Page 73 of Expecting Royal Twins!
Could it be Isabel had figured things out herself and returned on her own? Hope mushroomed in his chest like a nuclear blast.
Niko bolted upright, instantly awake. He glanced to the spot on his left. Still empty.
Disappointment squeezed his heart. So far the only thing Niko had figured out was that he missed her. He missed her smile, her laughter, her kisses, her warmth. He even missed the grease under her nails. He missed every fiber of her being, especially the twin babies she now carried.
Wait. He looked around the room. If Isabel hadn’t shaken the bed… Something else must have caused it.
As if on cue, a knock sounded on his door.
“Enter,” Niko said.
Jovan in a dark navy robe and slippers rushed into the room, concern etched on his face. “There was an earthquake. They believe 6.8 on the Richter scale. The epicenter is in the north in Sachestia.”
Niko’s gut knotted with fear. “Isabel?”
“We cannot contact the castle. All communications in the area are down.”
He jumped out of bed and rushed to his closet. “I must go.”
“The helicopter will be here in forty minutes.”
“Too long.” He changed out of his pajama bottoms and into clothing. “Activate the emergency plan.”
“Notifications went out as soon as confirmation of the earthquake was received.”
His emergency response project was working properly, but he didn’t care. All his thoughts were focused on Isabel. On her well-being. Her safety. She had to be all right. And the babies. He buttoned his long-sleeved shirt. “I am going to see my father. I will meet you at the helipad.”
He ran through the hallway toward his parents’ suite.
Niko’s stomach churned with fear and worry. Isabel could be lying in the rubble of the castle, injured and alone. If anything happened to her…
Life can change in an instant, Niko. You don’t want to have to live with that regret. Trust me.
No regrets. Niko understood that part. He only hoped he wasn’t too late.
He didn’t know if he could give Isabel the kind of marriage she wanted, but he would give all he could, and love her. He hoped, if she were safe and gave him the chance, what he offered would be enough for her.
“Fill the truck with food, water and blankets,” Izzy instructed her staff, who bustled to and fro from the castle carrying supplies. Some were dressed. Others wore their pajamas and robes. A chill hung in the night air. The sun wouldn’t rise for at least two more hours. She zipped up her jacket. “Hurry. We need to get up to the village ASAP.”
“ASAP?” Emil asked.
“As soon as possible.” She bent over to pick up a case of water. “I want to leave in five minutes.”
“No, ma’am,” Emil took the case from her hands and placed it into the back of a truck. “I will see that the supplies arrive safely. You must stay here.”
He sounded so much like Uncle Frank.
“I’m pregnant, not sick.” Isabel had told a handful of the staff members what was going on in confidence. She patted her tummy. “The twins are safe and warm in there. I know what I can and can’t do.”
Emil eyed her warily. “The doctor—”
“Said I could continue all my normal activities. Helping others in need is a normal activity.”
Worry creased Emil’s brow. “Prince Niko would not agree.”
“Then it’s good he’s not here.” Just hearing his name made the emotions swirl inside Izzy. Her eyes implored Emil. “I’m sure supplies and help will be coming, but we’re the closest to the village. We must go.”
Emil nodded, respect gleaming in his eyes. “Your father and Franko would be proud of you, ma’am. I believe Prince Niko would be, too.”
She doubted the latter, but appreciated Emil’s words anyway. “Thanks.”
Duty was important to her husband. He seemed afraid to let himself go and lose control, or rather had been afraid until their fight after the parade. Izzy couldn’t forget the kiss he’d left her with. Full of emotion, brutal and punishing, the kiss seemed to betray the way he was also so strict with himself as prince. She was beginning to wonder if he’d held back his affection from her for that reason. Heaven knew she’d held herself back. She’d never told Niko she loved him. A mix of fear, pride and stubbornness had kept her from declaring her feelings.
