Free The Princess by Lori Wick

angry gaze.
    The dance ended, but Nikolai still wasn’t certain where he stood. Choosing for the moment to proceed as if nothing had happened, he said, “Thank you for the dance.”
    “Thank you,” she replied in return.
    “Did you enjoy dinner?” he asked, hesitant to leave things alone.
    “I did. The staff did such a good job with everything.”
    “I see someone I need to speak to, Shelby,” the prince told her honestly. “Would you excuse me for a moment?”
    “Of course.”
    Nikolai started away but came right back. “I’ll find you for the last dance,” he said, bending low to speak into her ear.
    “All right.”
    Shelby stood for a moment, trying to dispel the feeling of unreality. She had just danced with the prince, who was also her husband and who scared her in no small measure.
    Fear is a sin, Shelby. He apologized. You’re going to have to get over it.
    She knew it would be easier to acknowledge than accomplish, but that didn’t excuse her from trying. She was still thinking about it and asking God for help when her father asked her to dance. For the moment she would enjoy this time with Josiah Parker and do as she was asked—keep herself free for the last dance.

    Nikolai and Shelby walked together back to the north quadrant. The ball was over, hailed as a success by all, and the royal family could finally seek their rest. The newly married couple did not speak as they walked, but Shelby had no more said goodnight and shut her door when the phone rang.
    “It’s Nick,” her husband said into her ear. “Can you work me into your schedule in the morning?”
    “I think so. Shall I check my book?”
    “If you would, please.”
    Shelby left the phone long enough to find the book on her desk. She came back and sat on the edge of the bed before picking up the phone.
    “My day is clear.”
    “Can I meet with you about nine?”
    “Yes. Where should I find you?”
    “I think in our parlor. I’ll knock on your door about then.”
    “All right.”
    “Thank you, Shelby.”
    “You’re welcome. Goodnight.”
    “Goodnight.”
    And it was a good night for both of them, but for very different reasons. Shelby fell sound asleep and stayed asleep the whole night, something she needed very much. Nikolai spent many hours lying in his bed and praying, confessing to God the poor choices he’d made and sins he’d committed against his wife in the last six weeks and then discussing with Him all the things he needed to tell her in the morning and asking for strength to do just that.

    Did you have a good time?
Shelby typed on the teletype machine she used for phone calls to her father.
    We had a wonderful time,
he replied.
We spoke with Nikolai for a while and told him we wanted to have the two of you to dinner. We’ll have to do that soon. You looked a little tired at times last night. Did you enjoy yourself?
    Yes. I had something on my mind that I found stressful, so I imagine this was what you saw in my expression.
    It was hard not to ask you last night.
    I’m all right, Fa, thank you. By the way, tell Brice he missed a great party.
    We already did, but I could tell he was glad he’d kept to his original plans. He did say he wants to come see you soon. I think he said something about skating or biking.
    Tell him to come. I would love it. Do you have my extension?
    Yes. I’ll pass the word along.
    Someone knocked on Shelby’s door just then, so she told her father she had to go. They said goodbye with some regret. It seemed like their time together these days consisted of brief snatches on the run.
    “Good morning,” Nikolai said as soon as Shelby opened the door. “Are you ready?”
    “Yes.” Shelby took in the prince’s jeans and T-shirt and was glad she hadn’t dressed up.
    Nikolai noticed her attire as well. He had yet to see her looking anything but nice, but like this, in white jeans and a pale peach blouse, she looked so at home she might have been living in the palace for years. Telling