Page 6

It almost sounded like he wasn’t sure he’d want to dissolve it, but that couldn’t be the case, so Bekah wrote off his tone to any number of other factors.

“I need to call my parents at some point. I’d really rather go back to Trumanville. Nothing against your homeland, and technically, I suppose I’m Øyanordian, but Southwest Missouri is my home.” She felt the wheels lock into place.

Joe stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “I know. I would, too, but for now, this is the best we can do that’s not Athmetis.”

Buildings came into view outside the window behind Joe’s seat a few seconds before the wheels thumped on the ground. “I know.” Her body pressed back into the seat as the plane slowed. They didn’t deplane until they reached a hanger and the doors were closed.

Joe headed down the stairs ahead of her then turned to help her take the last one that was a bit taller than the rest. The warmth that passed between them surprised her. He dropped her hand as she stepped past him toward the waiting SUV. Bekah thanked the man holding the rear door on the driver’s side as Joe walked around to the passenger side.

She saw him shake hands with the man there but couldn’t make out what they said. The other man looked familiar, but in her overwhelmed state, she couldn’t place him. Clearly, Joe held the man in high regard, if the way his face lit up was any indication.

A minute later, they were on their way.

“Beks, I’d like you to meet my step-father, Thor.”

The man in the front passenger seat turned. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Your Royal Highness.”

So they had met. Bekah wrinkled her nose at the man who currently held the title of her step-father-in-law. “Am I though?”

Thor tipped his head. “I suppose technically not until the king issues a proclamation to that effect, but for practical purposes, you are married to a member of the royal family. That makes you Her Royal Highness Princess Rebekah.”

Bekah didn’t reply as they exited airport property and entered the city. It was odd enough to think of her younger sister that way, even though she’d known about Ginny’s heritage for nearly a year.

It didn’t take long for the palace to appear out Bekah’s window. It rose in the distance, set a bit above the part of town they were in at the moment. She watched it get bigger, both as they drew closer and as she could see more of the impressive building.

How could anyone ever turn such a large, limestone or whatever kind of stone it was, into someplace homey?

As they pulled through a gate and through doors into a garrison, Bekah realized she was about to find out, about to meet a king who was her brother-in-law and Lord only knew who else.

And she wasn’t ready.

CHAPTER 3

It surprised Josiah that Benjamin couldn’t see them right away. Given his brother’s insistence that they leave Athmetis immediately, he expected Ben to have made time to see them, but apparently, he was on a video conference that couldn’t be moved.

Josiah walked next to Bekah through the back corridors of the palace until they reached his apartment, just down a wide hall from the monarch’s quarters.

Holding the door open for her, he looked over his shoulder toward his brother’s apartment, but saw no one. He’d hoped to see his nieces. They’d be a pleasant distraction, and he hadn’t seen them or Katrín in a while.

Was that a giggle?

He followed Bekah into the living area of the apartment only to be bombarded by little girl squeals and two bundles of energy barreling toward him.

“Unc’ Joe!” They both grabbed a leg before he could bend down to scoop them up.

Chuckling, Josiah looked over at his sister-in-law. “Do you hear something, Katrín? I thought I heard something, but I don’t see where the noise could be coming from.”

Katrín joined his laughter. “Nope. In fact, now that you’re here, I think I’m going to go take a long nap. I have nothing to do and no one to take care of. No dinner to see to or anyone to feed.”

“Mama!” Four-year-old Eleanor released Josiah’s leg. “We’re gonna be hungry!”

Katrín picked up the little girl as Josiah reached for her younger sister. “Well, I suppose I can make sure you have dinner.”

Josiah gave Katrín a kiss on the cheek, but didn’t bow like he probably should. “It’s good to see you, Katrín.”

“You, too, Josiah.” She turned to Bekah and held out a hand. “Rebekah, right?”

“Bekah, please.”