding photo shoot would take place after lunch, she supposed he had merely dressed up early to be ready.

“The only thing that gets my goat more than the attacks that have been made on the environment and Aegiria’s fishing waters is the way big financial companies have had a hand in trying to cover it all up by protecting the identities of their customers who are engaged in illegal activity. I hope I have a chance to do something about it once Vickie and I are married.”

“Did you say something, darling?” the queen asked from William’s other side.

“Only that, once we’re married, I intend to fight for you, your honor, and the honor of all Aegiria, my sweet,” he answered, turning to her with an adoring expression. As he did, a dollop of herb-infused cream tipped off his sandwich and onto the lapel of his tux.

The conversation fizzled out as Gloria and Emma exchanged knowing glances and giggles, but the surprise revelation about Aegiria’s banks gave Gloria something to chew on besides caviar and melba toast.

Lunch continued with far lighter conversation. Gloria enjoyed every mouthful of the amazing food she was served. She hadn’t realized how hungry she was, but considering all the “activity” she’d been engaged in that morning and the night before, it was no wonder.

As soon as the meal was over, Princess Marina stood and clapped her hands. “We need to stay on schedule,” she said. “You boys go to the dressing room and put on your dress uniforms. I’ve been told the photographers are already in the throne room, so chop-chop.”

The din of chairs being scraped back and everyone getting up from the table reminded Gloria of the chaos at the end of a meal in an Air Force canteen. That thought brought a smile to her face.

“What’s that look for?” Mack asked as he took her hand and walked with her to the hall that led to the throne room.

“It just dawned on me why I like being in the middle of this royal family stuff so much.”

“What, it isn’t my charming personality and sizzling hot, horizontal moves?”

Gloria blushed and laughed. “I’m not knocking any of that,” she said with a mischievous arch of her eyebrows. “But the regimentation and formality does remind me a lot of the military.”

Mack hummed. “You might have a point. We all had to serve in the military at one point,” he said, nodding to a few of his brothers walking in front of them, “and I can see the similarities.”

“No wonder I feel at home.” Gloria sighed with contentment.

A sparkle came to Mack’s eyes that ignited the fire that was still smoldering in her core from earlier. “If you could stay, would you?”

She caught her breath. Was he asking her to stay? “I’d definitely consider it.”

They reached a small room near the throne room where the men were getting dressed, which meant Gloria had to let Mack go just as things were getting interesting. That was another part of royal life, after all, or so she figured. Meghan couldn’t spend every waking moment with Harry, after all.

Gloria pressed a hand to her stomach as she walked on to the throne room. She hadn’t just compared herself and Mack to Meghan and Harry, had she? But if it could happen for Meghan, she might just have a chance too.

“Can you tell that I spilled?” William asked as Gloria approached the corner where he stood.

A fond grin broke out on her face. “Yes, I’m afraid you can.”

William let out a sigh, brushing his lapel. “Vickie is going to kill me. I’m a little bit of a disaster, in case you hadn’t noticed.”

“Here. Let me take care of it.” Gloria took hold of his arm and led him over to a small table with a pitcher of water and a few crystal glasses.

She positioned him facing her, then fished one of the ice cubes out of the pitcher of water. She used it like a scrub brush to cleanse William’s coat, then picked up one of the cloth napkins and continued rubbing.

“I’m still fascinated by this banking thing,” she said as she worked. “Is it really like Swiss banks? With numbered accounts instead of names?”

“Yep.” He held his arms slightly out to the side, watching as she cleaned him up. “And numbered accounts are never a good idea. They conceal all kinds of activity.”

“I still don’t understand what that has to do with fish, though.” The stain was stubborn, so she slipped a hand into his jacket to hold the lapel from both sides. In the process, she felt the steady thump of his heart.

“Our environment is everything,” William went on. “We stand to lose generations worth of tradition if habitats and fish populations aren’t protected. I’ve already put the wheels in motion to extend protections and limit industry in Aegirian waters, and once everything becomes official after the wedding, I’ll do even more.”

“So why don’t you start looking into changing the banking system now too?” At last, the stain came out. She dabbed at his lapel, trying to dry it as much as possible.

“What, change Aegiria’s banking system?” He blinked at her as if surprised.

Gloria shrugged. “That will help you catch people who violate environmental law, right?”

He glanced up to meet her eyes, a smile spreading across his face. “That’s a good point. Although I know nothing about banking. Fish. I know fish. And the ocean.”

“My brothers are all either involved in the law or business in London. I’m sure they’d have an idea where you could get started.”

“I’m sure a lot of people know a lot more about banks than I do.”

“William!” Princess Marina’s call was sharp and impatient.

Gloria and William both turned to find most of the royal family already assembled on the small dais that held an ancient-looking, gilded throne. Princess Marina’s glare was furious and suspicious, but the queen also looked like her lunch hadn’t agreed with her.

“You’d better get going,” Gloria whispered, leaning closer to William with a grin. “They don’t look happy.”

“I can’t have that,” he replied with genuine concern. He broke away from her and rushed to join the others.

Gloria watched him, but her grin burst into full bloom when she spotted Mack striding quickly into the room in his full, formal dress uniform. She wanted to rush to him to tell him how amazing he looked, but Princess Marina already looked like she wanted to have her thrown from the room, so she settled for catching Mack’s eye and wiggling her eyebrows. She was rewarded when a heated blush spread across Mack’s cheeks. The insatiable hunger that had been growing and growing inside her since the lighthouse flared even hotter.

