A frown crossed her face. “If you don’t think it’ll be too much for you.”
This had the potential to turn into an argument of sorts, so Ryker decided to forestall it by working to stand up by himself. Before he could make it all the way to his feet, she’d come to his side to help.
“Not fair, Ryker.” She sounded more annoyed than he expected. “You don’t get to make unilateral decisions.”
But she didn’t try to stop him. It took longer than he would have preferred, but he made it onto the balcony. Amalia helped him into a chair then propped his leg on an ottoman before frowning. He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but before he could, she’d managed to move another chair over and put his leg on that so it didn’t angle down so much.
Ryker leaned his head back and closed his eyes, soaking in the sun. “Thank you. This is what I needed.”
“I bet you need these, too.”
He looked over to see her holding some tablets and a glass of water. “Thank you.”
She sat in the other chair and made sure they could both reach the cart of food.
“I’m sorry.” He needed her to know he could admit when he made a mistake. “I shouldn’t have just forced the issue.”
“And I should trust you to know your own limitations better,” she grudgingly admitted.
He leaned to the side to reach around the cart and take her hand. “We’ll both have to get better. This is a new relationship. Even if we do know it’s what we want, it’s going to take time.”
“I know.”
The silence that ensued seemed comfortable and not strained like he’d feared. It didn’t take overly long before he decided he’d had enough.
“Can you help me back in?” Ryker typically wasn’t one to ask for assistance, but he also knew how far he could push things - and he had reached his limit.
By the time they made it back to the bed, he felt like he’d run a marathon.
“You’re pushing yourself too hard, aren’t you?” Amalia helped him swing his legs back up.
Ryker nodded as he leaned his head back. “I am, but sitting outside was good for me.” He managed a smile, though his eyes remained closed. “You know what else would be good for me?” Did his tone sound teasing? He meant it to.
“What’s that?” The wariness in her voice told him he’d achieved his goal.
“If you’d come over here with me.”
She didn’t answer but in seconds she stretched out next to him, her hand in his as she rested her head on his shoulder.
This was what he hadn’t known he wanted. He’d been happy with his life in Eyjania. Working as a member of the protection team fulfilled his life in most ways. He’d wanted a family - someday.
He’d found it in the most unexpected fashion.
On holiday.
With a runaway princess.
EPILOGUE
Sitting through a joint session of Parliament and the Council wasn’t exactly Amalia’s idea of a good time, but she’d have to get used to it sooner than she ever could have expected.
They weren’t planning a wedding for the heir to the throne.
No.
Though it had been determined they were legally married, she and Ryker had chosen to continue as though they were engaged.
Which meant she’d moved to another room until he was well enough to do so.
