"If they thought we'd have to div-ert they would have said so. They only mentioned it because it is a possibility, but I don't think we will. Regardless, we likely won't land until at least eleven or possibly midnight instead of nine-thirty."
She looked at him, waiting for him to go on.
"Which means it will be a challenge for you to find a place to stay, get there, and still get enough rest before tomorrow morning." He tilted his head toward her. "I would like to reiterate that it would be my pleasure to offer a place to stay."
Her eyes seemed to search his for a long moment before she nodded. "You make a good point. Thank you for the kind offer. I will be happy to stay at the palace tonight."
The delay did last long enoughthey were forced to divert to Northern Santiero, the closest neighboring country to Frederick’s homeland.
Elise could tell the detour annoyed Frederick, though he covered it well.
Apparently, there wasn’t another long landing strip accessible at night in Southern Santiero and the main tower in Northern Santiero was also experiencing some sort of technical difficulty, so they landed on one of the smaller islands.
In fact, there wasn’t much on the island except the airport.
It seemed everyone would have to ferry to the larger landmass nearby.
Without being given the time to properly secure the ferry, a place to stay, and anything else they might need to look at, Frederick’s security insisted they stay on the plane. The staff would be able to rotate at the small dormitory on the island for those who needed to stay from time to time.
Elise would be allowed to go if she wanted to. She could even hop the ferry - if it was still running this time of night - and find her own way to Southern Santiero.
The frown on the king’s face told her what he thought of that plan.
Where did he expect her to sleep?
Would they sleep together again? Or would she end up on one of the folded-out chairs as originally planned? She would be find in one of the chairs.
Someone had brought her suitcase from the hold to the bedroom.
Frederick told her to change in there, promising he wouldn’t invade her privacy.
It hadn’t crossed her mind that he might.
Her favorite pyjamas were more than conservative enough they wouldn’t cause too much of a scandal even if photos were taken. She was also able to pull out her favorite pillow and blankets. She traveled everywhere with them.
When she emerged with her bedding in hand, she found Frederick maneuvering two of the chairs together to make a longer bed.
She dumped her things on one of the chairs. “I amnottaking your bed.”
He gave a shrug, but didn’t stop what he was doing. “I’m not letting you sleep out here.”
Elise glared. “You do know I’m at least as stubborn as you are, right?”
“I’m the king,” he reminded her. “I wouldn’t go so far as to say my word is law, but...” He simply raised an eyebrow her direction.
“I’m not your subject,” she countered.
“But you have a work visa in Southern Santiero. I can… check into that…” His words hung in the air, the actual threat unspoken.
Elise narrowed her eyes as she tried to read his expression. “You’d hold up the production of a major motion picture that will feature your country and increase tourism, just because I won’t kick the king out of his bed?”
The stare down lasted longer than she would have expected from anyone else. Elise supposed it came from not wanting to give away more than he needed to in negotiations with other countries or even politicians in Southern Santiero.
But eventually he blinked.
“Fine.” Frederick crossed his arms over his chest. “We can share again.”
It wasn’t Elise’s first choice, but it was better than making the king sleep on folded out chairs.
