ared on her screen. Not Gabriel, the affable diplomat, but Crown Prince Gabriel of V

captivated her at the conference, w

oworkers who had never exchanged anything more persona

Lily straightened her back. "Your Highness," she answered, her voice lo

nd then the royal mask returned. "Your message c

roper way to inform a prince that he would soon become a father? Wa

why I'm calling." "There were repercussions from three nights

the edge of his table, but his face was st

the words that hung between them. "My doctor says eig

tle widening of his pupils and a muscle in his j

d in check when he finall

th. "I know this is a surprise. Believe me, I was also take

amera. Before he returned to the frame, his poise cl

softly, "if you are posi

hot. "Very sure. No one

for it without question. "And from me, wha

om the crown. You deserve to know that this child is yours, which is why I reached

himself. His tone softened as he went on. "This child would be of r

ild, her child, would be more than a human being. It wou

don't know anything about raising roy

p with a ghostly smi

, laden with meanings neither

cuss this, we must meet in person. This is not a v

..I have researc

ressed right away. He looked at his watch. "By tom

d. "You're

attention. No, you will arr

t a level tone. "You can't just send me to anot

The moment became softer when h

implications, medical considerations,

that's barely t

one changed in some way. "You should be mindful of certain hea

e she was a scientist. "Valois Syndrome." You wer

d away from it. Although they are dormant, I carry markers fo

al baby, but it might also be a genetic time bomb. The work she had

d Vallémont has experts wh

drome." He paused. "If it were not important, Lil

ne who had made her laugh until her sides ached and challenged her intellect. She saw

ek." "I can set up a week

rivate secretary Marc will handle all the pla

a week later

eyes. "That will depend on what w

atic response. "You mean

Before she could reply, there was a knock on his end of the call. Gabr

he spoke in low tones with someone just out of frame. This was his reality,

matters." "Of course," she said, trying not

ly... Thank you for telling me. For

, the distance between Boston and Vallémont seemed to shrink,

y mutual f

vel details," Gabriel said. "He'll ensure your

rive in Vallém

." He paused for a while, as if weighing his next words car

was unclear if a crown prince c

of their distance from one another, s

ved his lips. "Unt

t had she just consented to? traveling abroad to speak with a man who had kept his true ide

resumably with travel informa

twenty-four hours, dealing with the full force of

s like we're taking a vacation, kid. I hope your father i

" King Edward studied the intelligence rep

ernoon, Prince Gabriel set up a secure phone conversation with her. Acc

e its expression. "And you're

records were viewed. The p

on in the context of Gabriel's Zurich conference. He got up from his working

k he can keep this from

ls were requeste

hat in mind. With icy eyes, the King turned. "Get the east wing's M

s astonishment was evident. "Those ar

rries a Valois heir. Whether Alexander has rea

nd should we notify t

I want to meet this Dr. James. The woman who mig

wife. "An American," he whispered to the quiet picture. "With knowledge of res

s assistant. Before their unexpected royal gue