“Sorry about my mother,” AJ murmured as they stepped out into a cool, empty hallway. His voice echoed slightly off the white stone floor. AJ pulled back his arm, and hers fell to her side. A small blue parrot stared at them from his perch in the latticework.
“She’s just doing what she thinks is best.” She glanced at him, trying to gauge his feelings.
“Do you think it’s for the best?” He frowned, and peered at her. His eyes were a warm dark brown, like polished teak.
“I don’t know.” Her voice came out a choked whisper. “I’m inexperienced in these matters.” And not about to defy a thousand years of royal tradition in the face of a Rahiian prince. If he was anything like his brother, he’d let her know his disapproval in the harshest terms possible.
“You’re a grown woman. Do you think it’s natural to marry a total stranger?”
His question embarrassed her. “I only met Vanu three times before I married him.”
“Let me guess, my mom fixed up the whole thing.” He raised a straight black brow.
Lani nodded. Her long hair felt hot on the back of her neck and she wished she could run to her room for a good cry.
And not over the death—or supposed death—of her husband. For herself, and the no-win situation she faced: another unhappy royal marriage, or disgrace and dishonor for refusing it. Tears pricked her eyes and she raised a hand to cover them.
“Please don’t cry.” AJ’s gruff plea rang off the wood-beamed ceiling. “Come on, let’s go sit on the veranda. Some fresh air will do us both good.”
His words were supposed to be funny, since the hall they walked along was open to the gardens, like nearly every room in the sprawling palace. Carved wood cast shade and the high roof kept out tropical rain, but birds and pretty lizards darted freely amongst the ornate columns.
Yet the air itself seemed oppressive, thick with expectation.
AJ Rahia was tall, well over six feet, and her head barely reached his shoulders. Her small steps, bound by the long wrap of her skirt, made her scurry to keep up with his bold strides. He noticed, and stopped to wait for her.
He wore a dark suit, American-style, and must have been hot in the tropical humidity. “Would you like a cool drink?” She lowered her eyes, not wanting him to hear any hint of suggestion beyond mere politeness.
“No, thanks. Listen, it’s not personal. I’m sure you’re a very nice girl. I’ve just got a life in the States. I direct movies—”
“I know,” she rushed. “Your mother is very proud. She watches the whole Dragon Chaser series at least once a month.”
He stopped dead. “You’re kidding.”
“Not at all. She installed a complete home theater system in the old feasting chamber last year for better stereo sound.”
AJ’s eyes widened. “She’s never said a word.”
“She’s a big fan.” Lani couldn’t help the tiny smile that sneaked across her mouth. He looked so totally astonished. “She loves the lead actor, too. She thinks he’s cute.”
“Devi Anderson? Cute!” AJ burst out into a loud guffaw. “I swear, nothing could surprise me more. Well….” His brows lowered. “Except that I’m expected to marry you.”
Lani swallowed. She lifted her hair off her neck and rearranged it down her back, her eyes glued to the floor. Should she apologize for being a burden? It was hardly her fault.
And he might take it the wrong way.
He didn’t look anything like his brother, but that didn’t mean he didn’t share the same twisted soul. That he wouldn’t lash out when she least expected it.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t keep bringing it up.” He frowned and turned away. “It’s just so… ridiculous. And I have a big investor meeting on Tuesday I must get back for.”
A tiny flame of hope lit in Lani’s chest. He really didn’t plan to stay and marry her. He obviously didn’t want to. She should be offended, but instead she felt relief.
Even if she didn’t believe in true love any more, she’d had enough of marriage for one lifetime.
They’d reached the veranda, where big armchairs nestled under palm fronds with a view over the forested Haialia valley. They sat in two chairs separated by a carved-wood table.
“What do you think happened to Vanu?” AJ turned to look at her.
She shrank from his inquisitive gaze. “One of the boats went missing from the palace dock. A small yacht he used to sail sometimes. Some say he might have taken it out. There was a storm that night.” She swallowed. Images of Vanu disappearing into the dark sea crowded her brain.
“If there was a storm the boat could have broken free by itself. They do that quite often. The palace dock isn’t well protected.” AJ wove his long fingers together and looked out over the valley.
“I know, but the island isn’t that big and everyone’s been searching for him for weeks. He must have left.”
She bit her lip. “And he didn’t take a plane. They’re all accounted for.”
“Why did he go out in a storm?” AJ’s eyes rested on her cheek.
Which heated. No one could know the truth. Her marriage was over now and there was no reason for anyone to know that it had been… hell on earth.
She owed that much to her mother-in-law, who’d done everything to welcome her as a daughter and who worshipped and loved her eldest son.
“I think he was restless. Couldn’t sleep.” She fixed her eyes on the horizon, where rainforest haze hung just above the treetops. “He often walked in the gardens late at night. He didn’t sleep much.”
“Yeah. He was like that as a boy, too. It sometimes seemed like he never slept.”
An odd tone in AJ’s voice made her glance at him. His brow was furrowed in a frown. He must miss Vanu, the older brother he’d never see again.
AJ’s face was undeniably handsome, with broad, well-cut cheekbones and a slightly cleft chin. His mouth was wide and friendly. So different from his brother’s pinched, bony countenance.
She’d married Vanu because she had to. That’s what everyone said. What simple village girl—the daughter of a laundress, no less—would turn down a chance to be queen?
She didn’t have a good answer at the time.
“How’s my mom taking it?” AJ’s frown deepened.
“Very hard.” Lani twisted her fingers together. “She cries a lot, and that’s not like her.”
“It’s a terrible thing to lose a child.” AJ rubbed a hand over his mouth. “At least she has you. I know she adores you.”
Lani pushed a smile to her lips. “She’s been so kind to me. Everyone has.” Well, except Vanu.
“So if I take off back to L.A., I imagine you’ll rule as queen.”
Lani sat bolt upright. “Me? I can’t. I’m not royal.”
“You may not have been born royal, but you’re already queen, in case you hadn’t noticed.” Humor danced in his dark eyes.
“Technically speaking, but not really. I’m just a village girl.”
“I thought you were born in New Jersey.” He raised a brow.
“My parents divorced when I was seven, and my mom moved back to Rahiri.” People tried to make more than they should of her foreign birth and the fact that she was half-American. It gave