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Rapid movement sounded his end. Then his next words brought a burst of relief to my frightened heart.
“I’m on my way.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
It wasn’t like me to be scared, but I’d got myself well and truly creeped out by my midnight escapade. Raphael was right, Ishould get security. But that would mean they’d escort me to my rooms. I wouldn’t get to see him.
I backed up from the doors then spun around and took in the room. The banquet hall was huge, with a minstrels’ gallery overlooking three long rows of tables. I’d eaten here many times and had seen two kings give speeches. Never once had I experienced any regret that my father was the second-born son. I had no aspirations to be monarch.
But my insider knowledge gave me an advantage if there really was someone prowling after me.
As quickly as I could, I made my way to the back of the room where a hidden set of spiral stairs led up to the minstrels’ gallery. At the railing, I crouched, watching the room for anyone creeping in after.
“I’ve hidden,” I told Raphael down the phone. “If someone’s watching me, I want to see them.”
His boot steps drummed on the pavement. “I’m a couple of minutes out. I need to find ye when I get there.”
“You know the staircase I told you to climb for my apartment? If you pass that and keep going, there’s a long hall at the end. It goes all the way under the state rooms. Wait at the end. I’ll come down when you get here.”
Then I waited, listening to Raphael run through the city and with my gaze glued to the space below.
Nothing moved. No further sounds came.
By degrees, my heart rate slowed to normal, and my panic eased. Not my fear, though. That was just as high. I couldn’t work out why.
“I’m here,” Raphael told me. “I got through. Come down or I’ll come find ye.”
“I’m coming.”
I rose from my crouch, holding the railing, and gave one last look to the room before crossing to the rear of the gallery. Fromhere, a narrow staircase went down two flights, all the way to where Raphael would be waiting. I opened the door and peered into the gloom. No light. God.
I activated my phone torch and went to close the door behind me.
The unmistakable rattle of a handle echoed through the banquet hall. I squeaked and dove down the stairs, descending quicker than I should. At the bottom, I held my breath and turned the door handle, half expecting it to be locked.
Thankfully it gave. I burst out to find Raphael pacing the hall.
He twisted then ran for me. I flew at him.
It shouldn’t have been so natural falling into his embrace, but it was. Just like when we’d danced as teenagers. Just like when we’d kissed earlier. One big protective arm curled around my back, with the other hand, he cupped my head, using his body to protect mine.
“It’s okay. I’m here.”
I’d never felt so safe. I hid my face in his broad chest and fought to get a hold of my emotions.
Raphael brushed the hair from my eyes. “You’re shaking.”
“I can’t believe you ran all the way here. I don’t even know if someone was following me. It was probably just a security guard,” I babbled.
His watchful gaze claimed mine. “Ye called out a challenge. They didn’t answer.”
He was right. Any security guard would have replied to my shout.
I gave a jerky nod. “I should tell someone. I want to go back upstairs first.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
Linking his hand with mine, Raphael guided me along the hall and to the back stairs. We ran up them and to my rooms. He didn’t let go of me the whole way.