Royally Lost (8 page)

13

Becca
wanted to fling her eggs Benedict across the linen-covered table. “Dad, I’m not going on some stupid extended tour.”

“I’ve had enough of your lip, Becca. Since when do you talk back? We brought you on this trip for family time and so far we’ve barely managed to share meals. Keep it up and you can join us on this afternoon’s monastery tour, too.”

“Dylan isn’t going with you today, so why do I have to?”

Vicky intervened. “Dylan is in bed sick. He even went to bed early last night. He’s too ill to come.”

Hardly. Dylan caught wind of her conversation with Vicky last night and jumped at the chance to skip out on a day of torture. Becca wanted to throw him under the bus, but never would.

“Please, Dad, just let me go on the regular tour.”

“No, and that’s final. We will have one day together.”

“Oh my God, you don’t get it!” She tossed her fork down. It clattered loudly on her plate. Other diners looked over at them.

Vicky smiled as if nothing were amiss. “Becca, Regensburg is fascinating. There is the historic bridge that allowed merchants to trade wares, there’s the Imperial Chamber, and amazing architecture.”

“This sucks.” Becca threw her napkin in her eggs, and stormed off.

Back at her cabin, she found Dylan lounging in bed and playing games on his phone.

“This is all your fault, you know!”

“What did I do?” he asked without looking up.

“You’re backing out today, so now I’ve become Dad’s project. They’re forcing me to go with them, but I’m supposed to meet Nikolai.”

“Come on, Becs. You’re smart enough to get out of it.”

“No, Dylan, I’m not. I begged, I complained, I demanded, and he ignored me. I can’t exactly claim I’m sick. You already pulled that one.”

“You could be a no-show.”

“They’d be in here in a second.”

He lowered the phone. “You could disappear. Just take off. I’ve done it plenty of times.”

“As much as I’d like to, that would be going too far. I couldn’t do that to Dad. I don’t want to go with him, but I don’t want to freak him out either.”

Dylan returned to his game. “I guess you’ll just have to be a good little girl and do what Daddy says.”

“You’re such a jerk.” She slumped on the edge of her bed.

He grinned. “Don’t I know it.”

“So why is it so easy for you to do what you want even if it means letting people down? I don’t get it. You used to be the perfect child.”

Dylan stopped messing with his phone and looked up. “You’re right. I used to be perfect. When Mom was alive, she was sick for so long that I made a bargain with God.”

Dylan didn’t talk about their mom very often. Neither of them did.

“If God let her live, I’d be perfect and do everything expected of me. And I did for a long time.”

“But then she got worse,” Becca whispered.

“And died,” he said. “I think that’s the last day I ever cared what authority figures said.” Dylan stood and tossed his phone on the bed. “Life’s too short. It’s not worth doing what other people want, just to please them. Sorry, but it’s how I feel.” He disappeared into the bathroom.

Becca realized she had acted the opposite of Dylan. While Dylan behaved before their mom died, she started behaving after.

On her deathbed, her mom had held Becca’s hand and told her how proud she was of Becca. She told her to have a great life and always be good. And so Becca did.

In honor of her mom, she did whatever was expected, no matter how much she hated it. At school, she took all the higher-level science classes she hated because her dad insisted upon it. She’d been the good girlfriend, even though Ethan stood her up and forgot to call her all the time.

But since this trip started, something inside her had changed. Somehow she’d woken up and started living her own life, and despite feeling a little bad about lying and breaking the rules, Becca loved it. Could it have anything to do with meeting Nikolai? A warm happiness filled her.

She had to get out of this tour. But she couldn’t think of any way to do it.

A few minutes before the group was to meet on the dock, she gathered her sunglasses and audio box and left the boat to break the bad news to Nikolai. Maybe he’d come up with a way to get her out of it.

A warm breeze welcomed her on the docks. It would have been a perfect day to take off with him. Four other boats were docked at port, lined up end to end. People from various boats milled around the long, wide walkway, searching for their group, or heading off for a day on their own. Becca envied their freedom.

