Surprise lit through the man as he eyed Owen and produced the key. “Of course, Your Highness.” He headed down the hall.
Rayan unlocked the door.
Owen started—what, they gave Leighton no warning of their intrusion into her privacy?
The prince extended the key to Owen and then knocked. “Nouri, we are coming in.” With that, he pushed inside, flinging the door wide.
Surprised at how casually the prince entered her room without her clear permission, Owen caught sight of the princess rising from a padded window seat, book in hand. Swallowing, he followed him in and shifted aside to let the door close.
“Nouri,” Prince Rayan said, “I believe you met Apollo last night. He’s the one who saved you in Paris.”
Though she did not look at him, she inclined her head.
“He is your new guard.”
At that, her gaze came up. Swung to Owen.
To his disappointment, she did not look at him with hope or even admiration. But with…anger.
“Nouri.” Rayan’s voice held reprimand.
Her gaze bounced to the thick carpet beneath her feet.
Holy fluff, talk about suppression. Oppression. And every other -ession he could think of. It ticked him off to see her so browbeaten.
Rayan pointed to a small round table with two chairs. “Ah, I see breakfast has been served.” He grinned at Owen. “I’m afraid she did not leave you much, Mr. Apollo.” The prince picked up a date from the tray, tossed it into his mouth, and headed for the door. “Enjoy your stay.”
Shock riddled Leighton as she stood alone in the room with Owen Metcalfe. He had lied to the king about his identity, and she might have completely missed that he had been the one to rescue her in Paris. Here, however, standing in the awkward silence, she knew him. Well, not knew knew, but after Sophia Neeley’s party, she had researched him. Learned everything she could about the guy who had made her feel seen and naked. The guy with killer blue eyes that pierced her soul. Even back then, she’d had this terrible, irrational fear that he would unearth her secrets. Destroy a lifetime of careful, meticulous order that kept her and her secret safe. Kept her ummi safe.
His intrusion tilted her world, sending a thrum of panic and…something else through her—hope. Dangerous hope. Cursing herself for even thinking that, she reminded herself he could ruin everything. She was here for a reason. And it would not be undone by pretty blue eyes.
“Hey,” he said, coming forward, his expression eager.
She looked away—not out of the same subservience these royals demanded but because she did not want him to look at her. Expose her. “I’m tired.”
“It’s 0945,” he chuckled.
She turned and stalked to the bathroom. Shut the door—not to use it, but to think. What was happening? Why was he here? He made it impossible to think with those blue eyes and smirk. She dropped back against the wall and gripped her head in her hands. Why did it have to be him? Oh, she needed Dad and Mom to help her sort this.
“Hey…” A rap came at the door. “Sorry to interrupt, but garden time is happening now. It’s only an hour, so…wasn’t sure if you wanted to go.”
Garden time?
“Okay…” he said in resignation.
She stomped over and yanked open the door. “What’re you talking about?”
Blue eyes blinked. “It’s, uh, ten a.m., and Rayan said you were allowed in the garden from ten till eleven.”
Surprised at his words, she left the bathroom, hugging herself. “I…I have never had outside privileges.”
“Privileges?” A scowl dug into his handsome face and smoothed out just as fast. “So, ready to go?”
Leighton nodded, then remembered. “Wait.” She rushed into the dressing room and grabbed a scarf. Draping it over her head and around her neck, she returned.
The storm returned to his eyes. Hey, she didn’t like wearing it either, but she would take this over another beating. She silently willed the new guy not to make a fuss. When he tightened his jaw and opened the door, she swallowed her irritation. It was weird to have a semblance of freedom, but as soon as she stepped out and saw someone coming, that infusion of fear reminded her “freedom” was an illusion. She lowered her head and stayed close to Owen as the man she did not recognize passed them.
Halfway down, Owen glanced around, then looked at her. “Right or left?”
