“She can marry anyone?” I ask, shocked.

“They just have to be a Marcedenian citizen.”

“How do you become a Marcedenian citizen?”

“Same as in the States, I believe. You’re born here, or you apply for citizenship,” Vivienne’s father replies.

I don’t say anything, trying to process this newest revelation.

He seems to understand the direction of my thoughts. “Vivienne was insistent you two couldn’t marry.”

“I didn’t know it was even an option.”

“Royal life requires a great deal more sacrifice than most people realize,” Robert advises. “Like a career, for instance. It’s difficult enough to navigate having never known anything else, but a wholly other thing to choose it.”

I nod, understanding his meaning.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

VIVIENNE

I sit cross-legged atop my bed, staring at the pages of the book I’m trying to read, but not actually registering a single word. Suddenly, there’s a knock on the door to my room. I toss the book down, and clamber eagerly off my bed, tightening the knot on the silk robe I put on after changing from dinner.

I open the bedroom door, and Jace is standing there in his same clothes from dinner. His tie is loosened and is slightly askew. When our eyes meet, he sends me a crooked grin that makes my heart begin to race.

“Three games of chess,” he informs me, stepping inside my room. I close the door behind him. He glances around the bedroom, letting out a low whistle at the size and decadence. “I also got lost.”

“I warned you,” I tell him.

“What was I going to do, turn the man down? He’s a king, not to mention your father.”

I laugh.

“He said some things…and he asked me some questions,” Jace continues. “About me—and about us.”

“What did you tell him?” I ask. My heart’s pounding for a different reason now. Jace doesn’t sound upset, but what could my father have possibly asked him? I tried to make certain there was nothing to ask him about.

“The truth,” Jace replies simply. We remain standing just inside my bedroom door.

His answer does nothing to alleviate my curiosity, but he doesn’t elaborate. “Do you want to watch a movie or something?” I ask tentatively. “Or are you too tired?”

It’s a bad idea.

Him in my room; me offering for him to remain here. We’re truly alone for the first time in almost a year.

Jace studies my face for a moment. “I’m not too tired,” he eventually answers.

I’m both thrilled and worried he said yes, so I turn to grab the remote from one of the side tables to give myself a moment to collect my emotions. I face Jace again and point the remote toward the wall opposite my four-poster bed. Two panels slide away, exposing the television behind them.

“Fancy,” Jace remarks.

I dim the chandelier and walk over to the massive bed.

Jace follows me, kicking off his shoes and climbing up on the plush white bedspread. I pause to stare at the surreal sight of him sprawled across my bed. It’s not something I ever thought I would get to see. As he settles against the heap of decorative pillows, I lean across the bed to grab the book I tossed earlier when he knocked. As I stand back up, I notice Jace is now looking at my chest.