Lining the port walkway was a tall brick wall with shops and buildings beyond. She couldn’t see where Nikolai might have parked his motorcycle.

What if he wasn’t even here? What if he couldn’t find the dock? What if he had trouble getting all the way back to his motorcycle? It was so late last night. She shouldn’t have let him leave. Maybe he’d changed his mind and didn’t want to see her again. Or, what if something had happened to him?

Becca frantically pushed through the congestion of clueless tourists.

Up ahead, she saw couples and small groups loaded up for the day with their water bottles and knapsacks. She suddenly spotted Nikolai, and her heart leapt. His tall, lanky frame leaned back with his foot and shoulders against the stone wall. He wore his baseball cap and a backpack. Today he wore a muted green T-shirt and cargo shorts that rested low on his hips. He looked good.

But of course he did. He was a prince. She’d actually forgotten about that for a minute. Nervous jitters ran through her.

Nikolai glanced up and aimed his megawatt smile in her direction. She regretted even more what she had to tell him.

He pushed off the wall and walked toward her. “Good morning.” He grinned and kissed her cheek.

“We have a problem,” she blurted as people passed them by.

“What’s wrong?” He took her arm and led her away from the crush.

“My dad’s making me go on some stupid tour.”

She saw the disappointment on his face and wanted to cry. “I’ve tried everything. I can’t even get Dylan to help me.”

He considered the situation. “Well, then I’ll just have to come with you.”

“What? You can’t come on the tour.”

“Why not? Look at all these people. Do you really think they know who is supposed to be with them? Plus, no one noticed me at Melk Abbey.”

She watched the hordes of nameless, faceless tourists pass by. “This is different from the abbey where we were mixed in with the public. Today’s group will be a lot smaller. I don’t know what we should do.”

“You don’t want me to join you?” he asked with a smirk.

She laughed. “Well, you are kind of a know-it-all on tours.” She looked into his eyes. Today they resembled the color of an ocean on a sunny day.

“Come on, where do we meet?” He guided her back toward her ship.

Becca held up. “What about Vicky? She knows who you are! She recognized you in the magazine last night.”

“That ought to make it even more fun. I’ll just have to stay in the back and keep my head down.”

“You, not stand out in a crowd? I don’t think so. Just don’t let Dad and Vicky see us together too often. They’ll wonder who the guy is I’m talking to and start asking questions.”

“Got it. I’ll blend in.” He winked at her, and the butterflies in her belly fluttered.

Her nerves danced as she approached their boat. Becca couldn’t believe he was going to sneak onto their tour. The crowds had thinned and she easily spotted her dad. She glanced at Nikolai and tilted her head, indicating he should join the other side of the group. He grinned as they parted.

She caught up with her dad and Vicky. “I’m here. Are you happy?”

“Right on time, good,” her father said, as if checking off something on his agenda.

Becca scowled. He ignored her and turned to the couple next to him, a man with bushy eyebrows and a protruding belly, the woman wearing a floppy hat, capri pants, and tennis shoes with ankle socks. No doubt Dad and Vicky met them last night while in the lounge at a wine tasting. Becca huffed and walked away.

She looked over at Nikolai, a few people away. He’d put on sunglasses. Now she couldn’t see his sapphire eyes or read his thoughts. Becca had to admit that with his sunglasses and unshaven face, he was much harder to recognize. The stubble had grown since she first met him in Vienna three days ago. It gave him a laid-back vibe.

“Please, gather around,” said their tour guide, a woman with a thick German accent, in a raised voice. “Tune your headsets to Channel 10.3.”

Becca tuned the audio box that hung from a cord around her neck, but Nikolai didn’t have one. She looked at him and frowned. He shrugged and smiled.

“Mine isn’t working,” said a white-haired, wrinkly woman as she fumbled with the knobs. She reminded Becca of her grandma.

