“That’s good. Now another step.”

Little by little, Cassie shuffled her feet, her back pressed against the rock. When she reached the edge of the boulder, she opened her eyes and looked behind her at the grassy field. The view of solid ground was all it took for her to scramble the rest of the way to safety.

Levi followed.

In the distance, she saw Darius approaching. In a matter of minutes, the royal guard would take her away, and Levi would disappear forever.

As though he didn’t understand the implications, Levi took Cassie by the arm and started forward.

Cassie took one step and stumbled, pain shooting through her ankle. “Ow.”

“What’s wrong?” He turned to look at her, his hand still holding on to her.

“My ankle. I think I twisted it.”

Levi squatted and put his hand on her left ankle. “This one?”

He pressed on a particularly tender spot, and Cassie sucked in a breath. “Yeah.”

“I’m so sorry. I think you hyperextended it when you helped me.”

“A minor injury is insignificant considering the alternative of watching you tumble over a cliff,” Cassie said. “That wouldn’t have helped my fear of heights in the least.”

“I suppose you’re right.” Levi’s body stiffened when Darius reached them. “Princess Cassandra is injured. We’ll need a cart or a horse to take her back to the palace.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Darius said. “As for you, there’s a car at the main entrance waiting to take you to the airport.”

“I’m not leaving until she’s safely inside,” Levi said.

“That wasn’t a request. The king was very adamant in his instructions.”

Cassie sized up the two men who had squared off on either side of her. With her own emotions in a turmoil, she struggled to regain her composure. When she thought of Levi leaving her side while she was out in the open, a wave of panic flooded through her.

“Darius, I’m sure my father will understand if his orders are delayed,” Cassie said. “He certainly didn’t expect another shooting today.”

“Yes, Your Highness, but—”

“Levi will remain with me until I return to the palace.” She looked at Levi, love and betrayal battling for dominance. “Besides, Mr. Marin and I have some things to discuss before he departs.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Darius retrieved his phone. After he called one of his men and explained the situation, he hung up and said, “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait here with you.”

“Of course.” Cassie looked down at the palace grounds below where emergency vehicles had gathered at the edge of the gardens. “How are your men?”

“Two wounded. I think they’ll make it.”

“I was afraid—” Cassie broke off. “What about the man who was shooting at us?”

“He was killed. His body is being taken to where Theo is being treated so he can identify the shooter.”

“Theo? Why would he know the shooter?”

“Because we believe it was his brother.” Darius glanced at Levi, apparently debating whether he should say anything further.