jet landed with hardly any tremors. Lily had been surrounded by an almost unr

personnel who appeared to attend to her

is mid-thirties with a perfect posture stood waiting. His Highn

an of regal secrets. He looked just as she had pictu

She had turned down the flight attendants' offers of a change of clothes and the use of the jet'

end to an urgent matter." Marc led her to a waiting limousine, the darke

tes to drive there. Would y

Lily glided into the soft leathe

eir snow-capped summits shining in the afternoon daylight. Aside from charming towns that popped up

lmost to hersel

anded to her by Marcus. "Dr. James, t

are of how she had spent her time in Zurich with

ly of your research." "Your expertise will

r, but a visiting scientist. Lily sipped her water while looking at Marc through the e

staying in the Montrose Suite." It is located in the palace'

of her predicament struck her once more. "T

a tinge of laughter. "Dr. James, did you anticipa

ed around a corner before she was able to come up with a

ress, rose from a cliff with a view of a shimmering lake. Official gardens f

God," s

jority of what you see is from the 17th and 18th centuries, construction started in

y a childlike awe as she raised her palm against the window. Thi

Crown Prince of this kingdom straight out of a

ng drive through well-kept grounds. With their ceremonial uniforms a

side door, Marc clarified, "We'll us

ntly, "less chance of anyone seeing

bit. Lily raised her shoulders, determined not to appear scared as she wa

ble of manag

recious artwork, and radiating marble floors. She could almost fe

rs. Centuries of Vallémont rulers watched her passage with painted eyes as they turned into

nd added, "The royal galler

e of a woman with amazing blue ey

with real feeling. "Everyone loved her. The k

r passing. Looking for signs of the genetic disorder

own to her own child? "Dr. James." From th

. Despite not wearing a crown, his demeanor made it clear who he was. G

r Majesty. Let me introdu

onless. Did someone bow down to royalt

d her problem. "Dr. James. We've

ssing. The King's eyes were steel gray and calmly m

to sound more composed than she actual

w could I not receive the w

that they would first have a private conversation, bu

d. You couldn't have imagined that such a big issue would be between you and

ion a careful mask, his voice broke the tension. "I didn'

re of the room appeared to drop by a few degrees. The gap

to welcome important guests." "Especially those who hav

ith her hand. She was not being talked about

ng his father noticed. "Dr. James's journey has been lengthy.

ious

and authority. "The Montrose Suite is ready. During your visit,

resonating on the marble floor, after giving her one last piercing glance th

ke. He bowed slightly and then made a calculated retreat. "I

ce Zurich, Lily and Ga

said softly, her ton

her has his methods for gathering information

mean

brushed hair, an expression that was so heartbreakingly similar to the "G

king me in through the door of the servants? keeping me hi

l of this, I wanted you to have some time to get used to it." He

se to describing it." She loo

eing assessed by a king in a medieval palace who seems

he could smell his well-know

l exterior, she caught a glimpse of the thoughtful, passionat

not my father's," he said quietly. I refuse

the Crown Prince," although her

ildren aren't brought up solel

uld reply. A gorgeous woman in a properly tailored suit walked up t

sitor is here." She gave Lily a manicured hand and smiled, her e

entist who has piqued our prince's profe

rceptibly. "Camille. I had no idea

Gabriel's arm. "He believed that I could assist in introdu

y was here, and Camille knew why

f a scientist, "but I'm afraid my focus will be

ile. "Oh, Dr. James, I have a feeling y

hem. "Lily must be worn out from traveling. At din

e's eyes met Lily's and she planted a famili

at Gabriel as she saile

said thoughtfully. "Our fam

e was the ideal future queen. aristocratic, well

not all

allway. "Allow me to take you to your suite

erself into as they strolled in tense sil

ssion, and a king who obviously had plan

owed to spend a week in this fantasy re

uld not let her go so easily as Gabriel opened the door t