Page 33 of The Dauntless (Spy Girl 5)
“I already told you. I loved Alberto and Serafina’s love story and hoped we would be blessed with a long, happy life and many children.”
“Did you go back further in history? Like, way back?”
“I took a brief look, mostly to make sure nothing bad had ever happened to a wearer of the ring. But, no, I didn’t read the full history of the ring in detail, only the first and the last entry.”
“Humor me, Lorenzo. Please tell me exactly how you chose it.”
He lets out a little huff. “Fine. Tradition dictates that the future bride wear the tiara from the suite of jewels the engagement ring is chosen from. Now, many in history have broken this tradition, rather choosing a tiara to match their dress or having a piece custom-made, but I first considered whole suites of jewels, narrowing it down to four. Then I compared each engagement ring. The first was a large Burmese ruby set in gold and ringed in diamonds. It is part of the suite of jewels you wore to the Queen’s Ball.
“The second was a pear-shaped diamond ring that I liked simply due to its utter extravagance and its being the largest ring in the vault. The third, a beautiful blue diamond the color of the sea, reminded me of our dinner in the turret.
“It was a difficult decision, and I agonized over it for days, but in the end, I knew I had to follow my heart, which is why I chose the fourth—the flaming heart ring. The ring and the tiara are as delicate as are you, but the jewels were also the first set even given to a Montrovian queen.” His eyes get misty, and he tightly squeezes my hand. “That means they are part of the foundation on which our country was built. You are that to me, and you make my heart flame.”
“You had no idea it’s known as the Arcadian suite of jewels?”
“I don’t recall seeing that name,” he says. “But I was also enamored with thoughts of you wearing that tiara on our wedding day.”
I let out a chuckle. “Well, we ruined that vision. I didn’t wear a crown when we got married.”
“Do you still consider us to be married?” He pats my chest just above my heart. “In here?”
“Yes,” I reply, the truth pouring out of me every time I’m near him.
“That is why I cannot sleep with Lizzie, let alone kiss her. You should know that she is devastated by your engagement to Daniel.”
“And what about you?” I say softly.
“I find myself spending a lot of time in our turret, praying you will come home to me.”
“Even if I did, sounds like it won’t be the same since Lizzie is renovating the entire castle.”
“I called it off because they wanted to change things that remind me of you.”
We’re interrupted by the sound of Lorenzo’s briefcase buzzing loudly.
“What’s that?”
“An alert,” he says, picking up the phone all members of The Society carry.
“What does it say?”
“There was a terrorist attack in Berlin. Details are still sketchy, but apparently, some car bombs went off at and near the airport. They advise we avoid the area.”
“Like those severe weather alerts, telling you if your area is impacted?”
“I guess. I’ve only gotten a few since I joined,” he says and then gets back to the subject at hand. “Lorenzo the Magnificent’s marriage wasn’t arranged, and it’s written that, when Lorenzo first saw her, his heart caught fire in a way it never had before. He believed he’d met his soul mate and set out to win her affection.”
What he says and what he’s been saying is so incredibly sweet and romantic, but I can’t allow myself the luxury of getting wrapped up in it again. “Back to your grandfather’s journal, did he mention the emerald ring?”
“No, but he did speak of a group of men dedicated to the betterment of the world, and a key needed to enter.”
“What exactly did it say?”
“I knew you would ask me that.” He shows me a photo he took of the words written in the journal.
All who enter
Must bear the key
And keep it secret
For all eternity.
“Not much to go by,” he says, pulling my left hand up in front of his face again. “I hate this ring. It looks incorrect on your hand. Foreign. It does not belong. We must end this charade, Huntley. I love you. We must tell the world of our love.”
“Not yet.”
“Why ever not?”
“I need the anonymity of not being engaged to you.”
“And being engaged to the president’s son gives you that?” he says, exasperated.
“As far as Montrovia is concerned, yes. Lizzie has been on the cover of magazines around the world already. She’s done numerous interviews. There’s a royal baby bump watch already, for goodness’ sake!”
“I know we were caught up in the moment, Lee, but I consider us to be married, and I will not break the vows I spoke to you. I cherish every word we said because they were real and raw and from our hearts. They weren’t written by the church and repeated as a formality.”
My heart melts at his declaration, but I can’t. “Lorenzo, something bad is going to start at the Olympics, and people are going to die. Lots of people. Over three-quarters of the population.”
“Not that many people come to the Olympics.”
“I don’t know how it works, but I assume the poisoned grain will go out all over the world. It will make people sick, and then they will die.”
“If we don’t eat grain, we’ll be fine? Just cut out some carbs?” he says with a laugh.
“It’s not that easy, Lorenzo. There are grain products everywhere and in everything, even in the supposedly healthy toothpaste you use.”
“Toothpaste?”
“Yes, sorbitol is made of corn.” I sigh. “But I don’t understand it either. Does that mean all the people who don’t eat grains will survive? So, my goal is to work the other side of the equation. I’m going to figure out who else has a ring like this one.”
“You’re very brave, Lee,” Lorenzo says softly. “I’ve realized that great love takes faith and bravery. Have you ever felt like this before? Tell me it’s mutual.”
I chuckle. “I’m taking on the world for you, my love. Does that answer your question?”
“You haven’t been in my arms since the yacht. It was the best morning of my life, followed by the worst day ever.” He looks at the engagement ring on my finger again. “I’m a fan of diamonds, but this is the most hideous ring I have ever seen in my life.”
“It’s very patriotic.” I laugh. “People in America are loving it, I’m told. Knockoffs are already hitting stores.”
“I had to do what I did,” he says, his voice quavering. “But you … you didn’t. I love and adore you, and this is killing me.”
I smile, trying to hold back tears. “I know.”
“I was speaking to you in the press conference.” Lorenzo glides his thumb under my jawline. “Did you get my message?”
“Yes, I did. I’m sorry I left. I was hurt and was overreacting, but I al
so knew I couldn’t save your country while being your future bride.”
“Does that mean you are here on a mission?”
“Actually, I quit.”
“But if—”
I see the hurt look on his face.
“I just quit Black X. I didn’t stop trying to discover the truth about their plan.”
“I figured, since you went to Iraq where you were in a gunfight and nearly died.”
I give him a grin. “I’m good with guns.”
“Have you and Daniel—” His eyes get watery, and he tilts his head, swallowing a lump in his throat.
We lock gazes and hold them, tears filling my eyes.
I slowly shake my head. “Not even a kiss.”
“The only thing that has given me hope through all this is that you’re still wearing the necklace. You were holding it during the proposal.”
“That means you got my message,” I say with a grin. “Daniel did it to make Lizzie jealous. Please don’t tell her.”
“I won’t, but I heard that you’re set to marry Daniel. Right after the Olympics.”
“Your wedding is set for December. Ours needed to be before that.”
“Would you go through with it? What if Lizzie doesn’t stop it?” he asks.
“I’m more worried about the Olympics. I’ll make you a deal. If we get through the Olympics alive, we will revisit the status of our relationship.”
“That status of our relationship is that we are married,” he replies with a cocky grin.
“Not legally.”
He takes my hands in his. “I meant every word I said.”
“As did I.”
“I know.” He smiles softly as he pulls a chess piece with my ring on it out of his breast pocket. “This goes with me everywhere, staying close to my heart. My queen and her ring.”
