Page 13 of Royal Resistance

“He gets embarrassed if I talk about it,” Magnus adds, leaning down to whisper to me.

“You really don’t have to be embarrassed,” Courtney assures him.

“Thank you,” Duncan says, shaking her hand. “I’m sure the authors of the books appreciate you reading them.”

“I always tell him he gets more attention for those covers than from the band,” Magnus says ruefully. “But he deserves every second glance he gets.”

Duncan Laz may be unnervingly attractive, but it’s the way Magnus looks at me that makes me uneasy. Not uncomfortable, but like I’m standing on the deck of a ship, slightly unbalanced from the waves.

“I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with your music,” I tell him. Why would I say that? Why am I still talking to him?

I should congratulate him on the success of the ceremony and take my leave. Receiving lines aren’t the time for small talk.

I’ve never been one for small talk. At events like this, I always had an agenda for everyone I spoke to.

I no longer have agendas, and it’s thrown me off.

“Join the club. We have our fans, but most of the world thinks it’s noise.”

“The Grammy nomination suggests otherwise,” Courtney pipes up. “And this record will go platinum, I heard.”

I glance at her with surprise. She’s clearly having a fangirl moment. Why can’t I be as comfortable as her? “Yes, well, I’m sure you have more guests to greet. Have a good evening.”

And then I tuck my hand under Courtney’s arm and lead her away.

5

Magnus

“Who’s that?” Duncan asks as Selene moves off. I can tell from his tone that he’s admiring the back view as much as I am.

Princess Selene. No longer princess, just Selene.

It’s been years since I’ve seen her, and I admit, I didn’t recognize her at first. She’s a beautiful woman, with the blonde, blue-eyed Scandinavian colouring that I like. But she always looked kind of… bland. Like there was something missing.

There’s nothing missing now.

There’s a spark that wasn’t there before. A strong-willed spark fighting against an insistent breeze, trying to extinguish it.

I like it.

Or maybe I just like that dress.

“Former princess of Avelaine,” I say, waving to Steven Tyler as he bypasses the line.

“Why former?”

I greet Tom Hanks and then Michelle Pfeiffer before answering Duncan, surprised when there is something about this whole thing that he doesn’t know.

My best friend has been my rock through this. And he learns more each day, so much more than I’m capable of. There should be a way I can make him king, even though I know he wouldn’t take the gig.

At least he’s here with me to help me deal with it. To actually do it.

When I told the guys that I had to choose between a rock band and being a royal heir, Duncan gave me a serious talk about duty and responsibility, listing all sorts of reasons, like how the people of Laandia deserve a fair and just king.

And that I would be that king.

Duncan is my new inspiration for being the best king I can possibly be.