Garrett had dropped the sails a few minutes ago and was now powering the vessel using the on-board motor. Levi stood beside him as a wooden dock came into view.

Thick foliage flanked the narrow dirt road that connected the dock with the main street. The only sign of recent human presence was the silver sedan parked beside a cluster of trees. He hoped he would have enough room for all of Cassandra’s luggage.

Why a woman would need four suitcases was beyond him.

He retrieved his phone and checked in with his security team.

As soon as he hung up, Garrett asked, “Is everyone ready?”

“Yeah. We’re all set.” Levi glanced at the closed hatch. “I don’t suppose either of you wants to go check on the princess, do you?”

Janessa shook her head. “I’ll help Garrett tie off the boat.”

“But I should stay up here in case there are any problems,” Levi said.

“Nice try.” Janessa smiled in triumph. “You already said your men are in place.”

“I think she’s pulling rank on you,” Garrett said.

“She was a lot easier to deal with before you married her.”

“Insulting me isn’t going to get me to go down there.” Janessa lowered her voice. “Some people in the royal circles aren’t happy Garrett married a commoner.”

“Are you telling me she’s one of them?” Levi asked.

“She wasn’t very warm when we visited Sereno.”

“You’d better go make sure she’s ready,” Garrett interrupted.

Recognizing the royal command for what it was, Levi knocked on the hatch. When Cassandra didn’t respond, he waited a moment and knocked a second time. Again, he was met with silence.

Levi opened the hatch and started down the stairs. “Your Highness?”

He ducked down to see into the compartment, his eyes instantly drawn to Cassandra. The princess lay on one of the couches, a blanket tucked around her, both shoes on the floor. Her thick sable-brown hair fanned out behind her. Dark eyelashes contrasted against porcelain skin. He didn’t know how someone from an island nation could remain so fair.

He reached the bottom of the stairs and cleared his throat. “Your Highness?”

Her eyes opened slowly, her disorientation evident. The royal air she always carried with her was absent now, replaced by a flash of vulnerability.

“I’m sorry to disturb you, but it’s time to go.”

She sat up and raked her fingers through her hair. “Where are we?”

“About an hour up the coast from Calene.” Levi lifted two of her suitcases. “It’ll take a minute to get your luggage transferred.”

Leaving the princess to orient herself, Levi hauled the first of her suitcases topside. He handed the bags off to Garrett and returned downstairs to retrieve the remaining luggage.

During the minute he had been gone, Cassandra had transformed from a sleeping beauty into the princess he had come to expect. She now sat on the couch, her shoes on her feet, her hair smoothed into place, a royal air surrounding her.