“No,” I reply. “He’s part of my security detail. They had him pose as a student so that he would be able to stay close to me on campus without arousing suspicion.”

“Security detail?”

“It’s normally eight agents. But since no one knows who I am here, they decided four would be enough.”

“Who were the other three?”

“Thomas joined the faculty as a professor and my supposed stepfather. The two others were the people who came with us on the plane earlier. They’ve been undercover as campus security to provide back-up to Philip and Thomas if they need it.”

“And your father is a king?”

“Yes.”

“Do you really play chess together?”

I smile, pleased he remembered that detail. “Yes, the doctors suggested it to help with the Alzheimer’s.”

“Did you really learn about the Kamanski method from Jerry Lewis?”

Jace continues to pelt me with questions as we finish making dinner and eat it, verifying things I’ve told him, and then moving on to questions about my upbringing and Marcedenia.

Eventually we move to the couch, where the interrogation continues. It’s a relief to respond without thinking, to reveal the final pieces of myself I hid from Jace before.

Finally, he falls silent. “I’m going to bed,” he says, standing and walking out of the living room.

I let out a disappointed sigh and lie down on the couch. The cushions are still warm from where Jace was just sitting. I remain there for a while longer before I stand and start to walk upstairs myself.

The hallway is dark, aside from a thin beam of light coming from one of the guest bedrooms. I hesitate, but pass it and walk into the master bedroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face before unzipping my overnight bag.

Brightly colored lingerie spills out of the top. I stare at the bag for a moment, disappointment overwhelming me. I grab the lacy pink slip that’s almost entirely see through and put it on before I slide in between the crisp sheets. I toss and turn, until finally I manage to fall asleep.

I’m awoken by a creak in the hallway. My heart pounds as I sit up in bed.

“Jace?” I whisper. There’s no response.

I slide out of the warm bed and tiptoe over to the door. The hallway is dimly illumined by the same strip of light I passed earlier. I walk down the hallway and pause outside the slightly ajar door. I push it open a couple more inches to reveal Jace leaning against a stack of pillows on the left side of the bed, shirtless, and scrolling through his phone.

A nightlight is plugged into one of the electrical sockets in the wall, providing a small glimmer of light. The door hinges squeak as the door opens farther, which catches Jace’s attention.

His gaze turns heated as he takes in my appearance, and he rubs a hand across his face. “What the hell are you wearing?” he asks in greeting.