“Let me see.” The guide reached for the device. She examined and adjusted it. “You’re right. It’s not working. I’m sorry. I don’t have any extra audio boxes. If you follow me closely, you’ll be able to hear me.”

“She can use mine.” Becca stepped forward, slipping the cord from her neck.

“Oh, that’s so sweet. Are you sure?” the older woman asked.

“Absolutely. I don’t mind at all.” Becca smiled at the appreciation in the woman’s eyes. “You take it.”

The woman accepted the device. “Thank you so much.”

As Becca walked past her father and Vicky on the way back to her spot, they both frowned.

“I told you I wasn’t interested in the tour. She’ll appreciate hearing it a lot more than I would.” A glance at Nikolai showed him fighting back a smile and shaking his head.

“All right then, hello everyone. My name is Lena and today we will be doing an in-depth walking tour of Regensburg. At the end of the tour, I will bring you back here, so you can either board the ship, or a bus, which will take you upriver for the optional river gorge ride to a centuries-old monastery and a brewery tour.” Lena walked, and the group followed like cattle to slaughter.

Becca huffed her resignation, reconsidering Dylan’s idea of just walking away. What could her dad do if she did?

“Welcome to Regensburg, the former capital of Bavaria, home of a medieval stone bridge built in the twelfth century. But to the locals the city may be most popular for its Regensburg mustard.”

Letting the more enthusiastic tourists pass, Becca lagged to the back of the crowd until she and Nikolai carried up the rear. “Bored yet?”

“I’ll never be bored with you around,” he said. The corner of his mouth curled.

The group left the dock behind and walked on a wide cobblestone pathway. An occasional bicyclist sped by. The group stopped in front of a building with open-air dining, and their guide spoke again.

“Here is the world’s oldest sausage kitchen dating back to the twelfth century. Be sure to stop by and try some before you go. . . .”

Becca rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry our day didn’t work out the way we planned.”

Nikolai gave her shoulder a warm squeeze. “I don’t mind.”

The guide continued. “The stone bridge, which is now closed to vehicle traffic, is one of the oldest landmarks in Regensburg. It features sixteen arches and is more than three hundred meters long. There is a beautiful view of the city from the bridge. We’ll walk to the center for some spectacular photo opportunities.”

The bridge bustled with tourists snapping pictures, joggers, and bikers whizzing past.

Becca focused on the cobblestones as she stepped, but her senses were really only aware of Nikolai standing a few inches away, pretending he didn’t know her. Their group had spread out, and her dad and Vicky posed for a picture near the stone railing. Becca imagined them falling into the river. She was still mad and couldn’t shake it. She wanted to disappear when they weren’t looking and pay the price later.

Reaching the side, Becca placed her hands on the ancient stones and looked out over the Danube. Nikolai joined her.

“Think anyone would notice if we jumped off and swam away?” she asked.

“Somehow I don’t think that would work out. But it sure is a nice view,” he said.

Becca looked out at the panorama. Across the river, church spires shot tall into the sky. “Yeah, the city does look pretty awesome.”

“I wasn’t talking about the city.”

Becca glanced over to find him gazing at her. “You and your lines, do they work on all the girls?” She laughed and stepped away to look off the other side.

Nikolai grabbed her hand. She yanked it away in case her dad and Vicky were watching.

“Becca! Look out!”

14

She
turned her head to look.

Wham!

A bike ran into her at full speed, hitting her first with the tire and then the handlebars slammed into her stomach.

Becca and the bicyclist crashed to the cobblestones.

She lay still. Stunned. The bright blue sky shone above. With the rider and his bike on top of her, she fought to catch her breath.

Her legs felt tangled in the wreckage. Suddenly, the pressure eased as the biker climbed off her and spoke rapidly in a foreign tongue.

People appeared, staring down at her and asking questions she couldn’t immediately register.

Someone lifted the bike away, and she sucked in a deep breath.

“Miss? Are you hurt?” a balding man asked.

