Cassie folded her arms across her chest. “I should be mad at you right now.”

Levi closed the distance between them and put both hands on her shoulders. He kneaded the muscles where her tension had settled. “You should be, but you aren’t because you know I’m right.”

“How did you get to know me so well in such a short time?”

“You let me.” He leaned down for a kiss. He had meant to keep it brief, but the moment his lips touched hers, he couldn’t resist pulling her closer. Her arms dropped to her side before lifting to rest at his waist. The gentle touch sent ripples of pleasure through him, his heartbeat quickening.

He deepened the kiss, drawing her closer still. His fingers tangled in her hair, the stress of the past few days falling away.

She was home, and he was startled by the thought that so was he. Wherever she was, that was where he wanted to be.

He pulled back and gave her one more quick kiss. “I don’t suppose I’m allowed to do that in front of anyone, am I?”

“I’m afraid not,” Cassie said. “I already miss being us.”

“We’re still us,” Levi assured her. “We just aren’t going to be us in public.”

“Right. I’ll try to remember that.”

“I’d better go find Jeremy and get the latest updates. Will you be okay here by yourself?”

“Yes. I need to work on the press conference for tomorrow, and I thought I would drop a couple fake hints in the news about where I’m hiding out.”

“Where are you today?”

“I was thinking Malta. I have a few photos I can leak that will keep the attention diverted away from here.”

“That’s a good idea. Can we meet for lunch?”

“I’d like that. Come by when you’re ready, and we can order something up from the kitchen.”

“I have a kitchen in my suite. Maybe Jeremy can help me get some groceries so we can avoid letting your staff know you’re here for a little longer.”

“Whatever works,” Cassie said. “Come by whenever you’re ready.”

“Okay.” Levi leaned down for a goodbye kiss. “See you later.”

Levi exited Cassie’s suite to find Theo standing across the hall.

“Sir, His Majesty has requested you come to his quarters.”

“Are you sure? I was just there.”

“Quite sure.”

“Okay.” Levi followed him to the door Levi and Cassie had exited only a few minutes earlier.

Theo knocked twice and opened the door. “He will meet you in the living room.”

“Thank you.” Levi found the king sitting in the same position he had been in when Levi and Cassie had arrived for breakfast.

“You wanted to see me, Your Majesty?” Levi asked. “I thought you had an eight-thirty meeting.”

“You are my eight-thirty.”

“I wasn’t aware we had an appointment.”

“Please, sit down.” He waved to the seat opposite him. “We have a few matters to discuss.”

Levi sat. “I’m listening.”

“I understand you are the person who told Cassie about the change in my health.”