He pushed those thoughts away, struggling to tuck them into the corner of his mind. He was with Cassie now. He needed to enjoy their time together while it lasted.

* * *

Cassie paced the library, her stomach tying itself in knots. Levi had informed her that Keith Maloney had arrived fifteen minutes ago. As she and Levi had previously discussed, she would use the chateau library to meet the man who could very soon be her country’s new partner.

So many things were changing both for her and her country. An impending turnover in leadership, a new industry that would greatly improve the economy, and the possibility that Levi would come to Sereno with her to stay.

The earlier strain between them had faded. Ironically, Levi’s attempt to put distance between them had done the opposite and had drawn them closer. The realization that her safety meant more to him than his own happiness had endeared him to her in a way she couldn’t describe.

She let her thoughts linger on Levi for a moment and, by doing so, found a new sense of calm. She didn’t know what it was about him that made her feel both safe and cherished, but she couldn’t imagine her future anymore without him in it. It was hard enough to think of how much would change when she returned to Sereno and ultimately took over for her father.

She looked around the library. Like in her own home, the artwork featured a combination of modern and classic. A Monet on one wall, a local seascape above the fireplace. A new conference table in the center of the room and an antique occasional table in the corner. Full bookshelves lined the wall and gave the room warmth to what would otherwise look like a classy conference room.

Cassie had seated herself on one side of the oval table where four copies of the proposed contract lay on the glossy surface: one folder in front of her and the other three arranged at the seats across from her.

She was ready. She hoped she was ready.

Cassie placed a hand on her stomach in an attempt to settle her racing emotions. Looking through business proposals was one thing, but conducting negotiations on her own was quite another. The draft of the contracts had been written by her attorneys weeks ago in anticipation of this day, but this first meeting was all on her.

Footsteps approached, and she turned to see Levi escort three people inside, two men and a woman.

“Princess Cassandra, may I present Keith Maloney, the chief executive officer of Axion Oil,” Levi said.

Cassie extended her hand to Keith. “I am so pleased to meet you. Thank you for agreeing to meet me here.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Keith glanced around the room. “This is the first time I’ve been invited to a royal home.”

“If all goes well, I doubt it will be the last,” Cassie said.

“This is Alexis Garcia, my attorney, and Richard Nasser, my accountant.”