Page 36 of Her Royal Rebellion

“I’ll tell you after you tell me.” I wagged an eyebrow earning a laugh from him.

“I’m not doing anything interesting. I’m simply getting to know a nice young woman.”

“Oh yeah? And what did you learn today?”

He pulled on a shirt and sat on the edge of his bed. “That I really, really like her. She’s brilliant, Logan. She’s getting a doctorate in microbiology. She’s going to cure some disease I swear.” He smiled and shook his head. “I have no idea why she’s interested in a dumb guy like me, but she is.”

“Where does she live?” I could already see where this was going. Shane was a diligent, dedicated Marine but I’d seen that faraway look enough over the years to know he was checking out.

“Tarramore. She’s attending university there.” He was so excited.

“So, when will you let Sergeant Brown know?”

His brows pulled together. “What are you talking about, mate? I’m not leaving.”

“Sure, you are. I’ve seen enough men in love to know what’s coming next.”

He laughed. “I’m not in love.”

“Yet.” I sighed. “I’m happy for you. I knew this was going to happen eventually. Can I just ask that you don’t do anything until we can get things with the princess settled?”

“Logan, mate, I swear I’m not going anywhere. Besides, aren’t things already settling? Peter and Philippe are the only ones left, and I saw the Belgium looking quite cozy with one of Isla’s friends tonight. I don’t see him staying around much longer.”

“This isn’t over, not for the king. You don’t really think he’ll give up after one round of suitors.”

Shane’s face dropped. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have thought it would be so easy.”

“That’s why I need you around, at least until Isla can convince her parents to stop this madness. Then you can run off with your love.”

He threw a pillow at me, but I hit it to the ground and laughed. “Now will you tell me what you’re doing?”

“Ah yes. Isla asked me to help her with her archery. Afterward she asked if I enjoyed teaching her and I realized that I did. I’ve always liked training, and I think that’s the direction I want to go. I was just making a list of things I’m good at that I could possibly make a career out of training people in.”

He seemed surprised. “Wow. That’s impressive for one day. What do you have so far?”

I rubbed my jaw. “Um self-defense, security, and leadership.”

I expected him to laugh at my meager list, but he just nodded. “You should add physical training. You might not want to be a personal trainer, but you are excellent with coming up with the best workout programs and helping the guys with proper form.”

That wasn’t something that ever crossed my mind. I enjoyed working out and it came naturally to create fitness plans and what exercises to do. I liked helping others get stronger and more confident. I just never would have thought of it as a personal strength.

“Thanks Shane.” I wrote it down and was excited to have more to share with Isla. When I first met with my sergeant, the weight of the decisions I needed to make were crushing me. I had no plan, no ideas, just panic. Shane helped, but it was Isla who truly gave me hope. With her assistance, it didn’t feel impossible. Now, I had options. I was learning and seeing the different sides of me and suddenly the future wasn’t so bleak. There was something to look forward to. A focal point for me to work toward. There might be a lot of unknowns and uncertainty in my life, but now I had a light to guide me.

I couldn’t wait for tomorrow to talk with her. As much as I wanted to run to the palace and wake her, I had enough restraint to remain in place. This could wait until morning.

* * *

“Shane! Logan! Get up now!” Bill, the head of the security office, burst into our room and continued shouting. “Now! Let’s go!”

I rubbed my face as I stepped into my pants. “What’s going on?”

Shane was moving quickly, pulling on his boots. “What is it?”

“The princess is missing.”

My heart stopped beating.

“What?” I heard Shane yell but it sounded so far away.