Ryker had an uncanny ability to sense and see things on the periphery. It had served him well many times. It didn’t take that ability to sense the tension coming off her in waves.
“You can find a resort and relax.” Another good option. Keep her in one place until he could get in touch with her team.
The ponytail swayed as the princess shook her head. “I don’t think I want to sit still. The parts of the country I’ve seen are quite lovely. I’d like to see more of it.”
He shifted until he half faced her, his arm stretched along the back of the bench toward her, but not close enough she should feel threatened. “There are organized trips you can do. You sign up, they do all of the work.”
“That sounds like something I might enjoy.” She looked back over at him. “Where would one go if they didn’t want to be taken advantage of by someone unscrupulous? How do you know the services are legitimate and not simply out to take your money?”
An astute question - and a good thing Ryker wasn’t out to take advantage of her. “I can steer you toward a couple of good ones.” Unzipping his backpack, he pulled his personal tablet out. “We can look some up and see what looks interesting.”
Princess Johan… Princess Amalia nodded. “That would be lovely.”
Ryker needed to keep the name she currently preferred in the forefront of his mind, but even given the circumstances, he couldn’t lose the title. It just wasn’t done.
He moved closer to her, careful not to get too close. For the next fifteen minutes, they looked at a couple different websites and discussed the kinds of things she would like to do. Some of them didn’t start until the next morning. If she wanted one of those, she’d need a place to stay for the evening - or at least until Ryker could get in touch with her team. Hopefully, he wouldn’t miss his flight.
Internally, he shook himself. Could he really be considering leaving the princess unprotected? Being incognito would certainly assist in keeping her safe. No one would know who she was. Øyanordian royalty wasn’t well known in the Mediterranean.
He could get her to a resort, a high end one. Pay for it himself if needed. Let resort security know a VIP wanting time alone would be staying then call her team. Or more, likely, get in touch with Justin, the head of security for the royal family in Eyjania. Justin would be readily able to contact Øyanord and get in touch with the right people. It would be much easier for him than Ryker.
The more he thought about it, the more he thought she’d be just fine if he did that.
But the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, but Ryker couldn’t identify why.
Yet.
And until he did, the princess would go nowhere alone.
* * *
Princess Johanne Betlinde Amaliadidn’t know what possessed her to have an actual conversation with someone she’d never met.
True, once she’d slipped away from her security team, it became inevitable.
She wasn’t sure what possessed her to do that either.
Her team, her parents, and her grandparents would be frantic soon, if they weren’t already.
Something in this guy - Ryker - shifted. The subtle change reminded her of someone or something, but she couldn’t put her finger on who or what it could be.
“Let’s see what we can find.” He looked around, then stood and moved to sit in one of the seats facing her. Wouldn’t it be easier to share his tablet if he sat next to her?
Ryker asked a number of questions as he input information on his table.
“Do you like camping?”
That was an option? “I’ve never been.”
“Water sports?”
Those made more sense. “Watching or participating?”
“Either.”
“Perhaps watching, but likely not participating.” The waters around Øyanord were too cold year-round. She and Regina found that out the hard way nearly a year earlier.
