Page 63 of Expecting Royal Twins!
Niko wasn’t ready to risk that.
He needed to keep an emotional distance and not become too attached. Losing Stefan had been difficult enough. Having Isabel walk away…
Niko would not put himself through that again, no matter how physically attracted he was to his wife. He had done his duty and married her. He would continue to do his duty and get her pregnant. He would do whatever it took to make their marriage successful.
But emotions had no place in this marriage right now. No place at all.
Izzy didn’t want to open her eyes. She was sore and tired, but she wanted to spend the rest of the day in bed with her husband.
Her husband.
Heat rose as Izzy remembered how she’d responded to Niko’s kiss, his touch, him. Ready for more, she reached toward Niko, but her hand found only empty space. She opened her eyes. He wasn’t there. “Niko?”
No answer.
She hadn’t expected to wake up alone this morning. She wrapped herself in the sheet and checked the bathroom and the balcony. Not there, either.
A knock sounded.
Why would Niko knock to enter his own room? Izzy exchanged the sheet for her robe and opened the door. Mare stood with a tea cart containing breakfast. “Good morning, ma’am. The chef has prepared breakfast for you.”
A breakfast for one based on the tray and silverware, Izzy noted. That added to her unease. “Have you seen Prince Niko?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Mare wheeled the cart into the room. “He’s in his office.”
Working, Izzy realized with relief. She shouldn’t have been surprised given they were leaving on their honeymoon today. Niko must have wanted to get a few things done before they left. How responsible of him. Another trait she liked about her husband.
Izzy enjoyed her meal on the balcony. The scent of the roses from the garden smelled fresher. The sun in the sky shone brighter. The smile on her face felt wider.
And her heart…
She closed her eyes and looked up so the sun’s rays kissed her face. The heat against her skin reminded Izzy of Niko. He cared about Vernonia with a fierce loyalty and love. She hoped he would come to care the same way about her. And she intended to do whatever she could to make that happen.
Two hours later, Izzy walked next to Niko toward the helipad. She cast a sideways glance at him. This was the first time she’d seen him all morning. He looked stylishly casual in his polo shirt, khakis and leather loafers. The man always looked good whether in formal attire or his birthday suit. She smiled at the image that brought to mind. “Where are we spending our honeymoon?”
“You’ll see soon enough.”
“I hope I packed the right clothes.”
His brows furrowed. “Mare should have packed for you.”
Izzy shrugged. “I like doing it myself.”
“You must embrace your role as a princess of Vernonia, Isabel.”
Niko didn’t sound upset, but he wasn’t smiling. Maybe she could fix that. “I’d rather embrace Vernonia’s crown prince.”
He didn’t smile, but his eyes no longer looked so serious. “You must embrace both.”
The helicopter traveled north. A majestic mountain range with snowcapped peaks rose sharply into the clear blue sky. The terrain, rugged and etched, reminded her of Niko. A feeling of warmth welled inside her. Her husband shared so many similarities with this land he loved. “It’s beautiful.”
“Yes.” Staring out the window, he seemed preoccupied. Eager to make a connection like the one she’d felt last night while in his arms, Izzy placed her hand on top of his.
He turned toward her though the smile on his face didn’t reach his eyes.
She smiled back, sure she was mistaken.
But he didn’t lace his fingers with hers and hold her hand. That was…weird. After last night, she expected them to be closer, but he seemed almost ambivalent.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No.”
“Too much work you didn’t get to?”
“No.”
“Tired?”
“I am fine,” he said stiffly.
“You don’t seem fine.” His aloofness annoyed her and set off alarms in her head. “You’re acting different.”
His jaw thrust forward. “I am the same as I always am.”
