You realize that, right? This land technically belongs to me. I can come and go whenever I please.”
“Just because you can be a jackass doesn’t mean you should. Standing in line with the common folk won’t kill you.”
“But I’m not common. I’m royal.”
“That doesn’t mean you’re above them!”
“It literally means I’m above them,” he says in a slow voice, as though I’m incapable of understanding speech.
“If you set an example that you don’t think of yourself as better than they are, you just might be able to improve public opinion of royals.”
Liam scowls as he looks at the line of ten or so people, and huffs indignantly as he steps beside me into the line. He fishes his phone out of his pocket and plays an angry game of Candy Crush, his thumbs aggressively stabbing the screen. God forbid he stands in line for five minutes.
People whisper to each other as they glance at us and the guard holding an umbrella over our heads.
“Could I have that, please? And you can wait for us in the car. Thanks so much.”
I take the umbrella from the stunned guard, who looks at Liam for clarification. He rolls his eyes at me and nods, and the guard turns around to jog to the car. Liam watches me with a bemused smile.
“What?”
He gently takes the umbrella from my hands, holding it over us both.
“Rule number one: never send your security away.”
I look around. “There’s hardly anyone here.”
A woman in a transparent, blue parka shakily approaches us, a camera wrapped around her neck.
“Yes?”
“Your Highness, I was just wondering if I could please… if it’s possible—?”
“Yes,” I answer for him. “Of course.”
He stands next to the woman, and she excitedly hands me her camera. I switch it on and aim it at them.
“Liam, put your arm around her.”
His eyes flash at me before he lets out a stilted laugh and wraps and arm around her shoulders. I take the picture, and then Liam and I pose together for her. By the time we’re done, five other people are asking for pictures. Despite the fact they’re not supposed to talk to royals.
Liam looks over the swarm of heads and glares at me. “This is why we don’t send away security. Ever.”
“Point taken.”
After Liam poses for half a dozen selfies, we climb the tower, and then the stairs to the freezing wind. The view is even more amazing at the top. I can see the bulge of the hill and our black car sitting in the parking lot, and the forests that surround the lot.
“Beautiful view,” Liam says in a clipped voice. “Let’s go.”
I’m about to ask him what’s the rush when a horde of people spill from the tower, shouting for the prince. Liam clutches my hand in a bruising grip, and my heart stops at the grim expression on his face.
“Prince Liam! The princess is here too!”
Several voices scream with excitement, and my heart pounds as we’re quickly surrounded by people who demand pictures, who want a piece of the fantasy he represents.
Liam scowls. “Fuck!”
The stairs are crammed with people, but Liam draws me into the protective circle of his arm, forcing me down the stairs, pushing them aside. By the time we reach the bottom, there are reporters everywhere.
Liam’s guards are at the entrance. They shove the crowd aside as we walk out. Liam doesn’t relax his grip on my hand. It’s incredibly odd to see the patented Prince Liam smile on his face when I can feel the tension in his hand. I suppose I should smile too and pretend nothing’s wrong.
“There was no one here!”
I look at the packed parking lot, which already has a media van parked inside. A film crew streaks madly over the lawn as they spot us.
He watches them with a sad sort of smile. “Everywhere I go, they find me. It doesn’t take longer than five minutes, usually.”
Dozens of voices suddenly unleash a barrage of questions.
“Ma’am! Could you please stop for a moment?”
“What brings the prince to the Ruins of Mars?”
Liam turns his head. “It’s part of our tour.”
“Where else is Your Highness planning to visit?”
Liam smiles quellingly at the reporter, refusing to answer. They follow us all the way to the car, shouting questions as security keeps them back. He opens the car door for me, and I duck inside.
A wave of relief crashes over me when it slam shut. Liam sinks into the cushions, his smile evaporating as soon as he’s out of sight. An uncomfortable