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His mood seems to shift, then.
“I’ll help you locate another rental,” he grumbles.
“Incorrect,” I say. “This is my vacation, and I earned it. I don’t suppose you would know anything about that.”
“What can I pay you to leave?” Sigurd asks. “To go to a bigger, better place?”
He wants me to be the one to decide to leave. The prince doesn’t want to leave me alone. He absolutely dotes on me and can’t stand not doing what he feels is his duty to protect me.
If he leaves, then he’ll feel as if he’s abandoning me.
Oh, this is fun.
“And why don’t you go to someplace bigger? Some place more suited for royalty?” I press. I know I’m poking at him, pushing him to the brink of losing patience with me.
“Anastasia,” he warms.
“One million dollars!”
The prince snorts a laugh. “What is it actually worth to you?”
“I don’t know, Your Highness. What is it worth to you that I don’t tell anyone where you are?”
10
Sigurd
Anastasia is no dummy.
She knows I’m hiding, which means her price went up.
This means I am less compelled to send her on her way.
But it’s the right thing to do.
It takes every ounce of strength, but I manage to avoid Stasi for most of the rest of the day until supper.
The fish cooks quickly over the fire. Meanwhile, there are delicious aromas emitting from the cabin.
Stasi insists on dining at the kitchen table and sets out a Caesar salad, baked potatoes, and a summer berry tart with a light crust that looks buttery and delicious.
“Food tastes better outside,” I grumble for no reason as I take my place opposite her.
She is unfazed by my attitude and by my attempts to scare her off.
“Sure,” she says, cutting up her fish. “It’s all fun and games until someone finds a bug in their food.”
I grunt at this, and then I’m entirely caught off guard by a moan that escapes her. At the sound, my fork slips from my grip and clatters against my plate.
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
“It’s so good,” she says. “I don’t normally enjoy fish, but this is incredible.”
My blood pumps hard. “Thank you.”
“Where did you learn to cook like this?”
“It’s not difficult. Please, eat.”