She started to move. Was she hurt?
Crap.
She better not be.

Nikolai’s glorious face appeared and the rest faded away. “Becca, are you okay?” He sounded so worried.

She nodded and whispered, “How’s this for a nice view?”

He took her hand in his. “I like the idea of a girl falling at my feet, but this wasn’t what I had in mind.”

“Rebecca, are you all right?” Her father appeared on her other side and kneeled. Vicky hovered above.

Becca stole a quick glance at Nikolai. “Yeah, I think I am.” She released his hand and sat up.

Her dad glared at the biker, who tried to straighten his bike. “That imbecile should know better than to ride through a congested area as if he’s in the Tour de France.”

She wiped her hands off and noticed a heavy scrape on each of her palms from sliding across the rough, gritty stones. “I wasn’t looking where I was going. It was my fault.”

“No, it wasn’t. There is no reason to be riding that fast. I have a mind to have him ticketed.”

Becca tried to stand.

“Here, let me help you.” Nikolai held out his hand and gently guided her to her feet, concern etching his face.

“Thanks.” She brushed dirt off her shorts. The others gave her a little breathing room. The side of her right leg had a long, red scrape from her impact with the road. She shook out each leg. Her hip hurt where she landed on it. She felt sore, but okay.

“Perhaps we should get you to hospital and have you checked out,” Lena said, assessing Becca’s injuries.

“No! Seriously, I’m fine.”

No way was she going to a hospital. She’d be forced away from Nikolai, and that was not going to happen. She stepped back, stretched her limbs, and shook off the stiffness. “See? Totally fine.”

“Becca, you’re bleeding,” Vicky said.

“Huh? Where?” Becca looked down and, other than some bad scrapes, saw nothing.

Vicky pointed to a trickle of blood on her arm. “Here, on your elbow.”

“It’s nothing bad. See, it’s already stopped. I’m good to go.”

“Well, she certainly can’t continue the day like this,” Vicky insisted.

“You’re absolutely right. We’ll have to get her back to the ship,” her father said, which was about the most concern she’d ever heard out of him other than keeping her grades up and finding a respectable internship.

Then the lightbulb turned on and she saw her chance.

“I would hate for you to miss the day here. You’ve both been so excited about it. I can get back on my own.” She looked at them expectantly and avoided looking at Nikolai, who watched from two steps away.

“What kind of parents would we be if we didn’t take you back and make sure you’re okay?” Vicky asked.

Becca swallowed back her retort that Vicky wasn’t her parent. “Dylan’s there. If I need anything, he can help. It’ll actually be fun. I should probably relax and lay low anyway. He and I can watch some movies together.”

Her father seemed to weigh the options. “Vicky’s right, we can’t just set you off on your own in this condition.”

“Excuse me, sir?” Nikolai stepped forward. “I’d be happy to take your daughter back to the boat. I really don’t mind.”

Her dad looked at Nikolai as if he’d just sprouted from the ground.

Holy crud.
So much for keeping the friendship on the down low. Nikolai angled his body so Vicky couldn’t get a good look at him.

“I’m also on the
Bolero
, so it would be no trouble.” Nikolai acted the concerned young man out to do a good deed rather than a lovesick teenager wanting to sneak off with the man’s daughter.

Becca fought to keep a grin off her face.

Her father studied Nikolai as if he were an ax murderer. “Is that so? I don’t recall seeing you. I think it best I escort her.”

“Oh my God, Dad! Are you serious? He was at the table across from us at breakfast this morning!”

“He was? I didn’t realize.” Her father’s stance relaxed. Apparently he was now more at ease with the idea.

“Dad. It’s not that big of a deal. We’re only like a couple of blocks from the boat. I can see it from here. Plus, Dylan will be there.”

Vicky touched her father’s arm and nodded consent.

“Well, if you both think it’s all right, that will be okay.”

“I’m glad to help.” Nikolai unleashed his charming smile.

