I cleared my throat. "Listen, something has happened."

She stepped back. "Let me get my things."

I stopped her though. "No, you don't need to hurry off. It's your opening. You need to enjoy it. But Matthias is going to be with us for a while, as is his fiancée."

She frowned. "That guy has a fiancée?  He looks just as likely to eat someone as he does to date them."

I glanced over at him. He did have that I am a fucking badass look on his face. "Yeah okay, fair enough. But listen, we don't need to talk about this now. Enjoy the opening. I'll talk to you after."

She shook her head. "No. You tell me what’s going on now."

I sighed and then tugged her through the main gallery room and into one of the offices. She crossed her arms over her chest, having no idea that all it did was push up her tits and make my brain take a non-escapable detour.

Focus man.

I dragged my gaze back to hers.

"Sweetheart, if you wanted to get some..."

"Ah, I wish that's why we were in here, but it's not.” I cleared my throat. “My mother's cousin, the King of Nomea, has been assassinated."

Her jaw unhinged. "Fuck."

I nodded slowly. "We don't know who did it. We don't know why. But that means I need you covered in case there's any kind of retaliation."

"So that guy out there is supposed to cover me?"

I nodded slowly. "Yes, him and his fiancée."

"What's going on, Alexi?"

"I don't know. I honestly don't. All I know is, right now, you are mine to protect. And I would do that with my life."

"So, this makes you a prince now?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, since he had no children and he wasn't married, that means my mother is, by default, Queen of Nomea. But he's got followers who, no doubt, will retaliate if they think that my mother's people had anything to do with it."

"Jesus."

"Yeah, I know. But listen, I don't want you to worry about anything. We're going to get a team. You will be protected."

She squeezed my hand. "Alexi, I'm so sorry."

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I know this isn't what you wanted."

"Look, I will step down today if it means my title puts you in danger. Besides, I'm only the spare."

"I know how this works. You might be the spare, but you've only ever wanted your freedom. And now, you're going to be under all the scrutiny in the world."

"We are."

"I know. And I could take it. I just—I know you didn't want this."