Frozen. Morgan Q O'Reilly

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СКАЧАТЬ “I understand this little trip will take three days, so you’ll see the brown of my eyes day after tomorrow.”

      “Brown?”

      “I changed my eye color.”

      “Lenses, right? They’d better be temporary. What else did you do?”

      “I’m not going to spoil the surprise. You won’t recognize me. Nobody else did.”

      “Don’t be too sure about that,” her father warned.

      “Yeah, yeah, you’ve had me followed since the day I left. I know all about your spies. I bribed them to keep quiet.”

      “I pay them better,” he laughed. “Just tell Zaren to be careful, there’s a storm blowing in and you all might want to circle up the convoy and let it blow over. Too bad you aren’t thirty klicks further along, there’s a spot where you could pull over and keep toasty warm.”

      “Speaking of the good duke, what is your opinion of the man? Is he to be trusted?”

      “I trust him with my most precious treasure.”

      Noreen felt a rush of warmth as Gunnar squeezed her waist. “You let Cory date him?”

      “Funny. Let’s just say I trust him far more than I trust someone calling himself the Lidarian Minister of Agriculture who’s been banging on the Ryadstholm office doors since early this morning wanting to know where you are. Prince Somebody or other.”

      “Hollis Traxelgard is here?” She swallowed the squeak that snuck out and ignored Gunnar’s sharp glance.

      “Do you know him?”

      “Yes, but I didn’t expect to see him again so soon. I mean, we have a date, but not for eight weeks. And then I’m supposed to be back on Lidaria. I had no idea he’d ever follow me here.”

      “Well it seems he’s under the impression you wanted to see him much sooner. He’s all but threatened an invasion to find you.”

      “Oh. Well, I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what lit a fire under his tail.” Actually, she did, but she wasn’t about to tell her father, or Gunnar, about that. She hadn’t known until too late that certain…acts…were the equivalent of a marriage ceremony on Lidaria. “I thought he understood,” she sighed. Men. Always hearing only what they wanted to hear.

      “Apparently he didn’t. Does he know your bodyguard on sight?”

      “Yes.”

      “I’ll have Hans convince him you’re safe and sound.”

      That sounded ominous. “If it doesn’t work I’ll talk to him by vid-com when I reach home.”

      “Älskling…” Her father drew in a deep breath. “I have to ask but, did you, call upon… you know, a little while ago?”

      “Um, you mean the clap thingy?”

      “That’s the one.”

      “Yeah, dukey here was trying to compel me into revealing state secrets.”

      “Ah, then that explains things.”

      “What things?” She’d never heard of a side effect of using the clap. In fact, she’d never used it before.

      “Well, the storm for starters. There’s also been a little excitement in the palace.”

      Noreen frowned. “What kind of excitement?”

      “I’ll tell you when you get home. Call when the storm blows over. Oh, and Princess, you remember The Profetia, right?”

      She heaved a heavy sigh. “Yes. How could I ever forget? What about it?”

      “Let’s just say your destiny is at hand. Trust your heart to keep you warm.”

      “More riddles.” She snorted in disgust. “Yes, Pappa.”

      “Oh, Gunnar? Make the most of the storm,” her father chuckled. “Check in when you can to let us know you’re okay. We have your current position noted.”

      “Fader? What do you mean?” she asked using her most imperial voice. The one most often used for over-eager cabana boys who thought she was an easy target. And over-zealous Princes of Lidaria.

      “It’s time to fulfill your part of The Profetia, sweetling.”

      “Pappa? It sounded suspiciously like you just gave me away.”

      “Not me, Princess.” Her father laughed while her veins frosted over. “Odin. Your union has been heaven-blessed from the beginning. The gods are tired of waiting for the next heir. And, frankly, so am I. As are a few other people. We’ll have a formal ceremony in a few weeks, but for all intents and purposes, I now pronounce you married.”

      “To whom?” She had to try one last time even though she knew the answer.

      “Why Gunnar there, of course! Which adds another Duchess title to your name, but, for all legal purposes, that now makes him Prince Consort Audelhuk. We’ll deal with the particulars and official paperwork later.”

      “Fader,” she growled in the tone that usually made him back down. The shock invading her system was all the more unsettling because of his next words.

      “Gunnar, don’t hold it against her. It isn’t her fault. Please keep that in mind. I know you know what you have to do, but temper your actions with the knowledge that I created this problem. She’s only living up to how she was raised. She doesn’t know anything else.”

      Before she could ask what he was talking about Gunnar took the handset from her and replied, “Yes, sir. I need to check in with my convoy so we’re ready when the storm really hits. It’s building up a good blow as we speak.”

      “Make the gods happy, you two.” With a final crackle of static, the king was gone.

      “Sweetheart, älskling,” Gunnar murmured, his lips on her throat again. “Would you, please, put the stew pot in the fridge and then get ready for bed? It’s the safest spot to ride out a blow.”

      “Excuse me?” Heart pounding in her throat, she tried to lean away from him but he just held her closer.

      “We need to prepare for the storm. Once the hatches are battened down, we’ll talk. Okay?”

      She nodded numbly. It wasn’t the chore she objected to, but rather the ever-so-very-clear implication he was about to bed her.

      He gave her a brief kiss and a squeeze, then turned to the com-link.

       Chapter 5

      Noreen listened with half an ear as she gathered up their bowls with icy fingers. Gunnar spoke rapidly, repeating instructions his people probably knew by heart. She found a tiny sink, just big enough for the two bowls, by lifting the counter to the side of the burner. There СКАЧАТЬ