Becca turned to Nikolai. “Hi, I’m Becca.” She smirked.

“Nice to meet you, Becca. I’m Nick.” He coughed down a laugh.

“Well then, that settles it,” her dad said.

They said their good-byes and walked away from the tour group, waiting to speak until they were out of earshot.

“Oh my God! Can you believe it? They practically gave us their blessing to hang out together!”

“Are you sure you’re okay? That bike plowed into you pretty hard.”

Becca glanced back to see the group move on to their next attraction. She and Nikolai took the steps down to the waterfront. He led her to the brick wall, and held her face with both hands.

“Seriously, Becca. Are you feeling okay?”

With a guy like Nikolai around she’d never felt better. “I’m great. How soon can we get out of here?”

“Do you want to go back to the boat and clean up?” He looked at her scraped legs and the blood on her arm.

“I don’t want to go back. What if something happens that stops us? Vicky could call ahead and say they changed their mind and they’re taking me to the hospital or something insane. I want to leave now while we can.”

Nikolai grinned. “Then let’s go!” He kissed her quick on the lips, laced his fingers with hers, and led her to his motorcycle.

Becca clung to Nikolai’s waist as they cruised down a peaceful country road, the wind whipping through her hair. He reached down and patted her leg. She rested her head against his back and enjoyed the feel of his lean, taut stomach.

At first she felt self-conscious as she climbed up and sat with her body pressed against his, but after a few terrifying minutes of Nikolai weaving through busy, traffic-laden streets of Regensburg, she relaxed and reveled in this new connection.

After several miles, he turned down a gravel road, driving through woods to a small parking area, and parked the bike in the shade.

Nikolai twisted around in his seat to see her. He removed his shades and hooked them over the neck of his T-shirt. Their bodies brushed together, their faces only inches apart. His eyes danced with joy. He seemed as happy to be free from the rest of the world as she was.

“Oh my gosh, that was amazing. Terrifying, but amazing.”

He laughed. “I’m glad you liked it.”

“I was so scared at first, because I’ve never been on the back of a motorcycle, but, I loved it!”

“You can step down, but be careful.”

She held on to his shoulders as she stood and swung off. He stepped off and locked up the bike.

“So where are we?” Becca looked around. She liked how the dense trees secluded them from the rest of the world.

Nikolai unstrapped his pack from the cycle. “Well, if the guy from the bar, who drove me back last night, is correct, we’re at a little known part of Crystal Lake. Apparently, this is where the locals come when they want to skinny-dip and have sex.”

Becca froze.
Oh crap
. “Uh, what?”

He laughed. “I’m kidding. Relax, you’re an easy mark.”

She let out her breath. She should have known he was messing with her, but part of her found the idea very sexy.

He slung the pack over his shoulder, kissed her on the cheek, and guided them through a narrow path in the woods.

“How was I supposed to know you’re kidding? Think about it. I’m an American girl in a foreign country, who took off with a guy I’ve known for barely two minutes. For all I know, you’ve kidnapped me and are going to sell me into slavery.”

Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “You watch too much television. I’ve seen that movie. Don’t worry. If I were going to sell you into slavery, I would have done it that first day when you got lost in Vienna.”

“I wasn’t lost. I was just a little turned around.” She tripped on a tree root.

Nikolai caught her by the arm and held her steady. “Of course you were.” He turned his head but she caught his smirk. “And do you know how to get back to Regensburg and the
Bolero
?”

She nibbled on her lip. Of course, she had no idea.

“That’s what I thought. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you.” He gave her a quick squeeze.

The shaded trail opened up to a wide sandy beach. The sun shone down on a crystal-blue lake; its waves lapped at the shoreline. A large outcropping of rocks lined each side, creating a secluded alcove.

“This is beautiful.” She ran onto the sand. “I’ve been on the river for days, but never been able to actually touch the water.” She kicked off her sandals, ran to the edge, and stepped into the clear lake.

