The Controversial Princess (The Smoke & Mirrors Duology #1)(114)

As I’m weaving through the maze at the far side of the grounds, my phone clutched in my hand, I smile to myself, looking at the sky for some imaginary sense of freedom. Damon is only a few paces behind me, ever close, though he has detected my need to at least feel like I have some privacy, only speaking to me when he’s spoken to.

There’s a quick route to the center, where the imposing statue of my grandfather dwells, yet today I take the long route, ambling like I have all the time in the world, which, technically, I have. It’s bright today, the sun warming my bare shoulders, the quiet needed. I try to focus on the sounds of birds tweeting, of the hosepipes spraying water upon the beds of flowers, instead of listening to the endless questions circling my mind. To most people, this would be heaven. But for me, it’s the farthest away from heaven I could be. Quite literally.

“It’s late in New Zealand,” I say to Damon, as I glance at the world clock on my phone.

“Yes. Eleven, ma’am.”

I return my attention forward as I near the turning that will have me at the center of the maze.

The day feels like it has gone on forever already, yet it’s only midday. As the huge statue of the late king comes into view, I stop at the edge of the clearing, taking him in from top to toe, the white shiny marble perfect in my less than perfect world. And I wonder, is this what I will become? A statue or a portrait on the walls of the palace, perfect in my death. Will people remember me, and if they do, for what? The daughter of the King, the controversial princess who defied the strong arm of the Royal Family? The one person who stood up for herself and refused to bow to the expectations of the throne? The one royal who fought for happiness with the man she loved. I smile, dropping my eyes to the base of the statue, seeing Josh there, champagne in his hand and a cunning smirk on his face. Yes, I will be that princess. Because I refuse to be anything less.

“Ma’am, your phone,” Damon says, startling me from my thoughts. I look down and see Josh’s name, and life literally surges through my veins at an epic rate.

I answer on a long sigh. “Fifteen days, twelve hours, and sixteen minutes.”

“And twenty seconds,” he replies. “The longest fuckin’ time of my life. Shit, I’m going out of my mind, Adeline.”

“Me too.” I stroll past the exact point where Josh first got his hands on me, all the feelings and conflict powering forward, reminding me of where my American boy and I began.

“Where are you?” Josh asks as I come to a stop at the foot of the statue, turning and resting my backside on my grandfather’s shins.

“I’m in the maze staring at the spot where you ordered me to my knees.” My eyes root to the grass and stay there, aware that Damon is close enough to hear, but I’m way beyond caring. I hope the entire world knows soon.

“Damn you, woman. Why’d you have to tell me that?”

“I miss you,” I murmur. Despondency is a vice on my soul, squeezing, the weight pulling me down. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

“I’m at the airport,” he tells me, and I look at Damon, as if searching for confirmation that I heard Josh right. “I’m about to fly to London.”

I straighten, and Damon frowns, clearly wondering why I’m tense. “What?”

“Filming is done here. I have a week’s grace before we head to South Africa.”

“But, Josh, I can’t go anywhere. I’m trapped here.” Despite the overwhelming happiness that Josh is coming back to London, too much misery is masking it. Knowing he’s within a few miles when I’m confined to Claringdon will be torture of the worst kind.

“They can’t keep you there forever. Something’s gotta give soon, before I do. How’s Eddie? Have there been any developments?”

“He’s fine. And no, nothing.” I hear the sound of an announcement in the background. “What’s that?”

“Last boarding call. I’ve gotta go. I’ll call you the moment I land, okay?”

“Okay.” I look at Damon as I disconnect, reading his questioning expression. “He’s coming back.”

Worry. It’s written all over his face in an instant at this news. “Don’t you be pulling any wild stunts.”

“Damon, when will this be over? They can’t keep us prisoners here forever.”

I see him breathe in his patience, taking his phone from his pocket when it rings. “Yes?” He turns away and starts pacing. “I’m on my way.”

“What is it?” I ask, the second he cuts the call, pushing myself off the legs of my grandfather.

“Meeting in the King’s office.” He’s quick to collect me, tugging me along, his way of telling me I’m not remaining out here without him. “You can have lunch with Queen Catherine while I’m busy.”

I take the lead when I note that Damon is going the entirely wrong way through the maze to get us out in the most efficient time. “What is it? Do you think they have found whoever did this?”

“I don’t know anything until I get there, Adeline.”

“But you’ll tell me, won’t you?”

Damon looks at me, wary and affectionately. “Yes.”

I power on, keen to get Damon to the King’s office without delay.