Free Invitation to the Prince's Palace by Jennie Adams

I felt I could spend the rest of my life with you. It’s not the entire truth, but it’s as close as we’ll get.’
    ‘Okay. That will work. I know the years that Nicolette was at university, though I didn’t attend myself.’ There was one other issue, though. ‘What’s my story? Why did I say yes?’
    Before he could answer, she shook her head. ‘If your father asks me that question, I’d rather tell him that I will do everything in my power to be as supportive of you as I possibly can in all the time we’re together.’
    He dipped his head. ‘Then stick to that. Commitment to me is implied in such statements. My father should find that more than acceptable.’
    ‘Wh-what will be expected…otherwise?’ Mel asked the question tentatively, and she didn’t want to be tentative. She needed to know, therefore she was asking. She straightened her spine. ‘When we’re married, will we be in your suite as we are now, or…?’ Despite the straighter spine she couldn’t quite bring herself to put it into words.
    His gaze met hers. In it was steadiness. ‘For the sake of appearances we would be sharing my room and…bed at first. This is something that can be managed with a little creative imagination without needing to cause you undue concern. Just for the look of things, you understand?’
    ‘Just—just part of our overall practical arrangement. Yes. I understand totally. That’s very sensible.’ Mel tried not to stutter the words, tried to sound mature and au fait with the situation and what it might entail. They might be sleeping together at the start—her mind tried to boggle and she forced it not to—but they wouldn’t be sleeping together . Not, well, you know. Not like that . She drew a breath. ‘Right. That’s okay, then. We can make that work.’
    ‘We will, Melanie, so do not worry.’ His words again held reassurance.
    And Mel…relaxed into that reassurance.
    They were at a turn in their downward descent where the two mountainsides faced each other when a cry ripped through the air, shattering her composure and bringing Rikardo to an abrupt stop.
    ‘Damn. What’s the man doing? He’s tangled in his equipment!’ Rik dumped the picnic basket and strode towards the source of the cry.
    Mel followed, and after a few moments managed to spot what Rik had already seen. A man dangled against that icy outcrop. It was one of the two men she’d seen earlier. The other—Mel couldn’t see.
    ‘Stop, you fool!’ Rik spoke the words aloud but they were too far away for any hope that the man might hear them.
    Even so, Mel echoed the sentiment.
    The prince let out a pithy curse. ‘If he keeps trying to get loose, he’ll drop to the bottom.’ He didn’t slow his pace, but he turned to glance at her. ‘There’s no one anywhere near except us. I’ve rappelled that section many times. I have to see if I can help while we wait for a rescue team to get here.’
    He already had a cell phone out, and quickly called for assistance and explained the situation and that he would see what he could do until the rescue team arrived.
    Mel could hear someone at the other end insisting the prince must not go anywhere near the dangerous situation, before Rik said, ‘Get help here as quickly as possible’ and ended the call.
    She bit back the inclination to ask him if he would be safe enough. ‘What can I do, Rik?’
    ‘Keep yourself safe. Do not follow the path I take. Follow the path that’s cut into the mountain and you’ll reach the same destination. It will take longer, but I’ll know you are not at risk. When the rescue team starts up the mountain, point them to where I am.’ He strode ahead confidently.
    Mel followed at the best pace she could manage. Each moment counted and Rik quickly got ahead of her, and then cut a different path towards the ice-bound cliff. After a few minutes she could hear him shout to the man first in English, and then in French. The conversation continued in French, and Mel