“How’s the water?” Nikolai asked, setting his pack near her sandals. He toed off his shoes and joined her.

“It’s cool, but nice,” she said, as he stepped in.

A light breeze made the warm day comfortable. They waded out until the water was knee-high. The waves had created ridges on the sandy lake bottom.

Nikolai faced her and brushed a lock of hair from her face.

“How are you feeling?” He grasped her hand, lifting her arm to inspect her injured elbow. “You took a really bad fall.”

“Well, my hip and elbow are pretty sore, but otherwise, I’m fine. Other than the tread marks and the bike grease on my legs.”

“We’ll get that washed off.” He lifted her hand to his lips, sending butterflies flitting in her stomach.

She sighed. “I’ve never been better.”

“Me either.” He leaned down and kissed her, and then pulled away. “Hungry? Want something to eat?”

“Um, sure.” She’d rather stand in the lake and make out all day, but food was good, too.

“I hope you like what I brought.”

“I can’t believe you thought to bring food. When did you have time?”

They swished their way to shore; the water felt like silk against her legs.

“I didn’t have much. I talked a guy at a local pub into giving me a ride back to my motorbike last night. I slept next to it, under a tree.”

She bet not too many people would believe the Prince of Mondovia slept outside like a homeless person. “You should have stayed on board ship with me.”

“And sleep where?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Up on deck. Under the stars,” she offered.

“Well, I slept under the stars, all right. Some bleating sheep woke me at dawn. I rode to Regensburg right away so I’d know where the dock was when you arrived. Then I found some breakfast and some markets.”

“You barely slept.”

“I don’t mind. How about we take our lunch up onto that flat rock so sand stays out of everything. I don’t have a towel or a blanket.”

“Okay.” They climbed over a few boulders and reached a large flat rock that had been warmed by the hot summer sun. She sat and peeked over the edge down to the shimmering water.

“I can’t get over how gorgeous this place is. This is what we should be seeing on our tours, not more old cities with stories about people who have been dead for centuries.”

Nikolai laughed and unpacked his bag. “We have bread, some cheese, strawberries, a couple of bottles of water, and a Diet Pepsi.”

“Where did you get that?” She snatched the soda bottle and held it like a treasure.

“At the store, why?”

“Do you know how hard it is to find a Diet Pepsi in Europe?” She popped it open and took a long drink.

“Yes, actually, I do. I had to hit four different places before I found it.”

“How did you know I like it?”

He unwrapped the bread, smoothing the paper to serve as a sort of tablecloth. “I heard you mention it in Budapest.”

“Thank you.” Could this guy get any more perfect?

“You’re welcome.” Nikolai set out the strawberries and unwrapped the cheeses.

“You have no idea how nice you are, do you?”

“I’m not nearly as nice as you think. Trust me.”

She didn’t know why he thought that, but she didn’t believe he could be anything but kind. “This looks great.”

“It’s not much, but I thought it would do the trick. I’ve got a knife somewhere.” He fished around in his backpack and pulled out a small knife.

“What all have you got in there?”

“Not much, actually. A change of clothes, a toothbrush, and a rain jacket.”

“That’s all you brought? How long were you planning to be gone?”

He tried to slice the bread, but squished it.

“Here, let me do it.” She took the knife from his hands and deftly cut into the fresh, crusty bread.

Nikolai leaned back on his hands. “I wasn’t thinking very far ahead. Things kind of came to a head and I decided to take a stand. Let’s just say my people aren’t very happy with me right now.”

“Oh? And who are your people? You mean the citizens of Mondovia?”

He chuckled. “No. I don’t think the general public cares all that much. I mean my parents, their staff and advisors, my personal secretary, the security detail.”

“You have a secretary?” She pictured a sexy young woman in a tight skirt.

“Yes, but not the kind you’re thinking of. Dmitri handles all my personal affairs, schedule, and appearances. I’m afraid I’ve put him in a bad position. My parents expected him to stop me or at least tell my security team where I was going.”