Which meant that sitting through the photo session was torture. Gloria didn’t know how they all did it. As soon as it looked like they’d successfully completed one set of photographs, one of the photographers would ask for a slightly different pose. Then another would request time to change lenses. It reminded Gloria of her brother Derek’s wedding shoot, only three times longer and with a hundred times more fussing. There were group pictures, pictures of the queen and her sons, pictures of William and his children.

At last, things started to wind down. William’s cell phone started ringing in the middle of a particularly stoic arrangement, and when he answered it, then quickly rushed off the dais and out of the throne room, the whole shoot fell apart. Gloria had a hard time feeling bad about it.

“How about we get a few last pics of the queen and Princess Marina together?” one of the photographers said.

“Great idea,” Prince Viggo said, bolting from the dais almost as fast as William had. He and his brothers were already tugging at their ties and shrugging out of their jackets as they fled the room.

Gloria zeroed in on Mack as he undid the buttons of his uniform while walking toward her. “Don’t tempt me, Your Highness,” she said with a breathless laugh and a flicker of her eyebrow.

“I don’t want to do anything but tempt you,” he answered in a growl when he got close.

To her surprise, he slipped his arms around her waist, pulled her close and kissed her with a scandalous level of heat. Every bone in her body turned to putty, which was ironic, considering she could feel the exact opposite reaction from him pressed against her hip. She suddenly wanted to do a lot more than watch him peel off his jacket.

“Are you sure you want to do this here?” she whispered when he let her take a breath. She glanced around. No one was watching them, but that didn’t mean people wouldn’t start.

“You’re right,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye.

He took her hand and whisked her out of the room. There were dozens of doors in the hall that led away from the throne room, but Mack seemed to know where he was going. The door to the room he and his brothers were using as a changing room stood half open, but Mack turned the handle of the door across the hall from that, drawing her inside.

Gloria found herself in a much smaller dressing room. Mack closed the door behind them and turned the lock with a click, then pivoted to face her and sweep her into his arms again. Their mouths met in a desperate kiss. She pushed at his jacket, trying to get it off, but the heat between them ratcheted up far too quickly. Mack lifted her against him, carrying her to the window seat at the other end of the small room.

“I’ve never done anything so dangerous or naughty,” she gasped as he hiked up her skirt and tugged her panties off.

“Neither have I,” he said with a rich, exciting laugh. “But we might have to make a habit of this.”

She fumbled with the fastening of his pants as he reached for something in the pocket. By the time she’d pushed everything that mattered down over his hips, freeing his impressive erection, he’d already ripped open the condom he’d evidently been carrying with him.

“After the last day or so,” he panted as he rolled it on, “I figured it was best to be prepared.”

She barely had time to laugh before he was pounding into her. It was glorious. They were still fully dressed, half standing, half braced against the window, and he was thrusting into her with the strength of Hercules. For her part, she’d never made sounds quite as ecstatic as the ones that escaped from her. She tilted her head back, face pinched with pleasure as she rode him. Mack bent his head to kiss her neck, his thrusts increasing in intensity.

It was all so fast, but the orgasm that hit her left her shuddering with pleasure. She hadn’t known anything could be so good when it was so unplanned and so indiscreet. Seconds after her, Mack came with a deep, guttural cry, tensing, then slumping as though he’d run a marathon. They collapsed deeper into the window seat together, still joined, gasping to catch their breath.

“Wow,” Gloria panted. “Just wow.”

“We definitely need to do this again.” He touched his forehead to hers, then kissed her.

The kiss heated up in a hurry, and Gloria was just beginning to wonder if he had another condom in his pocket when someone in the hall shouted, “They want one more shot. The royal princes are wanted back in the throne room. One more shot.”

Mack swore under his breath, pulling away from Gloria. That left her limp and sated and sprawled in a decidedly unladylike way for a moment. She watched as Mack rushed to tidy himself up, dispose of the condom, and zip and button everything he needed to look presentable. She was slow to follow suit.

“I’ll be back in just a second,” he said as soon as he was presentable. “We can pick up where we left off.”

Gloria laughed as he dashed out into the hall, then set to work straightening herself. She took her time, stretching her muscles and shimmying back into her panties. Suddenly, life in a crowded royal palace didn’t seem all it was cracked up to be. Not if they couldn’t be left in peace to enjoy their time together.

She checked her face in the dressing room’s tall mirror, and when she decided that, other than her bright red blush, she looked presentable, she opened the door and stepped out into the hallway.

“Am I late?” William asked as he sprinted up the hall toward her.

“I don’t think so,” she answered, bewildered at his flustered appearance.

He skidded to a stop by her side, as red-faced and panting as she was. “Vickie will kill me if—”

“There. Didn’t I tell you?” Marina shouted from the doorway to the throne room. “Caught red-handed.”

Gloria blinked in confusion as Princess Marina marched toward them, fury in her eyes. The queen was a few steps behind, her expression pinched and her face pale.

“I told you he was cheating on you with that British tramp,” Marina said, her heels clicking as she charged down the hall. “And now you have proof.”