“Yes, I could,” Gabriella said briskly. “And it’s tempting. Instead I’ll tell you to try to remember that Alex has had to work very hard to develop an armor to contain his emotions. A strong, objective ruler is necessary for the country. It isn’t always easy for him, or for the people close to him.”

“Brie, the bottom line isn’t my feelings for Alex.”

“For those of us who can choose their own destinies feelings are always the bottom line.”

“I wish it were so simple.” If it were, she could open the door, even for a moment, and examine her own feelings, her own wants, face-to-face. She didn’t dare. They might be much bigger and much stronger than she was. It was a matter of self-protection, she told herself. Of self-reliance. She didn’t want to think it was a matter of survival.

“Brie, as much as I care for your family, I can’t afford to get emotionally involved with someone who has to put country and duty ahead of me. That sounds selfish, but—”

“No, it sounds human.”

“I appreciate that. You know, if—” She broke off as the phone on her desk rang. “No, don’t go,” she said as Gabriella started to rise. “Wait just a minute. Hello.”

“Eve Hamilton?”

“Yes.”

“You’re close to the royal family. If you have concern for their welfare, tell them to heed a warning.” The voice chilled her as much as the words. It was mechanical, sexless.

“Who is this?”

“A seeker of justice. A warning. There will be only one. François Deboque will be released from prison within forty-eight hours or a member of the royal house of Cordina will die.”

With the breath backed up in her lungs, Eve shot Gabriella a look. Her friends, her family. The threat wasn’t against some faceless title, but against people she loved. She gripped the phone tighter and forced aside terror. “Only a coward delivers threats anonymously.”

“A warning,” the voice corrected. “And a promise. Forty-eight hours.”

The quiet click echoed over and over in Eve’s head even after she deliberately replaced the receiver.

Fear. Because she sensed it, Gabriella rose to put a hand on Eve’s. “What is it?”

When she focused on Gabriella again, Eve saw the tautness despite the princess’s attempt at composure. Taking her cue from that, she rose quickly. “Where are your bodyguards?”

“In the hall.”

“Your car’s outside?”

“Yes.”

“A driver?”

“No, I drove myself.”

“We need to go to the palace. I think one of your guards should ride with us. I’ll explain on the way.”

* * *