Page 49 of Back to Claim His Crown
‘What do you plan to do?’ Maia asked softly.
About her future, right? Not about Lucian. There was nothing to be done about him.
‘I want to go away,’ she muttered.
‘Not home?’
‘No. I think I’m going to go to England.’
‘You have friends there?’
Zara took a breath. ‘No, but I need independence anyway.’
Maia had a gleam in her eye. ‘You want to work?’
‘While I get some formal qualifications.’ She nodded. ‘I didn’t get the greatest education when I was younger.’
‘Nor did I,’ Maia said quietly. ‘So I’m studying a couple of papers in Piri-nu.’
‘You are?’ Zara was surprised. ‘That’s great.’
‘It’s wonderful. I’m loving it.’ Maia’s smile widened. ‘There are lots of courses. You shouldn’t go to England. You should come to Piri-nu and train for whatever you want there. We have much better weather.’ Enthusiasm made her speak faster. ‘We could be study buddies.’
Zara giggled and shook her head. ‘I couldn’t—’
‘Why not?’ Maia suddenly took her wrist and pressed it tightly. ‘I’m serious. If you need somewhere to go, come tome.’ She glanced across the room to where Niko was conversing with Lucian and her voice dropped lower still. ‘No one else needs to know. We do discretion really well there. I promise. I can help.’
Zara’s heart thudded. Her gut told her Maia was genuine and lovely. ‘Thank you. I might have to...’ She snatched a quick breath as she realised she might have a new plan that was even better. ‘I’d pay you back.’
‘I know you would.’ Maia smiled. ‘Just like Lucian.’
Zara’s heart constricted.
‘Take my private number now,’ Maia insisted. ‘Before Niko comes back and interferes.’
Zara’s giggle was a touch watery, but she pulled herself together. ‘Thank you.’
To her amazement, they all stayed at the ball almost until the very end.
‘You’ve been so kind,’ Zara said to Niko and Maia as they left the enormous room together. ‘It was lovely to meet you both.’
‘I wish you the very best, Princess.’ Maia pulled her in for a quick hug and muttered into her ear, ‘Let’s see each other again verysoon.’
It was very late but Zara opened the window to breathe in the cool winter air. She was horribly torn—partly relieved that the ball was over, yet despairing at the same time. She’d returned to a kind of public life, which meant she would have to leave here soon. It would look odd to all if she were to remain for much longer. She had to move forward with her life and now, thanks to Maia, she had an even better plan crystallising. But she was wide awake—not wanting the evening to end.
She heard the softest knock at her door. She’d known he would come. He stood silent, the heat in his gaze saying it all. She stepped back. In a heartbeat he was inside, quietly closing the door behind him. He scanned the room—assessing the windows. The exits. Checking security, as always. And, as always, she checked him. In his dark suit with the gold detail he looked suave and regal, but still dangerous and edgy. She knew he must be nearing exhaustion.
‘You made it through the entire evening.’ He spoke bluntly.
‘I survived it, yes.’ She put a hand on the back of the sofa, her legs weak at the sight of him.
‘You didn’t enjoy it?’ he challenged huskily. ‘That wasn’t your laughter I heard across the ballroom?’
‘It was for show.’
‘Not entirely.’ He walked towards her. ‘I think you enjoyed it.’
Well, how could she not enjoy such an evening in a venue so stunning and the food so sublime? And most of the people—the ones she’d mingled with—had been courteous and kind. It had been a taste of the absolute privilege someone in her positioncouldhave.
